The Best Mama Hip-Hop Music

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers out there.  Although today may be one of those holidays arbitrarily set on a random Sunday in May (you should be thankful for your mother everyday), it is a good opportunity to take a step back and be grateful.  When I think of mothers generally (not necessarily my wonderful mother), I think of some of my favorite music that celebrates them.  Below are three of the best hip-hong songs (in my opinion) on mothers.

Hey Mama – Kanye West (Late Registration, 2005).  Kanye loved his mama, Donda West.  My favorite lines:

• “Forest gump momma said, life was like a box of chocolates
  My momma told me go to school, get your doctorate
  Something to fall back on, you can profit with
  But still supported me when I did the opposite (hey mama)
  Now I feel like there’s things I gotta get, things I gotta do
  Just to prove to you, you was getting through
  Can the choir please, gimme a verse of you, eyes so beautiful, to me (hey mama)
  Can’t you see, you’re like a book of poetry, maya angelou, nikki giovanni
  Turn one page and there’s my mommy (hey mama)”
• “It don’t gotta be mother’s day, or your birthday, for me to just call and say: Hey mama, I want to scream so loud for you . . . .”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZekbYLRFSQ]

Dear Mama – Tupac (Me Against the World, 1995).  This song is a little harder than Kanye’s version (it’s Tupac, after all), but there is a lot of love here.  Some of my favorite lines:

• “Pour out some liquor and I reminisce
  ‘Cause through the drama I can always depend on my mama
  And when it seems that I’m hopeless
  You say the words that can get me back in focus
  When I was sick as a little kid
  To keep me happy there’s no limit to the things you did
  And all my childhood memories
  Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
  And even though I act crazy
  I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
  There are no words that can express how I feel
  You never kept a secret, always stayed real
  And I appreciate how you raised me
  And all the extra love that you gave me”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb1ZvUDvLDY]

Make Mama Proud – Lil’ Flip (Undaground Legend, 2002).  Although Lil’ Flip has nothing on Kanye or 2Pac from a lyrical perspective, he clearly wants to make his mama proud in this song.  Hard to believe it’s already a decade old!  My favorite lines:

• “You only got one life, you better do what you can
  ‘Cause when you turn thirteen, you are a man
  And I can’t be broke so I’ma rock the crowd
  It’s up to me, I gotta make my mama proud”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi4RyM-IEig]

Make your mama proud today!