Erykah Badu Explained: Is 'Mama’s Gun' Her Greatest Album Of All Time? | PLEASE EXPLAIN

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 20:11:37 +0000

Erykah Badu dropped her first project, 'Baduizm,' in 1997 to commercial success and critical acclaim. She was labeled the Queen of neo-soul, helping open doors for other female artists like SZA, Solange, and Janelle Monáe who didn’t fit within the traditional R&B box. So there was pressure on her sop****re effort, 'Mama’s Gun,' which turns 25 years old in November. Here we explore the project, which was an ode to her son Seven, who she had with Andre 3000. We discuss the pressure she felt following up 'Baduizm,' break down the songs on 'Mama’s Gun,' why she directs all of her music videos, the one artist she wants to work with, and what she thinks of the state of R&B and hip-hop today.

"Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes" is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet.

0:00 - Intro
2:39 - The state of Erykah Badu post-Baduizm
6:27 - Chapter 2: Breaking Down Mama’s Gun
30:50 - Arias Analysis
31:49 - Ch 3: The Visuals
35:13 - Telfar Bag Lady Video
40:18 - The Current State of Rap
49:35 - Outro

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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports, and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.