Is Rap Poetry? The Genius of East Coast Rap in the 90's

Andrew
Andrew
Aug 31, 2018 · 7 min read
This article was written by a GoPeer tutor who is passionate about the intersections between music, poetry, and history

A Literary Analysis of Notorious BIG’s Hit Song “Juicy”

In the late 1980’s, an innovative genre of rap music dubbed East Coast Hip-Hop, or New York Rap, emerged in America’s pop landscape. This new style, characterized by “lyrical dexterity,” was further “revolutionized” in the early 1990’s (Adaso, “East Coast Hip Hop”). Although artists such as Dr. Dre, the Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, and Nas heralded in the era through their acclaimed albums, Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G., truly “reinvented East Coast rap… for the [new] age” (“The Notorious B.I.G Biography”). After releasing his first album, Ready to Die, in 1994, The Notorious B.I.G, or Biggie Smalls, launched a furor in the hip hop community. The album’s debut single, “Juicy,” propelled Wallace’s career into stardom and since then has been named the eighth best rap song in the genre’s history (Bernard, “50 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time”). The reason behind Notorious’ song’s prestige has not been due to entrancing instrumentals, but rather its ability to linguistically convey an inspirational message to over a decade of American youth. Through a narrative format, a lucid refrain, and various poetic techniques, “Juicy” manifests the truth in the American Dream and prompts youth to pursue their aspirations.

By chronicling his rise out of the Brooklyn, New York poverty and into a new positive lifestyle, Biggie sets a template to the audience for how to obtain one’s dream. Growing up in a neighborhood permeated by drugs and crime, he had a rough childhood marred by arrest. In the first verse of “Juicy,” Notorious recounts, “Born sinner, the opposite of a winner…Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner.” Through these words, Biggie rhythmically illustrates how he had been born into a gripping cycle of poverty with only the cheapest meals available to eat. As his lyrics elucidate, the only viable escape young Wallace saw was a career as a hip hop artist. In the opening lines of “Juicy,” Notorious states, “It was all a dream/ I used to read Word Up magazine… hangin’ pictures on my wall.” In these words, he briefly sums up his sheer idolization of rap artists and his desire to become famous like those in hip hop media. As his lyrics progress, Biggie continuously emphasizes the pinnacle of life that he has reached. From declaring “Now I’m in the limelight,” “Now honies play me close,” and “I went from negative to positive,” Notorious explicitly describes the immense change that he has undergone; from shadow to light, sexually unattractive to magnetic, in debt to financially stable. Additionally, “Juicy” includes more abstract juxtapositions of his “negative” and new “positive” life such as, “I made the change from a common thief/ To up close and personal with Robin Leach,” and “Thinkin’ back on my one-room shack/ Now my mom pimps a Ac’ with minks on her back.” Through both lines, Notorious paints his old life, then contrasts it to his modern life by mentioning celebrities, television series, and products equated with luxury.

In addition to the three verse structure in which Biggy recounts his comic rise, “Juicy” is comprised [1] of a refrain. This chorus, sung by female rap group Total, successfully functions to disrupt the specificity of Notorious’ narration, create an intimate bond with the listener, and ultimately deliver the songs [2] desired message. One opinion stands that Total’s voice in the song detracts from the message’s delivery as it disrupts the one on one relationship with Notorious’ voice.[3] However, when analyzed critically, it is evident that the female rap group’s presence does not disrupt the delivery of “Juicy”’s message, but rather ensures its success. [4] Total successfully emphasizes Biggy’s message through their different voice. The group’s melodic alto voice is a shift in sound from Wallace’s low, bass voice. In this context, Total’s voice serves the purpose to avoid monotone, and actively hooks the listener’s attention to the chorus. In conjunction with their literal change in voice, Total’s shifts the voice of “Juicy” from Wallace’s specific narrative standpoint, to a zoomed out view of the larger picture. [5] This shift in scope perfectly transitions the listener’s focus from Biggy’s detailed story, to his song’s intended message about the attainability of the American Dream.

