Music Review: David Guetta, Afrojack, Nicki Minaj & Bebe Rexha "Hey Mama"

David Guetta, Afrojack, Nicki Minaj & Bebe Rexha

Hey Mama

Album: Listen

Year: 2015

        Nicki Minaj promises to be a devoted girlfriend in the first-rate “Hey Mama.”

         A sped-up sample of Alan Lomax’s “Rosie” opens the single, alongside authoritative synths. It sets an attention-getting tone.  (“Be my woman, girl/I'll be your man/Be my woman, girl/I'll be your man.”)

              Minaj reassures him she will be there for him. She doesn’t have any intention of leaving. She’ll stand up for him when needed. (“Yes, I'll be your woman, yes, I'll be your baby/Yes, I'll be whatever that you tell me when you're ready/Yes, I'll be your girl, forever your lady/You ain't ever gotta worry, I'm down for you baby.”)

           In the pre-chorus, she says she’ll take care of him and make sure he’s okay. She’ll offer him advice or opinion, whatever he needs. (“Best believe that, when you need that/I'll provide that, you will always have it/I'll be on deck, keep it in check/When you need that, I'mma let you have it.”)

               In the chorus, Bebe Rexha she says he has a darker edge she likes. He also wants to sleep with her as often as possible.. It’s followed by the Alan Lomax sample. (“Beating my drum like, dum di di day/I like the dirty rhythm you play/I wanna hear you calling my name/Like, hey mama, mama, hey mama, ma/Banging the drum like, dum di di day/I know you want it in the worst way/I wanna hear you calling my name/Like, hey mama, mama, hey mama, ma/Be my woman, girl/I'll be your man/Be my woman, girl/I'll be your man.”)

             Minaj will adhere to traditional gender roles. She’ll make their meals. She’ll stay at home, vacuuming and dusting. She’ll also be hygienic. She doesn’t want to step on his toes. He’s the one she answers to. (“Yes I'll do the cooking, yes I'll do the cleaning/Plus I keep the na-na real sweet, for your eating/Yes you be the boss, and yes I be respecting/Whatever that you tell me, cause it's game you be spitting.”)

              The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

              In the bridge, she say his friends are awesome and treat her really well. Not once did she ever feel excluded. He satsifies her and if any woman attempts to steal him away, she’ll stop them in their tracks right away. Her parents taught her to that her man’s  boyfriend’s need supersedes her own. (“Whole crew got the juice, your dick game the truth/My screams is the proof, them other dudes get the deuce/I'mma speed in the coupe, leaving this interview/It ain't nothin' new, I been fuckin' with you/None of them bitches ain't taking you, just tell them to make a U-/Huh, that how it be, I come first like debuts, huh/So baby when you need that, give me that word/I'm no good, I'll be bad for my baby/Don't go missing, baby/I know just what you need/When you give me that word/I'll be good, I'll be bad for my baby/Make sure that he's getting his shit/Make sure that his baby takes care/Make sure mama, down on her knees/Keep him, please him, bottom down/Be the lady and a freak.”)

               A shortened chorus ends the single. (“You play my drum like, dum di di dey/I love the dirty rhythm you play/I wanna hear you calling my name/Like, hey mama, mama, mama, hey mama, mama/Beating the drum like, dum di di dey/I know you want it in the worst way/I wanna hear you calling my name/Like, hey mama, mama, mama, hey mama, mama.”)

            Minaj takes the sting off the troublesome lyrics. She seems to have the ability to speak up in the relationship. There seems to be balance and more or less, Minaj’s choice.

           Rexha’s cameo appearance is a welcome surprise. She has a unique timber in her vocals that work well with the reggae inspired lyrics. Minaj could’ve handled it (as she shows in the bridge) but it gives Rexha much needed exposure.

          Guetta, with Afrojack’s considerable help and fine-tuning, create a thrilling arrangement built around an unlikely sample. It’s given passion and verve, which simply didn’t exist in the original.

              The exceptional “Hey Mama” is a collaboration in the truest sense of the word, although Afrojack’s presence is clearly felt.