Will Smith - Big Willie Style

Is Will Smith an important rapper? The kind that deserves the awards, the honors, the accolades that the music industry foists upon him? Well, no. The words corny and safe might be applicable when describing the artist formerly known as the Fresh Prince. But dig this: corny and safe as he may be, why can't you stop singing "Getting Jiggy wit It" or why does your child love "Just the Two of Us," Smith's shameless ode to dads and their kids? Probably because Smith is nothing if not sincere. Yes, the tracks are obvious and leaden, and, no, Method Man won't have any sleepless nights when Smith lets loose with a rhyme. But give him this: Smith comes from the culture, even if he long ago left the streets. --Amy Linden Amazon.com

A REPOSITORY OF FUNK SAMPLES

I am a simultaneous listener of hip hop and funk. Simply because funk is a subset of the dance music market; and because hip hop used to extensively sample it.

When I started to hear older funk songs that sounded similar; this is how I realized that hip hop gave me a "window" to the sound of funk which I really dig.

This album was made before 21st century hip hop musicians such as Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Kayne West and others started to ignore those funk sounds. I mean, hip hop was an extension to funk in the first place! August 18, 2008

Fun & Friendly Rap (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars)

I remember back in 1998, I was extremely pissed at my mom because she wouldn't stop at the store so I can buy this album. Back in 1997 Will Smith aka The Fresh Prince dropped his first LP with out his right hand man DJ Jazzy Jeff, his first time on the mic in almost four years. Since the 1993 album Code Red, Will has been on television and on the silver screen, mainly with his two big blockbuster hits Men in Black (Deluxe Edition) & Independence Day (Single Disc Widescreen Edition) with detoured him from his rap career.

When Will returned to the mic, he was ready and willing to make a hit album. He dropped "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" as the first single, which really didn't get my attention. What really wanted me to get this album was the second single "Just The Two Of Us". The song had elements of the origonal song done by Bill Withers and Grover Washington Jr. which was played all the time where I resided, so hearing the version on this CD was the coolest thing ever (seriously). Speaking of elements and samples, this album is has a lot of them that are easily recognizable. "Candy" ironically features Cameo and Larry Blackmon which uses the origonal old school beat, although the third verse of that song might leave you scratching your head a bit. The popular single "Miami" produced by L.E.S. samples "The Beat Goes On" by The Whispers, which makes it tight to listen to. Another stand out to me would be "Don't Say Nothin'" where Will gets some heat off his back, and produced by his former partner DJ Jazzy Jeff. Another notable would be "Yes Yes Y'all" which features Sonny Cheeba from Camp Lo. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez (R.I.P.) assists Will on the title track "Big Willie Style". And then the album closes off with the "Men In Black" theme song which is a bonus.

Some songs I never liked were the slow song "Chasing Forever". That song just didn't appeal to me. Also "I Loved You" and "It's All Good" I wasn't feeling although Jazzy Jeff doesn't do a bad job with the production.

Big Willie Style is great. It's fun for all ears, as there is no profanity (I think he says the S word on "Don't Say Nothin'" that's edited). Most of these songs are sort of pop friendly and would appeal to people who listen to the radio a lot (I was 12 when this album dropped). Fans of his earlier work from the late 80's and early 90's might like this. Hardcore hip hop fans might want to stay away from this. But at the end of the day, Will still entertains. Whether if it is behind the mic, or on the movie screen, he gets the job done. Peace!!

Lyrics: B
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: B+

Top 5 Favorite Tracks:
1. Miami
2. Just The Two Of Us
3. Don't Say Nothin'
4. Yes Yes Yall (featuring Sonny Cheeba of Camp Lo)
5. Y'all Know

Honorable Mention:
1. Candy (featuring Larry Blackmon and Cameo) August 17, 2007

I Enjoyed This!

To be honest, right now in my life I'm not the biggest pop-music fan. I don't think pop music is 'bad' by any means and haven't got anything against the artists, it's just not what I focus on with music or the type of music I enjoy the most. But there was a time when I did listen to the radio more often, go to the bars and hit the college parties. And at that time, this album was extremely popular! Everyone pretty much knows Will Smith, and if you remember when this album was released back in 1997, it was at a time when he was probably at the pinnacle of his stardom. He'd just featured in several high-profile movies like "Independence Day" and "Men in Black" and seemingly no-one could get enough of Will Smith.

Don't get me wrong though - there were several people that really did have enough of Will Smith. Let`s face it, several tracks on this album were way overplayed. Video channels, the radio, commercials... you name it. But stepping away for a few years and then looking back, they were catchy and fun tunes and followed the same pattern - sample a classic R&B track and update it with new beats and samples. "Miami" was one of them with a neat sort of beat- although as another might've mentioned, he sampled a classic track for the rhythm... I want to say it was George Benson's. Another popular track was the "Men in Black" theme... I can remember my summer job when this was always playing. He sampled Patrice Russian's track - for a glimpse of that one, the original is in the movie "Big", featuring Tom Hanks. "Just the Two of Us" was another track that was nice- for him and his son and "Gettin Jiggy with It" was a track I just liked... it was nice, light and had a good pulse to it.

It's easy for me to recommend this one - it reminds me of so many good times and just how different things were in the US then... to me, at least. Internet boom, 1.15 gallon for gas (which helped a poor workin' college kid!), etc. I also liked Will Smith's approach. His music's never really been negative and he tends to at least tell a story in the songs and entertain you. That's his work in general - even from the old days with Jazzy Jeff, who's done some stuff with Defected's "In the House". And while he sampled loads and it isn't particularly original, it's still a fun album. I also like that you can understand what the heck he's saying and you can tell he enjoyed making this album. So, you probably have already, but check it out! February 12, 2007

Buy the Tracks

Big Willie Style contains three of Will Smith's greatest hits. We've heard them a million times, and quite frankly they have worn off their appeal. Now the downfall of the CD is not that the three best songs are over played, but that the rest of the CD is mediocre at best. To someone really dying to have the popular songs on this CD, I'd suggest legally download the few songs you want and save the rest of your money. I am a huge supporter or Will Smith and his clean lyrics, but I hope in the future he will put together a more complete album. August 1, 2006

Great album

this is will smith's best album

best tracks

1) men in back
2) jiggy wit it
3) miami

def. top 3 of 100 tracks of the 90s. May 6, 2006

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