The song spent three weeks at the top of theBillboard Hot 100 chart from March 14, 1998. It also won theGrammy Award in 1999 for theBest Rap Solo Performance. It was ranked the 68th greatest song of the 1990s byVH1. However, it was ranked at number 19 on the list ofAOL Radio's 100 Worst Songs Ever in 2010.[3] The song was included inPitchfork Media's 2010 list of "The Seven Worst U.S. No. 1 Singles of the 90s".[4]
The song samples the 1979Sister Sledge song "He's the Greatest Dancer". The "mama-uh, mama-uh, mama come closer" line is a reference to the song "Soul Makossa" byManu Dibango, specifically the version adapted byMichael Jackson in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"'s final bridge. The connotations associated with the expressiongetting jiggy were heavily influenced by this single. The term was originally a description of sexy fashion or style, but expanded to include dancing skill.[5]
Smith has attested in an interview[6] that his inspiration to alter the meaning for the purpose of the song came from his association of the term "jiggy" with "jigaboo", a derogatory term for African-Americans, which made the literal meaning of the title "getting African-American with it" and which was meant to reference the popular folk-myth of an innate sense ofrhythm in black folks. The co-opting of a once offensive word also was racially empowering.[6]
Nasghost-writing "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" was a popular rumor in the 1990s, as the song's producersThe Trackmasters had recently signed Nas to their labelTrackmasters Entertainment. Nas later confirmed he was in the studio with Smith during the track's development and even suggested lines for the song, however insists that Smith wrote the entirety of the finished lyrics on his own. The Trackmasters corroborated Nas on Smith ultimately writing the lyrics on his own.[7][8] Despite this confirmation, other music executives, includingSteve Stoute,[a] have maintained that Nas did indeed write the entirety of the lyrics.[13]
Larry Flick fromBillboard wrote, "This intriguingly titled single is a sweet cross betweenrap anddance styles—perhaps even outrageousR&B? Despite his success inHollywood, Smith keeps music close to his heart. He delivers a happy rap song—very upbeat, indeed. A background mixture of children's voices gives this single an interesting twist, which provides pleasant interference. The vivacious bass sound makes "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" stand up on its feet. Even though it is repetitive, it's really a great one for those rap lovers out there. Get listening!"[14] Pan-European magazineMusic & Media said, "Musician-cum-actor Smith seems to have an infallible knack for simply irresistible poppy R&B. This time around,Sister Sledge's much-loved 1979disco smash 'He's The Greatest Dancer' serves as the foundation for his third surefire hit in a row."[15] Alan Jones fromMusic Week felt that "after the disappointing chart foray of hiscurrent single, Will Smith returns in double Quicktime with Gettin' Jiggy Wit It, a more lively rap laced with samples from three prior hits (...) which provides the melody, rhythm and class for a fine effort that will instantly restore Smith to the Top 20."[16]
The video features a series of dance tableaux including aDeee-Lite-inspired sequence, a glitzyPuffa jacket-style choreographed studio dance routine, a sequence set inAncient Egypt and a volcano-backedHawaiian/Māori segment. Other music styles, includingBollywood, are referenced. The video closes with Smith dancing beneath theStatue of Liberty replica at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino.
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
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