Bitch Please II

"Bitch Please II" is a hip hop song by American rapper Eminem featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg, released on May 23, 2000, as the fifteenth track on Eminem's second studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP.^[1] Produced by Dr. Dre, the track serves as a sequel to Snoop Dogg's 1999 song "Bitch Please" from his album No Limit Top Dogg, which also featured Xzibit and Nate Dogg.^[2] The song is structured as a posse cut, with each artist delivering a verse showcasing boastful lyrics about their success, wealth, and dominance in the rap game, set over a G-funk-inspired beat produced by Dr. Dre and co-producer Mel-Man.^[2] Dr. Dre's production incorporates smooth West Coast elements, including a prominent bassline and Nate Dogg's signature hooks, contrasting Eminem's aggressive Detroit-style delivery.^[3] Recorded at The Record Plant in Los Angeles during sessions for The Marshall Mathers LP, the track highlights collaborations between Eminem and West Coast hip hop icons, bridging East and West Coast rap scenes.^[4] Upon release, "Bitch Please II" contributed to the massive commercial success of The Marshall Mathers LP, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.^[1] The song was released as a promotional single but gained popularity through album play and later streaming, ultimately earning a gold certification from the RIAA on March 8, 2022, for 500,000 units consumed in the United States. The track was also included in the album's 25th anniversary edition released on May 23, 2025.^[5][6] Critically, it has been praised for its star-studded lineup and replay value, often cited as a standout collaboration on one of the best-selling rap albums of all time.^[2]

Background and development

Origins as a sequel

"Bitch Please II" was conceived as a direct sequel to Snoop Dogg's track "Bitch Please," which appeared on his fourth studio album No Limit Top Dogg, released on November 9, 1999, and featured verses from Xzibit and Nate Dogg over a Dr. Dre production.^[7] The idea for the sequel emerged during the recording sessions for Eminem's third studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP (1999–2000), shortly after the original track's release, as Eminem recruited key contributors from the West Coast rap scene to expand on its collaborative energy. This timing aligned with the two-month creative binge that defined The Marshall Mathers LP's production, allowing the concept to integrate seamlessly into the album's development. By framing the track as a sequel, it adopted a posse cut style that built upon the original's West Coast foundation, incorporating Eminem's distinctive Detroit viewpoint to bridge regional rap perspectives through layered verses from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg.^[7] Xzibit and Nate Dogg, who had contributed to the 1999 original, returned for this follow-up, reinforcing the continuity.^[2]

Artist collaborations

Dr. Dre played a central role in assembling the artists for "Bitch Please II," serving as both producer and rapper while leveraging his Aftermath Entertainment label's close ties to Eminem, whom he had signed in 1998 after discovering him at the 1997 Rap Olympics, following the breakthrough success of Eminem's 1999 major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP. This partnership enabled Dre to recruit key West Coast talents, including Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg, who had previously collaborated on the original "Bitch Please" from Snoop Dogg's 1999 album No Limit Top Dogg.^[7][8] Snoop Dogg's involvement honored the track's status as a sequel, with his verse delivering a signature laid-back flow that paid homage to the original while integrating seamlessly with the ensemble. Recorded in California, where Snoop was based, his contribution added a direct link to the song's West Coast origins. Meanwhile, Xzibit and Nate Dogg reprised their roles from the first track, with Xzibit providing a gritty outro verse and Nate Dogg delivering the smooth, melodic chorus hook that anchored the song's structure.^[2] Eminem took the lead with two dynamic verses, showcasing his rapid-fire delivery and wordplay to bridge the Midwestern grit of Detroit rap with the collaborators' West Coast G-funk influences. This dynamic highlighted Eminem's growing influence in cross-regional hip-hop circles. The collaboration came together during the intense pre-release buzz for The Marshall Mathers LP in early 2000, reinforcing the burgeoning Dre-Eminem alliance that had propelled Eminem to stardom after The Slim Shady LP's commercial triumph.^[7][8]

