After his much talked about performance at last weekend’s 50th annual Grammy awards, DJBooth is proud to feature Kanye West’ live version of Hey Mama, a dedication to his mother, Dr. Donda West, who tragically passed away on November 11th of last year. Following a Glow In The Dark Tour-preview rendition of the Graduation chart-topping single, Stronger, West began the single-verse rendition of a song he wrote for his mother prior to the release of his second studio album, Late Registration. The Chicagoan walked away with several Grammy’s on the night, however, to everyone’s amazement, one of them did not include a trophy for ‘Album of the Year.’
Kanye RIPPED the Grammy stage. He should have had the opportunity to do that for the MTV Music Awards, haha. I admire that fact that Kanye isn't afraid to express his emotions about subjects that the typical rapper won't even touch. This version of "Hey Mama" is a lot more sincere and passionate as you can hear Kanye's outpour through his simple hook. Kanye makes hip-hop music that the entire world can listen to, his music is universal and that's why he's running away with all the rewards (well, most of them).
7574Lyfe, please stop rating on DJ BOOTH period. If you are going to give this song one star, at least have the courage to say why. I take it you probably haven't ever heard the original or your just totally ignorant to the facts of quality music (and you are probably like "he's singing off key"), not knowing that Kanye is a freakin rapper. How dumb. But anyways, everyone knows this gets 5 stars, period. Wish this was simply the Live performance recording though...he should've released that. I hope someone will soon. Now that would definitely get 10 stars from me.
couldnt agree with you meo machealhannah. dis song is off da chain and some1 hu doesnt rate it highly is out of theirmind. dis is one of the best songs kanye ever brought out, both da remix and original. I agree wid DJ ROB also, some1 hu can dedicate da grammys to his mother wen other artist just wana talk about stupid fake shit has to get 5 stars
wow...i really dont think kanye's voice is bad at all (compared to eminem's "hailie's song")...his voice is very pure and i can hear the feeling in it...sad but wonderful
Kanye is one of the few rappers who don't sound completely horrible when they try to sing. When I saw this on the Grammy's it was fraught with real emotion; which we seldom see in hiphop. I feel this really overshadowed his stronger performance, which was well done, but didn't have the effect of 'rocking the place out' like he wanted.
I definitely feel for kanye and said a prayer for him while going through this time. As a song, I'm not really feeling it, but it is great for him to get all of his feelings out there and it is probably the best way for him to cope with everything during this time. I honestly wouldn't want to listen to the song again, so I can't put it in rotation...I guess it's ok...
give it up for his courage and strength during this time...and what was up with the people from the grammys who starting playing the "rap it up" music when he won the award for i think best rap album or best album while he was giving praise to his mama...
do you honestly realize how hard this must have been to do live? damn son, that's a strong human being right there, and he sings real good on this too, I can feel so much emotion on this track, I would listen to it at home, but wouldn't bump it in the ride lol. still, quality track, man is too choice!
Honestly I love Kanye, I believe he is a true poet in our world today and he makes soulful music, but the orginal was fine compared to this it was very soft and it seem like Kanye was singing and rapping accapella. R.I.P. Donda West!
jus good music. anyone who hates doesnt get music... im not trying to bash... but music aint all to dance to, aint all to bump to... i cant honestly call much modern music beautiful. this is. its chill n down to earth. could jus listen ovr n ovr...
the best song ever dedicated to mothers everywhere...I could feel his pain through it and I could understand how he feels... You only get one mama and u should love her like u should love god... Real talk... and to all the people who don't feel this song... I'd like 2 see u perform a song this beautiful and close to your heart 2 months after your mother died on the biggest stage in the music industry... Thank you Kayne for a classic and thank the late Donda West for raising a smart and successful son...R.I.P.
great... better than the original.. alot more emotion.. kanye ripped the stage at the grammys.. yea he def should have had the opportunity at the MTV music awards.. spears sucked
Hes great. this is deep and was great when he did it at the grammy's. Only reason this isn't 5 stars is that I didnt like his cockiness at the grammy's.
I love this track ! I dont think people understand How HUGE that was for Kanye to perform that song on the grammys for his mother!!! That was so dope , but at the same time it was very sad. I think Kanye is one of the only artist out now ,pushin the limits with his music. Keep it up 'ye !! Hiphop will not DIE !!
man yall that are hatin...imagine how hard it would be to perform this song...let alone live at the grammys...he slowed it down for his mom to show respect and love...dont get it twisted
i thought that his grammy performance was moving...very very sad ordeal for him...this song was a nice tribute to his later mother who obviously meant so much to him...its jus so sad to listen 2 tho....a nigga bout ta cry!!!!! but with that said i do luv it....he put his heart into this song...wonderful.... i luv everything about janye...his cockyness and all...most people dont but this song shows that he is human and capable of real human emotions...go kanye!!!!!
I started watching the Grammys when Kanye was performing. I didn’t know his mom died when I was watching this live on TV. I thought he was being great as always (like on Late Orchestration concert)… but something felt weird… too damn moving to be just performance… and then I checked on the internet and finally got what was going on. This man is great!
...he's not a gud live singer at all.. so i dunno wut yall talk-n about about him do-n gud sing-n at da Grammys and when i watched it he sucked!! (don't hate on me plez...i have enough of dat already)-im just express-n my opinion-don't get mad!
...one more thing people- everybody dies...wut makes his mom dy-n more hard to handle and more sad. Im sure we've all had somebody close 2 us die b4 and not had the whole world cry about it.
i agree wit dj blaze.i really feel for u kanye.but as a song.this was one of the worst vocal writing u did.sounds like u put all ur feeling and heart into this song and i respect that.but istead of making a song.its more ways to express ur feeling.keep up th good work kanye.
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