Mama | 5 Gems

Mama: 5 Gems No. 9 (2026) features songs by Benson Boone, Carl Carlton, Chase Atlantic, Latto, and Shirley Caesar.

According to the Grammy Award-winning gospel legend Pastor Shirley Caesar, “I remember Mama, in a happy way.” For Grammy-nominated rapper, Latto, the question is, “What you gon’ do for Big Mama, for real?” Word.  And, not to leave the boys out of the mix, Benson Boone tells his mama, rather, his momma, “Momma, don’t you know / There’s nothing to be sorry about? / I’m so proud of all you’ve done.” The common thread between these three songs is… MAMA, of course! The other two entries on Mama: 5 Gems No. 9 (2026) also reference Mama, though to a lesser degree, particularly that beloved ‘80s Carl Carlton funk gem. Mama: 5 Gems No. 9 (2026) features songs by Benson Boone, Carl Carlton, Chase Atlantic, Latto, and Shirley Caesar.  So, without further ado, give mama, or momma, her flowers on these five gems!

---

~ Table of Contents ~ 

1. Latto, “Big Mama”	2. Benson Boone, “Momma Song”	3. Chase Atlantic, “MAMACITA”
4. Shirley Caesar, “I Remember Mama”	5. Carl Carlton, “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”	5 Gems (2026)

 

---

1. Latto, “Big Mama”

Sugar Honey Iced Tea » Steamcut / RCA » 2025

That is a fascinating, mind-boggling question, Latto (Alyssa Stephens). The Grammy-nominated rapper released “Big Mama” as a single in 2024.  It modestly impacted the pop charts, spending one week on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 92. It’s a bummer, but that doesn’t keep the second track from her 2025 album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, from being a certified rap banger.  Oh, and by certified, I mean that the single received gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.  Not too shabby!  “Big Mama” features lots of writers, including Latto, and producers COUPE, OZ, and Kid Masterpiece. It samples the 1989 song, “Shadow Love”, by Jaya.

“Big Mama” is the tale of two songs.  Part one features cool, rhythmic production (the Jaya sample). You might describe it as a chill vibe. Still, Latto brings the heat, delivering a rhythmic, melodic cadence and flow. Even though the sound of the first part of the record is kinder and gentler, Latto is still profane and offers plenty of NSFW lyrics. “Can you give me some good dick ‘til I cum? (Cum for you),” she asks, and continues, “Then can you make me nut again, where’s your tongue?” Oo-wee! If that wasn’t enough, the second part of “Big Mama” goes harder. Latto rids of the pitch, dropping hard-nosed, unapologetic rhymes

“Thought I told you bitches, I pull up in twenty Cadillacs (Skrrt), yeah

Money long, cheetah thong, thick as hell, Georgia Dome

Sharin’ niggas, sharin’ clothes, I don’t know what y’all be on.”

Holy shyt! Beyond the verse, you won’t be able to get the repeated “Big Mama(s)” unstuck from your head during the chorus.  “Big Mama” = banger, PERIOD! 

Appears in:

Latto, Big Mama: Bangerz N Bopz No. 4 (2026) Big: 5 Gems No. 4 (2026)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

2. Benson Boone, “Momma Song”

American Heart » Night Street / Warner » 2025

Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter Benson Boone is always good for a big, sentimental ballad. On “Momma Song”, he shows us his sincere, thoughtful side.  Despite his critics, Boone excels at his marketing ability – his delicious shirtless poses, ambitiously wild outfits – as well as his voice, even if he is not everybody’s cup of tea. Boone penned “Momma Song” with Jack LaFrantz and producer Jason Evigan. The sound fits his aesthetic perfectly. It’s a pop/rock ballad.  The melodies are tuneful, and he sings the notes and lyrics authentically. For much of this song, Benson exhibits control, never overextending himself vocally. He does rise to the occasion, showing off his big instrument, however. Thematically, he highlights both Momma (“Momma, I’m missing home / And California’s getting colder /… I miss you”) and his father (“Lately, it’s getting hard / I’ve started looking like my father / And it makes me cry a little bit / ‘Cause he should’ve made it big”). Benson feels nostalgic, appreciating home, old times, and, of course, his parents. He shines brightly in the chorus:

“Take me down your old street

Tell me your memories of when you were young and when you fell in love

Drive me through the country

Tell me your story and you can play all of your favorite songs…”

Ultimately, “Momma Song” is beautiful, period. I appreciate his sincerity on the sixth track from  American Heart.

Appears in:

15 Intriguing Songs Where The Keyword is SONG (2025)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

3. Chase Atlantic, “MAMACITA”

LOST IN HEAVEN » Chase Atlantic Music Pty Ltd. / Fearless / Concord » 2024

Sounds like a respectable influence, Mitchel Cave (the white being cocaine, of course). On “MAMACITA”, Mitchel and the rest of Chase Atlantic deliver a song about a bad girl, PERIOD.  Even though Mitchel swears by his mamacita, she comes off a bit sus, regardless of if “She gon’ kill me with her mouth.” Mitchel wrote and produced the 12^th and penultimate track from their 2024 album, LOST IN HEAVEN, alongside Clinton Cave, Christian Anthony, and Tricky Stewart.

