"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
- Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle John Randle is featured in an NFL promotional commercial singing this song.[2]
- Rapper Ludacris refers to this song in his song "Large Amounts".
- Rapper Jay-Z refers to this song in his songs "A Dream" and "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)".
- In The Office episode "Branch Wars", Michael Scott refers to the song when speaking to his black co-worker Stanley.
- In the Workaholics episode "The Promotion", Blake refers to the song in his list of reasons for not wanting to be promoted himself.
- In the How I Met Your Mother episode "Landmarks", Barney references the song while talking to Ted in his dream.
- Alternative hip hop band Chiddy Bang refers to this song in their song "Opposite of Adults".
- Alternative band Linkin Park refers to the song in the second verse of their song "When They Come for Me" on the album A Thousand Suns.
- A 'beat juggle' remix of this song is featured in the 2010 video game DJ Hero 2.
- In Fallout: New Vegas, the DJ references the song, saying: "Mojave, mo' problems".
- In the 2001 video game Grand Theft Auto III, one of the lines said by Triad gang members is "mo' money, mo' problems!".
- Canadian hip hop/R&B artist Drake refers to the song, or at least the phrase in his song "The Ride" off of his sophomore album Take Care.
- Dubstep band The Bolivian Marching Affair did a remix of the song.
- In Grey's Anatomy episode "The End Is the Beginning Is the End", Cristina Yang refers to the song when trying to decide what to do with the compensation money.
- An episode of American Dad! is titled "Less Money, Mo Problems"
- Rapper Drake interpolates parts of Mase's verse into his verse on his song "Worst Behavior" off his third album "Nothing Was the Same".
- Rapper Wiz Khalifa refers to this song in his song "Paperbond" from his album O.N.I.F.C..
- Music producer Irv Gotti made a remake of the song featuring singer Keyshia Cole and Australian rapper Iggy Azalea for the 2014 film The Other Woman.[3]
- Jesse Appell released “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Fazhan” in 2013.[4]
- The song is played in the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode "The Gang Buys a Boat" from season 6.
- Childish Gambino interpolates Biggie's verse on his feature with Ariana Grande's record "Break Your Heart Right Back"
Track listing
CD single
- "Mo Money Mo Problems" Produced by Steven "Stevie J." Jordan and Sean Combs (radio mix) – 4:12
- "Lovin You Tonight" (radio mix) – 5:07
- "Mo Money Mo Problems" (instrumental) – 4:12
- "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Razor-N-Go Club mix, short version) – 4:09
- "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Razor-N-Go Club mix, long version) – 10:33
Chart positions
Peak positions
|
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
|
References
- ↑ "MTV Yearbook 1997: Mo Money, Mo Problems - Notorious B.I.G.". Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ↑ Clayton, John (February 7, 2000). "Just Buggin'". ESPN The Magazine (ESPN) 3 (3). Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/iggy-azalea-and-keyshia-cole-are-remaking-biggie-s-mo-money-mo-problems-news.9654.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBSBngjhst8&x-yt-ts=1422579428&x-yt-cl=85114404
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase: Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". VG-lista. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "The Notorious BIG: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for The Notorious B.I.G.. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Dance/Urban - Volume 66, No. 15, December 15, 1997". RPM. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
- ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1997". Retrieved 2010-08-28.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money, Mo Problems". Recorded Music NZ.
- ↑ "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
- ↑ "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
- ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard (BPI Communications Inc.) 110 (5): 76. January 31, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
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