In conjunction with Total’s vocalization, the refrain’s success in serving its function is a result of its lyrical structure and repetition. The first structural element that elevates the chorus’ influence is that the lyrics single out and create a bond with the listener. Through first singing, “You know very well who you are,” Total targets the listener, “you,” and prepares him or her to personally receive the rest of the refrain. Then, as they continue two lines late, “You had a goal, but not that many/ ’cause you’re the only one I’ll give you good and plenty,” the female voices mention two pronouns, “you” and “I.” Although not directly spoken by Biggie, this connection of pronouns constructs a bridge between the listener and the artist. In doing so, the message becomes more relevant to them on a personal level rather than a member of a crowd. The second vital structural element of the refrain is that it includes an imperative. As Total sings, “Don’t let em hold you down, reach for the stars,” they directly instruct, on Notorious’ behalf, the listener to complete a course of action. This imperative is the vehicle which delivers Wallace’s message about pursuing dreams directly into the listener’s mindset. In addition, once the initial message has influenced the audience’s thoughts, this imperative obliges them to actively shake off all hindrances that obstruct them from reaching their goals. The final element that renders the refrain successful is that it is repeated four times; once after the first and second verse, then twice after the final verse. Not only is Notorious’ message directly spoken to the listener, but is cumulatively driven into his or her mind.

Although “Juicy”’s message is clear and inspiring, the song would not have achieved such acclaim without Notorious’ artful employment of literary devices. Through various forms of rhyme, the lyrics of “Juicy” create a unique and free flowing sound which allows the message to be embraced by the audience. In nearly every line, Notorious B.I.G transforms potentially dull information into brilliant phrases by means of end rhyme. In couplets, “Livin’ life without fear/ puttin’ 5 karats in my baby girl’s ear” and “Phone bill about two G’s flat/ no need to worry my accountant handles that,” Biggie could have achieved the same message by stating “I am very rich.” However, by intricately end rhyming “fear,” with “ear,” and “flat,” with “that,” he achieves a far more attractive and interesting sound. In addition to its end rhymes, “Juicy” truly slingshotted Notorious to the top of the charts through its complex blend of allusion, assonance, internal rhyme, and alliteration. This characteristic is perfectly exemplified at the close of verse one:

“Born sinner, the opposite of a winner

Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner

Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri

Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky” (Italics, underline, and bold added).

Here, Biggie Smalls’ integration of internal rhyme (italicized), assonance (underlined), alliteration (bolded), and allusion (last two lines), creates a linguistic lacework which flows astoundingly well. Furthermore, by alluding to the fathers of hip hop, the lyrics hook the listener’s ear with familiar sounds and increases his or her attention to a more meticulous level. Throughout “Juicy,” Notorious B.I.G peppers the audience with his technical prowess, and, in doing so, achieves literary originality. This, in turn, increases his intended message’s effect because the listener is compelled to appreciate its idiosyncrasy.

Throughout Biggie Smalls’ rhythmic autobiography, “Juicy,” he implements a number of literary elements and devices in order to leave the audience with the desire to exceed its potential. By recounting his success, Notorious not only inspires others to follow his lead into the “life without fear,” but establishes credibility for rap itself. “Juicy”’s lyrics illustrate the metamorphosis of a troubled, criminal boy named Christopher Wallace into superstar Notorious B.I.G. The guide and pathway of Wallace’s ascent was the musical genre, rap. Along the course of Biggy’s lyrics, hip-hop and rap are portrayed as a means to break the cycle of poverty. In addition, he describes rap’s sublime effect on his life in attempt to discredit its negative connotation with violence and gangs. Arm in arm with this, “Juicy” describes how, although having an exceptionally lucrative career, Notorious B.I.G did not forget his roots as Christopher Wallace. Evident in the line, “Call the crib, same number same hood,” Biggy reached the pinnacle of his career while remaining in his childhood, poverty stricken neighborhood. This notion, combined with the fact that “Juicy”’s purpose is to inspire youth to pursue their dreams, manifests the strong moral dimension of his work. Although he could easily have afforded a mansion across the country and become self-absorbed, Notorious did not simply dwell in luxury. Furthermore, this understanding displays that Biggy’s rise from rags to riches transcended material goods, and, as a result, promotes his own ethos. It is this gesture, coupled with “Juicy”’s complex lyrical construction that produced a genius masterpiece worthy of declaring Christopher Wallace “the greatest rapper that ever lived” (Bernard, “50 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time”).

Work Cited

  1. Adaso, Henry. “East Coast Hip-Hop.” About. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.
  2. “The Notorious B.I.G. Biography.” AllMusic. All Media Network Llc, n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.
  3. 50 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time.” Rolling Stone. N.p., 5 Dec. 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.

GoPeer

The GoPeer Blog is the official blog of GoPeer, a company which connects K-12 students to college students for in-person tutoring lessons.

Andrew

Written by

Andrew

Andrew is a student at Dartmouth College and a member of the GoPeer community. He is passionate about helping K-12 students achieve success and avoid stress!

GoPeer

GoPeer

The GoPeer Blog is the official blog of GoPeer, a company which connects K-12 students to college students for in-person tutoring lessons.

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