Hey Mama (feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack)

"Hey Mama" is a high-energy anthem that explores themes of female empowerment, duality, and modern relationship dynamics. At its core, the song presents a woman who confidently asserts that she can fulfill multiple roles for her partner: she can be the nurturing, caring figure (the "Mama") who cooks and cleans, as well as a powerful, desirable, and sexually liberated partner. The lyrics, primarily delivered by Nicki Minaj, lay out a transactional but mutually beneficial arrangement: "Yes you be the boss, and yes I be respecting / Whatever that you tell me, 'cause it's game you be spitting." This isn't about blind subservience, but a confident declaration of her ability to uphold her side of the partnership. She promises loyalty and support while also highlighting her own desires and sexual prowess, as seen in lines like "I'll be a lady and a freak."

The title phrase, "Hey Mama," functions as a central metaphor. It's a term of endearment and respect, elevating the female figure from a mere partner to the central, commanding presence in the relationship. Bebe Rexha's chorus, "I wanna hear you calling my name like, 'Hey mama,'" is a demand for recognition of this powerful, multifaceted identity. The song celebrates a woman who is unapologetically in control of her various roles and expects her partner to acknowledge and appreciate her for all of them.

Furthermore, the track subverts traditional gender roles by framing domestic duties not as obligations, but as part of a confident offering within a modern power dynamic. The woman in the song is not just a passive homemaker; she is an active and essential contributor to a vibrant, passionate relationship.

The song unfolds as a dynamic dialogue about a modern relationship, blending traditional roles with contemporary assertiveness. It begins with a sampled, soulful plea, "Be my woman, girl, I'll be your man," which sets a foundational theme of partnership. This hook, recurring throughout, acts as the central agreement upon which the song's narrative is built.

Nicki Minaj's verses then take over, presenting the perspective of a woman who is ready and willing to commit fully to her partner. She promises to be his "woman," "baby," and "whatever that you tell me when you're ready." This isn't portrayed as simple submission, but as a confident declaration of her dedication. She assures him he never has to worry, as she is "down for" him. The pre-chorus reinforces this reliability, stating that whenever he needs something, she will provide it, keeping everything "on deck" and "in check." This section establishes her as a dependable and supportive partner.

The first verse expands on this by listing domestic duties: "Yes, I do the cookin', yes, I do the cleanin'." However, this is immediately followed by a line asserting her sexual agency: "Plus, I keep the na-na real sweet for your eatin'." This juxtaposition is crucial; she embraces traditional roles but frames them as part of a larger, more complex partnership that includes mutual pleasure. She acknowledges his role as "the boss" and respects the "game" he's "spitting," suggesting a dynamic of power and respect that flows both ways.

Bebe Rexha's powerful chorus, with its infectious "dum di di dey" beat, serves as the song's vibrant, energetic core. It's a celebration of a powerful, physical connection. The line "I love the dirty rhythm you play" is a metaphor for their passionate and exciting relationship. Her demand to hear him call her name, "Hey mama," is a central motif. Here, "Mama" is not just a maternal term but a title of respect, endearment, and recognition of her as a powerful, central figure in his life—someone who is both a nurturing force and a desirable woman.

Nicki Minaj's second rap verse shifts the tone to one of outright dominance and confidence. She boasts about their connection, declaring "Your dick game the truth / My screams is the proof," and dismisses any rivals with "Them other dudes get the deuce." She portrays herself as a high-status woman who is choosing him, even leaving an interview to be with him. The verse culminates in a powerful statement of self-worth and a refusal to be replaced: "None of them bitches ain't taking you." She then flips the script, demanding that when he needs her, he should just give the word, and she'll be "bad for my baby." This section solidifies her multifaceted identity: she can be a caring partner ("make sure that his baby take care") and a sexually liberated woman ("be a lady and a freak"), refusing to be confined to a single role.

