Mama’s Gun Released Nov. 21,
2000
Erykah Badu’s second
studio album released on behalf of Motown Records was an iconic album. As a
Neo-Soul artist Badu goes against the grain and explores jazz, funk and blues. Her
ability to deeply express her feelings and actions through song allows
listeners to understand her strength within the genre, neo-soul.
Badu’s soothing vocals are reminiscent of Black artists who sang passionately during the Harlem Renaissance such as the iconic Billie Holiday.
As a Five Percenter Badu
expresses her views and they are embedded within her lyrics throughout her
studio albums including Mama’s Gun. Her constant soliloquys and symbols associated
with the Five Percent Nation are relevant. When she speaks of Blackness in
relation to “Godliness” and spirituality Badu presents her ideals for
listeners.
Her part as the
Neo-Soul music collective the Soulquarians played a major role in the creation
of this album; it was heavily produced by the Soulquarians. The soulful sounds
of the members as a collective were notable in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The lyrics within “Penitentiary
Philosophy” as an opening track prove the depth of Badu’s psyche.
“Here's
my philosophy/Livin' in a penitentiary/Brothers all on the corner/Tryin' to
make believe.”
Badu starts the album
with a vibrant sample from Stevie Wonder’s “Ordinary Pain”. The strength of
this track allows Badu to present the listener with a song which sets a tone
for the entire album. This song ultimately pushes Badu’s emphasis on opening
their eyes and minds to understand what is happening in Western culture every
day. She showcases her lyrical strength by symbolizing the struggle of Black
men to grasp reality due to their minds being locked away by distractions.
The single “Didn’t Cha
Know” presents a story which Badu expresses as a journey filled with
experiences in which she has been through. The path she follows is seemingly
confusing yet she shares that life is full of confusing twists and turns that may
lead to positivity.
“Cleva” and “Booty” are
tracks which highlight physical attributes of Badu in relation to other women.
These two tracks depict how she feels about herself as a Black woman from
lyrics describing her makeup-less face to the length of her hair to her curvy
body.
“This
is how I look without makeup/And with no bra my ninny's sag down low/My hair
ain't never hung down to my shoulders”
In “Cleva” Badu
describes her witty thought process as being parallel, not unequal to her
physical appearance. “Booty” explains how Badu views her physical attributes
throughout the entire song. She compares herself to other Black women in a
quirky manner.
“Your
booty might be bigga/But I still can pull your ----/But I don't want him”
Throughout the song
Badu expresses that just because a woman with certain attributes is wanted by
some men, another women without those attributes could still be wanted by the
same men.
“Bag Lady”, the single is a mellow
ode to women who carry baggage from relationship to relationship. Badu shows
women from her personal perspective how difficult it is to move on from being
hurt in a relationship.
“Bag
lady, you gon' hurt your back/Draggin' all them bags like that/I guess nobody
ever told you/All you must hold on to is you.”
As a whole Mama’s Gun
is a combination of meaningful songs with relevant historical context. As a Black
woman Badu willingly discusses her feelings through lyrics and allows the
listeners to digest it all. Her
expression is therapeutic for listeners who enjoy music which stimulates them
mentally due to the lyricism and the heavy usage of instruments.
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