Mama Told Me

Album: Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first single from Outkast member Big Boi's second solo album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, is a collaboration with Kelly Rowland, who provides vocals on the hook and bridge. It was originally Yukimi Nagano that sung on this electro-funk groover and she, along with the rest of her group, Little Dragon. performed the song with Big Boi in Austin, Texas, at an August 2012 event hosted by The Fader. The Swedish songstress explained why Little Dragon were removed from the track in favor Rowland in a statement (via Billboardmagazine). "The whole collaboration was an amazing creative experience," she said. "Unfortunately, business terms out of our control got in the way, and an agreement couldn't be reached in time for our version of the track to be released."
  • Big Boi explained to The Boombox that the Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors album title is a dedication of sorts to his recently deceased grandmother. "She was the matriarch of our family," he said, "She used to always say, 'If you gon' tell it, you've gotta tell it all. Might f--- some households up but you've got to tell it all, because it's a lot of s--- floating around.' That was gonna be the name of her book or movie that she did. This album's really a search for the truth and I am that."
  • Speaking on MTV's RapFix Live, Big Boi called this track, a "feel-good ode to your momma."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.