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Get Money
View on Wikipedia| "Get Money" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Cover artwork for the official remix | ||||
| Single by Junior M.A.F.I.A. featuring the Notorious B.I.G. | ||||
| from the album Conspiracy | ||||
| B-side | "White Chalk" | |||
| Released | February 3, 1996 | |||
| Genre | Gangsta rap | |||
| Length | 4:34 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | EZ Elpee | |||
| Junior M.A.F.I.A. singles chronology | ||||
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| The Notorious B.I.G. singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Get Money" on YouTube | ||||
"Get Money" is a song by the American rap group Junior M.A.F.I.A., released as the third and final single from their debut album Conspiracy (1995).[1] "Get Money," whose instrumental is fundamentally a sample of R&B singer Sylvia Striplin's 1981 song "You Can't Turn Me Away," was produced by EZ Elpee, rapped by the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim, and received a music video. B.I.G., formally, was featured,[2] but at times was deemed, like Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease, a Junior M.A.F.I.A. member.[3]
The single included also "Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix)."[4] Using a different instrumental, a sample of R&B singer Dennis Edwards's 1984 single "Don't Look Any Further,"[4][5] this was produced by DJ Enuff, Lance 'Un' Rivera, and the Notorious B.I.G., and includes new verses by B.I.G, Lil' Kim, and Lil' Cease. The single spent 20 weeks on the main popular songs chart, the Billboard Hot 100, where it entered on February 10 and peaked at #17 on May 25.[6] Certified platinum, one million copies sold,[7] "Get Money" ranked #89 in Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 Hits of 1996.[8]
As the "platinum smash" that reinforced Lil' Kim's performance on the gold hit "Player's Anthem," the single critically motivated her debut solo album, a November 1996 release.[9] Meanwhile, spinning the original's Get money hook is the Take money refrain of rapper 2Pac's June 1996 single "Hit 'Em Up,"[4] the legendary diss track—answering B.I.G's renowned single "Who Shot Ya," a February 1995 release by Sean "Puffy" Combs's Bad Boy label—that maligns and menaces B.I.G. and Puffy, and shares an instrumental with the "Get Money" remix.[4] "Get Money" has appeared elsewhere in music and in movies.[10]
The song inspired the iconic "Money Nails" design by nail artist Bernadette Thompson, which Lil' Kim wore during a denim shoot in 1999.[11] This look became highly influential in both hip-hop and fashion culture and was later exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art.[12]
Music video
[edit]The video was released for the week ending on January 7, 1996.
The video opens with Biggie sitting coolly in court as his defense attorney and the prosecutor have a heated argument in front of the judge, who then threatens to hold them in contempt. Other scenes depict Biggie and his wife (played by Charli Baltimore, intentionally made to look like Biggie's then-wife Faith Evans) and their tumultuous relationship, which ultimately leads to Biggie kicking her out of the house.
Meanwhile, Kim is seen having an extravagant girls' day at a spa with male strippers alongside friends like Salt N Pepa, Vanessa del Rio, Mary J. Blige and Mary's sister LaTonya.
Single track listing
[edit]A-side
[edit]- "Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix)" (Radio Edit) – 3:59
- "Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix)" (Dirty Version) – 4:09
- "Get Money" (Original Version) – 4:34
B-side
[edit]- "White Chalk" (Original Version) – 4:40
- "White Chalk" (Dirty Version) – 4:40
- "Get Money" (Original Instrumental) – 4:34
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[20] Sales since 2008 |
Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[21] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, "Junior M.A.F.I.A.: Conspiracy", AllMusic.com, Netaktion LLC, visited 26 Nov 2021.
- ^ SoundScan, "Hot Rap Singles", Billboard 1996 Oct 26;108(43):30.
- ^ Captioned photo, "Getting money", Billboard, 1996 Nov 23;108(47):62.
- ^ a b c d Nate Patrin, Bring That Beat Back: How Sampling Built Hip-Hop (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2020).
- ^ Brad Shoup, "A history of Dennis Edwards' 'Don't Look Any Further' through the countless songs that borrow from it", Billboard.com, Billboard Media, LLC, 8 Feb 2018.
- ^ Chart history, "The Notorious B.I.G.", Billboard.com, Billboard Media, LLC, visited 26 Nov 2021, which may require scrolling the chart menu's droplist from its default setting, perhaps Adult R&B Airplay, to instead the Hot 100, situated toward the droplist's end.
- ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 3. BPI Communications Inc. January 18, 1997. p. 61. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ^ "1996: Year-End USA Charts (Singles)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-10-25.(archived by Top40-Charts.com)
- ^ Lil' Kim cover story by Robert Marriott, "Blowin' up", Vibe, 2000 Jun–Jul;8(5):124–132, p 130.
