Mo Money Mo Problems
{{Short description|1997 single by The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase}}
{{Distinguish|Mo Honey Mo Problems}}
{{For|the TV episode|Mo Money, Mo Problems (Good Girls){{!}}Mo Money, Mo Problems (Good Girls)}}
{{Redirect|More Money More Problems|the 2020 song by DaBaby|DaBaby discography}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Mo Money Mo Problems
| cover = Biggiemomoneymoproblems.jpg
| border = yes
| artist = The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase
| album = Life After Death
| B-side = "Lovin' You Tonight"
| released = {{start date|1997|7|5}}
| recorded =
| genre = Hip hop{{cite web |last1=Muhammad |first1=Ismail |title=Songs of the Summer — 1997 {{!}} Mo Money Mo Problems by Notorious B.I.G. |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/songs-of-the-summer-1997/ |website=American Experience |publisher=PBS |access-date=22 November 2021}}
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=17}}
| label =
| writer =
| producer =
| chronology = The Notorious B.I.G.
| type = single
| prev_title = Hypnotize
| prev_year = 1997
| title = Mo Money Mo Problems
| year = 1997
| next_title = It's All About the Benjamins
| next_year = 1997
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Puff Daddy singles
| type = single
| prev_title = I'll Be Missing You
| prev_year = 1997
| title = Mo Money Mo Problems
| year = 1997
| next_title = It's All About the Benjamins
| next_year = 1997
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Mase
| type = singles
| prev_title = Just the Way You Like It
| prev_year = 1997
| title = Mo Money Mo Problems
| year = 1997
| next_title = You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)
| next_year = 1997
}}{{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = Mo Money Mo Problems audio sample.ogg
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|gUhRKVIjJtw|"Mo Money Mo Problems"}}}}
}}
"Mo Money Mo Problems" is a song by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., released as the second single from his second studio album, Life After Death (1997) on July 5, 1997, by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. It features guest performances from rappers Mase and Puff Daddy; the Notorious B.I.G. and Mase both co-wrote the song, while Stevie J co-produced it with Combs. "Mo Money Mo Problems" contains a sample and an interpolation of "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross, hence Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers are credited as songwriters; the sampled portions are heard in the production, while the hook is interpolative and performed by Kelly Price in an uncredited appearance.
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 the 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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8463015/artists-who-hit-no-1-hot-100-posthumously-xxxtentacion|title=Artists Who Hit No. 1 On The Hot 100 Posthumously: XXXTentacion & More|magazine=Billboard|date=June 27, 2018|accessdate=May 23, 2021|first=Xander|last=Zellner}} 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."{{cite magazine|first=Ralph|last=Tee|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-06-28.pdf|title=Hot Vinyl|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=June 28, 1997|page=9|accessdate=May 27, 2022}}
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,{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/notorious-big/9520/mo-money-mo-problems.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208083433/http://www.mtv.com/videos/notorious-big/9520/mo-money-mo-problems.jhtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 8, 2008 | title=MTV Yearbook 1997: Mo Money, Mo Problems - Notorious B.I.G. | website=MTV | access-date=3 March 2014}} 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 58 as one of the "100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years".https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vh1s-100-greatest-songs/
Track listing
- CD single
- "Mo Money Mo Problems" Produced by 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
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Mo Money Mo Problems" ! scope="col"|Chart (1997) ! scope="col"|Peak |
{{single chart|Australia|10|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Austria|31|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|13|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Wallonia|10|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|27|chartid=3260|access-date=February 8, 2021|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Canadadance|1|chartid=3330|access-date=February 8, 2021|rowheader=true}} |
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-09-06.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=14|issue=36|page=12|date=September 6, 1997|access-date=February 8, 2021}}
|10 |
---|
{{single chart|Finland|16|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|France|36|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Germany|11|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=June 4, 2019|rowheader=true|songid=3520}} |
scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2958585#page/n7/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (28.8. '97 – 4.9. '97)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=22|date=August 29, 1997|access-date=February 8, 2021}}
|12 |
{{single chart|Ireland2|7|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=August 25, 2020|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Dutch40|2|year=1997|week=37|access-date=March 5, 2020|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Norway|10|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Scotland|18|date=19970824|rowheader=true|access-date=December 8, 2020}} |
{{single chart|Sweden|5|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Switzerland|8|artist=The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|artistid=30856|6|artist=The Notorious BIG|song=Mo Money Mo Problems|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|UKdance|2|date=19970803|rowheader=true|access-date=March 19, 2023}} |
{{single chart|UKrandb|2|date=19970803|rowheader=true|access-date=December 8, 2020}} |
