Dec 24 2020
3
So, here's the deal... take Badu off this album and it's a groovy slice of funky gold. Badu's uninspired, lazy (and at times really harsh) vocals, however, are slathered over on the groove, covering the flavor like ketchup on a fine steak. Every song's vocal lines are nearly identical, substituting lazy, mostly monotone vocals for true melody. I think she's probably capable of more than this but, for some reason, she decided to just phone it in. The saving grace of the vocal element is the lyrics which are pretty smart on the whole and which, along with the super tasty backing tracks, save this album from a lower-than-average score.
👍
Sep 29 2021
4
If I was currently undertaking the task of compiling my 101 favourite albums of all time--inspired by, for example, a commitment to listen to, rate and review 1,001 albums from The Canon--I can imagine Mama's Gun would be a conundrum. Should I include it? There's so much to like. It has the intangible quality of making you want to restart the album as soon as it's over; not because it's a hooked-filled sugar rush, but because Badu's sound is tantalising, a tease, there then not then there again. But for that reason, is there *enough* of it to occupy a whole spot on my list? (I'm speaking, of course, hypothetically. Merely riffing on an idea that just popped into my head.) When she says, "you won't be naming no buildings after me", it's not just because she's a black woman (okay, it's mostly that), but because any Badu building would only be structurally sound half the time. Her buildings, like her songs, would be beguilingly simple feats of engineering, held up with the barest of resources. Then they'd turn to jelly and, er, uh-oh. To decide, I'd need to listen to it two or three times. I might even get an extra opportunity through my extensive (imaginary, you understand) canonical appraisal. But even after that, I imagine I still won't have settled--just like Mama's Gun.
👍
Jan 25 2021
1
I was hitting next in the middle of each track and half the time I wasn't sure if I really was on the next track.
👍
Jan 14 2021
3
Funky soul.
It's one of those albums where I wish there were more recognizable melodies, and more background instruments.
It's one of the reason's I'm not the biggest Beyonce fan--I want the background to be just as interesting as the voices.
👍
Jan 14 2021
5
I'm not the biggest fan of R&B, but Mrs. Badu's magic drips from this record.
👍
Sep 30 2021
1
This took me three days to get through. One of the most miserable experiences I've had, nearly 300 albums in.
I'm not a fan of the genre, but can generally appreciate artistry/talent. This one I really struggled to find anything redeeming about.
Inane lyrics bellowed dramatically over pedestrian jazz licks.
👍
May 11 2021
1
Goddamn this is dull. All the songs are bland and blend into one mass of yawn. BT: Penitentiary Philosophy, Didn't Cha Know, Bag Lady
👍
Jan 15 2021
5
This album SLAPS. What a sweet, laid back, groovy 2000's R&B vibe. Definitely coming back to this one!
👍
Sep 29 2021
5
Wow, this one blew me away. Erykah Badu is legendary but I've yet to hear an album from her. This was fantastic, each song bleeding into the next. Reminded me of Dark Side of the Moon, and funny enough when I was doing some Erykah Badu research she lists Dark Side of the Moon as one of her top 10 albums of all time. The grooves on here are undeniable, so many tracks that I loved and will surely return to. Also special shout out to the sample on Bag Lady, the same sample used by Dr. Dre on Xxplosive the year prior. It's a long album, but the length doesn't bother me because it's so smooth. How refreshing to have an album from this century, from a black woman nonetheless, and it's better than a lot of the old foagies we get from across the pond. Just like I did with Dark Side of the Moon, I'm preemptively giving this a 5 star. It can only improve with further listens.
Favorite tracks: No idea how to narrow this down, but Didn't Cha Know, My Life, Cleva, Kiss Me On My Neck, Bag Lady, Time's A Wastin'.
Album art: Really like the font and framing here. Obvious throwback, and a bit unassuming, but I think it fits the vibe of the album really well. Little do you know how impressive the music within will be.
5/5
👍
Jun 18 2021
5
funky and mad rhythm right off the bat. this album grooves so hard. Kiss Me On My Neck is a good groove. Yea this album slaps
👍
Feb 04 2021
5
She's such a badass. And this album is so good. Funky and soulful.
