Player's Ball

This article is about the song. For the social gathering, see Players Ball. For the film, see Playas Ball.
"Player's Ball"
Single by Outkast
from the album A LaFace Family Christmas and Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
ReleasedNovember 19, 1993
Recorded1993
Genre
Length4:21
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Organized Noize
Outkast singles chronology
"Player's Ball"
(1993) 		"Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik"
(1994)
Music video
"Player's Ball" on YouTube

"Player's Ball" is the debut single from hip hop duo Outkast. Originally released two weeks prior on the compilation A LaFace Family Christmas, the single was released on November 19, 1993, to promote the forthcoming debut album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. The song itself discusses the nature of living in the South of the United States, and growing up within a hip hop culture. The accompanying music video was directed by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs.

The title refers to a traditional gathering of pimps in Atlanta. The song is referenced at least three times within other songs by the duo, including the final track on the debut album, the title track of the debut album, and a later single, "Elevators (Me & You)". The song peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest-charting single from the group's debut album.

When Outkast made a guest appearance on Martin in the February 1995 episode All The Players Came, they also performed the song during the credits. The song was later featured in the 2002 film 8 Mile.[1]

Commercial performance

The single was certified gold on June 12, 1994, selling over 500,000 copies.

Track listing

CD Single
  1. "Player's Ball" (Radio Edit) – 3:56
  2. "Player's Ball" (Album Version) – 4:22
  3. "Player's Ball" (TV Mix) – 4:23
  4. "Player's Ball" (Video Version) – 4:14
Cassette Single
  1. "Player's Ball" (Radio Edit) – 3:56
  2. "Player's Ball" (Album Version) – 4:22
  3. "Player's Ball" (Instrumental) – 4:14
  4. "Player's Ball" (TV Mix) – 4:23
12" Vinyl Single
  1. "Player's Ball" (Extended Version) – 6:00
  2. "Player's Ball" (Radio Edit – Dirty) – 3:56
  3. "Player's Ball" (Radio Edit – Clean) – 4:23
  4. "Player's Ball" (Remix Version) – 4:27
  5. "Player's Ball" (Instrumental) – 4:14
10" 20th Anniversary EP (Green Vinyl)
  1. "Players Ball" (Dirty Version) – 4:21
  2. "Players Ball" (Extended Version) – 6:18
  3. "Ain't No Thang – 5:38
  4. "Crumblin' Erb" – 5:09

Personnel

  • André 3000 – vocals
  • Big Boi – vocals
  • Organized Noize – keyboards, programming, drum programming, producer, mixing engineer
  • Edward Strout – guitar
  • Preston Crump – bass

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ More Music from 8 Mile. AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "Outkast Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  3. ^ "Outkast Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Outkast Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  5. ^ "Outkast Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Single Sales". Billboard. December 24, 1994. p. YE-30. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  7. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  8. ^ "American single certifications – Outkast – Player's Ball". Recording Industry Association of America.