EntertainmenttheGrio Exclusive
Hip-hop's top 10 tributes to mom
|
8:37 AM on 05/07/2010 |
| Join Our Mailing List |
In this Feb. 8, 2006 file photo, Kanye West and his mother Donda West hold his three awards backstage at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file)
Arguably more than in any other musical genre, hip-hop artists love to pay respect to their moms. Since so many rappers come from single parent households, where mothers were the sole source of financial and moral support, this shouldn't come as a surprise.
But in a world where toughness is often valued over sensitivity, it's refreshing to see rappers give a glimpse of their gentler side. In honor of Mother's Day weekend, theGrio has compiled its 10 favorite rap songs dedicated to moms.
-



10) Mr. T - "Treat Your Mother Right"
This cult classic from The A Team star's motivational video "Be Somebody...or Be Somebody's Fool" was sadly one of T's only forays into music. He could have been a talent in the so bad it's good vein of William Shatner.
-



9) Snoop Dogg - "I Love My Mamma"
Although a great lyricist, Snoop has never been famous for giving it up for the ladies, in fact quite opposite. But on this heartfelt song he give his mother credit for sticking with him "through all the drama."
-



8) Canibus - "I Honor U"
In this memorable cut from his debut album, Canibus actually recreates his journey as a sperm entering his mother's whom. Trust us, it's better than it sounds.
-



7) Saigon - "If (My Mommy)"
Thanks in part to an irresistible sampling of Luther Vandross’ rendition of “If This World Were Mine,” Saigon’s gritty “If…(My Mommy)” is a memorable tribute to the “one woman who no other one ever could be.” The Brooklyn rapper and occasional actor confesses his arguments with his mother as a child gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams.
-



6) Jay-Z - "Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)"
On the last official track from his legendary 2001 album The Blueprint, Jay-Z details the different mentors he had coming up in the project. Chief among them is his beloved mother, Gloria Carter.
-



5) Eminem - "Cleaning Out My Closet"
Ok, so this doesn't exactly qualify as a tribute song. But Eminem's blistering, savage verbal attack on his mother ("I'm dead to you as can be") is one of his most memorable tracks.
-



4) Ghostface Killah - "All I Got Is You"
Using one of his trademark classic soul samples (this time The Jackson 5's lush "Maybe Tomorrow) Ghostface Killah teams up with Mary J. Blige for this honest and revealing track where he gives his mother props for enduring a life of poverty.
-



3) Nas - "Dance"
Nas references his late mother throughout 2002’s God’s Son. But in “Dance,” the Queens’ emcee delivers one of his most touching lyrical performances – longing for one last dance with his mother who lost her fight to breast cancer 8 months before the album’s release.
-



2) Kanye West - "Hey Mama"
West's sweet homage to his mother Donda West was actually composed back in 2000, but the song took on greater meaning after Ms. West's sudden death due to cosmetic surgery complications in 2007.
-



1) Tupac Shakur - "Dear Mama"
One of the legendary late MC's most poignant and accessible songs was this tribute to his mother Afeni Shakur (pictured). An ex-Black Panther and political activist, Afeni controls the rights to all Shakur's music.
Follow theGrio on Facebook & Twitter!
-
Women's shaved hair revolution taking shape
-
Rap Genius: The top 5 rap lyrics of the week -- Pusha T talks money
-
New MLK assassination footage revealed in Smithsonian Channel doc
-
Komen won't cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood
-
NBA All-Star roster revealed: From Kobe to Chris Paul, LA teams dominate
-
The 10 most memorable presidential campaign themes (SLIDESHOW)
-
Angelo Dundee dead: Legendary trainer for Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard dies at 90
-
Black stars shine at 2012 SAG Awards (SLIDESHOW)
-
'Key & Peele' set to kick off: What are the best Obama parodies?
-
Anthony Mackie in 'Man on a Ledge': Is he the next Denzel? (SLIDESHOW)
-
Black unemployment: What Washington can do now to address the high black jobless rate
-
The trouble with Trump's Romney endorsement: It's the birtherism, stupid
-
Eddie Long 'crowning': Why do black churches often put pastors on a pedestal?
-
Why Jan Brewer's disrespect will motivate black voters for Obama
-
Trump endorsement may hurt, not help Romney
Popular Topics
- Barack Obama: 1767 Stories
- Music: 746 Stories
- Hip Hop: 622 Stories
- Basketball: 449 Stories
- Economy: 438 Stories
- Football: 428 Stories
- Congress: 426 Stories
- NFL: 424 Stories
- NBA: 406 Stories
- Unemployment: 404 Stories
- Haiti: 394 Stories
- Film: 378 Stories
- New York: 377 Stories
- Election2012: 368 Stories
- Michael Jackson: 358 Stories
- Michelle Obama: 357 Stories
- Republicans: 356 Stories
- Murder: 348 Stories
- Democrats: 334 Stories
- Education: 304 Stories



COMMENT NOW
print