On My Mama Explained

On My Mama
Type:single
Artist:Victoria Monét
Album:Jaguar II
Length:3:07
Label:
  • Lovett Music
  • RCA
Producer:
Prev Title:Party Girls
Prev Year:2023
Next Title:Alright
Next Year:2024

"On My Mama" is a song by American singer-songwriter Victoria Monét from her debut major label album Jaguar II. It was released on June 16, 2023, as the third single from the album via Lovett Music and RCA Records. The song samples the 2009 song "I Look Good" by American rapper Chalie Boy. The song was produced by D'Mile, Jeff Gitelman and Deputy and co-written by them alongside Monét, Kyla with additional credits to Chalie Boy. The song became Monét's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 since her 2019 collaboration "Monopoly" with American singer Ariana Grande, entering at number 98 and peaking at number 33, becoming Monét's first top 40 hit.

The song and the relative video received generally positive reviews. At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, it was nominated for Record of the Year and Best R&B Song. It also won Best Dance Performance and Video of the Year at the Soul Train Music Awards.

Background and lyrics

Monét performed her first headlining show on March 31, 2023 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. She included the at-the-time unreleased song in her set-list.[1] The concert was met with much praise by critics and fans. She later confirmed the song would be included on her upcoming album in various interviews.

She officially announced the song's release in a video on June 5, on her social media platforms. The video contained an audio snippet of the song, and featured American comedian Druski dancing.

In an interview with Apple Music, Monét revealed that she wrote the song while experiencing postpartum depression. She stated in the interview, "I feel like it's a mix between something that makes you wanna dance, but also something that speaks light into you... even if you just sing the lyrics, you're talking good about yourself which I think is important for people".

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews. Laila Keaton of Intersect Magazine said, "This single is an unapologetic girl power track. Victoria Monét is confident and is proud to admit it... She has uniquely taken this sample and made it her own through her lyrical content while empowering her fans at the same time."[2] Anna Gaca of Pitchfork stated the song is "extremely fun".[3]

Accolades

Organization! scope="col"
YearCategoryResult
Soul Train Music Awards2023Song of the Year[4] [5]
The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award
Best Dance Performance
Video of the Year
Grammy Awards2024Record of the Year[6]
Best R&B Song
NAACP Image Awards2024Outstanding Soul/R&B Song[7]
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
R&B Song of the Year[8]

Music video

The music video was directed by Child. Unlike her previous two singles, "Smoke" and "Party Girls" the video was not released simultaneously with the single. The video premiered on August 15, 2023, almost two months after the song was released and was choreographed by Sean Bankhead, who previously choreographed "Party Girls". It became Monét's fastest video to garner 1 million views.[9]

The video was praised for its complex choreography and multiple references from the culture of the early 2000s. At the beginning of the video, Monét is dressed in a cropped, red, leather jacket with a red breast plate, baggy low-rise jeans, and a red Los Angeles Dodgers cap which paid homage to the singer & dancer Ciara. She is also seen wearing a light blue jersey dress which referenced the singer & dancer Mya. It also featured references to the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi and sorority Delta Sigma Theta. Monét sports a plethora of Y2k inspired outfits. The video featured a cameo appearance by Chalie Boy, who is the rapper behind the song's interpolation. It also features Monét's real life mother L'Tanya Chestang-Cubit and her daughter Hazel Monét Gaines.

Reception

Kyle Denis of Billboard called the video an "absolute winner" and regarded the video "a nuanced, heartfelt tribute to 2000s Southern Black culture".[10] Clash magazine writer Robin Murray felt that the video "is an explosive offering, highlighting Millennial R&B’s stretch and ambition".[11] Larisha Paul of Rolling Stone called the choreography "slick". Paul also wrote, "This era is all about embracing that power unapologetically".[12]

Credits and personnel

Charts

Chart (2023–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[13] 16
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[14] 35

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Victoria Monét Live Debut at El Rey Theatre . 2023-09-07 . The Scenestar.
  2. Web site: Keaton . Laila . 2023-06-21 . In Review: Victoria Monét's "On my Mama" . 2023-09-07 . Intersect Magazine . en.
  3. Web site: Victoria Monét: Jaguar II . 2023-09-07 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  4. Web site: Abraham . Mya . 2023-11-01 . SZA, Usher, And Summer Walker Lead 2023 Soul Train Award Nominations . 2023-11-02 . Vibe . en-US.
  5. Web site: Tinoco . Armando . November 27, 2023 . Soul Train Awards 2023 Complete Winners List: SZA Leads Night With Usher & Victoria Monét Also Taking Trophies . January 31, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  6. Web site: 2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List GRAMMY.com . 2023-11-11 . www.grammy.com.
  7. Web site: Grein . Paul . January 25, 2024 . Usher, Victoria Monét Score in 2024 NAACP Image Awards Nods: Here Are All Music Nominees . January 26, 2024 . Billboard.
  8. Web site: Grein . Paul . January 18, 2024 . Taylor Swift Leads 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nods, With Jelly Roll, 21 Savage & SZA Close Behind: Full List . January 18, 2024 . Billboard.
  9. Web site: Victoria Monét - On My Mama (Official Video) . 2023-09-07 . . en.
  10. Denis . Kyle . 2023-08-15 . Victoria Monét's New 'On My Mama' Music Video Tributes '00s Southern Black Culture: Watch . 2023-09-07 . Billboard . en-US.
  11. Web site: Murray . Robin . 2023-08-15 . Victoria Monét Brings Those Millennial Vibes With 'On My Mama' News . 2023-09-07 . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews . en-GB.
  12. Paul . Larisha . 2023-08-15 . Victoria Monét Is Done Being the Humble Type in Masterful 'On My Mama' Video . 2023-09-07 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  13. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of February 14, 2024. Billboard Japan. ja. February 14, 2024.
  14. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. June 26, 2023. June 24, 2023.