Mama Said Knock You Out

LL Cool J

About Mama Said Knock You Out

"Mama Said Knock You Out" is the fourth single by LL Cool J from his album of the same name. The song famously begins with the line "Don't call it a comeback/I've been here for years." Before "Mama Said Knock You Out" was released, many people felt that LL Cool J's career was waning; his grandmother, who still believed in his talent, told him to "knock out" all his critics. The song was produced by Marley Marl with help from DJ Bobcat along with LL. The single reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, was certified Gold by the RIAA, and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. The song takes various shots at Kool Moe Dee. 


Year:
1990
4:52
246 
#1

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Don't call it a comeback
I've been here for years
I'm rocking my peers
Puttin' suckers in fear
Makin' the tears rain down like a monsoon
Listen to the bass go boom
Explosions, overpowerin'
Over the competition I'm towerin'
Wrecking shop when I write these lyrics
That'll make you call the cops
Don't you dare stare, you better move
Don't ever compare
Me to the rest that'll all get sliced and diced
Competition's payin' the price

I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out

Don't you call this a regular jam
I'm gonna rock this land
I'm gonna take this itty-bitty world by storm
And I'm just gettin' warm
Just like Muhammed Ali
They called him Cassius
Watch me bash this beat like a skull
That you know I've beef with
Why do you riff with me
The maniac psycho
And when I pull out my jammy get ready
Cause I might go Blaw!
How you like me now?
The ripper will not allow
You to get with Mr. Swift or Rift,
Listen to my gears shift
I'm blasting, I'm blasting
Kinda like shaft, so you can say I'm shafting
Oh, English filled my mind, and I came up with a funky rhyme

I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out

Shadow boxing when I heard you on the radio, UH
I just don't know
What made you forget that I was raw
But now I gotta new tour
I'm going insane
Startin' the hurricane
Releasin' pain
Lettin' you know
You can't gain or maintain
Unless you say my name
Rippin'
Killin'
Diggin' and drillin' a hole
Pass the Old Gold

I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out

Shotgun blasts are heard
When I rip and kill at will
The man of the hour, tower of power
I'll devour
I'm gonna tie you up and let you understand
That I'm not your average man
When I gotta jammy in my hand
Damn!
Oh!
Listen to the way I slay
Your crew
Damage
Damage
Destruction, terror, and mayhem
Pass me a sissy so sucker I'll slay him
Farmers (what)
Farmers (what)
I'm ready (we're ready)
I think I'm gonna bomb a town
Get down
Don't you never, ever
Pull my lever
Cause I explode
And my nine is easy to load
I gotta thank God
'Cause he gave me the strength to rock Hard

I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out
I'm gonna knock you out
Mama said knock you out

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LL Cool J

James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known as LL Cool J, for Ladies Love Cool James ), is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor from Bay Shore, New York. He is known for romantic ballads such as "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover" as well as pioneering hip-hop such as "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", and "Mama Said Knock You Out". He has released thirteen studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, including 2008's Exit 13, the last for his record deal with Def Jam Recordings, and currently has a new studio album in the works. He has also appeared in numerous films, including Halloween H20: 20 Twenty Years Later, and currently stars as NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama… more »

2 fans

Written by: Bobby F Ervin, George Clinton Jr., Gregory Jacobs, James Mccants, James Todd Smith, Leroy Mccants, Marlon Williams, Sylvester Stewart, Walter Morrison, William Bootsy Collins, George S. Clinton, William Collins

Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Release
"Mama Said Knock You Out" is a hit single from LL Cool J's fourth studio album of the same name which was released in 1990.
Grammy Award
The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1992, acknowledging LL Cool J's skill in the genre.
Motivation
The song was inspired by LL Cool J's grandmother's advice to him to "knock out" critics and return to his rap roots after he received bad reviews for his previous album, "Walking with a Panther".
Popular Culture
"Mama Said Knock You Out" has been used frequently in films, TV shows, and advertisements due to its catchy lyrics and beat. It has been featured in works like "Kingsman: The Secret Service" and "The Longest Yard".
Music Video
The music video for the song, directed by Paris Barclay, features LL Cool J in a boxing ring and is considered a classic example of early 90s hip hop style.
Chart Success
The song peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Cover Versions
Over the years, many artists have covered the song, including Five Finger Death Punch and punk band Lagwagon, illustrating its broad appeal across different music genres.
Production
The single was produced by Marley Marl, who was one of the most influential hip hop producers of the time.
Message
The song is often interpreted as a statement of LL Cool J's intention to challenge the hip hop industry, making a powerful declaration of his lyrical ability.
Influence
Many critics and fans regard "Mama Said Knock You Out" as the turning point in LL Cool J's career, as it revitalized his reputation following his run of less successful outputs.

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    Mama Said Knock You Out

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1991

    Billboard #17


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