Cover Versions
"Big Brother" has been covered and remixed by numerous other hip-hop artists. Freekey Zekey, a member of the Harlem-based rap group The Diplomats, used the instrumental of "Big Brother" to create his own song. Like West, he reflects on the ups and downs of his friendship with Cam'ron. Rolling Stone quipped, "Isn't it amazing how a good (jacked) Kanye West beat can turn a sixth-string Dipset mumbler into a guy who sounds like he knows what he's doing? Hip-hop duo Tha Dogg Pound did a freestyle over "Big Brother" entitled "Half A Mil Freestyle". The two later included the song as the first track on their Full Circle: Gangsta Grillz mixtape under the new title "Half A Million." Former Shady Records artist Bobby Creekwater rapped and released a song containing lyrics dedicated to Eminem using the "Big Brother" instrumental. In the song, Bobby explains how he got signed, what his relationship with Eminem and his labelmates was like, and where he stood within his record label Interscope Records. During a sold-out show at the High Noon Saloon held on March 19, 2012 with fellow underground rappers P.O.S, Astronautalis, and spoken word artist Dessa, Madison rap artist F. Stokes performed his own version of "Big Brother." Stokes dedicated the song's lyrics to his good friend P.O.S. The A.V. Club concert reviewer Joel Shanahan complimented the cover, writing, "While the notion admittedly seemed really cheesy at first, it was somehow more convincing coming from a heartfelt rapper like Stokes." Killa BH recorded a parody of "Big Brother" entitled "Foldger's Brother" with Joe Budden in place of Jay-Z. The track was featured in Budden's critically acclaimed mixtape Mood Muzik 3: For Better or for Worse. Inspired by the song, R&B singer Lil' Mo created a female version of "Big Brothr" in the form of "Big Sister", an answer song in which she expresses her admiration and appreciation for her mentor Missy Elliott.
Read more about this topic: Big Brother (Kanye West Song)
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