"Firm Biz" is the first and only single by the hip hop supergroup The Firm from their singular collaborative LP The Album. The song was produced by L.E.S, who based the song's track on a sample of Teena Marie's 1981 hit "Square Biz". "Firm Biz" also features a chorus performed by former En Vogue singer Dawn Robinson, reworked from the "Square Biz" chorus. AZ raps the first verse of the song, Nas the second, and Foxy Brown the third and final verse. The song did not reach any US chart positions, but was a UK top 20 hit in 1997. A remix of the song was released, featuring a verse from Half-A-Mill and a chorus by Mary J. Blige, replacing Dawn Robinson. The word "feds" is censored in the explicit version, in verse 2, performed by Nas, when he raps "Never that though Black .4-4's for feds".
Music video
A music video was released soon after the release for the single. In the beginning of the video, it shows a man trying to rob a bank. While the man is riding on his car and trying to flee, Nas and AZ are planning to catch him. The video was directed by Hype Williams.
Cover versions
A remix of "Firm Biz" was performed by Nicki Minaj on her 2008 mixtape Sucka Free, as "Firm Biz '08" featuring Jadakiss.
Charts
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[1] | 22 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[2] | 9 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[3] | 53 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[4] | 25 |
| Scotland (OCC)[5] | 49 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 18 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[7] | 4 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[8] | 35 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1997) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Urban (Music Week)[9] | 18 |
References
- ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3459." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 51, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ "The Firm feat. Dawn Robinson – Firm Biz" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "The Firm feat. Dawn Robinson – Firm Biz". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ "Firm feat. Dawn Robinson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "AZ Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "The Urban Top 40 Tracks Of 1997" (PDF). Music Week. January 10, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
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