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording sessions for "Bitch Please II" primarily took place at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, California, integrated into the intensive production timeline for Eminem's sophomore album amid his escalating public profile.^[9][10] These sessions spanned January to April 2000.^[10][11] Coordinating these efforts presented challenges, particularly given Eminem's burgeoning fame and the demands of touring, alongside Dr. Dre's commitments to multiple high-profile projects including his own album 2001.^[10][11] The track's collaborative roles highlighted each artist's distinct West Coast and Midwestern influences, blending seamlessly in the posse cut format. Final overdubs were wrapped by early May 2000, allowing for the album's release on May 23.^[10][11]

Production elements

"Bitch Please II" was primarily produced by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man, who built upon the G-funk foundation of Snoop Dogg's original 1999 track "Bitch Please" from No Limit Top Dogg to create a seamless sequel beat.^[12] The production incorporates samples directly from the predecessor, including elements of its laid-back groove and melodic hooks, while adapting them to fit the posse cut format with Eminem leading the verses.^[13] The track's instrumentation emphasizes Dr. Dre's characteristic heavy bass lines and synthesized textures, paired with crisp drum patterns that evoke West Coast hip-hop's polished aggression.^[14] Synths provide a funky undercurrent, supporting the layered vocal deliveries from multiple artists without overpowering the rhythmic drive.^[15] Mixing and engineering were handled by Richard "Segal" Huredia under Dr. Dre's oversight, resulting in a clean, radio-ready West Coast sound that highlights vocal clarity and sonic depth.^[2] A notable production technique involves layered ad-libs and echo effects on the verses, amplifying the collaborative energy of the posse cut while maintaining structural cohesion across the artists' contributions.^[16] The song runs for 4:48, featuring a straightforward structure with successive verses and a recurring chorus, avoiding fades to preserve its momentum.^[3]

Composition and lyrics

Musical structure

"Bitch Please II" employs a classic posse cut structure in hip-hop, opening with an introductory verse from Eminem that sets a confrontational tone, followed by the chorus delivered by Nate Dogg. The body consists of four main verses: the first by Eminem, the second by Dr. Dre, the third by Snoop Dogg, and the fourth by Xzibit, each interspersed with repetitions of Nate Dogg's chorus to maintain rhythmic continuity. The track closes with an outro that reprises elements of the chorus, providing a cohesive resolution. The song fuses West Coast hip-hop with G-funk influences, evident in its laid-back groove and synthesized basslines reminiscent of Dr. Dre's production aesthetic on Snoop Dogg's earlier work. It operates at a tempo of 96 beats per minute in the key of C# major, contributing to its mid-tempo swagger suitable for the collaborative rap delivery.^[17] As a direct sequel to Snoop Dogg's 1999 track "Bitch Please," the composition evolves the original's G-funk foundation while integrating Dr. Dre's signature minimalistic production approach, emphasizing clean beats and space for vocal interplay. Nate Dogg's chorus acts as the central hook, repeated five times to anchor the arrangement and incorporate subtle call-and-response dynamics that enhance the song's communal energy. Transitions between verses occur seamlessly without instrumental breaks, allowing the momentum to build progressively through the lineup of performers.^[18]

