Big Brother (Kanye West song)

File:Jay-Z 2011.jpg.]]

Record producer Toomp, who worked with Kanye West on fellow Graduation tracks "Good Life" and "Can't Tell Me Nothing", said that "Big Brother" was the final song the two recorded and the last to be mixed for the album. West repeatedly told him about a hook and a concept for the song, seeking a beat "with some real feel in it".{{cite web |last=Hobbs |first=Linda |title=DJ Toomp Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/dj-toomp-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records/ |website=Complex |date=November 22, 2012 |access-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408131948/https://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/dj-toomp-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records/ |url-status=live }} He replayed the end part of Prince's 1979 track "It's Gonna Be Lonely" in the studio and made the beat in a day, impressing West and A&Rs from Def Jam. West then rapped over it, though Prince refused the usage of his music once the song was set to be mixed in New York and later changed his mind in favor of full publishing rights, which Toomp did not approve of. Toomp then remade the beat in Atlanta, re-arranging certain notes and crafting a new melody. Back in New York, West synced his vocals again with the new track, with the final product impressing listeners. Toomp served as the sole producer, making "Big Brother" the only track on Graduation not to have production by West.{{cite AV media notes |others=Kanye West |title=Graduation |year=2007 |publisher=Roc-A-Fella Records}} He co-wrote the song with Toomp as a tribute to his mentor and fellow rapper Jay-Z, whom he has felt so close to as a friend that he sees him as a brother.{{cite magazine|last=Crosley|first=Hillary|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3ibe8ec7c980d6765c46225c438690a813|title=Graduation|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124120036/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3ibe8ec7c980d6765c46225c438690a813|archive-date=January 24, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Ashish|first=Singh|url=https://meaww.com/kanye-west-love-hate-relationship-jay-z-jeen-yuhs-documentary-netflix-tidal-watch-the-throne|title=Kanye West and Jay-Z's relationship: Inside the rappers' friendship, fallouts and feuds|publisher=MEAWW|date=February 15, 2022|access-date=November 24, 2022|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115092411/https://meaww.com/kanye-west-love-hate-relationship-jay-z-jeen-yuhs-documentary-netflix-tidal-watch-the-throne|url-status=live}} In January 2012, soul singer Tony Williams shared unreleased footage of West playing "Big Brother" to Jay-Z for the first time. Jay-Z became emotional after realizing he was the subject.{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Jacob |title=Video: Kanye West Plays 'Big Brother' To Jay-Z For The First Time |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/video-kanye-west-plays-big-brother-to-jay-z-for-the-first-time |work=Complex |date=January 10, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2012 |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113043617/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/video-kanye-west-plays-big-brother-to-jay-z-for-the-first-time |url-status=live }} The rapper said that he thought the song was "brilliantly written" and West's best work since "Jesus Walks" (2004), in terms of structure, emotion, and other factors.{{cite magazine|last=Crosley|first=Hillary|title=50 Cent, Kanye West Continue Rivalry On 106 & Park|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1319341/50-cent-kanye-west-continue-rivalry-on-106-park|magazine=Billboard|date=September 12, 2007|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=June 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628050824/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1319341/50-cent-kanye-west-continue-rivalry-on-106-park|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|title=Jay-Z's Brotherly Love|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/09/20/jay-z-toasts-kanye-wests-graduation/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 20, 2007|access-date=September 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012110306/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20057568_2%2C00.html|archive-date=October 12, 2007|url-status=live}} He further explained that working with West has "always been a big brother thing and a respect thing".{{cite web|last=Markman|first=Rob|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3l8ln7/jay-z-kanye-west-relationship|title=Jay-Z Explains His 'Big Brother Thing' With Kanye West|access-date=November 29, 2022|date=July 19, 2013|publisher=MTV|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129111011/https://www.mtv.com/news/3l8ln7/jay-z-kanye-west-relationship|url-status=dead}}

