Notorious BIG More Money, More Problems- A Timeless Hip Hop Classic

Video Credit- The Notorious BIG YouTube Channel, Mo Money Mo Problems, 1997 YouTube

Notorious BIG, or Biggie Smalls, was a 1990s East Coast rap superstar. From the Life After Death release in 1997, this was a song with a lot of fanfare and air play all over the radio. The unforgettable beat and the lyrics that displayed success and bling made this a hit in the Spring of 1997.

Biggie was shot and killed along with Tupac in 1997. This was a sad time for rap, and it was also a turning point. Tupac was the poetic and charismatic face of West Coast hip hop during the 1990s, and Biggie was the aggressive and business-minded face of the East Coast hip hop movement. This song was on the airwaves over a quarter of a century ago, and the energy behind it still stands. Biggie and Puffy rap about the advantages and pitfalls of success that comes with money. It's a great song for fans of hip hop, and was the most pop song on the album, which is fairly gritty and follows the East Coast hip hop style.

This song played when I was in high school, and I clearly remember when Biggie was slain in 1997. It hit up when both the kings of the West and East Coast hip hop wave died, and both killers were never caught. It was such a loss, and I image the great tracks Biggie and Pack would have released.

The song itself has a great and melodic beat and the lyrics are classic Biggie. Sean Puffy Combs features in this song, and he would go on to be a force in the East Coast scene. The difference between East and West Coast styles of hip hop can be found in the beats. West Coast beats were more laid back, and many had Latin influences or oldies samples. East Coast beats were often more serious and sampled songs with sweeping instrumentals. West Coast hip hop songs of the era often focused on partying, good times and East Coast hip hop was more developed and focused on business matters. Hip hop artists from this time period put a lot of time into their material, and it was the beginning of the bling era where performers flaunted wealth and success earned from the rap game.

Rappers today don’t have the same polished style you see from this era. The early 1990s was a great time for hip hop, and a lot of the foundation (both commercial and stylistic) was developed. Released in 1997, this tune still echos the quality that came from the beginning of hip hop.

This song is worth a listen. Every time I hear it, it takes me back to simpler times when rappers including LL Cool J and Tupac ruled the airwaves with their own styles. It was unique time, and I can still see this video playing on MTV when I think about this time period.