Mama's Gun

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.

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.

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.

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.

I'm not the biggest fan of R&B, but Mrs. Badu's magic drips from this record.

This album SLAPS. What a sweet, laid back, groovy 2000's R&B vibe. Definitely coming back to this one!

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.

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

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

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

She's such a badass. And this album is so good. Funky and soulful.

So very groovy and seemlessly interesting

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.

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.

Melted into the background. and all warbling sounded the same to me in the end. One line that stuck out, “I have green eyes because I eat vegetables”. She has brown eyes on the album sleeve. Sorry for being glib.

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.

As is often the case with the albums listed here, what starts with the promise of freshness quickly deteriorates into the repetitive.

Just nothing special, way too long and not memorable

❤️!

I may have fallen asleep during this album, but my dreams were nice

couldnt stand the growing pains🍏

Made me convert to baduism

Lovely, calming, easy listening.. beautiful songs, beautiful lyrics, soul healing..

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.

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

No disrespect to Erykah Badu, this is a fine album, but the 70 minute, CD-era album just doesn’t work for me anymore. If there’s one thing I’m realizing through out the course of this list is that there’s nothing better than a 40 minute lp. Otherwise, Mama’s Gun is a fun and funky album, even if it runs a little too long for my taste.

This was definitely different than most of the albums on this list. Not bad, but not something I would want to listen to often.

The first half of this record is so fuckin good. It really lags around the second half but still great overall.

Liked it plenty. Good groove for whole album. No standouts no duds.

So very very long. Sadly it turns the listen into a chore and while I didn’t necessarily dislike the album, there was very little on there that would make me go back for for 2nd listen

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.

You remove the vocals, it sounds like soundtrack for some VHS porn tape

Black intelligent people music and I am white

Never even heard of it before. Left me cold. In fact I hated it. 1 Star

Increíble, RnB en estado puro, voz única.

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.

This one brings back memories. Can’t believe it’s 25 years old 😱😱! Erykah just puts you in a mood with her jazzy yet funky inflections. An album for the dance floor and at times bedroom.

Amazing. So good. An analog girl in a digital world.

Loved it. Really cool, chill vibes, a ton of instruments.

Gruv

A really excellent r&b album. I tend not to listen to these kind of records in full and usually on a playlist and I’ve heard random tracks throughout my life such as orange moon , booty, didn’t 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 a’wasting are also all great

bare rate it

It took me way too long in life to realize how amazing Erykah Badu is.

Another reason why I'm doing this list. Absolutely loved this and had never heard it before

Not to put too much of an emphasis on comparing them, but after getting ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ a few days ago, I said that I thought it was great, but couldn’t entirely see why it was THAT good. This is very much not the case for ‘Mama’s Gun’, an album that seemingly has ‘SPECIAL’ 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 ‘Penitentiary Philosophy’, 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. There’s 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!)

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.

Soup for the soul

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.

Mama’s Gun Incredible album. Favorite songs are Green Eyes, Didn’t cha know, and penitentiary philosophy. 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

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

This is the kind of album you wouldn’t 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.

Definicija glatkog. Jedan od vrhunaca soulquariansa

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

It’s fucking Erykah Badu. Is there more to say? No. Just pure perfection 😩😩

This one is pushing a 5, but I don’t think it quite gets there yet. Album flew by; did not feel like over an hour. Production and vocals were beautiful. Didn’t pay much attention to what was being said, but honestly didn’t 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.

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

shes a genius fr

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

Incredible

Such a wonderful voice and a beautiful album.

Good way to get more of the Soulquarian/Jay Dilla vibe.

I just love neo soul. I’m biased, but happy to be. Erykah Badu is so sick.

Funky!

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

I first saw Erykah Badu in Blues brothers 2000 - a film whose soundtrack is way superior to its content. I then followed her up. She’s never done a dud album.

HER honey sweet voice - sexy funk warmed until its dripping

Mama’s Gun is Erykah’s second album I believe and my absolute favorite. I’m definitely a fan of Ms. Badu and listen to her music often. I’ve seen her in concert and heard these songs sang live many, many times. My favorite had to be ‘Didn’t Cha Know.’ The introduction is just so amazing. It’s pure nostalgia and bliss every time I listen to this album. I’ll forever be a fan.

Pretty sweet record.

my eyes are GREENNNN

I loved this. Great voice, funky songs, an enjoyable listen all around. I will keep this on the back burner for the future.

