No Diggity
Encyclopedia
"No Diggity" is a song by American
R&B group Blackstreet
featuring Dr. Dre
and Queen Pen
in her first recorded appearance. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
and #9 in the UK. It ranked at #91 on Rolling Stone and MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs. It sold 1.6 million copies in 1996, and won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
and was nominated for Best R&B Song. It ranked at #32 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s. In 2010, the song was re-recorded with the new members with a remastered instrumental.
Between Blackstreet's sung verses are rap verses performed by Dre, Teddy Riley and Queen Pen
, in that order, as well as backing vocals from Shaquana Elam. Despite the fact that some of Dr. Dre & Queen Pen's lyrics are censored, there are no "dirty" versions of the song.
The song's musical backing track is an altered sample from the beginning of "Grandma's Hands
" by R&B hitmaker Bill Withers
. Dr. Dre
originally intended the beat to be for 2Pac. However when he left Death Row Records
he sold the instrumental to Blackstreet
, causing 2Pac to have to change the beat for Toss It Up, but still using the same sample; he then added the second verse to the song dissing Dre.
and features said artists in front of a beachhouse standing in the sand, dancers in a wet road surrounded by black limousines, and a marionette resembling former Nike spokesman Lil' Penny
playing the piano sample in a club. It was nominated for Best R&B Video and Best Rap Video on 1997's MTV Video Music Awards. Video production and casting was handled in house by Future Recording Studios manager Tony Brown who also worked closely with puppeteers to develop marionettes of Teddy Riley and Chauncey Black.
On November 9, 1996, "No Diggity" overtook "Macarena" for the Billboard 100 Single's number one spot.
Track recorded by George Mayers, John Hanes, Serban Genea and Sean Poland for Future Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, VA.
Track mastered by Herb Powers at Hit Factory, New York, NY.
Queen Pen appears courtesy of Funky Mama Productions/Interscope Records.
Dr. Dre appears courtesy of Aftermath Entertainment.
Track contains portions of "Grandma's Hands
" written by Bill Withers
and published by Interior Music Corp./Avant Garde Music Publishing, Inc.
Rick Hendrix
(BMI); performed by Bill Withers, used courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
"Billie Jean
" written by Michael Jackson
.
All-Star Remix contains a sample of "As Long As I've Got You", written by Isaac Hayes
and David Porter
& performed by The Charmels
Will Remix contains a mimic of "Cell Therapy", written by Barnett, Burton, Gip and Knighton & performed by Goodie Mob
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B group Blackstreet
Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...
featuring Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
and Queen Pen
Queen Pen
Lynise Walters, better known by the stage name Queen Pen, is a Grammy-nominated African-American female rapper.Her music career started as a protégé of Teddy Riley, a record producer and member of the R&B group BLACKstreet in the mid-1990s. She was a featured rapper, along with Dr. Dre, on...
in her first recorded appearance. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #9 in the UK. It ranked at #91 on Rolling Stone and MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs. It sold 1.6 million copies in 1996, and won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1970 and 2011. From 1967 to 1969 and in 1971 the award included instrumental performances...
and was nominated for Best R&B Song. It ranked at #32 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s. In 2010, the song was re-recorded with the new members with a remastered instrumental.
Between Blackstreet's sung verses are rap verses performed by Dre, Teddy Riley and Queen Pen
Queen Pen
Lynise Walters, better known by the stage name Queen Pen, is a Grammy-nominated African-American female rapper.Her music career started as a protégé of Teddy Riley, a record producer and member of the R&B group BLACKstreet in the mid-1990s. She was a featured rapper, along with Dr. Dre, on...
, in that order, as well as backing vocals from Shaquana Elam. Despite the fact that some of Dr. Dre & Queen Pen's lyrics are censored, there are no "dirty" versions of the song.
The song's musical backing track is an altered sample from the beginning of "Grandma's Hands
Grandma's Hands
"Grandma's Hands" is a song written by Bill Withers about his own grandmother. It was included on his 1971 debut album Just as I Am, and was also released as a single, reaching number 18 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart and 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.The song has since been covered by many...
" by R&B hitmaker Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
. Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
originally intended the beat to be for 2Pac. However when he left Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
he sold the instrumental to Blackstreet
Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...
, causing 2Pac to have to change the beat for Toss It Up, but still using the same sample; he then added the second verse to the song dissing Dre.
The music video
The video is directed by Hype WilliamsHype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
and features said artists in front of a beachhouse standing in the sand, dancers in a wet road surrounded by black limousines, and a marionette resembling former Nike spokesman Lil' Penny
Penny Hardaway
Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association , specializing as a small forward, shooting guard, and point guard. His most productive years came in his days as a member of the Orlando Magic as well as the early...
playing the piano sample in a club. It was nominated for Best R&B Video and Best Rap Video on 1997's MTV Video Music Awards. Video production and casting was handled in house by Future Recording Studios manager Tony Brown who also worked closely with puppeteers to develop marionettes of Teddy Riley and Chauncey Black.
On November 9, 1996, "No Diggity" overtook "Macarena" for the Billboard 100 Single's number one spot.