Lyrical themes

"Bitch Please II" exemplifies boastful lyrics centered on themes of success, wealth, women, and street credibility, delivered in a posse cut format that amplifies collective swagger among Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg. The track's verses collectively assert dominance in the rap game, with references to material excess and interpersonal conquests, such as Dr. Dre's lines boasting about sparking "riots like Limp Bizkit" to assert his influential role and Snoop Dogg's casual boasts of pimping and violence, underscoring a shared gangsta rap ethos of unapologetic aggression and authenticity.^[2][19][20] Eminem's contributions stand out with humorous disses and personal anecdotes that contrast the smoother West Coast style of his collaborators, injecting raw, chaotic energy into the narrative. In his verse, he raps about urban fantasies from a suburban perspective—"Livin' the urban life like a white kid from the burbs / Dreamin' at night of screamin' at mom, schemin' to leave / Run away from home and grow to be as evil as me"—blending self-deprecating humor with defiant rebellion. His verse escalates with rapid-fire disses, like targeting critics and rivals, highlighting his outsider status in hip-hop while affirming his prowess.^[2][20] The featured artists reinforce these themes through specialized lenses: Dr. Dre emphasizes production dominance and laid-back authority in his opening lines, boasting about sparking "riots like Limp Bizkit" to assert his influential role; Snoop Dogg delivers smooth, threatening flows about readiness to "bust this heat," maintaining a cool demeanor amid the bravado; and Xzibit closes with raw, high-energy declarations of longevity, proclaiming "2001 and forever" to cement enduring street cred. Nate Dogg's chorus serves as a dismissive hook—"Bitch please, bitch please"—echoing rejection of doubters and tying the collective posturing together. Eminem's wordplay, particularly in his verse, employs internal rhymes and multisyllabic schemes, as in "I start some trouble everywhere that I go / (That I go) / Ask the bouncers in the club 'cause they know / ('Cause they know) / I start some shit, they throw me out the back door," enhancing the track's rhythmic intensity over Dr. Dre's G-funk-inspired beat.^[2][19]

Release and promotion

Single release

"Bitch Please II" was released as a promotional single in 2000 from Eminem's album The Marshall Mathers LP, which had been issued on May 23, 2000.^[21] The release followed the album's commercial breakthrough, serving to sustain interest in the project through targeted promotion rather than a full commercial rollout. The single was distributed by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records in physical formats only, including 12-inch vinyl promotional copies, as digital distribution for singles was not yet widespread in 2000.^[22] It focused primarily on the U.S. market, with limited international availability to support radio and club play.^[21] The track listing for the vinyl edition included the album version of "Bitch Please II" (4:48) on the A-side, accompanied by an instrumental version (4:48) on the B-side; similar configurations appeared on other promos.^[21]

Promotional activities

"Bitch Please II" was prominently featured in live performances during Eminem's Up in Smoke Tour and Anger Management Tour from 2000 to 2001, where it was performed at select shows with featured artists including Dr. Dre and Xzibit, enhancing the tour's high-energy hip-hop collaborations.^[23] The track's inclusion in setlists, such as at the Value City Arena in Columbus on July 1, 2000 during the Up in Smoke Tour, helped integrate it into the tour's promotional narrative alongside co-headliners like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.^[24] Media coverage in 2000 MTV interviews, including appearances on Total Request Live, highlighted the song's role in showcasing Eminem's alliances, with references to the Limp Bizkit partnership signaling a resolution to earlier industry tensions and amplifying cross-genre appeal. Post-album release, the track gained traction on urban radio stations without an accompanying music video, relying on the momentum from The Marshall Mathers LP's success to secure airplay. "Bitch Please II" served as a key element in cross-promotional efforts under Aftermath and Shady Records, emphasizing the creative bond between Eminem and Dr. Dre through Dre's production and featured verse, which was spotlighted in contemporary discussions of the label's roster buildup.^[25]

Critical reception

Initial reviews

Upon its inclusion on Eminem's 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP, "Bitch Please II" garnered positive attention from critics for its high-energy posse cut format and Dr. Dre's production. Similarly, Rolling Stone's Touré described it as a standout collaboration that exemplified the album's wild, unfiltered appeal, blending West Coast influences with Eminem's sharp delivery.^[26] While some reviewers acknowledged the song's aggressive tone in the context of the album's broader controversy over its provocative content, they praised the fluid flows from Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Xzibit. The Source magazine covered the album positively in 2000, awarding it 5 mics out of 5.^[27] Overall, the song contributed to the album's critical acclaim, with aggregate reviews averaging around 4 out of 5 stars; Metacritic compiled a score of 78/100 from 21 publications, reflecting strong praise for its lyrical bravado and collaborative impact despite the surrounding debates.^[28]

