Adrian Sykes: Song Analysis
Mr. West <3’s His Mama
Kanye West has always been very public about his love and affection for his
mother. He has taken her to numerous award ceremonies, including the Grammy
Awards. In my opinion, his song titled, “Hey Mama,” was his best expression of public
affection and adoration of his mother. This song not only took his career to the top of the
music charts, but it also took us, the viewer, into the heart of such a controversial and
often misunderstood artist.
The song begins with Kanye singing the chorus. In the chorus, he expresses his
extreme desire to let everyone know how great a job she did raising him. When he
describes himself as acting a fool, he is admitting that he knows he as acted in a way that
would sometimes be very displeasing to her. It’s almost as if he believe there’s no words
he can come up with that will enable him to describe the full breadth of his love.
Knowing this inevitable fact, he still decides the best way to pay her back is to tell a story
about his life.
In the first verse, he starts off by describing his mother as his friend and as his
light. The word friend has obvious meaning, and his choice to use light, although not as
obvious, still carries great significance. By referring to her as light, he is saying that she
is “life.” It also implies, that she was his guiding lantern through his darkest moments.
His story begins with him as a child growing up in Chicago. He recalls a winter cold that
kept him very ill. In his weakened state, his mother’s love and home cooking were the
only two things he needed to remedy his illness. Here is where he gives us our first
example as to why his mother deserves all his love. He follows this example with a list
of others. Such as, working long shifts against her comforts, just so that he could enjoy
the experience of riding a bicycle. Apparently, there was a moment in his life where he
saw his mother being mistreated by a man. He recognizes the struggles associated with
raising a child as a single mother, and appreciated that she didn’t allow a man to come
before him. It was at this moment in his life he appears to make a promise to himself and
to his mother. He promises to love her excessively, and will strive to be the best so that
he can support her just like she supported him. After another refrain he moves into the
second verse.
In this verse, we are told that even though he went against his mother’s wishes of
attending college, she still supported him. This example shows the unconditional love his
mother has. The fact that she can still love and support him in spite of her opposing
opinion, allows Kanye to establish a bond of trust. In the same verse, he compares her to
famous black powerful women poets, who publicly have overcome adversity. By using
Mya Angelou and Nicky Giovanni, he praises his mother’s strength and wisdom.
(Refrain)
In his last verse, he sums up his story with a prophecy. He speaks of the better
days to come. The days when she’ll be driving luxury vehicles and living a lavish life.
Even though he’ll be able to provide her all these things, he concludes by reminding her
that any day is the perfect day for him to express his love.
"Hey Mama"
[Chorus]
(Hey Mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud
of you
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
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (Hey Mama)
[Verse 1]
I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
This little light of mine and I'm finna let it shine
I'm finna take yall back to them better times
I'm finna talk about my mama if yall don't mind
I was three years old, when you and I moved to the Chi
Late December, harsh winter gave me a cold
You fixed me up something that was good for my soul
Famous homemade chicken soup, can I have another bowl?
You work late nights just to keep on the lights
Mommy got me training wheels so I could keep on my bike
And you would give anything in this world
Michael Jackson leather and a glove, but didn't give me a curl
And you never put no man over me
And I love you for that mommy cant you see?
Seven years old, caught you with tears in your eyes
Cuz a nigga cheatin, telling you lies, then I started to cry
As we knelt on the kitchen floor
I said mommy Imma love you till you don't hurt no more
And when I'm older, you aint gotta work no more
And Imma get you that mansion that we couldn't afford
See you're, unbreakable, unmistakable
Highly capable, lady that's makin loot
A livin legend too, just look at what heaven do
Send us an angel, and I thank you (Hey Mama)
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
Forrest Gump mama said, life is like a box of chocolates
My mama told me go to school, get your doctorate
Somethin to fall back on, you could profit with
But still supported me when I did the opposite
Now I feel like it's things I gotta get
Things I gotta do, just to prove to you
You was getting through, can the choir please
Give me a verse of "You, Are So Beautiful To Me"
Can't you see, you're like a book of poetry
Maya Angelou, Nicky Giovanni, turn one page and there's my
mommy
Come on mommy just dance wit me, let the whole world see
your dancing feet
Now when I say Hey, yall say Mama, now everybody answer me
(Hey Mama)
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
I guess it also depends tho, if my ends low
Second they get up you gon get that Benzo
Tint the windows, ride around the city and let ya friends know
(Hey Mama)
[Verse 3]
Tell your job you gotta fake em out
Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out
To a restaurant, upper echelon
Imma get you a jag, whatever else you want
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like?
Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right
It don't gotta be Mother's Day, or your birthday
For me to just call and say (Hey Mama)