Big Willie Style is the first solo studio album recorded by Will Smith, after spending most of his career as the latter half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. The album was released on Columbia Records in the United States on November 25, 1997 and featured several popular singles including "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It", "Miami", "Just the Two of Us" and "Men In Black", which was also released earlier in the year on the soundtrack for the movie Men In Black. Will Smith was awarded with a Grammy Award in 1997 in the Best Rap Solo Performance category for the song "Men In Black" and in 1998 for "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It". "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" spent two weeks as #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 14, 1998 to March 28, 1998.
Track listing
- "Intro" – 1:51
- "Y'All Know" – 3:57
- "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" – 3:47
- "Candy" (featuring Larry Blackmon and Cameo) – 3:56
- "Chasing Forever" – 4:16
- "Keith B-Real I (Interlude)" – 1:07
- "Don't Say Nothin'" – 4:22
- "Miami" – 3:17
- "Yes Yes Y'All" (featuring Camp Lo) – 4:23
- "I Loved You" – 4:12
- "Keith B-Real II (Interlude)" – 0:30
- "It's All Good" – 4:04
- "Just the Two of Us" – 5:15
- "Keith B-Real III (Interlude)" – 1:54
- "Big Willie Style" (featuring Left Eye) – 3:35
- "Men In Black (featuring Coko)" – 3:47
- "Just Cruisin'" (UK bonus track)
Charts
Album
| Year |
Chart |
Position |
| 1997 |
The Billboard 200 |
8 |
| 1997 |
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |
9 |
| 1997 |
Top Canadian Albums |
14 |
Singles
| Year |
Single |
Chart |
Position |
| 1997 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
Rhythmic Top 40 |
5 |
| 1997 |
"Men in Black" |
Hot Latin Tracks |
39 |
| 1997 |
"Men in Black" |
Latin Pop Airplay |
7 |
| 1997 |
"Men in Black" |
Latin Tropical/Salsa Airplay |
13 |
| 1997 |
"Men in Black" |
Rhythmic Top 40 |
1 |
| 1997 |
"Men in Black" |
Top 40 Mainstream |
2 |
| 1997 |
"Just Cruisin'" |
Billboard Hot 100 |
56 |
| 1997 |
"Just Cruisin'" |
Canadian Singles Chart |
23 |
| 1997 |
"Just Cruisin'" |
UK Singles Chart |
83 |
| 1998 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
Hot Latin Tracks |
37 |
| 1998 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks |
6 |
| 1998 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
Hot Rap Singles |
1 |
| 1998 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
Latin Pop Airplay |
17 |
| 1998 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
Latin Tropical/Salsa Airplay |
16 |
| 1998 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
The Billboard Hot 100 |
1 |
| 1998 |
"Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" |
Top 40 Mainstream |
5 |
| 1998 |
"Just the Two of Us" |
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks |
17 |
| 1998 |
"Just the Two of Us" |
Hot Rap Singles |
1 |
| 1998 |
"Just the Two of Us" |
Rhythmic Top 40 |
2 |
| 1998 |
"Just the Two of Us" |
The Billboard Hot 100 |
20 |
| 1998 |
"Just the Two of Us" |
Top 40 Mainstream |
6 |
| 1998 |
"Miami" |
Rhythmic Top 40 |
4 |
| 1998 |
"Miami" |
The Billboard Hot 100 |
17 |
| 1998 |
"Miami" |
Top 40 Mainstream |
7 |
| 1998 |
"Miami" |
Top 40 Tracks |
6 |
| 1998 |
"Miami" |
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks |
73 |
Trivia
- In the music video for the song "Miami", future co-star (Hitch) Eva Mendes makes a cameo appearance.
- The album was certified 10x platinum and sold 20 million copies worldwide, reached #8 Billboard 200 and #9 Top R&B/Hip Hop albums, & the album won two American Music Awards for "Favorite Rock/Pop Album" & "Favorite Soul/Rhythm & Blues Award". [1]
- "Miami" samples "And the Beat Goes On" by The Whispers.
- Some tracks were cowritten by rapper Nas. In the writing credits, he is credited as N. Jones.
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