How Many More Years formed his own band in West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1948, billing himself as "The Howlin' Wolf". He began broadcasting on radio station KWEM in West Memphis, and was heard by Sam Phillips who signed him for Memphis Recording Service. He recorded "How Many More Years" at the MRS studio at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, in or about July 1951, singing and playing harmonica with a band comprising (probably) Ike Turner (piano), Willie Johnson (guitar), and Willie Steele (drums). The repetitious bass-string boogie line resembles the one played in the traditional blues standard "Forty-Four". The record's original A-side, "Moanin' at
How Many Licks? Lawrence and features the singer as a sex doll in three sexual fantasies. Sisqó did not appear in the video due to conflicts with his record label, Def Jam. Although music critics praised the visual, its treatment of sexuality elicited varied opinions from academics. It was also compared to music videos by other artists, including Minaj's 2011 single "Stupid Hoe" and American rapper Missy Elliott's 1997 single "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)". In addition to the clip, Lil' Kim promoted "How Many Licks?" with live performances. Mario Winans and Sean Combs produced "How Many Licks?" and wrote it with Lil'