| "Mo Money Mo Problems" | ||||
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| 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, R&B | |||
| Length | 4:17 | |||
| Label | Bad Boy Records/Arista Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Bernard Edwards Mason Betha Nile Rodgers Steven Jordan Sean Combs Christopher Wallace |
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| Producer | Stevie J | |||
| The Notorious B.I.G. singles chronology | ||||
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"Mo Money Mo Problems" is a single by 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 song about Notorious B.I.G's death. The song is Notorious B.I.G.'s second posthumous number one single (and sixth overall in Hot 100 history) making him the only artist in Hot 100 History to have 2 #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 Diana Ross song "I'm Coming Out", including backing vocals of "I'm, coming, out". 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. It remains a radio favorite to this day.
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"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.
The video directed by Hype Williams 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. Song produced by Steven "Stevie J." Jordan and Sean Combs. 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".
John Randle, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle, is featured in an NFL promotional commercial, singing this song.[1]
Rapper Ludacris references this song in his song "Large Amounts".
Rapper Jay-Z references this song in his song "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)".
In The Office episode "Branch Wars", Michael Scott references the song when speaking to his black co-worker Stanley.
Alternative hip-hop band Chiddy Bang references this song in their song "Opposite of Adults".
Alternative band Linkin Park references 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 D.J. makes a reference saying: Mo' jave, Mo' problems.
Canadian hip-hop/r&b artist Drake references the song, or at least the phrase in his song 'The Ride' off of his sophmore album Take Care
Peak positions
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Year-end charts
End-of-decade charts
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| 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 |
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