"Mo Money Mo Problems"
Single by The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase
from the album Life After Death
B-side"Lovin' You Tonight"
ReleasedJuly 15, 1997 (1997-07-15)
GenreHip hop[1]
Length4:17
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Notorious B.I.G. singles chronology
"Hypnotize"
(1997)		 "Mo Money Mo Problems"
(1997)		 "It's All About the Benjamins"
(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)		 "You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)"
(1997)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Mo Money Mo Problems" on YouTube

"Mo Money Mo Problems" is a song by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released through Bad Boy Records and Arista Records, which impacted US mainstream radio stations on July 15, 1997, as the second single from his second and final studio album, Life After Death (1997). It was written by Christopher Wallace, Steven Jordan, Mason Betha, and Sean Combs, while the latter also produced the song. It contains a sample and an interpolation of "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross, for which Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers are also credited as songwriters. The song features guest vocals from Mase and Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, and featured an uncredited hook sung by Kelly Price.

Released posthumously, "Mo Money Mo Problems" topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in 1997, replacing "I'll Be Missing You" at the top of the chart, Puff Daddy's own tribute to the rapper. 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 number-one singles posthumously. It was the sixth song to hit number one posthumously for a credited artist.[2] It received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998.

Based on airplay and chart success, the song is considered one of the most popular singles in hip hop history. In 2021, Samoan Australian hip hop group No Money Enterprise covered the song on Australian youth broadcaster Triple J's Like a Version segment.

Critical reception

Ralph Tee from Music Week's RM rated "Mo Money Mo Problems" five out of five, picking it as Hip Hop Tune of the Week. He wrote, "Biggie's profile could not be greater right now, particularly in the States. (...) It's the one true light moment on an extremely dark album and brilliantly utilises the Diana Ross sample from 'I'm Coming Out', cleverly weaved into some serious big beats, scratching and guest appearances by Puff Daddy and Mase. Biggie delivers his rap in the natural self assured way he always did so well, the chorus being as infectious as they get on the song from the album which always screamed of a hit from day one."[3]

Commercial performance

"Mo Money Mo Problems" was able to top the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, giving Biggie his second number one hit in the US. The song hit number one 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, which was also co-produced by Puff Daddy. "Mo Money Mo Problems" also reached number six on the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Mo Money Mo Problems", directed by Hype Williams,[4] featured Mase and Combs in futuristic locations designed by Ron Norsworthy, 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. The music video was released in July 1997.

MuchMoreMusic ranked "Mo Money Mo Problems" number 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 number 63 as one of the "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s".

Track listing

  • CD single
  1. "Mo Money Mo Problems" Produced by 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

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] Gold 35,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Platinum 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[52] Platinum 1,300,000[53]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Mo Money Mo Problems"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States July 15, 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [54]
July 22, 1997 Contemporary hit radio [55]
United Kingdom July 28, 1997
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
  • Arista
  • Puff Daddy
 [56]

No Money Enterprise version

"Mo Money Mo Problems"
Three rappers dressed in all-black clothing perform in front of a black background, with the Triple J Like a Version logo displayed behind them.
Promotional single by No Money Enterprise
Released3 December 2021
Recorded26 November 2021
StudioTriple J (Sydney, Australia)
Length3:49
LabelABC Music
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Greg Wales
Music video
"Mo Money Mo Problems (Triple J Like a Version)" on YouTube

Samoan Australian hip hop group No Money Enterprise covered the song for Australian youth broadcaster Triple J's Like a Version segment on 26 November 2021.[57][58] The cover was digitally released the following week, on 3 December 2021.[59]

According to NME Australia's Jackson Langford, they "remained sonically faithful to Biggie's original version", with member Tommy OT rapping Mase's verse, whilet Randy OT $avag.e and OT Stallyon added their own original verses to the song. The performance also included a live drummer and a female backing vocalist.[58] Australian popular culture website Junkee's David James Young ranked the cover at number 32 out of 38 in his list of the best Like a Version covers of 2021, stating "[the] Biggie classic doesn't quite meld with the Enterprise's style."[60]

References

  1. ↑ Muhammad, Ismail. "Songs of the Summer — 1997 | Mo Money Mo Problems by Notorious B.I.G." American Experience. PBS. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  2. ↑ Zellner, Xander (June 27, 2018). "Artists Who Hit No. 1 On The Hot 100 Posthumously: XXXTentacion & More". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  3. ↑ Tee, Ralph (June 28, 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  4. ↑ "MTV Yearbook 1997: Mo Money, Mo Problems - Notorious B.I.G." MTV. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  6. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  7. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  8. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3260." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3330." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 36. September 6, 1997. p. 12. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase: Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  13. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  14. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (28.8. '97 – 4.9. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). August 29, 1997. p. 22. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  16. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mo Money Mo Problems". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 37, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  18. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  19. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  20. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". VG-lista. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  22. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  23. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase – Mo Money Mo Problems". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  24. ↑ "The Notorious BIG: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  27. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  28. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  29. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  30. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  31. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  32. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  33. ↑ "The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  34. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  37. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 15, 1997. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. 7. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  42. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. January 17, 1998. p. 27.
  45. ↑ "The Urban Top 40 Tracks Of 1997" (PDF). Music Week. January 10, 1998. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  47. ↑ "1997 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-40. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  48. ↑ "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. December 25, 1999. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  49. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  50. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money, Mo Problems". Recorded Music NZ.
  51. ↑ "British single certifications – Notorious Big – Mo Money Mo Problems". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  52. ↑ "American single certifications – Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money Mo Problems". Recording Industry Association of America.
  53. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 5. January 31, 1998. p. 76. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  54. ↑ Fiason, Datu (August 2, 1997). "Datu Fiason's Rhythm Section". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 31. p. 32.
  55. ↑ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1206. July 18, 1997. p. 91.
  56. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 26, 1997. p. 29.
  57. ↑ "No Money Enterprise cover the Notorious B.I.G. for Like a Version". Triple J. November 26, 2021. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  58. 1 2 Langford, Jackson (November 26, 2021). "Listen to No Money Enterprise's cover of the Notorious B.I.G.'s classic "Mo Money Mo Problems" for Like a Version". NME Australia. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  59. ↑ "Mo Money Mo Problems (triple j Like a Version) – Single by No Money Enterprise on Apple Music". Apple Music. December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  60. ↑ James Young, David (December 9, 2021). "We ranked every Like a Version of 2021 from good to sublime". Junkee. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
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