GENIUS
Sign Up
Madonna (And Other Mothers in the Hood) Lupe Fiasco (Ft. Nikki Jean) – Madonna (And Other Mothers in the Hood)
Song Bio 6 Contributors ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

“Madonna” is derived from the Italian term “ma donna,” meaning “my lady.” Lupe draws parallels between the Virgin Mary, and mothers raising children in ghetto neighborhoods. They fear their children will become victims of city violence, just as Mary feared Jesus' persecution. The imagery of a mother holding her deceased son at the end of the song mirrors that of Mary at Jesus' crucifixion.

Lupe’s fixation with The Bible on T&Y, as well as visual art, explains why he substituted the English word Mary in favor of Madonna. It’s also worth noting that the three songs all appear back-to-back on the albums tracklist, and that Lupe rearranged the titles to tweet:

https://twitter.com/lupefiasco/status/550728084094062592

We can thank Lupe’s longtime friend Bishop G for this song. You can also check out the music video here.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +39 Downvote
Copy Embed
Default_avatar_100

496,990

9 years

Might want to point out the music video was a junkie mother being taken care of by her son with the final scene being him pick up her unconscious body and bringing her home.

Upvote +5 Downvote
Default_avatar_100

496,990

9 years

i might be misremembering the video ending though but it was along those lines

Upvote +0 Downvote
Show 1 more suggestion
Duck Alright HALO – Duck Alright
Song Bio 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

HaLo’s riding off into the city, leaving his problems behind him…

HaLo released the video (directed by CamBe) on Dec 9 2015 – he tweeted this to describe peoples' reactions:
https://twitter.com/HaLoTheEmcee/status/541017481037774848

Check the video yourself here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDtA4ngCnQA&spfreload=10

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +0 Downvote
Copy Embed
King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up Common & John Legend – Glory
Genius Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous last speech is commonly referred to by the name “I’ve Been To The Mountaintop.” These lyrics likely refer to this specific excerpt:

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

These words were somewhat prophetic as MLK was assassinated the day after delivering this speech, on April 4th, 1968.

MLK’s legacy is associated with the modern civil rights movement and these lyrics highlight the struggle for justice and equality that people continue to fight for in his wake.

Listen to MLK’s speech in its entirety below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixfwGLxRJU8

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +11 Downvote
Copy Embed
65b0ef35c497ec3c51bef53e4ab85097

100

5 years

who would this relate to allusions?

Upvote +0 Downvote
Show all improvement suggestions
Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon
Formed against, yes glory is destined Common & John Legend – Glory
Genius Annotation 2 Contributors ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

“Hands to the Heavens” suggests someone praying to God for aid to overcome personal obstacle. Note also the reference to Isaiah 54:17:

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me

The image of a person with their arms extended upwards is reminiscent of the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” movement against police brutality – a theme that is addressed again later in the song.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +11 Downvote
Copy Embed
Glory Common & John Legend – Glory
Song Bio 6 Contributors ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

Off the soundtrack to the movie Selma, John Legend & Common’s “Glory” won “Best Original Song” at the 2015 ‪Golden Globe Awards and the 87th Academy Awards.

Inspired by the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches and the Civil Rights Movement in general, Common explained how the song also relates to the recent protests in Ferguson, MO:

I looked at Ferguson and saw what was going on, and knew that it wasn’t far from what was happening during the civil rights movement – people standing up for what they believe in, marching for what they believe in, protesting for what they believe in. We wanted this song to be inspirational. We wanted it to have that pain, but also hope.

Legend expressed a similar sentiment:

I wanted something that tied the spirit of Selma with what was happening in the streets at the time we were writing, which was people protesting in Missouri and eventually New York about injustice and police brutality.

On Jan. 18th 2015, the pair went to Selma to march in celebration of MLK Day even and there they even performed “Glory” live on the Edmund Pettus Bridge:
http://instagram.com/p/yBAqvHkSkP/

Check out the song’s official music video as well as Legend & Common’s live performance at the 57th Grammy Awards.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +35 Downvote
Copy Embed
1358290037_63557_snapshot_20111129

816

9 years

Yes, they’re buying into respectability politics a bit but they also do some subversive lyrics. It’s more of a lift up black people song than a fight the power song.

Upvote +3 Downvote
Alex
9 years

Love this song

Upvote +1 Downvote
6dgp37o01qj

105

9 years

amazing song

Upvote +1 Downvote
Hana
9 years

I disagree, cjjc0. The song does, yes, lift up black people. But the purpose of the song isn’t to lift up black people. The song was clearly written to express the need to fight injustice.