This may not be something I listen to every day. But I am sure as hell glad I listened to it today!

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.

Very good, very smooth.

What a bloody find! Incredible album! Proper journey! There I was thinking badu was like an 80s Beverly Knight! Revelation! 4.7

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

A bona-fide classic

Bang bang. Fucking brilliant. Vaguely aware of her but glad I got thrown into this one today. Great stuff.

Dope Album

Amazing! I loved the sound and the vocals, and the lyrics were interesting.

To be confirmed when I can listen again

Erykah is always a vibe. she rarely if ever misses, this is a wonderful listen from start to finish, I know her style gets lost on some but its what keeps me coming back. Orange Moon is a fantastic wind down song.

My favorite Erykah Badu album. Just a vibe from top to bottom. ❤️❤️

Embarrassingly, this is my first time listening to an Erykah Badu album, though I've heard her on other artists' records. It won't be the last. Sweet, smooth, and soulful.

On & on, & on, & on, & on, & on, & on, & on, & on, & on, & on... Knew about this one before. Dont feel like ALL of the tracks hit right, but some really do. So imma be giving it the V, vhich also stands for very iconic. ...Or vacuum. Whichever floats your boat.

Didn’t know any of Badu’s music before listening to the album so was pleasantly surprised. Really cool soul album.

This is awesome.

I've never actually listened to Erykah Badu despite the immense praise. The first son on this album, "Penitentiary Philosophy", is an absolute banger. The soulfulness of her voice and the intensity of the accompanying music hits you right in the face. It has a lot of the musical vides of Stevie Wonder but with more attitude. Little decisions in presentation as she sings make her songs so good. I'm not sure if it's how the words are supposed to be pronounced, but at about 1:00 in track 4 ("...& On"), she sings "Zika deka del" and the way she does it adds a flourish that makes the song that much better.

Bag Lady

Okay, this was a great musical journey! Very, very impressed by this album. It might be a bit long, but it's so, so good! And what a great roster of musicians present on this album. All together it makes for an incredible timeless record, one I will definitely come back to! Standout tracks: Penitentiary Philosophy, Didn't Cha Know, Cleva, Booty, Kiss Me On My Neck, Bag Lady, In Love With You, Time's A Wastin, Green Eyes 9 out of 10

Toller R&B!

Love it! Love her!

I love Erykah

The era of the Soulquarians: A period of like-minded individuals (such as Questlove, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, etc), each with their distinct talent across the music spectrum coming together to create some of the greatest Hip Hop, R&B, and Soul music ever made that continues to be impactful and timeless across the decades since its creation period. Context is important and its supremely important to know this period so one can appreciate the creation of Mama's Gun. It was constructed and executed at this moment in time and it continued on the ongoing momentum of what the Soulquarians were musically bringing to the table. This album is the definition of "old fashioned soul". As soon as it starts it sucks you in with its atmosphere, and at the very end of the journey you come out feeling lighter. Ms. Badu's puts all of her soul into this one and it becomes a kind of R&B therapy session required for the community. One of the greatest creations to come out of the early 21st century. One of the greatest R&B albums ever made. 5 OUT OF 5 FUCKING STARS.

A masterpiece of modern soul music. The instrumentals are gorgeous and funky, and her vocals evoke so much emotion..

Now this is the modern funk hip hop fusion I need. I LOVE how she sings, every song is full of personality. It sounds good today. So happy with it, the closest thing I’ve heard to this is the miseducation of Lauryn hill. I’m not sure which one I like more

Exceptional. Truly enjoyed the entire album.

Really like this! Great vibe, instrumentation (I’m a sucker for Rhodes), production. I like the lyrics and personal style to the singing. It’s so smooth. Orange Moon especially just sits so well in the atmosphere of the track. I could listen to it all day. So comforting. Basically everything A.D. 2000 and on is really good Neo-Soul. Lovin’ it. Above 4 but is it a 4.5? Tricky territory! It’s got a slight edge over Maxwell because it’s a tad more real. I feel like this is right there with Kiwanuka, though it’s more soulful and less psyche. It might even be better. Especially considering its age. I’m going 4.5.

Huhhuh on tää kova. Groovaa niin hemmetisti. En duunissa pääse ihan tarpeeksi chilliksi, mutta kotona toimi taas 5/5.

"In Love With You" was a really amazing song. All of these were terrific. I loved her voice, style, and the bluesy/R&B/soul vibe to this entire album. This was a really wonderful surprise.