Mad

Album: A Seat at the Table (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Solange exploring black emotional vulnerability, as she questions why African Americans are always seen as angry. It follows the interlude "Dad Was Mad" where her father Matthew Knowles recounts his childhood experiences of racism, which made him an angry young man.
  • The song features a verse from Lil Wayne where the New Orleans native lists some of things that have made him mad. The two artists previously linked up for "Champagnechroniknightcap," a track from Solange's 2008 album, Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams.
  • Lil Wayne addresses in his verse his suicide attempt at age 12 when he shot himself in the chest.

    And when I attempted suicide
    I didn't die I remember how mad I was on that day


    Wayne previously addressed his suicide attempt on the 2015 track "London Roads."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.