The song, therefore, is not a simple story of a woman catering to a man. It's a complex portrayal of a modern woman who can do it all: she can be a homemaker, a supportive partner, a sexual being, and a powerful individual in her own right. The recurring call of "Hey Mama" becomes an anthem for this duality, a recognition of the woman who confidently navigates and masters both the domestic and the desirable aspects of her identity, demanding her partner's respect and adoration for all that she is.

"Hey Mama" was released on March 16, 2015, as the fourth single from David Guetta's sixth studio album, Listen (2014). The song is a major collaboration, produced by David Guetta, Afrojack, and Giorgio Tuinfort. The songwriting credits are extensive, including Guetta, Afrojack (as Nick van de Wall), Tuinfort, Nicki Minaj (as Onika Maraj), Bebe Rexha, Ester Dean, and Sean Douglas.

A key element of the song's creation is its prominent sample of "Rosie," a 1940s work song performed by an African-American prison inmate, C.B. "88" Cook, and his fellow prisoners. This recording was captured by ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in 1948. Songwriter Ester Dean introduced the sample to Guetta, who became "obsessed" with it, initially wanting it to be the chorus before realizing it worked better as the intro and post-chorus hook. The use of this sample from a prison work song in a modern pop hit has also drawn criticism, with some commentators pointing out the stark contrast between the sample's origin—rooted in hardship and racial injustice—and the song's commercial, party-centric theme.

The song's creation was also marked by a significant controversy regarding artist crediting. Initially, Bebe Rexha, who co-wrote and sings the powerful chorus, was not credited as a featured artist. She was reportedly told that having too many featured names would be unfavorable for radio play. This led to confusion, with many listeners assuming Nicki Minaj sang the chorus. After Rexha and her fans voiced their disappointment, she was officially given a feature credit in June 2015, a few months after the single's release. Rexha described the initial omission as "heartbreaking," but has since stated that she and Guetta have built a stronger professional relationship.

The rhythmic foundation of "Hey Mama" is built on a fusion of trap and electro house, resulting in an upbeat tempo of approximately 86 beats per minute (though remixes often increase this). The rhythm is driving and insistent, characterized by the recurring onomatopoeic phrase "dum di di dey," which mimics a percussive beat and serves as a rhythmic hook in itself.

The song's rhyme scheme is straightforward and effective, primarily using couplets (AABB) to create a catchy and memorable structure. In Nicki Minaj's first verse, for example:

Yes, I'll be your woman, yes, I'll be your baby (A)
Yes, I'll be whatever that you tell me when you're ready (A)
Yes, I'll be your girl, forever your lady (B)
You ain't ever gotta worry, I'm down for you, baby (B)

This simple structure makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. Her rap verse utilizes more complex internal rhymes and a more varied flow, but still maintains a clear, percussive quality that locks in perfectly with the underlying trap beat. Bebe Rexha's chorus also uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme ("day"/"play" and "name"/"mama"), reinforcing its anthemic and memorable quality. The interplay between the structured lyrical rhythm and the syncopated, layered electronic beat is key to the song's infectious energy.

"Hey Mama" is a masterclass in genre fusion, blending Electro House and Trap music to create a unique and energetic soundscape. The production, helmed by David Guetta and Afrojack, is characterized by a high tempo (around 86 BPM, though some remixes are faster), booming 808-style bass drops, and crisp, rhythmic handclaps and snares typical of trap music. This is layered over a four-on-the-floor dance beat common in house music, creating a hybrid that is both danceable in a club setting and fitting for a rap performance.

A key musical technique is the use of a prominent sample from Alan Lomax's 1940s recording of the prison work song "Rosie." This raw, folk-rooted vocal chant ("Be my woman, girl, I'll be your man") provides a stark, organic contrast to the polished electronic production, creating a memorable and unique hook that bridges historical and contemporary sounds.

