"Pimp of the Year" (edited for radio as "Mack of the Year") is the debut single by American rapper Dru Down, released in 1994 as the lead single from his second studio album Explicit Game (1994). Produced by Ant Banks, it contains a sample of "Shorty the Pimp" by Don Julian and The Larks. It is Dru Down's most successful song, peaking at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.
| "Pimp of the Year" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Dru Down | ||||
| from the album Explicit Game | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Genre | West Coast hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:14 | |||
| Label | Relativity | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Ant Banks | |||
| Dru Down singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Pimp of the Year" on YouTube | ||||
Background and content
editDru Down recorded the song at rapper Too Short's studio. The song was an instant hit in the Bay Area upon release, staying on the Billboard Hot 100 for 24 weeks. It has been considered a "pimp anthem".[1] Due to the song's popularity, a radio-friendly version titled "Mack of the Year" was made.[2]
Critical reception
editJesse Taylor of Passion of the Weiss described that Dru Down's "hypnotizing" voice "effortlessly grinds through Ant Bank's track like a circular saw".[1] Complex ranked the song at number 10 in their list "The 50 Greatest Bay Area Rap Songs".[2]
Charts
edit| Chart (1994–95) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[3] | 65 |
References
edit- ^ a b Taylor, Jesse (May 13, 2021). ""The Music Is Embedded in Me:" An Interview With Dru Down". Passion of the Weiss. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ a b Staley, Willy (January 27, 2011). "The 50 Greatest Bay Area Rap Songs". Complex. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of February 11, 1995". Billboard. Retrieved 5 August 2023.