- ^ For example, the 2002 film 8 Mile and the 2009 biographical film Notorious, about B.I.G., both used "Get Money". And the intro of Lil Wayne 2002 song "Way of Life" also uses the "Don't Look Any Further" instrumental sample and vocally interpolates the refrain Get money, if by employing, instead, Cash Money, the name of Wayne's then label, Cash Money Records.
- ^ "The Story of Nail Art: When Nails Became a Full-Fledged Design Accessory". ELLE Decor (in Italian). 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
- ^ Givhan, Robin (2021-12-03). "How Lil' Kim's most memorable manicure ended up in the Museum of Modern Art". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
- ^ "Search results for "Junior MAFIA" | Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ "Junior MAFIA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ "Junior MAFIA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ "Junior MAFIA Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ "Junior MAFIA Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1996". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^ "1996 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Notorious Big – Get Money". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ "American single certifications – Junior M.A.F.I.A. – Gettin' Money". Recording Industry Association of America.
Get Money
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Conception and development
Junior M.A.F.I.A. was formed in 1994 by The Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim to showcase emerging talent from Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, bringing together childhood friends and local rappers under Biggie's mentorship.[9] The group, which included members such as Lil' Kim, Lil' Cease, Bugz, Klepto, Chico Del Vec, Larceny, Trife, and Capone, aimed to highlight the raw energy and street perspectives of their community while avoiding the pitfalls of local trouble.[10] Biggie played a pivotal role in assembling the collective, using his rising influence to "kick the door down" and drag the crew through opportunities in the music industry.[11] The track "Get Money" emerged during the recording sessions for the group's debut album Conspiracy, held over eight months in 1995 at studios including Daddy-O's house and the Dollar Cab Lab in Brooklyn.[10][9] Conceived as an anthem celebrating wealth accumulation amid street life, the song reflected the group's hustler ethos and collaborative dynamics. Lil' Kim assumed a lead role with her commanding verse, while Biggie added a pivotal narrative verse that elevated the track's storytelling.[3] Contributions from other members, including background vocals and chorus elements, underscored the collective effort, with ties to broader Brooklyn networks.[12] Written and demoed in mid-1995, "Get Money" was finalized amid the album's production and selected as its third single following the Conspiracy release on August 29, 1995.[10] The single launched on February 3, 1996, capitalizing on the album's momentum to become a standout hit.[13]Production credits
The production of "Get Money" was led by producer EZ Elpee, who crafted the track's beat around a prominent sample from Sylvia Striplin's 1981 R&B single "You Can't Turn Me Away," providing the song's signature bouncy bassline and rhythmic groove.[3][14] EZ Elpee, known for his work on mid-1990s East Coast hip-hop projects, handled the instrumental construction to emphasize the group's ensemble dynamic, incorporating layered vocals from Junior M.A.F.I.A. members alongside featured contributions from Lil' Kim and The Notorious B.I.G.[15] Recording sessions for the track occurred during the summer of 1995 at Unique Recording Studios and Quad Recording Studios in New York City, as part of the broader sessions for the group's debut album Conspiracy.[4] Lil' Kim laid down her standout second verse early in the process, establishing the song's bold chorus and thematic tone, followed by overdubs from the rest of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. crew and B.I.G.'s opening verse to build the full ensemble performance.[3] While specific engineering credits for the song are sparse, the sessions aligned with the album's collaborative environment under executive production by The Notorious B.I.G., Lance "Un" Rivera, and Craig Kallman, ensuring a polished East Coast sound.[16] In post-production, the track underwent final mixing and mastering to prepare it for single release, with the original version appearing on Conspiracy on August 29, 1995, ahead of the standalone single drop on February 3, 1996, through Undeas Recordings, Big Beat Records, and Atlantic Records.[17] This release format highlighted the song's commercial potential, featuring clean radio edits and instrumental versions alongside the full explicit cut, contributing to its platinum certification and enduring legacy in 1990s hip-hop.[3]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Get Money" exemplifies East Coast hip-hop in the gangsta rap subgenre, incorporating R&B influences through its prominent sample. The track operates at a tempo of 91 beats per minute (BPM) in B minor, providing a mid-tempo groove suitable for the era's lyrical delivery.[18] Central to its sound is a bass-heavy beat driven by looped piano chords sampled from Sylvia Striplin's 1981 R&B single "You Can't Turn Me Away", layered with crisp drum breaks and sparse synth accents to evoke a raw, urban 1990s atmosphere. Produced by EZ Elpee, the arrangement balances gritty street elements with the glossy polish characteristic of Bad Boy Records' output, emphasizing rhythmic momentum over complex orchestration.[14][15] Structurally, the song opens with ad-libbed vocal hooks, followed by three verses—led by Lil' Kim, The Notorious B.I.G., and Lil' Cease on behalf of the group—framed by a infectious, repetitive chorus built around the mantra "Get money." It fades out in the outro, maintaining a concise flow that highlights each performer's contributions. The album version clocks in at 4:34, optimizing its replay value in hip-hop radio rotations of the mid-1990s.[4][19]Themes and content