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=The Notorious B.I.G.|artistid=36757|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|1|artist=The Notorious B.I.G.|access-date=May 28, 2022|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|2|artist=The Notorious B.I.G.|artistid=36757|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrapsongs|1|artist=The Notorious B.I.G.|artistid=36757|access-date=July 2, 2011|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|22|artist=The Notorious B.I.G.|access-date=May 28, 2022|rowheader=true}} |
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|2|artist=The Notorious B.I.G.|access-date=May 28, 2022|rowheader=true}} |
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"| Chart (2022) !scope="col"| Peak |
scope="row"|Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-notorious-b.i.g./chart-history/cns/|title=The Notorious B.I.G. Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 12, 2022}}
| 14 |
---|
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
=Decade-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Decade-end chart performance for "Mo Money Mo Problems" ! scope="col"| Chart (1990–1999) ! scope="col"| Position |
scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA4 | title = 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 | magazine = Billboard | date = December 25, 1999 | access-date = October 15, 2010}}
| style="text-align:center;"|85 |
---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1997}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Notorious BIG feat. Mase And Puff Daddy|title=Mo Money, Mo Problems|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1997|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=April 30, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Notorious Big|title=Mo Money Mo Problems|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1997|certyear=2021|id=10372-2295-1|access-date=February 8, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Notorious B.I.G.|title=Mo Money Mo Problems|type=single|award=Platinum|salesamount=1,300,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76|title=Best-Selling Records of 1997|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|number=5|page=76|date=January 31, 1998|issn=0006-2510|access-date=May 29, 2015}}}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true}}
Release history
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release history and formats for "Mo Money Mo Problems" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States
|July 15, 1997 |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}} |rowspan="2"|{{hlist|Bad Boy Entertainment|Arista}} |
---|
July 22, 1997
|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1206|page=91|date=July 18, 1997}} |
scope="row"|United Kingdom
|July 28, 1997 |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}} |{{hlist|Arista|Puff Daddy}} |{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=July 26, 1997}} |
No Money Enterprise version
{{Infobox song
| name = Mo Money Mo Problems
| cover = Mo Money Mo Problems by No Money Enterprise.webp
| alt = 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.
| type = promotional single
| artist = No Money Enterprise
| released = 3 December 2021
| recorded = 26 November 2021
| studio = Triple J (Sydney, Australia)
| genre =
| length = 3:49
| label = ABC Music
| writer =
| producer = Greg Wales
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|{{YouTube|rrlmxJa6jvU|"Mo Money Mo Problems (Triple J Like a Version)"}}
}}
}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/like-a-version/no-money-enterprise-cover-notorious-b.i.g.-like-a-version/13648852/ |title=No Money Enterprise cover the Notorious B.I.G. for Like a Version |publisher=Triple J |date=26 November 2021 |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126012624/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/like-a-version/no-money-enterprise-cover-notorious-b.i.g.-like-a-version/13648852/ |archive-date=26 November 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/listen-to-no-money-enterprises-cover-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-classic-mo-money-mo-problems-for-like-a-version-3105047/ |title=Listen to No Money Enterprise's cover of the Notorious B.I.G.'s classic "Mo Money Mo Problems" for Like a Version |work=NME Australia |date=26 November 2021 |access-date=3 April 2022 |author=Langford, Jackson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126201426/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/listen-to-no-money-enterprises-cover-of-the-notorious-b-i-g-s-classic-mo-money-mo-problems-for-like-a-version-3105047/ |archive-date=26 November 2021 |url-status=live}} The cover was digitally released the following week, on 3 December 2021.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/mo-money-mo-problems-triple-j-like-a-version-single/1597903968/ |title=Mo Money Mo Problems (triple j Like a Version) – Single by No Money Enterprise on Apple Music |publisher=Apple Music |date=3 December 2021 |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403073846/https://music.apple.com/au/album/mo-money-mo-problems-triple-j-like-a-version-single/1597903968/ |archive-date=3 April 2022 |url-status=live}}
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. 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."{{cite web |url=https://junkee.com/like-a-version-ranking-2021/317486/ |title=We ranked every Like a Version of 2021 from good to sublime |work=Junkee |date=9 December 2021 |access-date=3 April 2022 |author=James Young, David |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209020624/https://junkee.com/like-a-version-ranking-2021/317486/ |archive-date=9 December 2021 |url-status=live}}
{{Clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|gUhRKVIjJtw|Music video}}
- {{YouTube|rrlmxJa6jvU|"Mo Money Mo Problems (Triple J Like a Version)"}}
{{The Notorious B.I.G.}}
{{Sean Combs}}
{{Mase}}
{{No Money Enterprise}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:The Notorious B.I.G. songs
Category:Bad Boy Records singles
Category:Arista Records singles
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams
Category:No Money Enterprise songs
Category:Songs released posthumously
Category:Songs written by Mase