Mama's Gun - Erykah Badu
Mama's Gun Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. The songs on Mama's Gun slip from one to the next effortlessly, coming together as a set of sedate, buttery-smooth grooves.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. DH.
    10
    I luv it. U can get up and groove to it its amazing.
  2. BrandiC.
    10
    This albumis a classic.
  3. I listened to this album more than any other during the 00's
  4. A freaking genius album that put Erykah on the map for me, and to this day remains a default go to record when I can't decide what to listen to, because I can listen to it in nearly any circumstance or mood. She hits political without getting preachy, and emotional without losing the sexy. Expand

See all 17 User Reviews