Reviewing the album for The Observer, Steve Yates selected the song as a highlight and lauded it as "classic Kanye", alongside stating the " folk-rock vocal" has potential to "net butterflies". Sean Fennessey of Pitchfork saw the song as "traditionally purty" due to the prominence of handclaps and "a flittering sample" of "Today Won't Come Again", labeling it a typical West production and also appreciating "the Brion redux". The song was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, often being praised for its musical style. On August 30, 2005, "Hey Mama" was released as the sixteenth track on West's second studio album Late Registration. Kanye West also mentions that she had to work at night to keep the lights on. He makes a promise to Donda of going back to school, as well as pleading to cry. Kanye details how Donda supported him despite him doing the opposite of what she wanted, alongside depicting how he desired nothing due to her hard work as a single parent. Lyrically, the song serves as a tribute to Donda from Kanye. Additional vocals are provided on the song by singer John Legend, who performs in a low key. The song closes with synthesizers, contributed by Brion. On the hook, Leace's "la-la-la" vocals from "Today Won't Come Again" are looped, accompanied by harmonies. The song also includes a moaning vocoder, Tin Pan Alley-styled drums, and an xylophone solo, all of which were contributed by Brion. Alongside the sample, handclaps are featured throughout. The song is based around a sample of the 1972 track "Today Won't Come Again", as written and performed by American musician Donal Leace. Problems playing this file? See media help. On the hook, the "la-la-la" vocals are looped alongside harmonies. Composition and lyrics Ī snippet of "Hey Mama", showcasing the sample of "Today Won't Come Again" by Donal Leace, handclaps, and drums evoking Tin Pan Alley towards the end of the song. In June 2003, prior to the release of West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004), he revealed that he had recorded the song in 2000 and was already saving it for Late Registration. According to Kanye West, she cried upon her first listen to the song. Kanye has often paid tribute to Donda in his music, especially on "Hey Mama". Speaking of Donda's involvement in his career, Kanye said she "always kept me around music" and "was also my first manager". She worked with the mother of record producer No I.D., who became Kanye's mentor after they met through her. Donda had been aware of Kanye's musical interest for a long time, having accepted his offer for an hour of studio time when he was 13 years old. Kanye's mother Donda West helped support his dreams of creating music, following on from him dropping out of college completely. The producer recalled West taking charge of production with his strong vision and mentioned the rapper's "quick, intuitive decisions". Brion imagined people commenting that West has "gone off his rocker" and envisioning him making "an art record with some crazy, left-field music guy", clarifying this not to be "the case whatsoever".
West enlisted him to work on Late Registration, marking Brion's first involvement in a hip hop project, with the decision creating confused reactions across his fanbase. The pair became connected via their mutual friend Rick Rubin West quickly phoned Brion and they instantly formed chemistry with each other. West became a fan of singer-songwriter Fiona Apple whom Brion had produced for while watching 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, he appreciated Brion's score. Brion had achieved fame from his distinctive production work for artists and film scores for auteurs, though was lacking experience in hip hop. The song's production was handled by West, alongside record producer and composer Jon Brion.
Kanye West performed the song in memory of Donda throughout his Glow in the Dark Tour (2008), while he also sang it as a tribute to her at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards that year. It has since been certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song reached numbers 9 and 64 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Hot Canadian Digital Singles charts in 20, respectively. A few commended the sample of "Today Won't Come Again", though critical commentary towards the concept was somewhat mixed. "Hey Mama" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who mostly praised its musical style.
In the lyrics of the song, Kanye pays tribute to Donda West. A ballad, it contains a sample of Donal Leace's "Today Won't Come Again". The song was produced by West and Jon Brion. West recorded the song in 2000, specifically intending for it to be included on the album. The song includes additional vocals from John Legend.
" Hey Mama" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his second studio album, Late Registration (2005).