“Dear Mama” by 2Pac (1995, Out Da Gutta/Interscope)
If Keep Ya Head Up made 2Pac an ally to women, Dear Mama delivered
him lovingly to the ears and hearts of mothers, daughters and sons.
This brutally honest effort puts the iconic artist very close to Marvin
Gaye, for his intimate introspective verses.
Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J (1990, Def Jam/Columbia)
Moms, those caring souls who love, nurture and keep us from harms way.
In this case Cool Js late grandmother inspired him to TKO the
competition – metaphorically, of course.
“Ya Mama” by The Pharcyde (1992, Delicious Vinyl)
Entire books and TV shows have been fashioned from Ya Mama jokes but no
one codified the art in song form as well as The Pharcyde. Beatboxing
for Lou Rawls, now thats comedy.
“Hey Mama” by Kanye West (2005, Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
If anybody can get a soft spot in Kanyes ego crusade, its his mother.
Somewhere Pac and Ghost, Ye promises to shower his mother with gifts,
and speaks to her as tenderly as youll ever hear the self-proclaimed
international a**hole.
“Momma I’m So Sorry” by The Clipse (2006, Re-Up/Star Trak/Jive)
The Clipse showing actual contrition for their snowflake shuffling
charades? Their sincerity may be debatable, but the deft rhymes are
unquestionable from Italys Milan to the shores of Napali.
If Your (Mother) Only Knew by Rahzel (2000, Universal)
Rahzels stage presence was incredible. His albums however, were
forgettable. Still, this relic appears on more iPods than youd think,
as the beatbox extraordinaire moves Aailyahs anthem about cheating to
a mothers shame. Its freaky, but its classic.
“Payback Is a Grandmother” by Common (2000, MCA)
Chi-town savior Common never really gets enough due for his
storytelling ability. Weaving everything from a riverboat to a
barbershop to a stolen furcoat; book this cat a role in that Uptown Saturday Night remake.
“All That I Got Is You” by Ghostface Killah featuring Mary J. Blige (1996, Razor Sharp/Epic)
If you call yourself a fan of Ghost Deini then you know there is no
questioning the mans heart. His deep passion for the rhyme is only
matched by his love for Ma Dukes, shared with the world on this Mary J.
Blige assisted ode.
The Reminisce Over You by Pete Rock & CL Smooth (1992, Elektra)
Although its title is dedicated to Trouble T-Roy, CL Smooth tells the
listener the story of his family, with a barrage of bars devoted to his
moms. Hip-Hop classic.
Mama by Trina featuring J.A.B.A.N and J-Shin (2000, Atlantic/Slip-N-Slide)
Not only sons love mothers. Southern diamond princess Trina devoted a
joint to the female role model in her life. Slip-N-Slides first lady
has much more depth than many will ever know.