"Mo' Money, Mo' Problems," by Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Ma$e
Released: 1997
Song sentiment: Wealth causes grief, but we pursue it nevertheless and are thrilled about it.
Original lyrics in blue
Analyzed lyrics in black
INTRO
I'm coming out. Oh. I'm coming. I'm coming out. I'm coming.
I am exiting a structure, making a ceremonial debut and/or revealing myself to be a homosexual.
VERSE 1 (Mase)
Now, who's hot, who not? Tell me who rock, who sell out in the stores. You tell me who flopped, who copped the blue drop. Who jewels got robbed, who's mostly Dolce down to the tube socks? The same ol pimp: Ma$e. You know ain't nuttin changed but my limp. Can't stop till I see my name on a blimp. Guarantee a million sales pullin all the love. You don't believe in Harlem World n---- Double Up. We don't play around, it's a bet lay it down. N----- didn't know me '91, bet they know me now. I'm the young Harlem n---- with the golden sound. Can't no PhD n----- hold me down, Cooter. Schooled me to the game, now I know my duty. Stay humble, stay low, blow like Hootie. True pimp n----- spend no dough on the booty. And then ya yell there go Mase, there go your cutie.
At this time, which individuals have a temperature, and which do not? Inform me as to who performs music and whose recordings are so sought-after that retail outlets lack the inventory to satisfy demand? Enlighten me as to who was unsuccessful and who obtained a small amount of Windex. Which individuals had their precious stones swiped from their possession, and who wears an expensive brand of clothes on both their upper and lower body? I am Ma$e and still supervise prostitutes. I am exactly the same except for the irregular way I hobble. I will discontinue my pursuits once "Ma$e" is written on a nearby dirigible. I promise that my recordings will reach platinum status and that I will be adored. If you are not confident in my debut album, listen to the album I will release in two years. Gamble. Those who were unaware of me six years ago are, I imagine, more likely to be aware of me now. I am from a predominantly African-American neighborhood in northern Manhattan, and the vibrations emitted from my vocal chords are as precious as an expensive yellow rock that sparked massive westward movement in the 1800s. Those who have earned a doctorate cannot defeat me in a wrestling match. I may have just called you a vagina. I have learned the rules of the entertainment industry and am familiar with my obligations. Those include -- ironically, given everything I have just said -- not being arrogant and not drawing attention to myself. I will also expel wind from my mouth like a generic rock band that was popular for about two years in the mid-'90s. Because I genuinely supervise prostitutes I will have no need to employ the services of any of them. You may then consider me your boyfriend.
CHORUS
I don't know what they want from me. It's like the more money we come across, the more problems we see. (Repeat)
Others need to clarify their requests. The situation seems to be that our increasing discovery of capital is correlated with an increase in visible dilemmas.
VERSE 2 (Puff Daddy)
Yeah yeah, ahaha, it's the D to-the A to the D-D-Y. I know you'd rather see me die than to see me fly. I call all the shots, rip all the spots, rock all the rocks, cop all the drops. I know you thinkin' now when all the ballin' stops, n---- never home. Gotta call me on the yacht. Ten years from now we'll still be on top. Yo, I thought I told you that we won't stop. Now whatcha gonna do wit a crew that got money much longer than yours and a team much stronger than yours? Violate me, this'll be your day, we don't play and mess around, be D.O.A., be on your way 'cause it ain't enough time here, ain't enough lime here. For you to shine here, deal with many women but treat dimes fair, and I'm bigger than the city lights down in Times Square. Yeah, yeah yeah.
Yes. I can spell the latter half of one of my many stage names. You would prefer not living to watching me get airborne. I am autonomous, popular in concert, a wearer of jewelry and a procurer of convertibles. The best way to reach me is by telephone while I am sailing. Ma$e, Notorious B.I.G. and I will be the most popular rappers until 2007. I may have already mentioned these long-term goals to you. What are your intentions with us, given our superior wealth and vigor? If you attempt to assault me, we will kill you. So leave, because this venue lacks ample temperal flexibility and citrus fruit. If you stay, your success will depend on the just treatment of both females and 10-cent coins, or perhaps marijuana. Also, my sense of self-worth, analogous to manmade light, exceeds that of the illuminated signs in a five-block area of New York City popular among tourists. Yes.
(CHORUS)
VERSE 3 (Notorious B.I.G.)
Uhh, uhh. B-I-G P-O, P-P-A. No info, for the, D.E.A. Federal agents mad cause I'm flagrant. Tap my cell, and the phone in the basement. My team supreme, stay clean. Triple beam. Lyrical dream, I be that cat you see at all events bent, gats in holsters girls on shoulders. Playboy, I told ya, bring ya might to me, bruise too much, I lose too much. Step on stage the girls boo too much. I guess it's cause you run with lame dudes too much. Me lose my touch, never that. If I did, ain't no problem to get the gat. Where the true players at? Throw your rolees in the sky wave em side to side and keep your hands high while I give your girl the eye, player please. Lyrically, n---- see B.I.G. be flossin jig on the cover of Fortune, Five double oh, here's my phone number, your man ain't got to know, I got the dough, got the flow down pizzat, platinum plus like thizzat, dangerous on trizzack, leave your ass blizzack.
Yes. I can spell one of my many stages names. I refuse to cooperate with the Drug Enforcement Agency. My candid narcotics use frustrates the agency's employees so much that they monitor my communications. However, those with whom I work are sober. A scale used to weigh drugs. Aspirations of being a rap star. I am the one who stars in concerts where the patrons carry guns and lift women up so they can get a better view. I previously said to you, promiscuous man, that any attempts to demonstrate your masculinity will result in tender blue marks on your flesh, and I will suffer excessive losses. And women don't care for your performances because your friends are disabled. My ability to entertain is everlasting; but even if it's not, that's OK because I will just shoot somebody. Pardon, but have you seen honest individuals engaged in a game? Thrust your expensive watches upward and swing them to and fro. While you are distracted with that, I will flirt with your date. I will tell her I am rich and have been featured flaunting my riches on a magazine about those who flaunt their riches, and that I am good at rapping and successful and that she should cheat on you.
(CHORUS)