"Get Money" centers on the relentless pursuit of wealth as a path to empowerment and survival in Brooklyn's gritty underworld, blending themes of hustling, materialism, and gender independence. The song portrays money as the ultimate priority over romantic entanglements or betrayals, with the group's chorus declaring "Fuck bitches, get money" and Lil' Kim flipping it to "Fuck niggas, get money" to assert female autonomy in a male-dominated rap landscape.[20] This narrative reflects the harsh realities of street life, where financial gain is both a literal goal and a motivational mantra amid risks like drug trade involvement and interpersonal deceit.[21] Key lyrics underscore Biggie Smalls' braggadocio about luxury acquisitions, such as "I bought a new Benz and a new jeep" and references to high-end fashion like Gucci, emphasizing street credibility built on opulence.[4] The chorus reinforces materialism, repeatedly chanting "Get money" to celebrate excess, while allusions to drugs ("coke") and hustling highlight the underworld's dangers and allure. Lil' Kim's verse amplifies female empowerment, boasting "I don't chase, I replace 'em" to reject dependency on men and prioritize self-made success.[4] These elements create a vivid tapestry of ambition, where wealth trumps vulnerability. The song's wordplay cleverly exploits money slang, with "get money" serving dual purposes as a command for financial hustling and an inspirational ethos for rising above poverty. Puns on gender dynamics emerge in the back-and-forth between Biggie's lament of women exploiting him—"Damn, why she wanna stick me for my paper?"—and Lil' Kim's retort prioritizing cash over intimacy, like "rather count a million while you eat my pussy," subverting traditional rap tropes of male dominance.[20] This rhetorical interplay critiques relational betrayals while elevating economic independence as a form of rebellion. In its cultural context, "Get Money" exemplifies 1990s hip-hop's evolution toward celebrating commercial triumph within gangsta rap's framework, capturing the era's tension between underground authenticity and mainstream wealth accumulation. Released amid the genre's boom, the track mirrors how artists navigated fame's temptations, influencing later rappers to blend bravado with entrepreneurial drive.[20]Release and promotion
Single formats
"Get Money" was released as the third single from Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s debut album Conspiracy in February 1996.[22] The single was distributed by Undeas Recordings in association with Big Beat Records and Atlantic Records.[17] Initial releases targeted the U.S. market, with subsequent international editions following later in the year.[23] The primary single release was titled "Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix)", featuring a remix that sampled Dennis Edwards' "Don't Look Any Further". The single appeared in multiple physical formats, including 12-inch vinyl, CD single, and cassette.[24] The 12-inch vinyl release of the remix featured the radio edit on the A-side and an instrumental version on the B-side, catering to DJs and radio play.[25] The cassette single, issued by Big Beat Records, included the original album version of "Get Money" alongside a remix of another album track, "I Need You Tonight."[13] CD singles offered additional remixes, such as clean versions and acapellas, with promotional editions containing radio edits censored for profanity.[26] Track variations encompassed the original album version lasting 4:34, the remix version at 4:09, a radio edit shortened to approximately 3:56 and edited for explicit content, and an extended mix.[17] These versions allowed for different broadcasting and consumer needs, with the censored radio edit emphasizing accessibility on mainstream airwaves.[26] International formats, such as European CD singles, mirrored U.S. track listings but adapted for regional distribution.[23]Marketing strategies
The promotion of "Get Money" as the third single from Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s debut album Conspiracy emphasized targeted outreach to build on the group's affiliation with The Notorious B.I.G. and the burgeoning Bad Boy Records ecosystem. Atlantic Records' promotion team, through its Big Beat imprint, focused on radio airplay by distributing clean edits and remixes to urban contemporary stations, where the track gained traction in early 1996.[27] The remix, remixed by B.I.G. along with DJ Enuff and Lance "Un" Rivera and sampling Dennis Edwards' "Don't Look Any Further," received notable spins during this period, contributing to its cultural buzz amid the East Coast-West Coast rap tensions.[28] Airplay peaked in spring 1996, reflecting a strategic push to capitalize on hip-hop's growing mainstream presence.