Released 1997 Recorded 1996 Label Bad Boy | Format CD/Vinyl Genre Hip hop, G-funk | |
Length 5:07 (CD single)
5:07 (album) | ||
"Going Back to Cali" is a song recorded by rapper The Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy (uncredited) from the album Life After Death. The song is noted as one of Biggie's popular songs from the album, well known for its catchy hook and beat. The song contains a sample of Zapp hit "More Bounce to the Ounce".
Contents
Background
The song is about Smalls going back to Los Angeles and the West Coast. It starts off with Puff Daddy and Smalls in a phone conversation in which Daddy is telling Smalls that he needs to get ready for a flight to Los Angeles. The second verse opens up with Smalls' thoughts on the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry and his relationship with the West Coast:
If I got to choose a coast, I got to choose the East
I live out there, so don't go there
But that don't mean a nigga can't rest in the West
See some nice breasts in the West
Smoke some nice sess in the West
Y'all niggas is a mess
Thinkin' I'm gon' stop givin' L.A. props
All I got is beef with those that violate me
I shall annihilate thee
Cover versions
Harlem rapper Mase (who was associated with Biggie) recorded a cover version of the song named "Going Back To Harlem".
The song is heavily sampled in E-40's song "Bust Moves" featuring labelmates Big Omeezy and Droop-E, the latter of whom is E-40's son, from his 2012 album The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1.