Big Pun – Still Not a Player ft. Joe

Christopher Lee Rios (November 10, 1971 – February 7, 2000),^[3][4] better known by his stage name Big Pun (short for Big Punisher), was an American rapper. Emerging from the underground hip hop scene in the Bronx, he came to prominence upon discovery by fellow Bronx rapper Fat Joe, and thereafter guest appeared on his 1995 album Jealous One’s Envy.

Big Pun signed with Fat Joe’s label, Terror Squad Productions and Loud Records in 1997 to release his debut studio album, Capital Punishment (1998) the following year. Met with critical acclaim and commercial success, the album earned a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, and became the first hip hop recording by a Latino solo act to receive platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second album, Yeeeah Baby (2000) peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, although Pun died two months before its release.

In 1997, Big Pun began recording songs for his debut album Capital Punishment. In 1997, producer Knobody‘s production partner Sean C took advantage of his new role as A&R at Loud Records to play Knobody’s tracks to Big Pun.^[11] Suitably impressed, the rapper hired Knobody to remix “I’m not a Player“.^[11] The remixed song, featuring Joe and titled “Still not a Player“, became Big Pun’s first major mainstream hit and major breakthrough for Knobody.^[11] The full-length debut Capital Punishment followed in 1998, and became the first album by a solo Hispanic rapper to go platinum,^[5] peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. Capital Punishment was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

“Still Not a Player” is the second single from Big Pun’s debut album Capital Punishment. The song was produced by Knobody and features R&B singer Joe.

The song is a remix of Big Pun’s previous single “I’m Not a Player” produced by Minnesota and contains an interpolation of Joe’s “Don’t Wanna Be a Player“. It also samples “A Little Bit of Love” by Brenda Russell. In addition to samples, the song contains interpolations of Earth, Wind & Fire‘s “Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo)”; towards the end of the song, the refrain “Punisher…Punisher…Punisher, Big Punisher” is sung to the tune and rhythm of the lead vocals from the track.

Fat Joe, Cormega, Onyx, the Beatnuts, Guru, Tony Touch and Loud Records R&B artist Davina all made featured appearances in the music video as cameos.