Studio Album · No. 2

Mama's Gun Songwriting Credits by Erykah Badu

2000 Motown 14 tracks 71:50

Produced by Erykah Badu, James Poyser, Questlove, Pino Palladino, J Dilla, Jah Born, Stephen Marley, Shaun Martin, Snook Young, Braylon Lacy, Geno Young, Gino Iglehart, Vikter Duplaix  ·  Engineered by Tom Soares, Russell Elevado, Leslie Brathwaite, Chris Bell, Vernon J. Mungo, Tom Coyne, Chris Gehringer

Motown Neo SoulR&BFunkJazz
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Erykah Badu carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
14 trackswritten by Erykah Badu 0 tracksoutside writers
Erykah Badu's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
5
Lyricists
12
Producers
1,400,000
Worldwide Copies Sold
2000
Released
Data Insight

Badu's name is on all 14 tracks, the first time that happens. Two of them are hers alone, "Didn't Cha Know" and "Booty", which is half of the solo writing credits in her entire catalogue. The article lists her as lyricist for the whole record and splits the music between her and the Soulquarians, mostly James Poyser and Ahmir Thompson.

Mama's Gun arrived on Motown in November 2000 and debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, released into a crowded Thanksgiving week. It has sold 1,400,000 in the United States. "Bag Lady" reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Penitentiary Philosophy
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightJames PoyserAhmir ThompsonPino Palladino Erykah BaduJames PoyserQuestlovePino Palladino Erykah Badu (Performer)
2
Didn't Cha Know
Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright J DillaErykah Badu Erykah Badu (Performer)
3
My Life
Erykah BaduRobert Bradford Erica Abi WrightJames Poyser Erykah BaduJames PoyserJ Dilla Erykah Badu (Performer)
4
...& On
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightJahmal CanteroShaun Martin Jah BornErykah Badu Erykah Badu (Performer)
5
Cleva
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightJames Poyser Erykah BaduJames Poyser Erykah Badu (Performer)
6
Hey Sugah
Erykah BaduN'dambi Erica Abi WrightN'dambi Erykah Badu Erykah Badu (Performer)
7
Booty
Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright Erykah BaduJames Poyser Erykah Badu (Performer)
8
Kiss Me on My Neck (Hesi)
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightJames YanceyJames PoyserJack DeJohnette Erykah BaduJ DillaJames Poyser Erykah Badu (Performer)
9
A.D. 2000
Erykah BaduBetty Wright Erica Abi WrightBetty Wright Erykah BaduJames PoyserQuestlovePino Palladino Erykah Badu (Performer)
10
Orange Moon
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightShaun MartinEugene "Snooky" YoungBraylon Lacy Erykah Badu Erykah Badu (Performer)
11
In Love with You
Stephen MarleyErykah Badu Stephen MarleyErica Abi Wright Erykah BaduStephen Marley Erykah Badu (Performer)Stephen Marley (Featured Vocals)
12
Bag Lady #6
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightShaun MartinIsaac HayesAndre YoungBrian BaileyCraig LongmilesRicardo BrownNathan Hale Erykah Badu Erykah Badu (Performer)
13
Time's a Wastin
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightShaun Martin Erykah BaduShaun MartinBraylon LacyGeno YoungGino Iglehart Erykah Badu (Performer)
14
Green Eyes
Erykah Badu Erica Abi WrightJames PoyserVikter Duplaix Erykah BaduJames PoyserVikter Duplaix Erykah Badu (Performer)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 27 contributors

EB
Erykah Badu
Writer · Producer · Performer
On this album14 written
EA
Erica Abi Wright
Writer
On this album14 written
JP
James Poyser
Writer · Producer
On this album5 written
SM
Shaun Martin
Writer · Producer
On this album4 written
PP
Pino Palladino
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
BL
Braylon Lacy
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
SM
Stephen Marley
Writer · Producer · Vocals
On this album1 written
VD
Vikter Duplaix
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
AT
Ahmir Thompson
Writer
On this album1 written
AY
Andre Young
Writer
On this album1 written
BW
Betty Wright
Writer
On this album1 written
BB
Brian Bailey
Writer
On this album1 written

More from Erykah Badu

1997 93%
Baduizm
Kedar / Universal
14 tracksProd. Madukwu Chinwah
2003 80%
Worldwide Underground
Motown
10 tracksProd. Erykah Badu
2008 82%
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
Control Freaq / Universal Motown
11 tracksProd. Roy Ayers
2010 100%
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
Control Freaq / Universal Motown
11 tracksProd. Erykah Badu

Frequently Asked Questions Mama's Gun

Who wrote Mama's Gun?
Badu is credited on all 14 tracks. James Poyser writes with her most often, and Ahmir Thompson, Shaun Martin and Pino Palladino appear across the record.
Did she write anything alone here?
Two tracks, "Didn't Cha Know" and "Booty". They are two of the four solo writing credits in her catalogue.
Who wrote "Bag Lady"?
Badu and Shaun Martin, with the writers of the sampled record credited alongside them, including Isaac Hayes and Andre Young. It reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
How did the album sell?
1,400,000 in the United States, certified platinum by the RIAA.
Why did it chart lower than Baduizm?
It came out in Thanksgiving week 2000 against heavy competition and entered at number 11, the first Badu release to miss the top 10.
Who produced it?
Badu with the Soulquarians, mainly James Poyser, Ahmir Thompson, J Dilla and Pino Palladino.
How long is the album?
71:50 across 14 tracks, the longest record she has made.

Sources

Wikipedia: Mama's Gun Wikipedia: Erykah Badu discography Cover Art Archive: Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu