All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Ink Blot Magazine

It's everything we say we want in music: gutsy, introspective, innovative, bold, real in a way that few other albums even try to be...

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100

Village Voice (Consumer Guide)

She scores over and over on 14-tracks-in-72-minutes that miss maybe twice and only seem long-winded when she gives the flautist some.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

But if Badu is worried about proving anything, her sophomore album Mama's Gun doesn't let it show. A little grittier and with just the right amount of added ambition, Mama's Gun picks up where Baduizm left off.... Factor in the deceptively simple arrangements, a lovely breakup suite ("Green Eyes"), and near-infinite replay value, and it becomes clear that it'll take at least another three years for the world to catch up with this one, too.

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Launch.com

The production, lyrics, and hooks make this an impressive sophomore effort from Ms. Badu.

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PopMatters

A definite work of art, destined to remain in heavy rotation for some time to come.

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Sonicnet

But what makes Badu a source of deep pride for her black audience (and intriguing puzzlement for her ever-growing white one) is that her mysticism produces its most compelling poetry when set against gritty realities such as drug-dealing boyfriends, jealous neighbors, ghetto etiquette, and the constant war on poverty. As a songwriter, Badu's particular gift is being able to work such everyday touchstones into sublime allusions of spiritual rebirth.

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Billboard

On the 14-track "Mama's Gun," Badu mixes a little rock, some jazz, and a whole lot of soul.

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Rolling Stone

Mama's Gun finds Erykah disrobing emotionally, shedding the self-righteousness and goddess posture that marked Baduizm. The new Erykah isn't teaching, she's dealing with regular-person baggage.

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Vibe

Beyond Badu's self-appointed role as a teacher, what she does best is create really good music.... It should come as no surprise that Mama's Gun's organic feel comes from the team that helped produce D'Angelo's Voodoo. However, the most important sound of all is her unmistakable voice, making all of her songs like ornately crafted gems - even the unintelligible ones.

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Armchair DJ

The overlong LP... reveals an artist who could use some discipline, but there's enough melody, wit and funk hidden among these 14 tracks to brighten any R&B fan's Christmas.

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Dot Music

The Dallas native has created a womb of an album. It's a warm, soft, retreat from the outside world. Reading between the lines, this means no hits.... [but] reading the printed lyrics shows what a wonderful poet she is.

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CDNow

Mama's Gun wisely doesn't stray too far from the free-flowing R&B of Baduizm: Almost every track here is slinky, scat-influenced soul with rich female backing voices, seeded with the occasional string section, trumpet, or sample (most notably Dr. Dre's "Xxplosive"). Lyrically, most of Mama's Gun rings true, with "Bag Lady," the somewhat draggy first single on which Badu dispenses soulful advice to a homeless woman, as the sole exception.

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Entertainment Weekly

Mama's Gun is the female companion to D'Angelo's ''Voodoo,'' with which it shares a reactionary pseudo- sophistication that too often substitutes good taste for good tunes. It's soul music for people who -- wrongly -- think rap is dumb and contemporary R&B is simplistic. Unlike D'Angelo, however, Badu has a nuanced voice that pokes through the bland surfaces; sometimes she manages moments worthy of her forebears, as on the slinky ''Bag Lady'' and the syncopated ''Booty.''

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Neumu.net

The songs on Mama's Gun slip from one to the next effortlessly, coming together as a set of sedate, buttery-smooth grooves.

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Q Magazine

Baduizm was a remarkable starting point... It may have been too much to expect her to emulate it, but there's not quite enough here.

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Mojo

Her sinuous, Lady Dayish voice sets her apart. Unfortunately, it's not to be heard in full effect until about a third of the way through Mama's Gun... [Jan 2001, p.104]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.8 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

D H. gave it a10:
I luv it. U can get up and groove to it its amazing.

Majik Majik gave it a10:
Under-appreciated classic album.

Cherron T gave it a10:
I love this CD!

Shem J gave it a10:
One of the best R&B albums I own. Musical masterpiece. Brilliant. And I don't dish out compliments to everybody, either.

Monica C gave it a 10:
This is a timeless, timeless masterpiece.

Nisha G gave it a 10:
from the moment i listened to mamas gun in virgin on the headphones,i knew what treat i was in for at home.so i bought it.every song is like a poem,its unreal.no1 in ireland even knows who she is,its a shame.shes amazing.i listen to it every nite,and orange moon is my absolute favourite.

Vernisha gave it a 10:
This album is the absolute BEST! It helped me through a tramatic breakup and helped me loved myself all over again. I listen to her every night and always find something new, different, and inspiring in the songs.

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Mama's Gun

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