Since Mother’s Day is right around the corner, I thought I’d dedicate this week’s column to some of my favorite songs about moms and motherhood.
2Pac – “Dear Mama”
Yeah, I know, I’m an outspoken critic of the guy and I openly hate on him every chance I get. But I’m willing to give the guy his due right now, as “Dear Mama” is the business. It’s my favorite Pac song and the one song that keeps me from crapping him completely. It’s a touching tribute to his mom and just a classic “mom” song.
Ghostface Killah – “All That I Got Is You”
This is probably the song that got Ghost the most attention and established him as a solo star. And looking back, it’s textbook Ghost—the storytelling, the emotion-injected lyrics, the gritty rawness. This is the song that really showcased the star that Ghostface would become. And again, it’s a hard emcee showing his vulnerability when it comes to his mom.
Nas – “Dance”
It’s unfortunate that such a tender song had to spring from Nas’ mother’s passing, but it’s still a great document of a son’s love for his mother. Nas has always offered up insightful lyrics, but this song had introspection previously unseen.
Bahamadia – “Biggest Part of Me”
Sadly, Bahamadia’s been relegated to a hip-hop footnote, but this ode to motherhood really stands the test of time. It’s lyrically poignant and heartfelt, from a perspective nearly foreign in the current climate—the mother herself. It’s dope and unique.
Kanye West – “Hey Mama”
It’s a pretty bittersweet song given that Kanye lost his mom, but at the time it was released, it was a cool “I’m doing my mom proud”-type affair. It was actually fun to hear Kanye boasting about his devotion to his mom.
Honorable Mentions
Kanye West – “Pinocchio Story”
This isn’t to omuch a song about a mom, as it is a confession by someone torn apart by the death of his mother. It’s powerful and moving, but it’s also raw… almost too raw.
Cam’ron “Me, My Moms & Jimmy” – Not really about Cam’s mom, but the song is memorable for Cam’s mom actually spitting some bars. It’s not a quotable or a classic, but it’s something that prevents me from ending on a downer.
So, to all the mothers out there, I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day.
