The title is based on one of The Notorious B.I.G.’s many nicknames. The line “I love when you call me Big Poppa” is sampled from his verse from the Super Cat song “Dolly My Baby,” released in 1993. The song makes a reference to original Bad Boy artist Craig Mack who helped him make his lyrical debut (“now check it, I got more Mack than Craig in the bed…”).

“Big Poppa” is the Grammy nominated and Billboard Award–winning second single from The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die. The song was his first Top 10 pop hit, and peaked at #1 on Billboard’s rap chart. It features a sample of the song “Between the Sheets” written by The Isley Brothers. This song also features uncredited background rap vocals from Busta Rhymes.

“Big Poppa” was one of many songs of the era to continue to break down cultural boundaries in music,[citation needed] finding many fans among the youth market. It became a staple at parties and one of the most popular and identifiable songs of the era. It was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards. It also went on to win at the Billboard Awards. On the clean version, the second quarter of the chorus replaces the line “To the honeys gettin’ money, playin’ niggaz like dummies” with “To the honeys gettin’ money playin’ fellaz like dummies.”

The single was certified Platinum on May 23, 1995.
There is an official remix released in 1995 featuring Jermaine Dupri called, “Big Poppa (So So Def Remix)” which has similar lyrics (Dupri replacing Puff Daddy) except Biggie has a new 3rd verse. This remix appeared as a single.