The Big Big Beat

Last updated
"The Big Big Beat"
The Big Big Beat.png
Single by Azealia Banks
from the album Slay-Z
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2016
Recorded2015
Genre Hip house
Length3:36
Label Self-released
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) An Expresso
Azealia Banks singles chronology
"Ice Princess"
(2015)		"The Big Big Beat"
(2016)		"Chi Chi"
(2017)
Music video
"The Big Big Beat" on YouTube

"The Big Big Beat" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her second mixtape Slay-Z (2016). It was released as the lead single from the mixtape on February 19, 2016 after Banks had announced the mixtape in the previous May. Production of the song was handled by new producer An Expresso, while the song was penned by Banks alone. The song contains an uncredited sample of The Notorious B.I.G.'s voice. Lyrically, the track discusses staying true to your roots when you become famous.

Contents

Several critics highlighted the "club-ready" spirit of the composition and the "catchy" lyrics. A music video for the single was released on April 26, 2016 and features the rapper dancing in a hallway of a downtown skyscraper, on the top of a police vehicle, and at the entrance to Manhattan Criminal Courts Building.

Background

In May 2015, Banks announced on Twitter that she had recorded an entire mixtape of Jay Z covers and remixes, titled Slay-Z, and that she was contemplating releasing it. [1] In August 2015, Banks revealed that due to contractual agreements, she was blocked from releasing any new music until her contract had expired, which would be around March 2016. [2] On February 1, 2016, Banks announced that she would be releasing the aforementioned mixtape, and its lead single "The Big Big Beat" would be released on February 7. [3] The announcement of new music came during a flurry of tweets Banks sent in which she endorsed Donald Trump and his campaign for presidency, which some critics saw as a cheap way of gaining publicity, with Spectrum writer Kerry Cardoza calling it "purely coincidental" that Banks endorsed Trump on the same days as announcing her new single. [4] [5] On February 8, Banks uploaded the single's artwork to Twitter. [6] The following day, it was reported that the single had been pushed back. [7] Banks uploaded the song to her SoundCloud account on February 19, self-releasing the single. [8] On May 6, it was released on iTunes. [9]

Composition

'The Big Big Beat' returns Banks to the environment where she thrives, namely a throwback hip-house groove. She floats here, skittering between hard as nails raps and bubbly hooks over what sounds like a flayed sample of Biggie.

–Craig Jenkins from Noisey on "The Big Big Beat". [10]

"The Big Big Beat" is a house song which runs for a duration of three minutes and forty-four seconds, and contains an uncredited sample of The Notorious B.I.G.'s voice. [11] Before the release of the song, Banks described the single as giving "Detroit house vibes with major Diana Ross teas[e]". [3] Entertainment Weekly 's Dylan Kickham compared the song to that of Banks' work on her debut album, in the sense that both contain "fast, aggressive rap verses over a dancefloor-ready electronic beat and a sing-song bridge", although did not clarify whether this was good or bad. [12] Gregory Adams from Exclaim! thought that the track "fit with various early '90s house sounds, from club synths to a jazzed-up digi-hi-hat beat", and went on to describe the song's lyrics as "maintaining the precarious balance between staying true to the streets while popping up on magazine covers". [13] D-Money from Soul Bounce was enthusiastic in his review, writing "'The Big Big Beat' comes out of the gate swinging with a fat, squelchy synth bass intro and a vocal sample. 'Guess who up in this b***h,' Azealia begins, bringing the swing of programmed drums and hi-hats along with her as the groove kicks up the bpm and the party really gets started. She continues flipping her usual boastful rhymes that hit as hard as the kick drum thumps, then things smooth out just a bit as AB flexes her vocals on the chorus". [14] Ione Gamble of Dazed noted Banks' use of softer vocals on the single, compared to that of her previous work, [15] while Brennan Carley of Spin described the song's instrumental work as "glittery synthesizers", alluding that Banks had returned "swinging and vogueing" on the song. [16]

Critical reception

"The Big Big Beat" features an uncredited sample from The Notorious B.I.G. (pictured). The Notorious B.I.G. stencil.jpg
"The Big Big Beat" features an uncredited sample from The Notorious B.I.G. (pictured).