👍
Apr 10 2021
5
So very groovy and seemlessly interesting
👍
Mar 21 2024
3
Albums like these are the most unfairly affected by the method in which I consume them: at work. I can't always focus on lyrics, which I think is likely where this album would shine. Musically, sure, it was soulful, even groovy at times, but it's often pretty barebones too. Ms. Badu has a lovely, smooth voice, but I'd have appreciated more active instrumentation. The songs (and the album itself) also go on just a little too long without much diversity to break things up. I acknowledge the album as an R&B classic, but it didn't do all that much for me.
👍
Feb 29 2024
3
Very pleasant but unremarkable. If I had a posh dinner party to host I could play it to show how cool I am. A low 3.
👍
May 12 2021
1
Melted into the background. and all warbling sounded the same to me in the end. One line that stuck out, βI have green eyes because I eat vegetablesβ. She has brown eyes on the album sleeve. Sorry for being glib.
👍
Jan 18 2021
4
What a voice! This is lyrically, instrumentally, and produced so uniquely. The album gets much better in the later half. Worth revisiting for sure. For that alone it's getting the highest honor: adding to my spotify favorites.
👍
Nov 01 2022
2
As is often the case with the albums listed here, what starts with the promise of freshness quickly deteriorates into the repetitive.
👍
May 14 2021
2
So very very long. Sadly it turns the listen into a chore and while I didnβt necessarily dislike the album, there was very little on there that would make me go back for for 2nd listen
👍
Mar 27 2021
2
I think I've been conditioned to fall asleep when Badu comes on, a flatmate used to play it to relax at nap times. Ir doesn't really go anywhere or do anything, it's just there making random noise like a ticking clock.
👍
Jun 01 2021
2
Just nothing special, way too long and not memorable
👍
Mar 27 2023
1
Made it half way through. Sorry. Not my style at all. 'Booty' finished it for me. Not sure what I'm meant to be getting from this.
👍
Jul 18 2023
5
β€οΈ!
👍
Feb 14 2025
4
I may have fallen asleep during this album, but my dreams were nice
👍
Jan 19 2022
4
couldnt stand the growing painsπ
👍
Aug 25 2021
4
Made me convert to baduism
👍
Aug 23 2021
4
Lovely, calming, easy listening.. beautiful songs, beautiful lyrics, soul healing..
👍
Feb 07 2021
4
another album i heard way too late after it was released. this was such a good listen to, i'll definitely have to make more time to listen to it again.
👍
Nov 26 2020
4
Really jazzy neo-soul It's pretty easy listening, like I'd hear it in a lounge or coffee shop. Honestly I think what's keeping mre from LOVING it is her voice, it's really raspy and kinda wish it just hit me with more oomph. Flies by though. Can't believe it's 71 minutes
👍
Mar 21 2024
3
No disrespect to Erykah Badu, this is a fine album, but the 70 minute, CD-era album just doesnβt work for me anymore.
If thereβs one thing Iβm realizing through out the course of this list is that thereβs nothing better than a 40 minute lp.
Otherwise, Mamaβs Gun is a fun and funky album, even if it runs a little too long for my taste.
👍
Feb 08 2021
3
This was definitely different than most of the albums on this list. Not bad, but not something I would want to listen to often.
👍
Feb 26 2021
3
The first half of this record is so fuckin good. It really lags around the second half but still great overall.
👍
Jan 14 2021
3
Liked it plenty. Good groove for whole album. No standouts no duds.
👍
Jul 07 2025
1
Way too slick to be genuinely soulful, and melodically malnourished. All it has going for it is the occasional funky groove, because the voice just isn't that interesting or original, especially over the bloated runtime. Really dull stuff, I expected more fron this.
👍
Nov 10 2023
1
eh, not the worst album on this list by a long shot, but pretty dull and uninspiring to me. the songs all smush together and don't really go anywhere. whenever i thought the music sounded ok, the vocals were there to bore me to death, and vice versa. lyrics were meh and had some secret "god is good" messaging which was an unpleasant discovery. the best compliment i can give it is it reminded me of Rouge's level music in Sonic Adventure 2.
also, surprised to see that no one's referenced any of the legal issues or controversies surrounding erykah "hitler was good actually" badu. she's not like, kid rock or marilyn manson level, but still, yikes
favorites: didn't cha know (i guess)
👍
Apr 22 2023
1
You remove the vocals, it sounds like soundtrack for some VHS porn tape
👍
May 07 2021
1
Black intelligent people music and I am white
👍
May 12 2021
1
Never even heard of it before. Left me cold. In fact I hated it. 1 Star
👍
Jul 14 2025
5
The album was fantastic lyrics music singing all fantastic
👍
Jul 11 2025
5
Spectacularly smooth evocative and jazzy. An incredible evolution of mid century classic
👍
Jul 10 2025
5
Solid gold. Orange Moon is one of the beautiful songs Iβve ever heard.
