To celebrate the wonderful day that is Mother’s Day, this article has brought together the most expressive and emotional Hip-hop tracks that have been written to pay tribute to a special kind of woman, a mother. Rappers/ Hip-hop artists have the ability to use their craft to deliver their past experiences be it positive or negative. This can often be seen through the reflection of their hardship and struggle, the excess of money and material possessions or their experiences with women. Although these tropes can be a pool of vulnerable emotions and storytelling opportunities, it is also known that rappers have often paid tribute to a special kind of woman in their lives, their mothers. So on a day like this, it seems apt that we go through a list of 10 amazing artists that poured their souls to show their love for their mums.

#1) Nas – Dance

‘Dance’ is a tribute to Nas’ mother who had sadly passed away a few months before the release of his 2002 album ‘God’s Son’. An emotionally driven track, where he vulnerably wishes that he had one more chance to dance with his mother, whilst saying good bye. “I pray when I marry, my wife’ll have one of your skills, but, Mom, you could never be replaced”. A mother’s love can never be replaced.

#2) Drake – Look What You’ve Done

A three part narrative of those who have helped Drake become the guy he is, one of them being his Mother (Sandi). A touching account of his relationship with his mum, honestly stating arguments he has had in the past presenting a reality that we all have had with our parents. With this being said, the verse goes on to say that he could now give her everything that she wanted after being signed by Lil Wayne and almost winning a Grammy at the time.

#3) Big Sean – Inspire Me

A lyrically impressive track where Big Sean delivers a heartfelt message to his mother and how she has inspired him to be the person he is today. From the motherly advice he’s been given, to unconditional love, he uses this track to show appreciation for his mum. Big Sean’s ‘Inspire Me’ honestly reveals that there has been times where he has given attitude (who hasn’t in all honesty when growing up) and not always being grateful, however apologises if he had ever made his mother feel like he wasn’t grateful.

#4) 2Pac – Dear Mama

2Pac’s ‘Dear Mama’ is one of the most well-known tracks in showing recognition and tribute to the role of being a mother. It’s one of the first tracks to show that even if you were slinging dope around the corner surrounded by thugs, it was okay to show love, vulnerability and appreciation for your mum. The track with its laid back tempo, provides a form of sincerity and true appreciation that 2Pac had for his mum. ‘Dear Mama’ describes growing up in a household with financial struggles, living without a father, and recognising what his mum has done for him and his brother during tough times.

#5) Stormzy – 100 Bags

Stormzy as a rapper, had to be mentioned on this list, his track ‘100 Bags’ is a great piece of work dedicated to his mother. ‘100 Bags’ is a recent track from his hugely successful album ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’. With Stormzy being inducted on to the Forbes ‘Hip-Hop Cash Princes’ list which is a list of rappers under 30 as heavy hitters in the industry both critically and financially, it is great to see him paying tribute to his mother for his success. ‘100 Bags’ is a play on words with it being both a monetary value of 100k as well as the literal meaning of Stormzy buying his mum a hundred bags. The track goes through the most hardest of times for both Stormzy and his mother, in which he then goes on to say, that he can now finally treat her to a lavish life that she truly deserves.

#6) Ghost Face Killah – All That I Got Is You

‘All That I Got Is You’ is a detailed insight in to how Ghost Face Killah grew up, with his father leaving him at a young age, whilst his mother and grandmother having to take care of a large family. The relaxing melody from Mary J. Blige brings somewhat gospel/ emotional characteristic for the track. From a hard time of living in poverty, the strength that Ghost Face Killah’s mother had to have to keep the family together is something that a mother can only understand, which is inspiring in itself.

#7) Goodie Mob – Guess Who?

The Hip Hop group, Goodie Mob hailing from Atlanta, consisting of Cee Lo, Khujo, T-Mo and Big Gipp released the track ‘Guess Who?’. The track tells the tales of each of their mothers and how each member of the group was shaped by their respective mothers and the respect they have for their mums. “My Moma, the biggest player that I know I love her so hell everything I got I owe to my Moma thank you for caring, thank you for sharing yo’ luv”.

#8) Nelly – Luven Me

‘Luven Me’, from Nelly’s 2000 album, ‘Grammar Country’, is a thank you to all the people that has helped him throughout his life. The number one being his mum, in the first verse, describing all the rough situations he got himself into, whilst his mother still being by his side, with love and advice. The track also serves as a narrative that follows the theme of redemption, with Nelly trying to make up to his mother for his past mistakes and the worry he had caused her. It’s true what they say a mother’s love will always be there.

#9) Jay Z – Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)

‘Momma Loves Me’ is a track which acts as a massive shout out to everyone that has shaped, contributed and raised Hov and made him the man he is now. Even though there have been many people that have positively affected his life, his mother’s influence on him was the most important for him, hence the title of the track.

#10) Kanye West – Hey Mama

Artists like Kanye West had changed the game, he had the ability to write complex lyrics covering the most vulnerable parts of his life, whilst conveying a sense of coolness in doing so. The track ‘Hey Mama’ (personally one of my favourites) from his 2005 album ‘Late Registration’ is an outburst of his love and admiration for his mother. The track illustrates the hard work his mother had gone through to provide for him whilst he was growing up. In addition to all the mistakes he had made and the flaws he holds, he knows that his mum would always love him and accept him. Sonically, this track delivers a friendly and uplifting vibe, which is an indication of what Kanye’s mum was like for him.

The list above is something that majority of us can relate to and understand, that mothers can be a strong rock for us, where we receive unconditional love, wisdom and support on a daily basis. Shout out to all the amazing mothers out there! If there are any tracks that I might have missed out, comment below.