Big Poppa was released in 1994 as a single from The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album Ready to Die, and it quickly became one of his signature songs. Built around a sample of the Isley Brothers' Between the Sheets, its smooth production and relaxed flow helped bring East Coast hip-hop to a wider mainstream audience in the mid-1990s. Decades later, the hook still circulates in short-form edits, sports highlights and celebration clips, where its instantly recognisable groove signals confidence, success and old-school cool without needing any explanation.
About this sound
The smooth hip-hop hook from The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1994 hit Big Poppa, used in edits, memes and party clips to add instant old-school swagger and confidence.
The clip captures the laid-back, confident groove of Big Poppa, with Biggie's smooth, deep delivery gliding over a warm, mid-tempo hip-hop beat built around a soulful sample. His voice sounds relaxed and unbothered, almost playful, while the bass and drums keep a steady, head-nodding rhythm underneath. It feels cool without trying too hard, like walking into a room knowing everyone is already watching. That effortless swagger is why the sound lands so well in short videos, instantly setting a confident, celebratory mood before a reveal, entrance or punchline.
