One More Chance (Remix): A Perfectly Crafted Hip Hop Record
Editor’s Note:
With The New York Times Magazine recently naming Jay-Z among the 30 greatest living songwriters—and Jay himself acknowledging the brilliance of The Notorious B.I.G.—I felt it was only right to revisit this piece. The lyrics he highlighted came from the very song discussed below. Some conversations don’t age… they sharpen.
The Notorious B.I.G.’s One More Chance (Remix) is arguably the best-crafted Hip Hop song ever!
Now, before you craft a hateful response to my notion, at least hear me out. And before “hearing me out,” go listen to the song once again for yourself.
As Air Jordan releases 23 pairs of its “newest” sneaker to honor Biggie and 50 years of Hip Hop, let’s do some Hip Hop ish and have a wholesome debate about the music. Nothing but the music.
For those youngin’s that don’t know, One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix) was written and recorded by The Notorious B.I.G. and featured vocals from his then-wife, Faith Evans; Keisha Spivey from Total; and it’s reported that Mary J. Blige made an uncredited vocal appearance on the track.
The song was released on June 6, 1995, and produced by Sean Combs and Rashad Smith. The song reached number one on both the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) and US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard). It finished as high as number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, charted outside of the US, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, eclipsing one million sales.
By all accounts, the song was a smash, but that’s not the basis of my argument.
I’m going on record today, stating that from the sample, to the lyrical content, flow and delivery, chorus, and the perfectly placed ad-libs… One More Chance (Remix) is perfection. And I don’t know if there was a better Hip Hop song that encompassed everything stated in my previous sentence. My personal opinion.
If you have a difference of opinion, let’s discuss.
However, before we discuss, let’s dissect the song.
In the beginning…
The beat by itself is immaculate—perfectly constructed.
The harmonization of the singers is astounding: Biggie breathing on the track, inquiring “what,” Puffy telling us “that’s right,” and then stamping the brand “Bad Boy,” all before the chorus is angelically sung and Biggie reminds us that “Lyrically, I…”
This all takes place before he starts rapping, within the first 30 seconds of the song!
Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Now let’s talk structure…
Then he goes in:
“first things first, I Poppa…”
Okay, let’s stop right here for one second.
I know BIG is noted for being so gifted as a lyricist who, like Jay-Z, can just write without a pen. But listening to this song in particular reminded me of how I was taught in elementary school to write a letter.
I was taught early on that there are three parts to a good letter. Those three parts are the salutation, body, and closing.
All of those identifiers were easily observed in this song.
Furthermore, he didn’t just start rapping without precision and intentionality, like so many of his counterparts. He actually chronicled what he was going to rap about when he said, “first things first.”
That’s how you start a good letter—or, in this case, a perfectly crafted song.
Let’s go deeper…
Now let’s dive a little deeper.
What must a great Hip Hop song include?
I’d say, considering the times in the ’90s, a great sample. And what better sample could you choose than DeBarge’s Stay With Me?
As far as lyrical content, let us consider that you had a “gangster” rapper rapping over a melodic ensemble, but his lyrics were just as pungent as an Ice Cube song.
In this particular song, Biggie displayed an infallible trait that’s always endearing to a listening audience. He showed self-deprecation; however, he quickly reminded us why he was the man.
His braggadocious style is as Hip Hop as dookie ropes, four-finger rings, and Adidas shell toes.
He stayed “Coogie down to the socks. Rings and watch filled with rocks.”
Biggie was doing product placement in songs before doing product placement in rap songs was a thing.
Throughout this whole composition, he antagonized men and flirted with their women—in song. And I can clearly visualize not just everything that he’s saying, but how it’d be written. I can see the periods, question marks, air quotes, and indentation.
And did I mention the ad-libs?
How many other songs do you know the ad-libs to that you rap just as loudly as you do the verses? As a matter of fact, in this song, the ad-libs are an integral part of the song and not just filler.
For instance, rap this verse with me, please:
“first I talk about how I dress in this, in diamond necklaces, stretch Lexus’s.”
If you didn’t just hit a Ric Flair “woo” at the end of the verse, I apologize for wasting your time. You shouldn’t be reading what I’m writing.
Final thoughts…
All I’m saying is that this song was perfectly in pocket from start to finish.
It was like throwing a dart in the center of a dartboard in the dark. Perfect execution.
I personally remember bobbing my head to it and dancing in the club when the DJ began to play it in the nineties. To be quite honest, I would do the same today if I heard it played in a club.
As a matter of fact, the reason I decided to write this editorial is because I just heard the song on my local R&B station while driving to work. Immediately, I turned the volume up to the highest decibel allowed in my little Cadillac SRX and vibed out.
And it was then that I decided I wanted to start a debate.
But before we debate, I first need you to spend some time with this song—listen to it, vibe out to it, and contemplate what I’m bringing before the congregation.
Then, if you disagree, present the Hip Hop song that you believe is the best-constructed song that encompasses all that a Hip Hop song should entail.
As Air Jordan laces the likes of Fat Joe, Mayor, Two J’s, and other celebrity sneakerheads with the Biggie 13’s, let us all celebrate him and the 50th year of Hip Hop together.
What songs are better than One More Chance (Remix)?
Thank you for reading TheDewsPerspective