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Ms. Jackson
by OutKast
Album: Stankonia (2000)
Charted:
2
1
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LYRICS ARTISTFACTS
Songfacts®:
The lyrics are a message to the mother of singer
Erykah Badu. Andre 3000 (Andre Benjamin), one
of the rappers in the group, had a child with Badu
out of wedlock named Seven Sirius Benjamin. He
wanted Badu's mother to hear his side of the
story, as he felt he was being portrayed as a bad
father. He felt Badu kept him away from their child
on purpose.
Andre 3000 explained in the Atlanta JournalConstitution: "I probably would never come out
and tell Erykah's mom, 'I'm sorry for what went
down.' But music gives you the chance to say
what you want to say. And her mom loved it.
She's like, 'Where's my publishing check?'"
"Ms. Jackson" is a name Outkast made up. Badu's
mother is really named Kolleen Wright. She knew
it was about her the first time she heard it.
An intro at the beginning of the song dedicates it
to "baby's mamas' mamas'."
Outkast tried all sorts of tricks in the studio,
making many odd requests of their engineer John
Frye. "Ms. Jackson" is underpinned with an entire
track that was played back in reverse, giving it an
unusual, distorted feel to mesh with the
disquieting lyric. The reverse effect is most
prominent on the percussion, especially the
congas.
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Outkast performed this at the 2002 Grammy
Awards complete with a full band, backup singers,
and stage full of children playing on a playground.
This won the Grammy for Best Rap Performance
by Duo or Group. Outkast also won for Best Rap
Album.
So what does Erykah Badu think of the iconic rap
hit? Speaking to Rap Radar in 2016, she admitted,
"It hit kind of a sore spot."
Badu added: "I didn't wanna hear that, especially
when I heard Big Boi's verse. When I heard
Andre's verse, I felt very good because his verse
was really, really inspiring. He just said how he
felt and it was his honest feelings and I always
respected that and listened to what he felt and
appreciated it."
How did the real "Ms. Jackson," Erykah Badu's
mother, Kolleen Maria Gipson, take being the
subject of a hit song?
"How did my mama feel? Baby, she bought herself
a 'Ms. Jackson' license plate," Badu said. "She had
the mug, she had the ink pen, she had the
headband, everything. That's who loved it."
Outkast was well established on the rap scene and
had charted a few modest Hot 100 hits, but "Ms.
Jackson" brought them to the ears of listeners well
outside of hip-hop. The tender, hooky song proved
palatable to pop radio, and went to #1 in America.
On their next album, they landed two more charttoppers: "Hey Ya" and "The Way You Move."
The first promotional single from the Stankonia
album was the far more aggressive "Bombs Over
Baghdad (B.O.B.)," which gave their core fans the
banger they were looking for. That one wasn't sold
in stores and got little airplay, so it failed to chart.
"Ms. Jackson" was released next.
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Lyrics to Ms. Jackson
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Comments: 21
Hassan Dangambo from Nigeria
But this song should have reunite them back after
accepting the apology. The Director and Producer
to this song are wonderful.
Molly from Memphis, Tn
mane this song so bumpin I listen ta it almost
everyday now. I kept hearing this song nd from
tha lyrics I knew it was bout somebody so I looked
up the meaning and found this out. They did so
good on dis song its so catchy too OUTKAST sholl
was one of the best duos and this song isa classic
HIT.
Megan from Stevenson, Al
"I'm sorry Ms. Jackson! OHHHH!!!! I am fo real!
Never meant meant to make yor daughter cry! I
apologize a trillion times..." This is just great!
Geron from Louisville, Ky
to Don from BG in KY. its not UNION girl its you
and ya girl
Don from B G, Ky
A question about the LYRICS from the song:
"Without a paddle, you left the straddle and ride
this thing on out
And the union girl aint speakin no more cuz my
d_ck all in her mouth". Now who is the UNION
GIRL in the song?
Mb from Newburgh, Ny
this song is just like simon and garfunkle's mrs.
robinson, the lyrics anyways, and also the movie
The Graduate
G from Potomac, Md
Original? 2 words for ya:
Parliament. Funkadelic.
Age from C-ville, Pa
I completely agree with everyone here that
doesn't like rap or hip hop. But Outkast is
extremely talented and great songwriters. This
song is complex and down to earth. One of the
very few reasonable rap songs.
Maggie from High Bridge, Nj
this is one of the best songs that i have ever
heard. i'm just like a lot of the other people here, i
don't listen to rap or hip-hop at all. i listen to
country and classic rock. but this will always be
one of my favorite songs. outkast are incredibly
talented and original artists
Steve from Toronto, Ont., Canada
I really like this song because it points out a
struggle that a lot of fathers face!
Dave from Cardiff, Wales
Original?! The melody in this song blatantly pilfers
from Mike Oldfield's New Age classis "Ommadawn"
(released in 1975). Not ahead of it's time, but
nevertheless, I do like this song, it's SOOO catchy!
Linus from Hamilton, On, Canada
At 3 minutes into the song, a wedding song can be
very faintly heard
Dan from Lee, Nh
Outkast is the only truely great group still around
except for The White Stripes. I know they're very
different, but both are still awesome.
Marianna from Anchorage, Ak
I'm with everyone else on this one. I'm not a fan
of hip hop or rap music, but Outkast is a-ok in my
books :)
Katie from Miami, Fl
Outkast is original......and that what seperates
them from other blaze hip hop artists. Andre 3000
is so way ahead of his time....very cool dude!
Tom from Trowbridge, England
I agree with everyone. I'm a rocker myself
(AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, etc) but
Outkast are amazing. Along with Public Enemy,
Beastie Boys and Run DMC, they stand head and
shoulders above all other hip-hop artists. Long
may Outkast continue to brighten up our lives
Brendan from Colts Neck, Nj
i dont like rap or hip-hop at all, except for outkast.
every song sounds different, and their lyrics are
extremely good. plus... andre 3000 is way too cool
for his own good.
Hunter from Atlanta, Ga
To tell the truth, i don't like rap much at all, but
Outkast is a great group. They are some of the
only rap I listen to. They're original and have a
great sound. It's pretty cool that they from Atlanta
too.
Evan from Acworh, Ga
being from around atlanta where outkast is
HUGE... i must say that this is one of their
greatest songs ever! I love outkast and proud
they're from georgia!!
Ally from Hamilton, Ok
I like outkast because they are original....they
come up with the best lyrics and beats to their
songs...i love it
-Ally Hamilton,Ohio
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