The album's lead single, "Player's Ball", was released on November 19, 1993, Originally intended as a Christmas release, it featured the sound of sleigh bells in its original mix, but it was removed once the single began receiving more airplay. The single received its highest exposure in February 1994 with heavy airplay and promotion, including a music video directed by Sean "Puffy" Combs. Combs had received a copy of the single from LaFace founder L.A. Reid and invited Outkast to New York to perform as an opening act for The Notorious B.I.G. By March, the single had sold 500,000 copies and risen to number one on the "Billboard" Hot Rap Singles, topping the chart for six weeks. Its popularity among young black college students during Freaknik increased its sales and helped it break into the Top 40, a rare achievement for a hip hop song at the time. "Player's Ball" spent 20 weeks and peaked at number 37 on the "Billboard" Hot 100. On May 12, 1994, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States. The single helped create buzz for the album.