In case you didn’t know, today is Earth Day. Yeah, we forgot too. But hey, what would we be to let this glorious day go by without acknowledging some of the hip-hop’s most prominent Earths—yeah, mothers. Screw May 10th and plastic containers. Take a gander at our list of our #1 Mom’s.

Gloria Carter
No one loves his momma more than that nigga Jigga. That’s why on his final, eighth solo LP, The Black Album, Shawn had mom dukes big up her baby boy on the cut, “December 4.” Did you know that at four, he taught himself how to ride a bike?

{mp3}02 december 4th{/mp3}

Fredricka Giles
On his debut Confessions of Fire, Cam flipped Junior’s, “Momma Used To Say” and threw his mom and former BFF, Jimmy Jones on  it to create “Me, My Moms, and Jimmy”. Although Ms. Giles and Jim’s flows stink like pissy elevators, she sends a caveat to those trying to step to her baby boy “Messing with Cam, you get punched in your mouth.”

{mp3}08 me my moms jimmy{/mp3}

Ann Jones
There’s no denying Nas loved his mommy dearest. And unfortunately she passed away in 2002. As a tribute, Nasir recorded the somber “Dance” on God’s Son. This still song leaves a lump in my throat whenever I hear it.

{mp3}13 dance{/mp3}

Dr. Donda West
Kanye was a momma’s boy at heart. So you can imagine how devastated he was when his mom passed away in 2007. In fact, one of the early songs he recorded was his ode, “Hey Mama.” In 2006, he performed the song with her on the MTV special, Life & Rhymes Of…Kanye West.

{mp3}16 hey mama{/mp3}

Debbie Mathers
Not everyone loves their mommy. Just ask Eminem. From the beginning of his career, Marshall threw his mom underneath the bus. And instead of a good ol fashion spanking, Debbie fired back with her own diss track “Dear Marshall.” Em’s assault reached a fever pitched on the song, “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.”  Take a listen.

{mp3}04 cleanin out my closet{/mp3}

Sabrina Jackson
Not too much is known about 50’s mom, except that she was murdered when he was a lad and had smooched other women.  In the July 2007 Vibe 50 says he bought the same 1984 Buick Regal she had before she passed. Picture me rollin’ indeed.

{mp3}04 hate it or love it{/mp3} 

Afeni Shakur
No list can be complete without giving props to 2Pacs mom. Not only did she birth an O.G. but she was one her self in the Blank Panthers. If you’re not moved by “Dear Mama”—ground yourself.

{mp3}09 dear mama{/mp3} 

Voletta Wallace
Biggie’s Mommy is probably one of the most visual moms. She smiled when she saw him in The Source and frowned on March 9th. Don’t know who’s voice that is on the intro of “Sky’s The Limit”, but the rhetoric definitely sounds familiar.

{mp3}08 skys the limit{/mp3} 

Mama Ghost
I don’t know Dennis mom’s government, but I do know is that on his debut, Ironman he made the heart-warming, “All I Got Is You.” Ms. Ghost was a rider though. Them days of going to Gloria’s house or wiping sleep cold are over.

{mp3}15 all that i got is you{/mp3}