The song's hook and concept was conceived by West on an elevator ride.{{cite web| last=Conan| first=Milne| title=A-Trak Links With Nike, Jay-Z| url=http://www.urb.com/2008/03/17/a-trak-links-with-nike-jay-z/| work=Urb| date=March 17, 2008| access-date=May 3, 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004212930/http://www.urb.com/2008/03/17/a-trak-links-with-nike-jay-z/| archive-date=October 4, 2013}} Toomp compared the song's theme to his relationship with rapper T.I., with it attracting much discussion. Jay-Z responded to this by thinking if it is "good or bad" and the rapper later felt excited to be in the studio with him, and was proud to witness the theme.{{cite web |author=B High Atl |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRkinEfyqzA |title=DJ Toomp: When Jay Z First Heard Kanye's 'Big Brother' I Was There And.. We Showed Ye The Real Atl |access-date=November 29, 2022 |date=December 1, 2020 |publisher=B High TV |via=YouTube |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129105508/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRkinEfyqzA |url-status=live }} Digital radio station BBC Radio 1Xtra hosted an exclusive "Audience with Kanye West" event on August 14, 2007, at the BBC Radio Music Theatre. West guided a specially chosen audience through Graduation, expressing that it is a career-defining record and "Big Brother" is his strongest track ever lyrically.{{cite web|author=Mistajam|title=kanYeWest – Graduation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mistajam/2007/08/kanyewest_graduation.shtml|publisher=BBC|date=August 14, 2007|access-date=June 6, 2019|archive-date=October 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017095422/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mistajam/2007/08/kanyewest_graduation.shtml|url-status=live}} On August 28, 2007, DJ Tim Westwood played a preview of the song for his show 'In New Music We Trust'.{{cite web|last=Westwood|first=Tim|author-link=Tim Westwood|title=Westwood's In New Music We Trust- Tracklisting|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/innewmusicwetrust/timwestwood/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20070828|publisher=BBC Radio 1|date=2007|access-date=November 29, 2022|archive-date=November 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129105508/https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/innewmusicwetrust/timwestwood/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20070828|url-status=live}} "Big Brother" was first unveiled in full at a secret concert West held with Rihanna for around 500 fans during his trip to the United Kingdom, standing among the multiple songs he debuted in the country. The concert took place on August 20, 2007, at the Westminster Central Hall in Westminster, London.{{cite web |last=Reid|first=Shaheem|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567552/kanye-enjoys-muchhyped-rivalry-with-50-cent.jhtml |title= Kanye West Thanks 50 Cent for Much-Hyped Rivalry: 'We Push Each Other' |access-date=August 21, 2007 |date=August 21, 2007 |publisher=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612143507/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1567552/kanye-enjoys-muchhyped-rivalry-with-50-cent.jhtml |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |url-status=dead}} West played a snippet of the song while hosting a listening session for the album on August 28, at the New World Stages in Detroit.{{Cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title= Kanye's Graduation: Inside The NYC Listening Party For West's So-Called 'Comeback'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1568459/20070829/west_kanye.jhtml|publisher=MTV|date=August 29, 2007|access-date=August 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021054752/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1568459/20070829/west_kanye.jhtml|archive-date=October 21, 2007|url-status=dead}} In an interview with Blender, R&B singer-songwriter The-Dream said that he was set to sing on a remix of "Big Brother".{{cite web|title=Interview Umbrella Songwriter Reveals His Carrie Underwood Obsession|url=http://www.blender.com/2007/09/interviewumbrellasongwriterrevealshiscarrieunderwoodobsession/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722123913/http://www.blender.com/2007/09/interviewumbrellasongwriterrevealshiscarrieunderwoodobsession/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 22, 2012|work=Blender|date=September 4, 2007|access-date=September 6, 2007}}

{{Listen

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Musically, "Big Brother" is a mid-tempo hip hop song. It features synths, similar to those of fellow album track "I Wonder".{{cite web |last=Stoppelenburg |first=Japie |title=Kanye West: Graduation |url=https://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/kanye-west/graduation |website=No Ripcord |date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201111344/https://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/kanye-west/graduation |url-status=live }} Throughout the song, West raps in a rawer style than most of his work. His rapping pace varies from a swift delivery typical of hip hop to a slower style reminiscent of spoken word, accompanied by soft harmonies.{{cite web |last=Beech|first=Mark|title=Kanye West Offers Preview of Rap's Future at Fans-Only Concert|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aykKG5mx6c_Q&refer=home| publisher=Bloomberg News|date=August 21, 2007 |access-date=August 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191329/https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aykKG5mx6c_Q&refer=home |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=dead}}