Australian CD Single
- "No Diggity" (LP Version)
- "No Diggity" (Clean Version)
- "No Diggity" (Billie Jean Remix)
- "No Diggity" (All Star Remix)
- "No Diggity" (Instrumental)
Versions
- A1 Billie Jean (Remix) (5:38)
- Producer - Blackstreet , Teddy Riley
- A2 Billie Jean (Instrumental) (5:38)
- Producer - Blackstreet , Teddy Riley
- A3 No Diggity ("Will" Remix) (4:26)
- Producer - Teddy Riley , William "Skylz" Stewart
- B1 No Diggity ("All-Star" Remix) (4:44)
- Producer - Allstar
- B2 No Diggity ("All-Star" Remix Instrumental) (4:44)
- Producer - Allstar
- B3 No Diggity (A Cappella) (4:42)
- Producer - Teddy Riley , William "Skylz" Stewart
Personnel
Published by Donrill Music/Zomba Enterprises, Inc. (ASCAP/Chauncey Black Music for Smokin' Sounds [ASCAP]/Queenpen Music (ASCAP)/Sidi Music (BMI)/Sony Songs Inc./Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But Fuckin' (ASCAP)Track recorded by George Mayers, John Hanes, Serban Genea and Sean Poland for Future Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, VA.
Track mastered by Herb Powers at Hit Factory, New York, NY.
Queen Pen appears courtesy of Funky Mama Productions/Interscope Records.
Dr. Dre appears courtesy of Aftermath Entertainment.
Track contains portions of "Grandma's Hands
Grandma's Hands
"Grandma's Hands" is a song written by Bill Withers about his own grandmother. It was included on his 1971 debut album Just as I Am, and was also released as a single, reaching number 18 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart and 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.The song has since been covered by many...
" written by Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
and published by Interior Music Corp./Avant Garde Music Publishing, Inc.
Rick Hendrix
Rick Hendrix
Richard Binghames Hendrix Jr. , better known by the name Rick Hendrix, is an American entertainment promoter and songwriter of southern gospel, country music and pop music...
(BMI); performed by Bill Withers, used courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
"Billie Jean
Billie Jean
"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop/R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written, composed, and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones from the singer's sixth album, Thriller . Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and...
" written by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
.
All-Star Remix contains a sample of "As Long As I've Got You", written by Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
and David Porter
David Porter (musician)
David Porter is an American soul musician. Porter is best known as the songwriting and production partner of Isaac Hayes at Stax Records during the 1960s...
& performed by The Charmels
Will Remix contains a mimic of "Cell Therapy", written by Barnett, Burton, Gip and Knighton & performed by Goodie Mob
Goodie Mob
Goodie Mob is a Hip Hop act based in Atlanta, Georgia that formed in 1991 and currently consists of members Cee-Lo Green, Khujo, T-Mo and Big Gipp.-History:The group's name acts as a double backronym...
Peak positions
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Top 40 Mainstream (Billboard) | 10 |
| Australia Top 100 | 17 |
| Eurochart Hot 100 | 18 |
| Germany Top 100 | 14 |
| New Zealand Top 50 | 1 |
| UK Top 75 Singles | 9 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 42 |
| Chart (1997) | Position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 23 |
Decade charts
| Chart (1990-1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 36 |
Cover versions
- 2Pac used the sample on his song Toss it Up. Both songs came out around the same time.
- Paddy CaseyPaddy CaseyPatrick "Paddy" Casey is an Irish singer-songwriter from Dublin. Paddy was discovered by Sony A&R Scout Hugh Murray at the International Bar in Dublin, while performing at the singer/songwriter night hosted by Dave Murphy...
and the Dublin Gospel ChoirDublin Gospel ChoirThe Dublin Gospel Choir are an Irish gospel choir that have been performing in Ireland since 1996.-History:The choir was originally founded as a school choir in Dublin's inner city in 1996, and perform frequently, including at corporate and charity events...
on Even Better Than the Real Thing Vol. 2Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 2Even Better Than the Real Thing Vol. 2 is an Irish charity album featuring a variety of artists performing acoustic cover versions of popular songs. It was released in 2004 by RMG Chart Entertainment Ltd... - KlaxonsKlaxonsKlaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
on Radio 1 Established 1967Radio 1 Established 1967The compilation album Radio 1 Established 1967 is a collection of covers especially recorded for Radio 1 by a number of artists. The album celebrates the 40th anniversary of BBC Radio 1. There are 40 songs recorded by 40 different artists . Each artist was given a year, and were allowed to cover a... - Virginia CoalitionVirginia CoalitionVirginia Coalition is a rock band from Alexandria, Virginia, who met in the early 1990s through their music class at T. C. Williams High School. Referred to as VACO by fans, the band released their first album, The Colors of The Sound in 1998...
on OK to GoOK to GoOK to Go is the fifth album by rock band Virginia Coalition. This was the first album after founding member Steve Dawson parted with the band... - The song was sampled in 2001 by German singer Sarah ConnorSarah Connor (musician)Sarah Marianne Corina Lewe , better known by her stage name Sarah Connor, is a German singer, songwriter and television personality. Connor debuted in 2001 under the guidance of artist manager George Glueck and became the first solo act to ever have four consecutive chart-topping hits on the German...
. However, the song was misquoted in her albums liner notes as "No Daggity." - The song is sampled on Girl TalkGirl Talk (musician)Gregg Michael Gillis , better known by his stage name Girl Talk, is an American musician specializing in mashups and digital sampling. Gillis has released five LPs on the record label Illegal Art and EPs on 333 and 12 Apostles....
's mash-up album entitled "Feed the Animals" (2008) - The song is sampled in a song titled "Strange Diggity" in which it is mashed with Reba McEntire
- British Blues singer/guitarist Oli Brown released a cover version in 2010.
- Washington State produced a cover version "Dog Doogity" encouraging dog owners to pick up their pets' waste.
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1996 (U.S.)
- R&B number-one hits of 1996 (USA)R&B number-one hits of 1996 (USA)These are the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart number one hits of 1996:-Chart history:-Chart comparisons:*Seven songs reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100/pop chart : "Always Be My Baby," "Tha Crossroads," "How Do U Want It" / "California Love," "You're Makin' Me High" / "Let It Flow"...
- List of number-one singles in 1996 (New Zealand)