👍
Jul 04 2025
5
fantastic instrumentals, incredible follow up to her debut
👍
Jul 02 2025
5
Solid voice, lyrics, and music.
👍
Jun 27 2025
5
love
👍
Jun 18 2025
5
Erykah Badu knows how to do Soul/R&B right... It's definitely headphones and relaxing music.
👍
Jun 09 2025
5
absolute perfection
👍
Jun 07 2025
5
Extremely strong βΒ mellowly funky and vibesy, bittersweet and melancholic and so many interesting and well-constructed cuts ("&on" "Cleva"). "AD 2000" and βOrange Moonβ are straight-up sweet and deeply soulful. The latterβs flutes are a lovely add, perfectly complemented with decisive-yet-soft-touch percussion and balanced, thoughtful piano and representative of the skilled/tasteful/subtle playing throughout the record Editors are right, βGreen Eyesβ is βsublime,β as is the album as a whole.
👍
Jun 06 2025
5
Masterpiece
👍
May 30 2025
5
I dug into her stuff about a year ago and had loved what I heard but havent listened to this album in full till now. She is incredibleeeee I love this album!
👍
May 29 2025
5
Segundo disco de la texana, continuaciΓ³n del soberbio Baduizm.
Tampoco es que se prodigue mucho, dos discos mΓ‘s un directo cotando este Γ‘lbum y luego otros tres en Motown, el primero otro Γ©xito mayor aΓΊn que este MamaΒ΄s gun. No publica desde hace mΓ‘s de 15 aΓ±os.. aunque sigue en el cine.
Este es fabuloso tambiΓ©n: neo soul, jazz y rap pero sobre todo elegancia.
Es un disco para escuchar de noche.
ΒΏPuede decirse que estΓ‘ al nivel de D'Angelo? No lo sΓ©, tal vez no , ni a la de Maxwell o Frank Ocean. Pero es una de las grandes, eso sin duda. Al nivel de Common y otros.
Desde luego sin ella (ni la imprescindible Lauryn Hill) no habrΓa Macy Gray, Angie Stone, Musiq Soulchild ni India Arie. Tampoco Alicia Keys ni las britΓ‘nicas Joss Stone, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, Estelle, Duffy o Adele. Por supuesto Solange y la verdadera BeyoncΓ© tampoco.
Con ella se dio el paso de W.Houston-M.Carey a otras cotas de soul.
Para este sedoso disco contΓ³ con Questlove a las baquetas y el pianista James Poyser, que habΓna trabajado con DΒ΄Angelo.
A un aΓ±o de su maternidad y separaciΓ³n de Andre 3000 (que publicΓ³ el fundamental Skantonia con Outkast) ella se volcΓ³ en este MamaΒ΄s gun.
El largo, en duraciΓ³n, tema inicial Penitentiary Philosophy da paso al sencillo DidΒ΄nt cha know, elegante como pocos y producido por el gran J Dilla en donde samplea magistralment Β«DreamflowerΒ» de Tarika.
Blue My life que suena a TLC actualizadas.
A.D 2000, dedicada a Amadou Diallo, aquel inmigrante asesinado por error por la policia neoyorquina a finales de siglo.
β¦& On remite a su Γ©xito On & On, actualizΓ‘ndolo.
Bag Lady otro de sus Γ©xitos es gospel pero revestido de seda.
Green Eyes es un jazz improvisado con la trompeta del difunto Roy Hargrove .
No tuvo el Γ©xtio de su debut, pero se ganΓ³ la eternidad.
👍
May 22 2025
5
How have I never listened to her before? This is so fantastic.
👍
May 14 2025
5
feels like one endlessly morphing and perfectly continuous god-tier drum groove until orange moon, at which point theres so much open space it almost freaks me out, but because it holds to this evolution (even as it gradually re-introduces the drums) it just makes the whole thing so melty and intoxicating by the end. just a great, great flex of production and performance, feels like the language of soul being pushed into something rly distinct and even years later still just clearly vibrantly creative. a rly good beneficiary of the bloated cd-era tracklist too...it rly just seems to grow in power the more time u inhabit it!
👍
May 14 2025
5
Such a nice discovery
Iβll listen more of her for sure !