In a multi-person review conducted by PopMatters , opinions on the track were mixed. Each of the five reviewers gave the single a rating out of ten, which ranged from five to eight. Pryor Stroud gave the song its highest score, describing "The Big Big Beat" as an "amphetamine-addled, dance-pop flirtation that forgoes innuendo and gets straight to the point". Chad Miller commented that the song deserved endless dance remixes, while Emmanuel Elone described the song as "nice" with "decent lyrics". Steve Horowitz gave the track the lowest rating of the reviewers, complaining that the track repeated itself and that while the instrumental was suited to the dance floor, he could easily find bigger beats elsewhere. [17]

Writing for HotNewHipHop, Rose Lilah observed that despite the fact that Banks tends to be outrageous on social media, she still has the ability to create great music when she wants to, going on to comment that she can see potential for the song to become as big of a hit as her debut single, "212". [18] Spin writer Brennan Carley praised Banks' vocals on the track, [16] as did Billboard critic Adelle Platon, who donned the track as a "dancefloor-ready jam". [19] Emma Arnold, a writer for Acclaim, motioned that the track would "make you forget she was ever out of the game", going on to highlight and compliment her "fast-paced flow and thugged out lyrics". [20] XXL critic Emmanuel C.M. lauded the song, describing the song as "fire", and that it showcased Banks' rapid fire delivery and impressive vocal range. [21] Writing for Fuse, Tyler Lauletta commented that the lyrics of the song are "ridiculously catchy lines", calling the track "dance-ready". [22] The Line of Best Fit writer Laurence Day wrote that the combination of contrasting genres worked to great effect, calling the track her "most promising offering in quite some time". [11]

Both The Irish Times and USA Today included "The Big Big Beat" in weekly lists of the best songs released in the seven preceding days. The Irish Times gave the track four stars out of a possible five, commenting that it was Banks "at her best", [23] while USA Today placed the song as sixth in their weekly list, comparing it to "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. [24] Eric Torres of Pitchfork Media named the song "Best New Track" in their review, describing the song as "in-your-face impressive, filled with the kind of lush braggadocio the 24-year-old rapper has cut down to a formula". Torres then claimed that the song was "the type of track that's capable of filling dancefloors in seconds, proof that a cavalcade of controversy isn't nearly enough to squander real talent". [25]

Live performances

Banks performed the song during her 2016 "SLAY-Z" tour. She also performed it during her mini-tour “Azealia Banks in NYC”. Finally She performed the song for the first time on television on Good Day New York on August 22, 2017. [26]

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabelRef.
WorldwideFebruary 19, 2016 Streaming Azealia Banks [8]
May 6, 2016 Digital download [9]

Related Research Articles

Chanelle Scot Calica, better known by her stage name Shystie, is an English rapper, songwriter and actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azealia Banks</span> American rapper (born 1991)

Azealia Amanda Banks is an American rapper, singer and songwriter. Raised in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, she began releasing music through Myspace in 2008 before being signed to XL Recordings at age 18. She subsequently signed with Interscope and Polydor Records before separating in 2013. Banks became an independent artist and started her own independent record label, Chaos & Glory Recordings. She later signed to Parlophone and Warner Records before quitting her label in 2023.

<i>1991</i> (Azealia Banks EP) 2012 EP by Azealia Banks

1991 is the debut EP by American rapper Azealia Banks. It was first released on May 28, 2012, in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records and a day later in the United States by Interscope Records. Its lead single, "212", preceded its release on December 6, 2011. Its second single, "Liquorice", was released on December 4, 2012. Banks also released music videos for every song, including the non-singles "1991" and "Van Vogue".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquorice (song)</span> 2012 single by Azealia Banks

"Liquorice" is a song by American rapper Azealia Banks, taken from her debut extended play (EP) titled 1991 (2012). The song was released onto Banks' Tumblr account on December 18, 2011, and was later released for digital download on December 4, 2012. Built around Lone's song "Pineapple Crush", "Liquorice" is an acid house track that incorporates synthesizers in its composition. Lyrically, the song contains wordplay from Harlem, Banks' origin, and is inspired by interracial dating. A music video for the single was directed by Rankin and was released in June 2012.