[27] Synergy with the Conspiracy album rollout and B.I.G.'s momentum from Ready to Die (1994) amplified the single's visibility, as Junior M.A.F.I.A. incorporated "Get Money" into live sets during 1996 performances alongside Bad Boy affiliates.[29] These shows featured B.I.G. and Lil' Kim joining the group onstage, leveraging the star power of B.I.G.'s rising profile to draw crowds and extend the track's reach beyond radio. The approach tied the single directly to the group's narrative as B.I.G.'s protégés, fostering a sense of extended Bad Boy family unity without formal label overlap, since Conspiracy was distributed via Atlantic.[30] Media appearances further supported the campaign through group interviews that highlighted Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s dynamic. Similarly, The Source profiled the group in its coverage of their debut, emphasizing their Brooklyn roots and ties to B.I.G., which helped position "Get Money" as a street anthem. Lil' Kim's emerging solo career, culminating in her Hard Core debut on November 12, 1996, provided an additional boost, as her increasing media spotlight drew attention to the track's battle-of-the-sexes theme and elevated the group's overall profile.[31] Promotional tactics included seamless integration of the music video, directed to showcase the group's ensemble chemistry and released alongside radio efforts to reinforce the single's bold imagery. Cross-promotion with Bad Boy artists, particularly through B.I.G.'s feature and shared tour slots, extended reach without dedicated budget lines, while retail strategies involved point-of-purchase displays in urban markets to drive physical sales of the various single formats. These elements, coordinated under Atlantic's urban promo umbrella, underscored a lean yet effective strategy reliant on interpersonal networks and hip-hop's communal ethos rather than lavish expenditures.[30]Music video
Concept and filming
The music video for "Get Money" was directed by Sean Combs (also known as Puff Daddy or Diddy) and Lance Rivera, and it was shot in 1995 in New York City ahead of its release the following year.[32] The production featured Junior M.A.F.I.A. as the central group, with prominent appearances by The Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim, who were key contributors to the track.[33] The concept centered on narrative vignettes that loosely tied into the song's themes of wealth, relationships, and excess, portraying a dramatic contrast between conflict and indulgence. It opens with The Notorious B.I.G. in a courtroom setting, where he is confronted by a judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney amid threats of contempt charges.[33] This segues into scenes of B.I.G.'s strained marriage to his wife, portrayed by Charli Baltimore (styled to evoke Faith Evans), which escalates to her being ejected from their home. In parallel, Lil' Kim is depicted reveling in a luxurious spa treatment surrounded by male strippers and close associates, emphasizing opulence and female empowerment.[33] Casting highlighted the group's inner circle, including appearances by Charli Baltimore and LaTonya Blige-DaCosta.[34] The video's logistical elements, including set construction for the courtroom and spa sequences, were managed under Atlantic Records' oversight, though specific budget figures remain undocumented in available production records.Visual style and reception
The music video for "Get Money," directed by Lance Rivera and Sean "Puffy" Combs, exemplifies 1990s hip-hop aesthetics through its urban settings and ensemble performances by the group members, including The Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim.[32] The visual narrative blends interpersonal drama among the performers with street-level energy, reflecting real-life tensions within Junior M.A.F.I.A. as art imitating life.[35] Critics and fans have praised the video for its raw authenticity and charismatic presence, particularly Lil' Kim's commanding screen energy, which contributed to its frequent rotations on MTV and BET during the mid-1990s.[35] Its enduring appeal in hip-hop culture is evident from its viewership on digital platforms.[33]Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Get Money" experienced strong performance on American music charts in 1996, particularly within urban radio formats, where it resonated with hip-hop audiences. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1996 and climbed to its peak position of number 17 during the spring, maintaining a presence on the chart for 20 weeks.[36] Its success was amplified by heavy rotation on rap and R&B stations, contributing to higher rankings in genre-specific lists compared to the all-genre Hot 100. On specialized charts, "Get Money" topped the Hot Rap Songs chart, reaching number 1 and holding the position for three weeks starting February 24, 1996.[37] It also peaked at number 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reflecting its appeal in R&B and hip-hop markets.[38] Internationally, the track had modest impact; a remix version entered the UK Singles Chart at number 63.[39] For the year-end Billboard Hot 100 of 1996, "Get Money" ranked at number 89, underscoring its enduring popularity throughout the year.| Chart (1996) | Peak position | Weeks on chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 17 | 20 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 4 | — |
| US Hot Rap Songs | 1 | — |
| UK Singles Chart (remix) | 63 | — |