The lyrics of "Big Brother" possess an honest, heartfelt examination of the complexities of West's relationship with Jay-Z.{{cite news |url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2007/08/the-many-moods-.html|title=The Many Moods of Kanye West Prevail as He Unveils New Songs at Charity Concert |last=Kot |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot |date=August 25, 2007 |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=August 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022034318/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2007/08/the-many-moods-.html |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Reed|first=James|title=James Reed's Top CD Picks of 2007|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/packages/cds2007/gallery/16reed?pg=3|work=Boston.com|date=September 15, 2007|access-date=September 15, 2007|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121174810/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/packages/cds2007/gallery/16reed?pg=3|url-status=live}} West uses introspection to speak of their relationship, conveying emotion.{{cite magazine |last=Scaggs|first=Austin|title=Kanye West: A Genius In Praise of Himself |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-a-genius-in-praise-of-himself-20070920|magazine=Rolling Stone |url-status=dead |date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=June 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817130444/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-west-a-genius-in-praise-of-himself-20070920 |archive-date=August 17, 2013}} He narrates the highs and lows, recalling his lifelong admiration for Jay-Z and a rivalry they had.{{cite web |last=Richards|first=Jason|title=Music in Toronto, September 6 – 12, 2007|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-09-06/music_discs2.php| website=NOW Magazine|date=September 6, 2007 |access-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014184343/http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-09-06/music_discs2.php |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Pareles|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Pareles|title=Kanye West – Graduation – Music|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/arts/music/05west.html|website=The New York Times|url-access=registration|date=September 5, 2007|access-date=December 1, 2022|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201111341/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/arts/music/05west.html|url-status=live}} As the song nears its conclusion, West expresses this admiration by altering the chorus to "My big brother was Big's brother/So here's a few words from ya kid brother/If you admire somebody you should go head and tell 'em/People never get the flowers while they can still smell 'em".{{cite web|last=Pytlik|first=Mark|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10658-graduation/|title=Kanye West: Graduation|work=Pitchfork|date=September 11, 2007|access-date=November 30, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929162018/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10658-graduation/|archive-date=September 29, 2009}} West also uses the chorus as a subsidiary dedication to his former mentor No I.D., who first taught him how to produce music.{{cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Insanul|title=Interview: No I.D. Talks Def Jam, Kanye West, & How He Affected 'Watch The Throne'|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/interview-no-id-talks-def-jam-kanye-west-how-he-affected-watch-the-throne/page/2|work=Complex|date=February 6, 2012|access-date=February 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209024022/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/interview-no-id-talks-def-jam-kanye-west-how-he-affected-watch-the-throne/page/2|archive-date=February 9, 2012}}{{cite book |title=Kanye West in the Studio: Beats Down! Money Up! (2000–2006) |last=Brown |first=Jake |year=2006 |publisher=Colossus Books |location=Phoenix, Arizona |isbn=0-9767735-6-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/kanyewestinstudi00brow/page/557 557] |url=https://archive.org/details/kanyewestinstudi00brow/page/557 |url-access=registration }}{{cite web| last=Padania| first=Jesal 'Jay Soul'| title=RapReview Of The Week – Kanye West:: Graduation| url=http://www.rapreviews.com/feature3.html| website=RapReviews| date=September 11, 2007| access-date=December 1, 2022| archive-date=February 28, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228123500/http://www.rapreviews.com/feature3.html| url-status=live}}

"Big Brother" was released as the thirteenth and final track on West's third studio album Graduation on September 11, 2007.{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/graduation-mw0000484496|title=Graduation – Kanye West|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=October 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326172545/https://www.allmusic.com/album/graduation-mw0000484496|archive-date=March 26, 2019|url-status=live}} The song was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, who mostly appreciated the subject matter. Greg Kot from the Chicago Tribune declared that "West is at his best" on the song as he owns "his flaws rather than brushing past them", paying tribute to Jay-Z while recalling "the slights and embarrassments he suffered at his hands".Kot, Greg (August 31, 2007). [http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2007/08/graduation-day-.html 'Graduation' Day Arrives: Kanye West Exploits His Growing Pains]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616114349/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2007/08/graduation-day-.html |date=June 16, 2008 }}. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 1, 2007. Kot also pointed it out as the album's only instance of the music feeling "strictly like a backdrop, a gray wash that exists solely to frame West's rap". Expressing a similar sentiment, NOW Magazine{{'}}s Jason Richards lauded West's "acute honesty" throughout the song as he "narrates the highs and lows" of his relationship with Jay-Z. Entertainment Weekly critic Neil Drumming wrote that the song's focus on their "strained relationship" is a "somber, self-critical" earnest moment, which "can't come soon enough".{{cite magazine| last=Drumming| first=Neil| title=Graduation| url=https://ew.com/article/2007/09/07/graduation/| magazine=Entertainment Weekly| date=September 7, 2007| access-date=December 2, 2022| archive-date=December 2, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202204454/https://ew.com/article/2007/09/07/graduation/| url-status=live}} Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania of RapReviews said that by going over the highs and lows of the relationship over the years, it creates "a fascinating episode of fly-on-the-wall reality" and focused particularly on the reference to Martin. At USA Today, Brett Johnson called the song captivating and noted West's boldness to "bite the hand th[at] feeds him" by detailing the relationship.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Brett |title=Review: New CDs from 50 Cent, Kanye West |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-09-10-2971204165_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=September 10, 2007 |access-date=September 17, 2009 |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115092413/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/2007-09-10-2971204165_x.htm |url-status=live }}