<i>Fantasea</i> (mixtape) 2012 mixtape by Azealia Banks

Fantasea is the debut mixtape by American rapper Azealia Banks, released as a free download on July 11, 2012.

<i>Broke with Expensive Taste</i> 2014 studio album by Azealia Banks

Broke with Expensive Taste is the only studio album by American rapper Azealia Banks, released on November 7, 2014. In 2011, Banks started working on the album despite not having signed to a record label at that time. A year later, she signed a contract deal with Interscope and Polydor Records to work on the album. However, she felt dissatisfied with the labels' representatives and consequently, she ended the contract with the labels in July 2014 and signed to Prospect Park. After being delayed for over two years, Broke with Expensive Taste was released by Banks herself and Prospect Park via Caroline Records without any prior announcements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azealia Banks discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper Azealia Banks has released one studio album, two extended plays (EPs), three mixtapes, twenty-six singles and twelve promotional singles. At the age of seventeen in November 2008, Banks adopted the stage name Miss Bank$ and signed to XL Recordings. However, she ended the contract with the label quickly afterwards due to conflicting ideas. In 2009, Banks released several songs onto the internet for free download, including "Gimme a Chance" and "Seventeen". Following her departure from XL Recordings, Banks dropped her stage name, opting to use her legal name, Azealia Banks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yung Rapunxel</span> 2013 single by Azealia Banks

"Yung Rapunxel" is a song recorded by American singer/rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album titled Broke with Expensive Taste. Interscope Records released the song as the album's first single to mainstream radio on April 16, 2013. The track contains an interpolation of the song "No More Drama" by R&B singer Mary J. Blige. On March 11, 2013, the song was made available for online streaming via SoundCloud. The song was performed by Banks during the Glastonbury Festival in June 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy Metal and Reflective</span> 2014 single by Azealia Banks

"Heavy Metal and Reflective" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). It was released as the second single from the album on July 28, 2014. Production of the song was handled by Lil Internet, who previously worked with Banks on her 2013 single "Yung Rapunxel", while writing came from Banks and James Strife. The track received generally mixed reviews from critics, who complimented the song's overall sound, but were critical of Banks' vocals. To promote "Heavy Metal and Reflective", Banks released a music video for the song on August 5, 2014, directed by Rob Soucy and Nick Ace, in which Banks escapes from being kidnapped and left in the desert, before leading a motorcycle gang through the terrain, arming herself with pit bulls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chasing Time (song)</span> 2014 single by Azealia Banks

"Chasing Time" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album, Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). It was released as the third single from the album on September 22, 2014. Production of the song was handled by Andrew "Pop" Wansel, while it was written by Banks, Ronnie Colson, Warren "Oak" Felder, Jonathan Harris, Steve Mostyn, Kelly Sheehan and Pop Wansel. Lyrically, the track discusses Banks recovering from a breakup.

"Ice Princess" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). It was released as the fourth single from the album on March 23, 2015. Production of the song was handled by AraabMuzik, while it was written by Banks, Kevin James, and Jonathan Harris. "Ice Princess" contains a sample of "In the Air", originally produced by progressive house DJ Morgan Page. Lyrically, Banks brags about her wealth, with Jordan Sargent of Pitchfork Media describing it as Banks "spitting knotty rhymes about her diamonds". "Ice Princess" garnered praise from music critics, with one describing the song as "Banks at her best". To promote the song, an accompanying music video for the track was released on March 31, 2015. It features Banks ruling over a kingdom of ice warriors, flying through the sky destroying anything colorful while turning everything into ice.