👍
May 11 2025
5
Damn
👍
Apr 08 2025
5
IncreΓble, RnB en estado puro, voz ΓΊnica.
👍
Apr 02 2025
5
Soft R&B. This album put me to sleep, but in a good way. It was a very chill vibe throughout that I really liked.
👍
Apr 02 2025
5
This one brings back memories. Canβt believe itβs 25 years old π±π±! Erykah just puts you in a mood with her jazzy yet funky inflections. An album for the dance floor and at times bedroom.
👍
Mar 27 2025
5
just solid all around, love that distinct voice. i actually heard this album for the first time over two years ago, but in all that time since i didn't realize that track 8 ('kiss me on my neck') didn't download with the rest of the album, so that was a nice surprise. orange moon is an all-time r&b song!
👍
Feb 20 2025
5
Amazing. So good. An analog girl in a digital world.
👍
Feb 13 2025
5
Loved it. Really cool, chill vibes, a ton of instruments.
👍
Feb 05 2025
5
Gruv
👍
Feb 04 2025
5
A really excellent r&b album. I tend not to listen to these kind of records in full and usually on a playlist and Iβve heard random tracks throughout my life such as orange moon , booty, didnβt cha know and a.d. 2000. But the record as a whole is so complete. Easy on the ears for beautiful vibes but lots of variety of instrumentation and genres of jazz, soul, funk and some pop sensibility. Sensual, groovy/funky and just excellently written and performed. My life, green eyes, in love with you and times aβwasting are also all great
👍
Jan 28 2025
5
bare rate it
👍
Jan 26 2025
5
It took me way too long in life to realize how amazing Erykah Badu is.
👍
Jan 22 2025
5
Another reason why I'm doing this list. Absolutely loved this and had never heard it before
👍
Jan 22 2025
5
Not to put too much of an emphasis on comparing them, but after getting βThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hillβ a few days ago, I said that I thought it was great, but couldnβt entirely see why it was THAT good. This is very much not the case for βMamaβs Gunβ, an album that seemingly has βSPECIALβ radiating out of every moment of it.
The first thing big strength of the record is the fact it contains one of the best album openers ever in the form of the imperious psychedelic funk assault that is βPenitentiary Philosophyβ, a song of such humungous scale that it leaves Erykah Badu audibly and spiritually towering above us mere mortals by the end. The majority of the album is performed from a similar height, with one immaculately produced and perfectly controlled dose of sensual neo soul after another, never outstaying their welcome or being anything less than perfect. Badu performs these songs as if floating somewhere above the listeners head in a large translucent bubble, sounding both intimate and just out of reach.
Admittedly, the quieter and more acoustic guitar led second half, in which Badu gradually descends back down to earth, probably does drag a bit. This section does still bring with it its own moments of astonishment, and what came before was so good that any moments of vague tedium hardly even matter.
Thereβs just something really pure about this entire album; a perfectly realised outpouring of relentless creativity that seemingly flowed out of Badu on a barely conscious level.
No skits either (take note Lauryn Hill, take note!)
👍
Jan 16 2025
5
I had never listened to this full album before, this was absolutely fantastic. I wasn't expecting the Betty Davis style Funk opener, "Penitentiary Philosophy" hit so hard! And then into the absolutely classic "Didn't Cha Know". And then it just stays perfect all the way through the epic closer, "Green Eyes". This was a great reminder that I need to listen to more Erykah Badu.
👍
Jan 16 2025
5
Soup for the soul
👍
Dec 22 2024
5
Wow, incredible music. Some of the best R&B I've heard with some outstanding backing music. I enjoyed TLC and Destiny's Child for what they are, but this was a whole new level. My favorites were A.D. 2000 and Green Eyes. These songs are oozing with style and tell great stories, so much more than typical love shlop that appears on similar tracks.
👍
Dec 02 2024
5
Mamaβs Gun
Incredible album. Favorite songs are Green Eyes, Didnβt cha know, and penitentiary philosophy.
5
👍
Dec 02 2024
5
Love this album, this has been one of my favs since high school. So original and so vibey. Love her voice and the writing and arrangements are so cool. Such a good listen all the way through
👍
Nov 22 2024
5
The flow here is absolutely incredible. I adore how well each song leads into the next and how groovy everything is. Vibes and vocals are immaculate. It's simplicity moves mountains. Favorites were Cleva and Green Eyes
👍
Nov 22 2024
5
This is the kind of album you wouldnβt mind getting stuck inside the CD player. The whole thing has a great flow to it, and the instrumentation is super crispy sounding. Especially those drums and the flute. Her voice is really good as well.
