With Mother’s Day just around the corner, BLACK ENTERPRISE is shining a spotlight on 10 hip-hop artists who poured their hearts out in music dedicated to their moms. From raw, emotional verses to touching tributes, these tracks remind us just how deep that mother-child bond really runs in hip-hop.
Beanie Sigel
Beanie Sigel dropped “Mom Praying” back in 2005, and it’s honestly such a heartfelt tribute to mothers everywhere. The hip-hop track is all about showing love to moms for keeping their kids in their prayers and standing by them through thick and thin. The song featured the legendary Houston rapper Scarface, who rapped:
Don’t cry, Mama –your baby boy done weathered the storm
And I found peace right here in your arms
By the way, how you gettin’ along? (Huh?)
I know it’s been tough, bearing the pain, since Daddy’s been gone
But, all in all, you still stood tall, and never shedded a tear—I’m thankin’ God you still here
Nas
Nas’ 2002 heartfelt gem, “Dance,” has him processing his grief over the loss of his mom. He paints this beautiful image of her dancing up in heaven. The way he expresses that mother-son bond just hits you right in the feels:
I dream of the day I can go back to when I was born/ Layin’ in your arms, wishin’ you was here today, Mom
Wish you’d appear, just for a second from Heaven
My tears would be gone, I wouldn’t be rappin’ this song
I’d be happy drivin’ up to your eight-bedroom mansion
Up late, laughin’ about the hard times we faced
The galaxy is so enchanting
Beyond Galileo’s understanding
Past the Milky Way and all the planets
There’s somethin’ out there greater, but only God knows
Snoop Dogg
In 1999, Snoop sincerely gave props to the woman who birthed and raised him. “I Love My Momma” is definitely one of those moments where Snoop shows his softer side, reminding us that even the D-O-double-G is somebody’s son at the end of the day. Snoop Dogg’s mom, Beverly Tate, died October 24, 2021.
She the queen in my life, and I’mma make sure she gon’ shine again
She taught me everythang, but she didn’t charge a fee
She taught me everythang, except how to see a G
For the nine months you carried, I hope you bury me
Instead of the other way around, and I put that on Dogg Pound
I made you cry, you made me smile
I just wanna say I love you for life
And that’s the reason why I’m here now
Love, Snoop
Ghostface Killah
In 1996’s “All That I Got Is You,” Ghostface Killah opens up about his tough childhood and gives a heartfelt shout-out to his mom who had her own challenges with abandonment, poverty, and substance abuse. This Hip-Hop song is a personal window into the Wu-Tang veteran’s life and definitely one of his most vulnerable pieces, and man, the chorus still hits different nearly 30 years later.
All that I got is you
And I’m so thankful I made it through
All that I got is you
And I’m so thankful I made it through
All that I got is you (Word up mommy, I love you)
And I’m so thankful I made it through (Word up)
All that I got is you (It was all you, word)
And I’m so thankful I made it through (You brought me in like this)
Yeah
Childish Gambino
“Outside” (2011) is where the rapper gets real about his mom’s strength, the quiet heroine she is, and their connection. What stands out is that his mother sacrificed and stood in the face of adversity to spare her children from the streets and a life of drug dealing.
Yeah, Dad lost his job, mama worked at Mrs. Winner’s
Gun pulled in her face, she still made dinner
“Donald, watch the meter so they don’t turn the lights off”
Workin’ two jobs so I can get into that white school
And I hate it there
Talib Kweli
The unreleased “Momma Can You Hear Me” is a heartfelt track where he pours out his appreciation for all the wisdom and guidance his mother gave him growing up. The song highlights the impact a supportive parent can have on their child’s ambitions.
She showed me how to shoot for the stars until I put a hole in the sky.
Common
Common dedicated “Forever Your Love” to his mother in 2019. Throughout the song he explores how his mother’s love has influenced him since birth. He reflects on the cosmic bond between mothers and children saying, “They say we don’t get to choose our mothers/Somehow I know our souls chose each other”:
When the day breaks, I display grace
Through infinite takes, and heartbreaks
The ground shakes, talks around race
Through birth quakes, I keep my crown straight
And bow face to you, it’s salutations
I hold you high, you brought me in creation
You were patient with me dribblin’ in the basement
And said, ‘Where’s your common sense, boo? Don’t waste it”’
Kanye West
The now-troubled Ye dropped “Hey Mama” in 2005, as a tribute to his mother. In the track, he stands on his appreciation for Donda West and everything she did for him growing up. Donda died in 2007 at age 58.
I wanna scream so loud for you, ’cause I’m so proud of you, and uh
Let me tell you what I’m about to do
(Hey, Mama)
I know I act a fool, but I promise you, I’m goin’ back to school, and
I appreciate what you allowed for me, and I
I just want you to be proud of me
Jay-Z
2017’s “Smile,” off the album 4:44 pays tribute to Gloria Carter and shows the weight she carried for their family. The song also honors her journey of coming out and how their relationship has grown over time:
Cried tears of joy when you fell in love
Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her
I just wanna see you smile through all the hate.
2Pac
“Dear Mama” is probably one of the most touching tributes a son ever made to his mom in hip-hop history. Pac pours his heart out about Afeni Shakur’s hardships and all she’s overcome. He acknowledges her struggles with addiction while still honoring her dignity and strength.
And even as a crack fiend, Mama
You always was a Black queen, Mama
I finally understand
For a woman, it ain’t easy tryin’ to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it
There’s no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
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