“Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” is one of Puff Daddy’s songs that was instantly likable and recognizable solo. The No Way Out album, where the song appears, sold at least seven million copies. This solo song also sold up to four million copies and made it to 1997 US Billboard, peaking at No. 1 for six weeks.

“Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” became an instant success, especially because Puffy was creative in doctoring “The Message.” Ice Cube had tried the same thing with Grandmaster Flash’s 1982 hit “Check Yo Self,” but it did not get the attention Puff’s “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” received. Puff’s talk rap in “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” added smoothness, warmth, and nostalgia to his version of “The Message.” 

Puff also sourced the 1983 hit “Break My Stride,” by Mathew Wilder in the chorus. In addition, Puff featured Mase, a former Bad Boy Records artist, in the song “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down.”

Interesting Facts About “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” — Puff Daddy featuring Mase

• “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” is a sample of “The Message.”
• The song sold four million copies.
• “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” stayed at No.1 for four weeks in the 1997 US Billboard Hot 100.
• BMG Music released the song.
• “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” peaked at No.4 in the US hot Hip-Hop songs.
• The album No Way Out is certified seven times platinum. 
• P. Diddy has won a number of awards, including 3 Grammy Awards and 2 MTV Video Music Awards. 
• Puff Daddy is the producer of the MTV series Making The Band. 

Lyrics 

Bad Boy

We ain’t gon’ stop

Now with Sean on the hot track, melt like it’s hot wax

Put it out, all the stores, bet you could shop that (That’s right)

Leave a nigga with a hot hat, fronting like

Bad Boy ain’t got tracks (Nigga stop that)

There’s no guy slicker than this young fly nigga

Nickel-nine nigga, floss you die quicker (Uh-huh)

Did fed time, outta town pie-flipper

Turn Cristal into a crooked-I sipper

Everybody wanna be fast, see the cash

Fuck around they weak staff, get a heat rash

Anything in Bad Boy way we smash (We smash)

Hundred G stash, push a bulletproof E-Class

I’m through with bein’ a player and a baller

Just want me one bad bitch so I can spoil her

Mase wanna be the one you respect, even when you’re vexed

Rock Versace silks over a steel V-neck

Got green never seen so you suck my jewels

Clutch my Uz’, anything I touch I bruise

Puff make his own laws, nigga fuck your rules (That’s right)

Goodfellas, you know you can’t touch us dudes

Don’t push us, ’cause we’re close to the, edge

We’re tryin, not to lose our heads, a-hah-hah, hah, hah

Broken glass everywhere

If it ain’t about the money, Puff, I just don’t care (That’s right)

I’m that Goodfella fly guy, sometimes wiseguys

Spend time in H-A-W-A-I-I

Mase can you please stop smoking la-la?

Puff why try? I’m a thug, I’ma die high

I be out in Jersey, puffin’ Hershey

Brothers ain’t worthy to rock my derby

Though I’m never drug free when I’m the club, G

Though I know the thug be wantin’ to slug me (Uh-huh)

Could it be I move as smoove as Bugsy? (Yeah)

Or be at the bar with too much bubbly? (C’mon)

Yo, I think it must be the girls wanna lust me

Or is it simply the girls just love me

Brothers wanna, rock the Rolls, rock my clothes

Rock my ice, pull out Glocks, stop my life (Uh)

I’m like, “Damn, how these niggas got that trust?

“Used to be my man, how you gonna plot on my wife?”

Do you think he snake me, ’cause they hate me?

Or he got his Ph.D, Player Hater’s Degree?

Can’t nobody take my pride

Can’t nobody hold me down, oh, no

I got to keep on movin’

Quit that (Uh-huh), you a big cat? (Yeah)

Where your chicks at? (Yeah) Where your whips at? (Where they at?)

Wherever you get stacks, I’ma fix that

Everything that’s big dreams, I did that (That’s right)

Don’t knock me ’cause you’re borin’

I’m record sales soarin’, straight tourin’

Simply a lot of men be wantin’ to hear me

‘Cause their words just don’t offend me

We spend cheese, in the West Indies

Then come home to plenty cream Bentleys

You name it, I could claim it

Young, black, and famous, with money hangin’ out the anus

And when you need a hit, who you go and get? (Who?)

Bet against us? (Not a sure bet)

We make hits that’ll rearrange your whole set (That’s right)

And got a Benz that I ain’t even drove yet

Don’t push us, ’cause we’re close to the, edge

We’re tryin, not to, lose our heads, a-hah-hah, hah, hah

I get the feeling sometime, that make me wonder

Why you wanna take us under?

Why you wanna take us under?

I get the feeling sometime, that make me wonder

Why you wanna take us under?

Why you wanna take us under?

Can’t nobody take my pride (Uh-uh, uh-uh)

Can’t nobody hold me down, oh, no

I got to keep on movin’ (Keep it movin’)

Can’t nobody take my pride (Uh-uh, uh-uh)

Can’t nobody hold me down, oh, no

I got to keep on movin’ (Keep it movin’)

Can’t nobody take my pride (Uh-uh, uh-uh)

Can’t nobody hold me down, oh, no

I got to keep on movin’ (Uh-uh, uh-uh)

Can’t nobody take my pride (Uh-uh, uh-uh)

Can’t nobody hold me down, oh, no