The Pharcyde

Lyrics

[Intro]
Yo, man, you gotta be, you know
You gotta be on the dime, man, what's up with that?
Yo, bro-shot
Yeah, word up, bro-shot
Uh, we need some brothers to be, uh, like, dropping knowledge and writin' good stuff
Ayy, man, why don't you quit talkin' all the stuff and do something about it?
You know what I'm sayin?
Oh, you talkin' 'bout kick some, uh, knowledge
Yeah, well, you do that like right now
And some wisdom for the people, okay
What's up with that?
I got it
(Brothers and sisters)

[Verse 1: Fatlip]
Your mom is so fat (How fat is she?)
Your mama is so big and fat that she can get busy
With twenty-two burritos, but times are rough
I seen her in the back of Taco Bell with handcuffs
The sad fact (What?), your mama smokes crack (What?)
She got a burning yearning and there's no turning back
Her knuckles drag down to the ground when she walk
Spit comes out that bitch mouth when she talk

[Chorus: Fatlip]
Naked on a mountaintop, tooting on a flizute
Riding on a horse, drinking whiskey out a bizoot
She got the wings and teeth of an African bat
Her middle name is Mudbone, and on top of all that
Your mama got a glass eye with the fish in it
(Your mama got a glass eye with the fish in it)
Your mama got a glass eye with the fish in it
(Your mama, your mama, your mama)
[Verse 2: Bootie Brown]
Your mama look like she's been in the dryer with some rocks
With the big bust nose sucking dirt out of socks
Held up the ice cream truck with a slingshot
She grabbed a bag of cheese corn and a soda pop
Your mama root and toot and stole my loot and my suit
She may have the muscles, but no, she's not cute
She's not pretty, oh, what a pity, got the glass titty
Filled up with Kool-Aid just for the kiddies

[Chorus: Bootie Brown]
On a cliff butt naked, tootin' on a flute
Riding on a horse, drinking whiskey out a boot
She got the teeth and the wings of an African bat
Her middle name is Mudbone, and on top of all that
Your mama got the wooden legs with real feet
(Your mama got the wooden legs with real feet)
I said your mama got the wooden legs with real feet
(Your mama, your mama, your mama)

[Verse 3: Imani]
Watch out
I'm thinking about your mother to a funky beat (What?)
I went to your house (What?), and she licked me on the cheek (What?)
I said, "Excuse me, lady
But I remember seeing you at the Palladium way back in September"
'Cause you was beatboxin' for Lou Rawls
In some bright red boxer drawers
You said your moms was pretty and young
But she's old as dirt and got hair on her tongue
[Chorus: Imani]
Your moms, your moms, she uses Brut
And I saw her riding a horsey, drinking whiskey out a boot
She got the wings and teeth of an African bat
Her middle name is Mudbone, and on top of all that
Your mama's got a peg leg with a kickstand
(Your mama's got a peg leg with a kickstand)
I, I, I, I said your mama's got a peg leg with a kickstand
(Your mama, your mama, your mama)

[Verse 4: Slimkid3]
Aw, your mom is so fat (How fat is she?)
We rode up on her back to get some burgers from Wendy's
And her skates went flat, I got stuck in her butt crack
They thought I was lost, but I was caught by the G-strap
Heaven forbid a giant fart would give way
'Cause that would blow me 'round the world in a day
We drove into the drive-in and she didn't have to pay
Because we dressed her up to look just like a Chevrolet