Mitchel’s voice remains distinct. A tenor, though not necessarily characterized as powerful, he brings plenty of personality to the mix, given the writing. In the second verse, he asserts, “She keeps the blade, so don’t try it / Never been caught by the law / But that doesn’t mean she’s not violent.” Again, MAMACITA lives on the edge, and Mitchel seems to justify her every move.  Interestingly, in the centerpiece, the chorus, he informs his mother, “Mama, I might keep her, might keep her / I don’t love her, but I need her…” Hmm, I’m sure mom is just thrilled 😏.  It gets worse when characterizing MAMACITA in the bridge, where Mitchel informs us she’s a “Kind face with a cruel heart / She can do it better than a pornstar,” with one of the ‘baddest’ lines being, “She been kicking shit, get out her fucking way.” WOO! All told, “MAMACITA” is a fun one from Chase Atlantic.  Mitchel has the personality to carry the song, while the production by Chase Atlantic/Tricky is colorful, groovy, and potent.

~ Table of Contents ~

---

4. Shirley Caesar, “I Remember Mama”

I Remember Mama » Word Entertainment » 1989

Pastor Shirley Caesar has sung about her mother numerous times.  These touching, maternal songs never grow old. Among the crème de la crème of her mama songs is “I Remember Mama”, the titular track from her 1989 album (a personal favorite). Caesar is thankful for having a caring, encouraging, and loving mother, asserting in the chorus, “I remember Mama, in a happy way.” The Pastor sings authentically and sincerely throughout, bringing the meaningful and moving lyrics to life, as well as the tuneful melodies.

Caesar lays out how wonderful her mother was – a true blessing from the Most High.  She states that “Mama kept the family together,” even in times of poverty. “She packed our lunch in an old, greasy bag,” she sings in the third verse, and continues, “It might have seemed empty / But it was more than others had / It had a lot of love way down deep inside.” Moving! Caesar acknowledges her mama is no longer living, memorably and poetically singing, “Now Mama is sleeping in the bosom of Jesus Christ / Somehow, I know she’s smiling, she’s smiling on us right now.” Beyond the singing, there is an unforgettable spoken bridge, where Caesar imparts a tale about playing church with her sibling.  Her mother disapproved of such. After Ann, Caesar’s sister, tattled, her mom observed Shirley, realizing, at that particular time, she wasn’t playing!

“Mama came to the door

When she looked out there and saw me shouting and dancing all over the back of the yard

Tears all over my face

It’s just a life higher

Mama looked out there, and she said, ‘She ain’t playing this time’.”

Backed by an anointed choir and anointed musicians, performing for a live audience, Shirley Caesar delivers the goods on “I Remember Mama”, a timeless, must-hear, faith-based mama song!

Appears in:

Shirley Caesar, I Remember Mama: Music Lifts No. 2 (2026) 11 Uplifting Shirley Caesar Songs (2026)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

5. Carl Carlton, “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”

Carl Carlton » UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1981

Woo! What Carl Carlton (1953 – 2025) saying is, this girl is FINE! She’s a 10! Sista got it going on! Honestly, the chorus of his number 22 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”, says it all. “She’s A Bad Mama Jama” graces Carlton’s self-titled, 1981 album, where he’s easy on the eyes on the cover art 😍.  Anyways, the record is one big load of 1980s female objectification. “Her body measurements are perfect in every dimension / She’s got a figure,” Carlton asserts in the first verse. He adds, “I get so excited viewing her anatomy.” Hmm, I wonder just how excited Carl gets 🍆… It is a safe bet on this funky joint that the rocket 🚀 is ready for takeoff: “She’s built, oh, she’s stacked / Got all the curves that men like / Look at her.” Yes indeed! Ultimately, this Leon Haywood-helmed joint expertly describes male horniness.  It is a fun song that is far less explicit than the female-objectifying songs of the 2020s but still has the same effect.  After all, in “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”, Carlton is thinking with his pants.

Appears in:

Carl Carlton, She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked): Throwback Vibez No. 31 (2023) 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 9 (2023) 11 Marvelous Bad Songs, Vol. 1 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~

---

5 Gems (2026)
Almost: 5 Gems No. 1	Alone: 5 Gems No. 2	Am: 5 Gems No. 3
Big: 5 Gems No. 4	Break, Breaking, or Broken: 5 Gems No. 5	Can’t!: 5 Gems No. 6
Magic : 5 Gems No. 7	Money : 5 Gems No. 8	Mama: 5 Gems No. 9

 

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

---

Mama: 5 Gems No. 9 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Chase Atlantic Music Pty Ltd., Concord, Fearless, Night Street, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner, Word Entertainment; Gordon Johnson, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

---