ESL Hip Hop http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho Learn English with hip-hop and rap. Mon, 01 Dec 2014 17:45:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4 Celebrate Mother’s Day with Kanye West http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/celebrate-mothers-day-with-kanye-west/ http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho2013/05/celebrate-mothers-day-with-kanye-west/#respond Fri, 10 May 2013 14:54:20 +0000 http://OFFLINEZIP.wpsho?p=251 Kanye West is a rapper, record producer, film director and fashion designer from Chicago, Illinois. He made his first big break as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records where he worked on Jaz-Z’s 2001 album The Blueprint. In “Hey Mama” Kanye West dedicates the song to his mother, Donda West. He praises her for raising him in […]

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]]> Kanye West is a rapper, record producer, film director and fashion designer from Chicago, Illinois. He made his first big break as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records where he worked on Jaz-Z’s 2001 album The Blueprint. In “Hey Mama” Kanye West dedicates the song to his mother, Donda West. He praises her for raising him in times of hardship and thanks her for teaching him valuable life lessons. This lesson is just in time for Mother’s Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in the United States.

Hey Mama,I wanna scream so loud for you ‘cause I’m so proud of you
Let me tell you what I’m about to do
I know I act a fool, but I promise you I’m going back to school
I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me

Kanye is very proud of his mother, and he appreciates all the great things she has done for him.

I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
This little light of mine and I’m finna let it shine
I’m finna take y’all back to them better times
I’m finna talk about my mama if yall don’t mind

I said mommy I’mma love you till you don’t hurt no more
And when I’m older, you ain’t gotta work no more
And I’mma get you that mansion that we couldn’t afford

Vocabulary

Review these words and then listen to the song.

  • act a fool (idiom) – to behave foolishly, stupidly or unwisely. I don’t want my girlfriend’s parents to meet my roommate. He’ll probably act a fool and embarrass me. 
  • appreciate (verb) – to understand that something is valuable; to be grateful for someone or something. My mother is a great woman, and I appreciate all of her sacrifices. 
  • be proud of… (verb) – to feel satisfaction or pleasure because you have achieved something. I am very proud of my mother because she just graduated from university! 
  • fall back on (phrasal verb) – to use something for help because there are no other choices. If you cannot find your dream job now, you can always fall back on teaching.
  • get through (phrasal verb) – to communicate with someone, especially by phone. I tried calling her, but I couldn’t get through. She wasn’t at home to answer the phone.
  • take out (phrasal verb) – to go with someone to a restaurant, theater, etc, and pay for everything. I’m going to take my mother out to her favorite restaurant this weekend.
  • just right (adjective) – perfect. The weather is just right today. Not too hot and not too cold. 

Pronunciation

  • I’m finna /fɪnə/ – I’m fixing to, I’m about to. Use it for future actions that will happen very soon. I’m finna leave and see my mother.
  • y’all /jɑl/ – you all, you guys. Plural you. What do you guys wanna eat? Do y’all wanna eat sushi or Thai food?
  • gotta /gɑtə/ – got to, have to. Use it for requirements, suggestions or obligations. You gotta listen to Kanye West’s first album. It’s incredible!
  • wanna /wənə/ – want to. What do you wanna listen to? Do you wanna listen to 2Pac or Biggie?
  • I’mma /ɑimə/  – I am going to. Use it for future plans. I’mma study English with hip-hop today.
  • ’cause /kəz/ – short for because.

Discussion Questions

Do you celebrate Mother’s Day? When do you celebrate it? Is your mother a special woman in your life? How often do you talk to your mother and take her out to a restaurant? Are you going to do something special for her? Please write your comments below!

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