10 Hip-Hop Songs Mom Will Love

Saigon ditches his guttural steez to affirm fondness for mom on this colorful reimagination of the R&B masterpiece "If This World Were Mine." Luther Vandross must be smiling in his grave.

Through all the drama he faced at the time, Snoop Dogg still had the courage to declare love for momma. Hey, gangstas need love, too.

Both mom and grandma receive a lifetime achievement award from Beanie Sigel and Scarface in this epic mother appreciation song. The heart-tugging strings, courtesy of Just Blaze, complement the emotional tales.

Lord Jamar, Sadat X, and Grand Puba (of Brand Nubian) take time off their busy schedule to thank their moms for all the whooping they endured in their early days. ("You might not like it now, but you'll thank me someday.") I guess momma was right after all.

You can almost hear the tear in Kweli's voice as he commends mom for her wisdom and sound advice on this precious gem that was originally recorded for Ear Drum. Kanye West lays the musical ground work -- a pristine piano loop backed by booming drums. Kweli waxes poetic, "She showed me how to shoot for the stars until I put a hole in the sky." It's an emotion-laden tribute that mom will truly cherish.

We've heard all about the "absent dads" and "strong moms," but Jay-Z adds an interesting twist here by acknowledging an infinite lineup of childhood mentors and nurturers, with mom at the top of the list, of course.

"I Honor U," a standout cut from Canibus' self-titled debut, narrates the story of a child whose birth was surrounded by drama. I can relate to parts of Canibus' story because of the dramatic circumstances that accompanied my own arrival. "I Honor U" pays tribute to all mothers for their strength and passion, even in trying times.

Ghostface presents a heartbreaking account of his rough childhood, while acknowledging the ones that made life easier: mom and grandma. Crashing in a congested apartment, drinking sugar water, and plucking roaches out of a cereal box is all good because of mom's soothing presence. Mary J Blige's tear-jerk crooning and Poppa Wu's solemn words add a nostalgic touch.

An adorable gesture of admiration and honor from producer/emcee Kanye West to his mom, Donda. The expression "hey mama" never sounded so good. Though the song was written while Kanye's mom was alive, he now performs it at his shows in her memory.

For the past decade, "Dear Mama"—2Pac's ode to his single mom Afeni Shakur—has become the unofficial Mother's Day hip-hop anthem. On this meticulously-crafted masterpiece, the late icon pats his mom on the back for attempting to liberate him from street life.