Legacy and rankings

"Bitch Please II" has been recognized as a quintessential example of 2000s posse cuts, blending Eminem's emerging East Coast-influenced style with established West Coast artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg, thereby bridging generational and regional divides in hip-hop during Eminem's rapid ascent to stardom.^[29][30] The track has earned notable placements in retrospective rankings, including #42 on Rolling Stone's "50 Greatest Eminem Songs" list in 2024, where it was praised for Eminem's rapid-fire verse amid the West Coast ensemble.^[31] It has also appeared in various hip-hop posse cut compilations, such as an honorable mention in the Top 25 Hip Hop Posse Cuts by Hip Hop Golden Age, highlighting its enduring status as a collaborative benchmark.^[30] In recent years, the song's legacy continues through references in later collaborations, such as Eminem and Snoop Dogg's 2022 track "From the D 2 the LBC," which nods to their shared history including the 2000 posse cut.^[32] Its influence is evident in subsequent multi-artist features on albums like Dr. Dre's 2015 Compton, which revived similar ensemble dynamics with guests including Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar. The 25th anniversary edition of The Marshall Mathers LP in 2025 renewed interest in the track, contributing to increased streaming and media discussions.^[33] By November 2025, "Bitch Please II" had amassed over 328 million streams on Spotify, underscoring its sustained relevance in the streaming era and appeal to new generations of listeners.^[34]

Commercial performance

Chart positions

"Bitch Please II" experienced moderate chart success primarily in the United States, where it peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 2000.^[35] The track remained on the chart for 8 weeks, reflecting solid but not blockbuster performance for an album cut.^[36] It also reached number 51 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, indicating strong radio rotation despite lacking physical sales data in that metric.^[37] Internationally, the song's reach was limited due to its album track status without a full single release. It did not enter the top 100 on the UK Singles Chart or in Australia or major European countries.^[36] This restrained performance contrasted with the parent album The Marshall Mathers LP's blockbuster debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200, which amplified the track's visibility through album sales. Relative to other singles from the album, such as "Stan" which topped multiple charts, "Bitch Please II" underperformed commercially but maintained relevance through robust airplay and its high-profile collaborations.

Certifications and sales

"Bitch Please II" earned its first major certification in the United Kingdom, where the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it Silver status on August 12, 2022, for 200,000 units.^[38] In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded it Gold status on March 8, 2022, for combined sales and on-demand streaming equivalent to 500,000 units.^[39] The track's enduring popularity is evident in its streaming performance, with over 328 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025, contributing significantly to its global consumption metrics.^[34] These figures are bolstered by the parent album The Marshall Mathers LP, which has sold more than 32 million copies worldwide and received numerous multi-platinum certifications, amplifying the single's reach through album bundling and promotion.^[40]

Credits and personnel

Performers and vocals

"Bitch Please II" features lead vocals from Eminem, who performs verses 1 and 3.^[2] The track includes featured vocals by Dr. Dre on verse 2, Snoop Dogg on verse 4, and Xzibit on verse 5.^[2] Nate Dogg provides the chorus and background vocals.^[2] Eminem additionally delivers ad-libs throughout the song.^[22] These contributions are detailed in the album liner notes for The Marshall Mathers LP and ASCAP performance credits.

Production and technical staff

The production of "Bitch Please II" was overseen by co-producers Dr. Dre and Mel-Man, who shaped the track's G-funk-infused sound.^[41][2] Bass and keyboards were performed by Mike Elizondo.^[41] The mixing was handled by engineer Richard "Segal" Huredia, ensuring the dense layers of vocals and instrumentation blended seamlessly.^[3][42] Recording was engineered by Richard "Segal" Huredia at The Record Plant in Los Angeles.^[43] The final mastering was completed by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, providing the polished sonic clarity characteristic of Aftermath releases.^[2][43] A&R oversight was provided by Paul Rosenberg, Eminem's manager, who coordinated the collaboration among the high-profile guests.^[44] The album's artwork and promotional visuals were aligned with the aesthetic of The Marshall Mathers LP, designed by Jason Noto to reflect its provocative themes.^[44]