Big Mama

Album: Sugar Honey Iced Tea (2024)
Charted: 92
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Latto's "Big Mama" is the kind of track that keeps you on your toes - part sultry R&B confession, part no-nonsense rap flex, and entirely designed to remind you that Latto can do just about anything she pleases.
  • The song begins with Latto in a sing-rap mode spitting bars about love, insecurity, and devotion in a style reminiscent of Drake. But then, just as you think you've settled in, the beat does a dramatic backflip, and suddenly we're in an entirely different song. The second half smacks you with a menacing, bass-heavy beat as Latto channels 21 Savage, tossing out cold-blooded rhymes with the confidence of someone who has never doubted themselves a day in their life.
  • Latto originally had two separate beats, but the second part wasn't hitting quite right. Enter the producer Coupe (21 Savage, GloRilla), who with just two hours' notice before the studio session, whipped up a new beat in 5-10 minutes.

    "I headed to the studio early and that's how we got the full beat to the song; Oz and Kid Masterpiece did the first portion, and I did the second," he told Billboard. "We put them together and they matched perfectly, and then we finished the song."
  • The "Big Mama" music video is exactly what you'd expect from a song that's half heartfelt croon and half lyrical smackdown: luxury, attitude, and a Miami backdrop that practically sweats excess. Directed by Hidji World and Latto, we see the rapper and her sister Brooklyn cruise through the city, dance on a yacht, and remind everyone that success looks particularly good when you're in control of the narrative.
  • Latto performed "Big Mama" at the 2024 BET Awards alongside "S/O to Me" and "Sunday Service."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.