Vocally, the song employs a dynamic interplay between its featured artists. Bebe Rexha's powerful, anthemic chorus delivery provides the song's melodic and emotional peak. This contrasts with Nicki Minaj's versatile performance, which shifts between a confident, rhythmic spoken-word delivery in the verses and an aggressive, boastful rap flow in her bridge. This narrative and stylistic shift keeps the song engaging. The use of call-and-response between the main vocals and the background "Hey" shouts further enhances its energetic, party-like atmosphere.

"Hey Mama" was a massive commercial success, significantly impacting global pop charts in 2015. It reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming David Guetta's sixth top-ten hit in the country and a milestone for its featured artists: Nicki Minaj's 12th top-ten, Afrojack's second, and Bebe Rexha's first as a credited vocalist. The song also broke into the top ten in numerous countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, France, and Germany.

The song's music video, directed by John Ryan, gained immense popularity, accumulating over 1.6 billion views on YouTube as of mid-2025. Its aesthetic, heavily inspired by the film Mad Max: Fury Road, featured a post-apocalyptic desert rave, with Nicki Minaj appearing as a commanding hologram. This visual style was widely discussed and contributed to the song's iconic status.

The track also sparked important industry conversations about artist crediting. Bebe Rexha's initial lack of a feature credit, despite singing the memorable chorus, drew attention to the practice of minimizing credits on tracks with multiple collaborators, particularly for female vocalists in EDM. Her eventual addition to the official artist listing after public discussion was seen as a victory for artist recognition. The song remains a staple in the discographies of all involved artists and is remembered as one of the defining dance-pop hits of the mid-2010s. It has also seen renewed popularity years later, for instance, becoming a viral sound on social media in Korea in 2021.

The most significant symbolic element in "Hey Mama" is the title phrase itself. The term "Mama" is used as a multifaceted metaphor. It transcends its literal maternal meaning to symbolize a woman who is a nurturing caretaker, a figure of authority and respect, and a sensual, desirable partner. When Bebe Rexha sings, "I wanna hear you calling my name like, 'Hey mama,'" it's a demand for acknowledgment of this complex and powerful identity.

The act of "beating the drum" ("Beating my drum like dum di di dey / Banging the drum like dum di di dey") serves as a metaphor for the heart, passion, and rhythm of the relationship. It symbolizes a primal, energetic connection and the pulsating excitement between the partners. It directly ties into the "dirty rhythm you play," which represents the alluring and perhaps transgressive nature of their passion.

Nicki Minaj's lyrics employ the metaphor of a transactional partnership where roles are clearly defined ("Yes you be the boss, and yes I be respectin'") but are balanced by her own power and offerings. She outlines her contributions—cooking, cleaning, and sexual fulfillment—as a complete package, symbolizing her role as an all-encompassing partner who excels in both domestic and intimate spheres. Her line "I'll be a lady and a freak" is a direct statement of this duality, rejecting a one-dimensional categorization of womanhood.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Hey Mama" is the sampled phrase "Be my woman, girl, I'll be your man." Sourced from the 1940s folk recording "Rosie," this line bookends the song and appears between verses, acting as a foundational theme or a binding agreement for the relationship described in the track. Its repetition grounds the high-energy electronic production in a raw, timeless plea for partnership.

The titular phrase, "Hey Mama," is the central lyrical hook of the chorus, repeated for emphasis. It functions as a powerful motif representing respect, desire, and the acknowledgment of the woman's multifaceted role. Hearing this name is the ultimate validation the singer seeks.

Another key recurring element is the onomatopoeic percussion line "dum di di dey." This phrase is repeated throughout the chorus and serves as both a lyrical and rhythmic hook, mimicking the sound of a drum and contributing to the song's infectious, danceable quality. It symbolizes the heartbeat and raw energy of the passion being described.

Finally, the promise "Best believe that when you need that / I'll provide that" is repeated in the pre-chorus, reinforcing the theme of unwavering loyalty and support from the female narrator. This repetition emphasizes her reliability and commitment within the song's narrative.