Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)

"Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" (or its edited title "Jigga What, Jigga Who (Originator 99)" for the song's title to avoid hearing the word "Nigga") is a single by rapper Jay-Z's third album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. It was released on March 1, 1999. The song is produced by Timbaland and features two artists: Big Jaz, who raps one verse and Amil, who speaks the track's chorus.

"Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"
Single by Jay-Z featuring Amil and Big Jaz
from the album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
Released	March 1, 1999 (1999-03-01)
Recorded	1997
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:53
Label	Roc-A-Fella Def Jam
Songwriter(s)	S. Carter J. Burks T. Mosley
Producer(s)	Timbaland
Jay-Z singles chronology
"More Money, More Cash, More Hoes (Remix)" (1999) "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" (1999) "Jigga My Nigga" (1999)
Amil singles chronology
"Can I Get A..." (1998) "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" (1999) "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" (1999)
Big Jaz singles chronology
"Waitin'" (1996) "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" (1999) "Let's Go" (2001)

In 2004, the song was mashed with Linkin Park's "Faint" in the six track EP Collision Course.

Track listing

1. "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"
2. "Ain't No Nigga"
3. "Bring It On"

Vinyl

B-Side

1. "Ain't No Nigga"

Critical reception

In 2015, NME ranked the song number seven on their list of the ten greatest Jay-Z songs,^[1] and in 2019, Rolling Stone ranked the song number eight on their list of the 50 greatest Jay-Z songs.^[2]

Charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[3]	84
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[4]	23

See also

• List of songs recorded by Jay-Z