Upvote +1 Downvote
7a55511fa6b6211f4eb966825b291a9b

101

9 years

This would be a perfect song to calm down the roits a little.

Upvote +1 Downvote
C3d411b1634a6c54f9a57568c5f14e7b

101

8 years

How can you say it’s a “lift up black people song” one third of the Selma March were white? It wasn’t only black people but people of all races and ethnicities marching against racism. Also when you read why common and John legend wrote this song they both clearly state with all the police brutality happenings it is a repetition of what black people suffered back then. The fact that it’s mainly black people being miss treated and sometimes killed does not make it a “lift up black people song” it is just another form of racism hiding behind a uniform and there are plenty of white people who agree. So stuff your small minded comment up your arse.

Upvote +1 Downvote
dumbass
7 years

fuck this shit im out

Upvote +0 Downvote
Show 6 more suggestions
Song that never ends, that was Lamb Chop Guy Sebastian (Ft. Lupe Fiasco) – Linger
Unreviewed Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

This is the song that doesn’t end
Yes it goes on and on my friend
Some people started singing it not knowing what it was
And they’ll continue singing it forever just because…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U2zJOryHKQ

(Repeat. Forever.)

In line with the theme of a relationship that just doesn’t end, Lupe makes reference to the song from the ending credits of the TV show Lamb Chop’s Play Along.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +1 Downvote
Copy Embed
I come to church for the candy, your peppermints is the truth Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment (Ft. Jamila Woods) – Sunday Candy
Genius Annotation 2 Contributors ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

As explained in the chorus, Chance goes to church to receive his weekly communion, which is represented here by peppermints given to him by his grandma (his Sunday candy).

People often bring peppermints to snack on during church service, either to keep themselves attentive or to enrich their experience. Chance is comparing his grandmother’s literal peppermints with the wisdom and “truth” that people seek when going to church. Chance looks forward to these peppermints and, like the peppermints, the lessons from church come reliably every Sunday – all he has to do is show up to receive them.

On Easter 2015, Chance posted this photo of him and Taylor on IG while quoting these lyrics.

I come to church for the candy. #HappyEaster

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +25 Downvote
Copy Embed
Marked this as a stretch?
8 years

I’m positive he’s just expressing how much he loves getting peppermints from her by saying “they’re the truth”…it’s common slang to say something “is the truth!” when you think it’s really good/of exceptional quality/you like that shit lol…

Upvote +0 Downvote
V0kestuprteyajsxyvsz

563

9 years

He considers the conversations and wisdom his grandmother shares with him sweet and something he needs to hear like the truth

Upvote +0 Downvote
Show all improvement suggestions
I come to Christmas for dinner, fifty rolls on my plate Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment (Ft. Jamila Woods) – Sunday Candy
Genius Annotation 2 Contributors ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

Chance is taking time off work to be with his grandmother and family. Like he mentions in “Nostalgia”, Christmas is a time where the whole family gets together and there is much joy.

And every year we made a Christmas list
And Auntie Linda cooked a Christmas dish
And all of our grandparents made a Christmas wish
Like “Lord, let me see another year like this"

Although there’s nothing better than grandma’s cooking, let’s hope Chance doesn’t lose his figure by truly eating 50 bread rolls…

Note also that in line with the song’s church-going theme, bread is typically served for communion.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +11 Downvote
Copy Embed
Ebfc96fdb00ba80905d2f0b2733e6b8f

137

8 years

I always felt like maybe Chance was saying that he came to family dinners where he knew there would be food; he would take as much food as he could (“50 rolls” almost literally) since he wasn’t sure when he’d be able to eat this well again.

I get that – maybe Chance would show up at church for more than one reason and feel torn about his motivations.

Upvote +0 Downvote
76e3c9a24cb09368c07e046b5a470811

589

9 years

I assume this verse is written in the perspective of Chance as a kid, as was the first verse.

Upvote +0 Downvote
Show all improvement suggestions
Together Aloe Blacc – Together
Song Bio 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Loading...

Possibly as a lead up to World AIDS Day, which is celebrated on Dec. 1st each year, Aloe Blacc released “Together”.

As he explained on his Facebook fan page, this song was inspired by those he met in South Africa who were working with (RED) to combat AIDS.

Peep the lyric video here.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse
Upvote +1 Downvote
Copy Embed