👍
Nov 21 2024
5
Definicija glatkog. Jedan od vrhunaca soulquariansa
👍
Nov 15 2024
5
Long life the Queen! This brilliant example of Neo soul has aged like fine wine. It is as solid now as it was groundbreaking back then. I'll keep exploring Badu's discography.
Her legacy should not be understated. It seems that her legacy has been taken for granted. 9/10
👍
Oct 23 2024
5
Itβs fucking Erykah Badu.
Is there more to say? No. Just pure perfection π©π©
👍
Oct 17 2024
5
This one is pushing a 5, but I donβt think it quite gets there yet. Album flew by; did not feel like over an hour. Production and vocals were beautiful. Didnβt pay much attention to what was being said, but honestly didnβt need to. I mainly just hear a song when it is played. It takes a lot for me to listen and digest every element, especially on the first listen. Ah fuck it this one will get a 5.
👍
Oct 16 2024
5
I love this album. Erykhas eccentricity really gets out in her lyrics and vocals mixed with the neo-soul sound of the 90ies. Simply gorgeous
👍
Oct 04 2024
5
shes a genius fr
👍
Sep 26 2024
5
Orange moon. Green eyes. caught my attention. Whole album is really good if i went back could prob find more songs to add. Some similarities between beats in sum songs other than that great album. 8/10
👍
Sep 22 2024
5
Incredible
👍
Sep 18 2024
5
Such a wonderful voice and a beautiful album.
👍
Sep 18 2024
5
Good way to get more of the Soulquarian/Jay Dilla vibe.
👍
Sep 18 2024
5
I just love neo soul. Iβm biased, but happy to be. Erykah Badu is so sick.
👍
Sep 10 2024
5
Funky!
👍
Aug 16 2024
5
This just feels like a natural evolution of jazz. Incredible instrumentation. Her voice is perfect for this style and content.
This is an album that just feels really comfortable to me, even though I've never listened to it before. And it really just makes me happy.
Favorite Song(s): ...& On, Orange Moon, Time's A Wastin, Green Eyes
👍
Aug 02 2024
5
I first saw Erykah Badu in Blues brothers 2000 - a film whose soundtrack is way superior to its content.
I then followed her up. Sheβs never done a dud album.
👍
Aug 02 2024
5
HER honey sweet voice - sexy funk warmed until its dripping
👍
Jul 31 2024
5
Mamaβs Gun is Erykahβs second album I believe and my absolute favorite. Iβm definitely a fan of Ms. Badu and listen to her music often. Iβve seen her in concert and heard these songs sang live many, many times. My favorite had to be βDidnβt Cha Know.β The introduction is just so amazing. Itβs pure nostalgia and bliss every time I listen to this album. Iβll forever be a fan.
👍
Jul 19 2024
5
Pretty sweet record.
👍
Jun 17 2024
5
my eyes are GREENNNN
👍
Jun 13 2024
5
I loved this. Great voice, funky songs, an enjoyable listen all around. I will keep this on the back burner for the future.
👍
Jun 13 2024
5
This may not be something I listen to every day. But I am sure as hell glad I listened to it today!
👍
Jun 07 2024
5
It took awhile for me to come around by I was sold by Booty. That track and Orange Moon were absolute standouts but I just vibes with this while project.
Do yourself and favor and listen on something with proper bass to it. Phone speakers really don't do this justice. Get a dose of your favorite poison (weed, whiskey, whatever), find a cozy couch and a good set of speakers and just chill for 70 minutes.
👍
Jun 01 2024
5
Very good, very smooth.
👍
May 31 2024
5
What a bloody find! Incredible album! Proper journey! There I was thinking badu was like an 80s Beverly Knight! Revelation! 4.7
👍
May 23 2024
5
Fuck, this album is incredible!!!! ?uestlove is perfect on drums, love the snare sound. Badu has killer songs and a great voice. It's for albums like this that I love the generator, because I otherwise would have never heard this
👍
May 19 2024
5
A bona-fide classic
👍
May 12 2024
5
Bang bang. Fucking brilliant. Vaguely aware of her but glad I got thrown into this one today. Great stuff.
👍
Apr 11 2024
5
Dope Album
👍
Apr 07 2024
5
Amazing! I loved the sound and the vocals, and the lyrics were interesting.
👍