[Chorus: Slimkid3]
Naked on a mountaintop, tooting on a flizute
Riding on a horse, drinking whiskey out a bizoot
With the wings and the teeth of an African bat
Her middle name is Mudbone, and on top of all that
Your mama's got an afro with a chinstrap
(Your mama's got an afro with a chinstrap)
I said your mama's got an afro with a chinstrap
(Your mama, your mama, your mama)
[Outro]
Your mama got snakeskin teeth
Your mama wears coat hangers for earrings, dude, she looks like
Your mama was making sex threats to Ricky Bell and shit
Nah, your mama jacked the Kool-Aid man for a sip, nigga
Your mama was walking down on Sunset with a ninety-nine-cent sign on her back, dude
You're a sellout
Your mama's a sellout, nigga, your mama
Nigga, your mama did a pop tune, nigga
Your mama's glasses are so thick she could look into a map and see people wavin' at her
Your mother got an Ouija board on her back
Sidney with EQ and everything she keep sayin'
His mother be hooked, fishin' with a hook and reel at the frozen food section
Tre's mama got Play-Doh teeth
Your mother be eatin' Daytons like Now and Laters and shit
Your mama's an extra on The Simpsons and shit
Your mama's so fat you can't even see her legs
It just look like she's just gliding across the floor

Some short introduction paragraphs about the most important things about the song.

Ya Mama by The Pharcyde is a song that brings together the form and fun of a long-standing tradition in the black community known as "the dozens". Rooted in linguistic games that date back to African tribal culture, "the dozens" has survived through the generations, evolving into the playground banter and razor-sharp insults of rap battles. With Ya Mama, The Pharcyde pays homage to this tradition while also playfully challenging its conventions with their absurd and imaginative "yo mama" jokes.

About Ya Mama

The Pharcyde's Ya Mama captures the essence of "the dozens", a spoken word game where two contestants engage in a battle of insults before an audience. The song's lyrics are filled with witty and outrageous "yo mama" jokes, showcasing the group's verbal virtuosity and clever wordplay. Lines like "I seen her in the back of Taco Bell with handcuffs" and "Ya mama got a glass eye with the fish in it" not only entertain but also challenge the norms of the game itself by pushing the boundaries of absurdity.

One of the notable features of Ya Mama is its sampling of the track "Season of the Witch" by Bloomfield, Kooper, and Stills. The sample adds a hypnotic and psychedelic element to the song, creating an atmospheric backdrop for The Pharcyde's playful insults. This choice of sample illustrates the group's ability to weave together diverse musical elements to create a unique and captivating sound.

With Ya Mama, The Pharcyde showcases their mastery of wordplay and their ability to create a captivating and entertaining track. The song's playful nature and clever lyrics make it an enjoyable and memorable addition to the hip-hop genre. It is a testament to the group's creativity and skill in crafting songs that resonate with both fans of hip-hop and those who appreciate the art of verbal sparring.

In addition to its lyrical prowess, Ya Mama also stands out for its cultural significance. By drawing on the tradition of "the dozens", The Pharcyde pays homage to the rich heritage of African-American verbal games and wit. This connection to a long-standing cultural tradition adds depth and substance to the song, elevating it beyond a simple display of rap skills.

Furthermore, Ya Mama exemplifies the burstiness and perplexity that make for a compelling musical experience. The rapid-fire delivery of insults and the unexpected twists in the "yo mama" jokes keep the listener engaged and on their toes. Just when one thinks they have heard it all, The Pharcyde surprises with a clever turn of phrase or an outrageous punchline, leaving the audience in awe of their creativity and linguistic dexterity.

In many ways, Ya Mama can be seen as a microcosm of the broader hip-hop culture. The song combines elements of humor, storytelling, and linguistic mastery, all of which are hallmarks of the genre. It showcases the power of words and the ability to captivate an audience with skillful wordplay and witty banter. Ya Mama is a testament to the enduring appeal of hip-hop and its ability to both entertain and provoke thought.

In essence, Ya Mama by The Pharcyde is a song that pays tribute to the rich cultural heritage of "the dozens" while also pushing the boundaries of the game with its absurd and imaginative insults. Through their clever wordplay, The Pharcyde showcases their mastery of the art of verbal sparring and their ability to captivate an audience with their wit and humor. With its sampling and cultural significance, Ya Mama is a compelling and engaging addition to the hip-hop genre that continues to entertain and inspire listeners today.

• Release Date: October 8, 1992
• Artist: The Pharcyde