Making note of its "classic hip-hop storytelling framework" about Jay-Z and the "raw style" of West's rapping, Dave Heaton from PopMatters cited "Big Brother" as one of the tracks on Graduation that give off a "timeless hip-hop feeling".{{cite web | last=Heaton | first=Dave | title=Kanye West Graduation – Music Review | url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/kanye-west-graduation | work=PopMatters | date=September 10, 2007 | access-date=September 12, 2007 | archive-date=December 16, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216022235/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/kanye-west-graduation | url-status=live }} In 2008, Maddy Costa for The Guardian included the track within a "Readers Recommend" column that discussed hero worship, writing, "Kanye West demonstrates more self-awareness in his thoughtful tribute to his brother-in-spirit, Jay-Z, exploring the complications of their fan-idol relationship, which grows trickier as the two become peers."{{cite news |last=Costa |first=Maddy |title=Readers Recommend – Songs About Hero Worship |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/05/popandrock |work=The Guardian |date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=November 16, 2008 |location=London |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121174810/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/sep/05/popandrock |url-status=live }} Writing for Pitchfork, Mark Pytlik thought that West comes close to "the mental hand-wringing of his early albums" with the subject matter. Hillary Crosley of Billboard asserted that the lyrics about Jay-Z are "introspective enough to make fans cry"; Rolling Stone{{'}}s Austin Scaggs similarly called the song a "a tear-jerking ode" to the rapper. The Guardian critic Dorian Lynskey remarked that the subject matter "intertwines admiration and envy with fascinating honesty".{{cite news|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|title=Kanye West, Graduation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/sep/07/urban.shopping|work=The Guardian|date=September 7, 2007|access-date=September 10, 2007|location=London|archive-date=October 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005183219/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/sep/07/urban.shopping|url-status=live}} For Hot Press, John Walshe highlighted the "austere majesty" of the song.{{cite web| last=Walshe| first=John|title=Graduation| url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/graduation-4085506| website=Hot Press| url-access=subscription| date=September 20, 2007| access-date=December 2, 2022| archive-date=July 29, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729084809/https://www.hotpress.com/music/graduation-4085506| url-status=live}} Japie Stoppelenburg of No Ripcord said that it succeeds in copying the "razorblade synths" of "I Wonder". The Observer reviewer Ben Thompson listed "Big Brother" as one of the five best tracks on Graduation and labeled it "utterly bizarre".{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Ben|title=Kanye West, Graduation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/sep/16/shopping.urban1|work=The Observer|date=September 16, 2007|access-date=September 17, 2007|location=London|archive-date=October 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005183532/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/sep/16/shopping.urban1|url-status=live}} Del F. Cowie from Exclaim! stated that the track is stellar, but shows West "yearning for 'stadium status'".{{cite web| last=Cowie|first=Del F.| title=Recently Reviewed| url=http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/latestsub.aspx?csid1=114&csid2=870&fid1=27524| work=Exclaim!| access-date=October 13, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105192102/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/latestsub.aspx?csid1=114&csid2=870&fid1=27524| archive-date=January 5, 2008| url-status=dead}} Gregg LaGambina was negative in The A.V. Club, picking out the "awkward introspection" and seeing the song as awkward in general.{{cite web | last=LaGambina | first=Gregg | title=Tighten Up: 21 Good Albums That Could Have Been Great EPs | url=https://www.avclub.com/tighten-up-21-good-albums-that-could-have-been-great-e-1798212967 | work=The A.V. Club | date=November 12, 2007 | access-date=December 2, 2022 | archive-date=December 14, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214043422/http://www.avclub.com/articles/tighten-up-21-good-albums-that-could-have-been-gre,2082/ | url-status=live }}

Although it was not released as a single, "Big Brother" managed to enter and peak at number 19 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart for the issue date of September 22, 2007.