<i>Ignorant Art</i> 2011 mixtape by Iggy Azalea

Ignorant Art is the debut mixtape by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, who released it as a free digital download on 27 September 2011, and is widely recognized as the work that launched her music career. The mixtape includes production by Los Angeles–based production team D.R.U.G.S., with their member Chordz 3D having executive produced the project, along with Azalea and Stix as co-executive producers, as noted on the mixtape's back cover credits. It also features guest appearances from YG, Problem, Joe Moses and Chevy Jones.

"Wallace" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). The song was written by Banks, Kevin James, Filip Nikolić and Trevor McFedries, while production of the song was provided by the latter two. Lyrically, the track describes a man with a rottweiler head and depicts Banks killing him. Musically, the song is of both R&B and hardcore hip hop origins. In 2015, Banks released a music video for "Wallace" directed by Rob Soucy and Nick Ace. The video for "Wallace" was released via the Google Cloud Platform. Banks performed the song during the 2015 Coachella Festival and on her Broke with Expensive Taste Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azealia Banks videography</span>

American rapper Azealia Banks has appeared in twenty-three music videos, two films, one television program and two commercials. As a teenager, Banks studied at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. A film opportunity arose through the school, and at the age of fourteen, Banks featured in the film The American Ruling Class, portraying a singer and a dancer in a cameo role. In 2010, Banks' first music video was released for a demo track titled "L8R", which would go on to be included on her debut mixtape Fantasea two years later. The following year, Banks' second music video was released for her breakout single "212", and has since amassed over two-hundred million views on Banks' official YouTube channel. During the promotional campaign of Banks' debut EP 1991, all songs on the project received a video treatment, including her sophomore single "Liquorice", shot by acclaimed director Rankin. Months after the video for "Liquorice" was released, an alternate version was leaked. In July 2012, Banks released her debut mixtape Fantasea. To promote the mixtape, Banks released three music videos for tracks on the project, "Luxury", "Atlantis", and "Fierce", the latter being shot with clothing company ASOS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BBD (song)</span> Single by Azealia Banks

"BBD" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). It was released as the first promotional single from the album on January 1, 2013. Production of the song was handled by Apple Juice Kid, with Sup Doodle providing co-production for the track. Banks, Jonathan Harris and Kevin James all contributed to the song's writing. Critical reception of the song was generally positive, with critics claiming the song to be one of the first party anthems of the new year. Banks clarified on her Twitter account that "BBD" was not the first official single from Broke with Expensive Taste, writing "Y'all know i love dropping songs tho! Lol".

<i>Slay-Z</i> 2016 mixtape by Azealia Banks

Slay-Z is the second mixtape by American rapper Azealia Banks. It was independently released as a free download on March 24, 2016. The eight-song project features collaborations with Rick Ross and Nina Sky; its production was handled by various musicians, including Benga, Coki, An Expresso, and Kaytranada. On July 12, 2017, it was re-released under Banks' record label, Chaos & Glory Recordings, to the iTunes Store and other online music stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumanji (Azealia Banks song)</span> 2012 promotional single by Azealia Banks

"Jumanji" is a song recorded by American hip hop artist Azealia Banks for her debut mixtape, Fantasea (2012). The song was released as a free promotional single, available for digital download and streaming via Banks's SoundCloud, on May 11, 2012. "Jumanji" is composed as a tropical track with musical influences including kuduro, dancehall, and calypso music. Instrumentally, the song features a trumpet, a timpani, a harp, and calypso steel drums. The song also features Banks rapping over a beat that was compared by music critics to the work of English musician and producer, M.I.A. Lyrically, the song describes Banks' involvement in media scandals and, as she described, "keeping true to herself". "Jumanji" received acclaim from music critics, who complimented the overall production and Banks's rapping flow. Banks has performed the song live several times, as part of the Mermaid Ball, as well as at the Glastonbury Festival 2013, and Club Nokia in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown (Azealia Banks song)</span> 2017 promotional single by Azealia Banks

