Mama Said Knock You Out

“Mama Said Knock You Out” is the eighth track from the fourth studio album of the same title by American rapper LL Cool J, released in 1990. The album and track were meant to act as a reminder to his audience about his talent and ability, as his previous 1989 album “Walking with a Panther”, had received disappointing reviews.

The track opens up with the lines “Don’t call it a comeback/I’ve been here for years”, and sources have stated that the track was inspired by LL Cool J’s grandmother, who always told him to “knock out” all his critics. The track samples tracks from James Brown’s “Funky Drummer”, Sly & The Family Stone’s “Trip to Your Heart”, as well as LL Cool J’s own songs.

The music video was uploaded to YouTube in June 2009 on LL Cool J’s official YouTube channel. It features LL Cool J in a boxing ring singing into a microphone hanging from the ceiling, all shot in black and white. As of August 2019, the music video has over 26 million views.

Release Date: 26th February 1991

Songwriter/s: James Todd Smith (LL Cool J), Marlon Williams (Marley Marl), George Clinton, Gregory Jacobs, James Louis Mccants, Leroy Mccants, Sylvester Stewart, Walter Morrison, William Collins

Producer/s: Marley Marl

Label/s: Def Jam

Music Video Upload Date: 17th June 2009

Chart Rankings, Certifications, Awards & Accolades: “Mama Said Knock You Out” ranked in the charts worldwide in its year of release, ranking #37 in Australia, #47 in New Zealand, and #17 in the US Billboard Hot 100, #7 in the US Billboard Dance Club Songs, #12 in the US Billboard Hot R&B /Hip-Hop Songs, and #1 in the US Billboard Rap Singles. The track is certified Gold in the US, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #29 on their “50 best rap songs in history” list, as well as the track receiving a Grammy for “Best Rap Solo Performance”.