File:Kanye At Westminster Central Hall 2007.jpg in Westminster, London.]]

West premiered "Big Brother" at Westminster Central Hall in Westminster on August 20, 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/30539|title=Kanye West Gives Shout Out to Jay-Z During Intimate Gig|work=NME|date=August 21, 2007|access-date=August 21, 2007|archive-date=September 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926190414/http://www.nme.com/news/kanye-west/30539|url-status=live}} He was backed by a twenty-one piece all-female string section, background vocalists, a keyboardist, and his tour DJ A-Trak. The guests were greeted by staff members wearing graduation outfits and mortarboards in reference to the title of the album. West performed the song at a House of Blues concert promoting higher education sponsored by his charity foundation on August 25, 2007. It was one of the last songs of his set and while performing, West became emotional.

On September 11, 2007, West provided a live rendition of the song towards the end of his appearance on BET's 106 & Park. Jay-Z came onstage in response to the performance and teased the crowd with his 2003 track "Encore", which West produced.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/blogs/2007/09/12/staidum-status/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070731095859/http://www.complex.com/blogs/2007/09/12/staidum-status/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 31, 2007 |title=Stadium Status |work=Complex |date=September 12, 2007 |access-date=September 14, 2007 }} On October 29, the two performed the full track together again for West's set at JAM'N 94.5's annual concert.{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/10/30/powerhouses_unite_on_stage_for_monster_jam/ |title=Powerhouses Unite On Stage For Monster Jam |access-date=July 18, 2008 |date=October 30, 2007 |work=Boston.com |first=Joan |last=Anderman |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024212015/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/10/30/powerhouses_unite_on_stage_for_monster_jam/ |url-status=live }} The "Big Brother/"Encore" rendition was recorded live and included in The Graduate, a 2007 collaborative mixtape made by hip hop producers Mick Boogie, Terry Urban, and 9th Wonder, hosted by West.{{cite web|author=Shake|title=Free Download: Mick Boogie's 'The Graduate' Mixtape|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.897/title.free-download-mick-boogies-the-graduate-mixtape|work=HipHopDX|date=October 18, 2007|access-date=October 18, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220041920/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.897/title.free-download-mick-boogies-the-graduate-mixtape|archive-date=February 20, 2010|url-status=dead}} Assisted by back-up singers, a full orchestra, and DJ Reflex, West performed "Big Brother" as part of a concert encore at the GM Place in Vancouver, Canada on October 17.{{cite web| last=Woo| first=Andrea| title=Concert Reviews Kanye West/Ludacris| url=http://exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=116&csid2=33&fid1=28522| work=Exclaim!| date=November 2007| access-date=October 13, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005081712/http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=116&csid2=33&fid1=28522| archive-date=October 5, 2010| url-status=dead}}

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| footer = R&B singer Lil' Mo (left) created a female version in the form of "Big Sister", an answer song where she shares her admiration and appreciation for her own mentor, hip-hop artist Missy Elliott (right).

