Background
"Big Brother" was written by Kanye West while the music was produced by Atlanta record producer DJ Toomp. It stands as the sole track on the entire album not to have production by West. Kanye wrote the song as a tribute to Jay-Z, whom he feels so close to as a friend that he sees him as a brother. The song's hook and concept was conceived while West was riding an elevator. Kanye West's cousin, G.O.O.D. Music soul singer Tony Williams, recalled that Jay-Z himself became quite emotional when West played "Big Brother" for him in the studio for the very first time. When asked of his opinion of the song, Jay-Z responded that he thought it was "brilliantly written" and that it Kanye's best song since "Jesus Walks" as far as structure and emotion. Digital radio station BBC Radio 1Xtra hosted an exclusive "Audience With Kanye West" on August 14, 2007 at the BBC Radio Music Theatre, where West guided a specially selected audience through his third studio album Graduation. It was there that Kanye claimed that he felt that "Big Brother" is his strongest ever lyrically, career defining record.
While making an appearance on DJ Tim Westwood's radio show on August 18, 2007, Kanye played a preview of "Big Brother" alongside "Champion," the second song on the track-listing of Graduation. "Big Brother" in its entirety was first unveiled at a secret concert West held with Rihanna before an audience of over one thousand fans and invited guests during his trip to the United Kingdom. The concert took place on August 20, 2007 at the Westminster Central Hall in London, England. West went on to play a snippet of "Big Brother" while hosting an album listening session for Graduation on August 28, 2007 at the New World Stages in New York City. In an interview with Blender, R&B singer-songwriter The-Dream said that he was set to sing on the remix of "Big Brother", but the song never materialized.
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