APPRECIATING OUR MOTHERS WITH 2PAC: A REVIEW OF DEAR MAMA

By Evans Tawiah Because of societal stereotype and prejudice, the media and the world at-times, only look at what they refer to as responsible people in society, and what they think about their mothers during mother’s days. Hardly would you see a street boy been interviewed on mother’s day to find out their feelings towards that institution called motherhood, because, we think these people don’t give a damn about mothers for one reason or the other. The picture painted above seems to suggest that, these unlucky ones in our society did not come from women and therefore are indifferent about mothers. As we celebrate this year’s mother’s day, I will want us to take a look at one of the world’s street boy and his attitude towards motherhood, by reviewing a song by 2Pac titled “Dear Mama. Unless you don’t like rap music or you like it but don’t understand their words because of how fast they go sometimes, you will put 2Pac’s “Dear mama on reply till the season, mother’s day elapses. As a music lover, if I’m not afraid, the only equivalence to Dear mama in terms of mother’s appreciation is Maame by Obrafo. THE REVIEW OF THE SONG Tupac Amaru Shakur was born in June 16, 1971 and later, died in September 13, 1996, he is also known by his stage names, Makaveli and 2Pac, was an American hip-hop artist, poet and actor. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling rap/hip-hop artist ever, having sold over 75 million albums worldwide, including 44.5 million sales in the United States alone. He has had 17 top ten singles in the United States. 2Pac, to me, did sing almost about any discipline under the sun: from thug life, revolutions, politics, discrimination against the black folks, gospel and what have. He started his music career as a had core and a shah rapper, so he lived a life of his music by referring to himself as a gangster or a thug. But one of the turning points in his musical life and for that matter his life was the coming out of the legendary song “Dear Mama”. The song Dear Mama, is a typical RnB rap music which starts with rap line: “You are appreciated. When I was young me and my mama had beef 17 years old kicked out on the streets Though back at the time I never thought I'd see her face Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place Suspended from school, scared to go home I was a fool with the big boys, breaking' all the rules Shed tears with my baby sister Over the years we were poorer than the other little kids And even though we had different daddies The same drama, when things went wrong we blamed mama I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell Hugging' on my mama from a jail cell And who'd think in elementary, hey I'd see the penitentiary One day, running' from the police that's right Mama catch me, put a whooping' to my backside And even as a crack fiend mama You always was a black queen mama I finally understand for a woman it ain't easy trying' to raise a man You always was committed, a poor single mother on welfare Tell me how you did it, there's no way I can pay you back But the plan is to show you that I understand You are appreciated. The line, “ When I was young me and my mama had beef” I believe remind everybody of the times when you had some problems with your mother and as a kid you thought you were always right and Maame was wrong and didn’t like you. Just like 2Pac, he never understood his mum until he grew up and that is where he begun to appreciate Madam Alice Faye Williams. Once again, that is where he begun to meditate upon how a poor single mother could manage two bad kids thus 2Pac and his sister who is also known as Sekyiwa Shukur by saying: “I finally understand for a woman it ain't easy trying' to raise a man You always was committed, a poor single mother on welfare Tell me how you did it, there's no way I can pay you back But the plan is to show you that I understand, you appreciated. The review of the song Dear Mama would be continued but my request to you is that, sing the chorus below to that woman or mother in your life and at least ask how she mange the ups and downs in your life Lady, don't you know we love you. (Dear Mama) Sweet lady, place no one above you. (You are appreciated) Sweet lady, don't you know we love you. As it stands now, my mother would have been a rich woman if she didn’t spend all she had on my legs just to make sure I can walk again. My final world to all mothers who lost all in order to have their children alive is, may the almighty God help them to hold on for a longer life because there is a brighter day a heard.