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In 2007, Killa BH recorded a parody of "Big Brother" entitled "Foldger's Brother", focusing on rapper 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 (2007).{{cite web| last=Springer| first=Anthony| title=Joe Budden Mood Muzik 3: It's About To Get Worse (Mixtape)| url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.897/title.joe-budden-mood-muzik-3-its-about-to-get-worse-mixtape| work=HipHopDX| date=January 7, 2008| access-date=May 22, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830200242/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.897/title.joe-budden-mood-muzik-3-its-about-to-get-worse-mixtape| archive-date=August 30, 2010| url-status=dead}} In May 2008, hip hop duo Tha Dogg Pound rapped over the instrumental of "Big Brother" for "Half A Mil Freestyle".{{cite web |last=Omar |first=Burgess |title=Dogg Pound Starts A Busy 08 With Gangsta Grillz |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7003/title.dogg-pound-starts-a-busy-08-with-gangsta-grillz |work=HipHopDX |date=May 27, 2008 |access-date=May 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528062433/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7003/title.dogg-pound-starts-a-busy-08-with-gangsta-grillz |archive-date=May 28, 2008 |url-status=dead }} Former Shady Records artist Bobby Creekwater recorded a reinterpretation of the song in February 2009, with lyrics dedicated to label founder and rapper Eminem.{{cite news | last=Koroma | first=Salima | title=DX News Bits: Shady/Aftermath Edition | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8523/title.dx-news-bits-shady-aftermath-edition | work=HipHopDX | date=February 6, 2009 | access-date=February 6, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207053225/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8523/title.dx-news-bits-shady-aftermath-edition | archive-date=February 7, 2009 | url-status=dead }} In his rendition, Bobby explains how he was signed, what his relationship with Eminem and his labelmates was like, and where he stood within his record label Interscope Records.{{cite web|title=Bobby Creekwater Interview|url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/interviews/entry/bobby-creekwater-interview-0219091/|work=DJBooth|date=February 17, 2009|access-date=February 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219165805/http://www.djbooth.net/index/interviews/entry/bobby-creekwater-interview-0219091/|archive-date=February 19, 2009|url-status=dead}}

For a show at the High Noon Saloon on March 19, 2012, with fellow underground rappers P.O.S and Astronautalis, and spoken word artist Dessa, Madison rapper F. Stokes performed his version of "Big Brother". Stokes dedicated the song's lyrics to his close 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."{{cite web | last=Shanahan | first=Joel | title=P.O.S. and Dessa at High Noon Saloon | url=http://www.avclub.com/madison/articles/pos-and-dessa-at-high-noon-saloon,39400/ | work=The A.V. Club | date=March 22, 2010 | access-date=April 18, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328020759/http://www.avclub.com/madison/articles/pos-and-dessa-at-high-noon-saloon%2C39400/ | archive-date=March 28, 2010 | url-status=live }} Inspired by the song, R&B singer Lil' Mo created a female version of "Big Brother" in the form of "Big Sister" in May 2011, for her 2011 mixtape P.S. I Love You. It is an answer song, in which she expresses her admiration and appreciation for her mentor Missy Elliott.{{cite web| title=New Music: Lil' Mo – 'Big Sister' (Missy Elliott Tribute)| url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/10/new-music-lil-mo-big-sister-missy-elliott-tribute/| work=Rap-Up| date=May 10, 2011| access-date=July 26, 2010| archive-date=May 13, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513062325/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/10/new-music-lil-mo-big-sister-missy-elliott-tribute/| url-status=live}} Lil' Mo later said that because of how much her mentor helped launched her career, the song was an important part of the mixtape.{{cite web| title=Lil Mo Sends Words of Encouragement to Missy Elliott| url=https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-mo-gives-words-of-encouragement-to-missy-elliott-professes-love-for-justin-bieber/| work=XXL| date=July 7, 2011| access-date=December 3, 2012| archive-date=December 2, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202200413/https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-mo-gives-words-of-encouragement-to-missy-elliott-professes-love-for-justin-bieber/| url-status=live}}

Information taken from Graduation liner notes.

Recording

• Recorded at Doppler Studios (Atlanta, GA) and Legacy Recording Studios (NYC)
• Mixed at Chung King Studios (NYC)

Personnel

• Kanye West{{spaced en dash}} songwriter
• Toomp{{spaced en dash}} songwriter, producer
• Andrew Dawson{{spaced en dash}} recording, mix engineer
• Paul Sheehy{{spaced en dash}} recording
• Dale Parsons{{spaced en dash}} assistant mix engineer
• Andy Marcinkowski{{spaced en dash}} assistant mix engineer

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|certyear=2023|title=Big Brother|artist=Kanye West|type=single|access-date=September 6, 2023|relyear=2007}}

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{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090105064100/http://www.mtv.com/lyrics/west_kanye/big_brother/19654002/lyrics.jhtml "Big Brother" lyrics] at MTV

{{Kanye West songs}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2007 songs

Category:Cultural depictions of hip-hop musicians

Category:Jay-Z

Category:Kanye West songs

Category:Songs about friendship

Category:Songs about musicians

Category:Songs written by DJ Toomp

Category:Songs written by Kanye West

Category:Song recordings produced by DJ Toomp