Mo Money Mo Problems

"Mo Money Mo Problems"
Single by The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase
from the album Life After Death
Released July 15, 1997
Format CD single, 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
Recorded 1996
Genre Hip hop
Length 4:17
Label Bad Boy Records/Arista Records
Writer(s) Christopher Wallace, Sean Combs, Steven Jordan
Producer(s) Stevie J
The Notorious B.I.G. singles chronology
"Hypnotize"
(1997)
"Mo Money Mo Problems"
(1997)
"Sky's the Limit"
(1997)
Puff Daddy singles chronology
"It's All About the Benjamins"
(1997)
"Mo Money Mo Problems"
(1997)
"Been Around the World"
(1997)
Mase singles chronology
"Just the Way You Like It"
(1997)
"Mo Money Mo Problems"
(1997)
"Feel So Good"
(1997)
Music video
"Mo Money Mo Problems" on YouTube
Audio sample
file info · help

"Mo Money Mo Problems" is a single by The Notorious B.I.G., the second single from his album Life After Death. Released posthumously, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in 1997, replacing "I'll Be Missing You" from the chart, Puff Daddy's tribute to the rapper's death himself. The song is Notorious B.I.G.'s second posthumous number one single, following "Hypnotize", making him the only artist in Hot 100 history to have two #1 singles posthumously. It was the sixth song to hit #1 posthumously for a credited artist. The song was nominated for the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

The song features guest vocals from Mase and Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. The instrumental contains a sample of the low pitched version of the Diana Ross song "I'm Coming Out", including backing vocals which repeat the title of that song. The refrain of the song was sung by Kelly Price. Based on airplay and chart success the song is considered one of the most popular singles in hip hop history.

Chart performance

"Mo Money Mo Problems" was able to top the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks giving Biggie his second number 1 hit in the US. The song hit number 1 after he had died. It was preceded by "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy featuring 112 and Faith Evans (meaning that Puff Daddy spent 13 weeks in a row at the top of the Hot 100) and was succeeded by "Honey" by Mariah Carey. The single reached #6 in the UK charts.

Music video

The video directed by Hype Williams[1] featured Mase and Combs in futuristic locations, including a tunnel lined with fluorescent lamps and a stark white chamber with pressurized air blowing out of the floor, allowing the two to float in midair. This video is also famous for the red shiny jackets that are worn by Combs and Mase. The "air chamber" also had a video screen showing, at first, images of Kelly Price lip-synching to the sample of Diana Ross' voice and singing the song's chorus. During the final verse, which the Notorious B.I.G. performed, Mase and Puffy looked on as the video screen showed archival footage of B.I.G. performing, it ran at a speed so that the footage seemed to sync with B.I.G.'s vocals; since the rapper had died just prior to the release of Life After Death, and well before the filming of the video, this was the only way to have him appear in the video. The video features appearances from Sheek Louch of The LOX, Riddick Bowe, Stevie J, and Nashiem Myrick.

The video also has a short story, which is about how Combs was competing in a golf tournament and gained help from the spirit of The Notorious B.I.G, who helps him win the tournament. This was a reaction to the newly popular success of Tiger Woods.

MuchMoreMusic ranked "Mo Money Mo Problems" #31 on Listed's "40 Most Memorable Videos Pt. 1 & 2" for its flashy wardrobe, and use of syncing old footage with the lyrics. VH1 ranked the song #63 as one of the "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s".

Cultural references

Track listing

CD single

  1. "Mo Money Mo Problems" Produced by Steven "Stevie J." Jordan and Sean Combs (radio mix) – 4:12
  2. "Lovin You Tonight" (radio mix) – 5:07
  3. "Mo Money Mo Problems" (instrumental) – 4:12
  4. "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Razor-N-Go Club mix, short version) – 4:09
  5. "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Razor-N-Go Club mix, long version) – 10:33

Chart positions

Peak positions

Chart (1997–98) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 10
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 31
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[7] 10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 13
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[10] 16
France (SNEP)[11] 36
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 2
Norway (VG-lista)[14] 10
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15] 5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 8
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[17] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 2
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[20] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1997) Position
Canadian RPM Dance/Urban Chart[21] 13
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[22] 20

End-of-decade charts

Chart (1990–1999) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[23] 85

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[24] Gold 35,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[25] Platinum 15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[27] Platinum 1,300,000[28]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Preceded by
"I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
August 30, 1997 – September 6, 1997
Succeeded by
"Honey" by Mariah Carey

References

  1. "MTV Yearbook 1997: Mo Money, Mo Problems - Notorious B.I.G.". Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  2. Clayton, John (February 7, 2000). "Just Buggin'". ESPN The Magazine (ESPN) 3 (3). Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  3. http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/iggy-azalea-and-keyshia-cole-are-remaking-biggie-s-mo-money-mo-problems-news.9654.html
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBSBngjhst8&x-yt-ts=1422579428&x-yt-cl=85114404
  5. "Australian-charts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  6. "Austriancharts.at – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  7. "Ultratop.be – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  8. "Ultratop.be – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  9. "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  10. "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase: Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  11. "Lescharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  12. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  13. "Charts.org.nz – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  14. "Norwegiancharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". VG-lista. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  15. "Swedishcharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  16. "Swisscharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  17. "The Notorious BIG: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  18. "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  19. "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  20. "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  21. "Dance/Urban - Volume 66, No. 15, December 15, 1997". RPM. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  22. "Billboard Top 100 - 1997". Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  23. Geoff Mayfield (December 25, 1999). 1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade - The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s. Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  24. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  25. "New Zealand single certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money, Mo Problems". Recorded Music NZ.
  26. "British single certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money Mo Problems". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Mo Money Mo Problems in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
  27. "American single certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money Mo Problems". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  28. "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard (BPI Communications Inc.) 110 (5): 76. January 31, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 29, 2015.

External links

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