"Crown" is a song recorded by Azealia Banks. It was released on February 17, 2017. Production of the song was handled by Lunice, while the song was penned by Banks alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Wintour (song)</span> 2018 single by Azealia Banks

"Anna Wintour" is a song recorded by American singer and rapper Azealia Banks. It was released on April 6, 2018, by eOne and Chaos & Glory as the planned lead single from her mixtape Fantasea II: The Second Wave. Production of the song was handled by Junior Sanchez, while the song was penned by Banks, Sanchez, Dorian Strickland, Kevin James, and "Shug". The song is named after Anna Wintour, who is the editor-in-chief of Vogue, and is about self empowerment. The music video was released on May 24, 2018, and surpassed 1 million views in 48 hours.

References

  1. ↑ Banks, Azealia (May 9, 2015). "AZEALIABANKS on Twitter". Twitter . Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ Wass, Mike (August 7, 2015). "Azealia Banks Blocked From Releasing New Music Until March 2016". Idolator . Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Davidson, Amy (February 1, 2016). "Azealia Banks is releasing new mixtape Slay-Z as well as a song inspired by Diana Ross". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  4. ↑ Cardoza, Kerry (February 1, 2016). "Azealia Banks endorses Donald Trump for president". Spectrum. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  5. ↑ Kyliekrab (March 16, 2016). "Hip Hop Stars Who Have Proudly Stumped For Trump". AllHipHop. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  6. ↑ Harris, Jeffrey (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks Releases New Track 'The Big Big Beat' Online". 411Mania. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  7. ↑ Simon, Jordan (February 9, 2016). "Rudy Giuliani Was Outraged By Beyoncé's 'Formation' Performance: Morning Mix". Idolator. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Camp, Zoe (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks Shares 'The Big Big Beat'". Pitchfork Media . Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "The Big Big Beat - Single by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store. May 6, 2016. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  10. ↑ Jenkins, Craig (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks' Comeback Single 'The Big Big Beat' is a Big Big Banger". Noisey . Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Day, Laurence (February 22, 2016). "Azealia Banks samples Notorious B.I.G. on new single 'The Big Big Beat'". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  12. ↑ Kickham, Dylan (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks releases new song 'The Big Big Beat'". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  13. ↑ Adams, Gregory (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks 'The Big Big Beat'". Exclaim! . Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ↑ D-Money (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks Hits Back With A 'Big Big Beat'". Soul Bounce. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  15. ↑ Gamble, Ione (February 22, 2016). "Azealia Banks drops new track 'The Big Big Beat'". Dazed . Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  16. 1 2 Carley, Brennan (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks Comes Back Swinging and Vogueing on 'The Big Big Beat'". Spin . Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Azealia Banks – 'The Big Big Beat' (Singles Going Steady)". PopMatters . February 23, 2016. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  18. ↑ Lilah, Rose (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks – The Big Big Beat [New Song]". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  19. ↑ Platon, Adelle (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks Gets Funky on 'The Big Big Beat': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  20. ↑ Arnold, Emma (February 23, 2016). "Listen: Azealia Banks – 'The Big Big Beat'". Acclaim. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  21. ↑ C.M., Emmanuel (February 19, 2016). "Azealia Banks Surprises Fans With 'The Big Big Beat'". XXL . Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  22. ↑ Lauletta, Tyler (February 19, 2016). "Listen to Azealia Banks' Biggie-Sampling 'The Big Big Beat'". Fuse . Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  23. ↑ Butler, Eoin (February 25, 2016). "Songs of the Week: Kanye West, The Knock, Azealia Banks and Slow Skies". The Irish Times . Archived from the original on February 26, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  24. ↑ Scott, Nate (February 26, 2016). "The 10 best songs of the week". USA Today . Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  25. ↑ Torres, Eric (February 22, 2016). "Azealia Banks: 'The Big Big Beat'". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Azealia Banks Performs "The Big Big Beat" on Good Day New York – BreatheHeavy.com". Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.