No Diggity

Album: Another Level (1996)
Charted: 9 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title is an expression that can have many uses, but generally means "absolutely" or "for sure." In R&B fashion, the lyrics are a suggestive prelude to sex.
  • The acoustic guitar riff was taken from the Bill Withers song "Grandma's Hands."
  • The raps on this song, in order of appearance, were performed by Dr. Dre, Teddy Riley and Queen Pen. Riley is a very successful producer, and has developed many innovative sounds used by R&B groups in the '80s and '90s.
  • This won the 1997 Grammy for Best R & B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
  • "None of the guys liked 'No Diggity,'" Teddy Riley told Soul Culture. "None of them. They would even say it. That's why I'm singing the first verse. You know how they say they pushed the little one out there to see if it tastes good and see if he would get egged? Well they pushed me out there - and it became a hit. And now they wish they were singing the first verse, so that they can have the notoriety like me. So they trust what I'm saying."
  • Hype Williams directed the music video, which features Blackstreet rapping in front of a beach house and dancers performing on rain-slicked streets. Williams masterminded the video for another of the era's earworms: Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It."
  • Blackstreet teamed up with Aloe Blacc to perform "No Diggity" on Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show in 2015 as part of the "Mash Up Mondays" series, where the two artists became "Aloe Blaccstreet." Blacc sang a portion of "Grandma's Hands" to open the song.

Comments: 2

  • David from NycHype Williams did not direct Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It” video. He directed the “Somethin’ 4 Da Honeyz” video. Keith Ward directed the “This Is How We Do It” video.
  • Bertrand from Paris, FranceThis is the peak of work created by producer, songwriter, performer Teddy Riley, leader of the group Blackstreet. He is one of the top r&b masters of the 1990's and a key architect of new jack swing. "No Diggity" is new jack swing fully refined.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.