| "Mama Said Knock You Out" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Mama_Said_Knock_You_Out_(LL_Cool_J_single_-_cover_art).jpg) | ||||
| Single by LL Cool J | ||||
| from the album Mama Said Knock You Out | ||||
| Released | February 26, 1991 | |||
| Genre | Golden age hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:50 (album version) | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Marley Marl | |||
| LL Cool J singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Mama Said Knock You Out" on YouTube | ||||
"Mama Said Knock You Out" is a song by American rapper and actor LL Cool J, released in February 1991 by Def Jam and Columbia as the fourth single from his fourth studio album of the same name (1990). The song famously begins with the line, "Don't call it a comeback/I 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.[1] The song takes various shots at Kool Moe Dee. It was produced by Marley Marl[2] with help from DJ Bobcat along with LL.
"Mama Said Knock You Out" reached the top twenty on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 17.[3] The single was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. In October 2023, Billboard ranked "Mama Said Knock You Out" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time".[4]
- ^ LaGrave, Katherine (August 21, 2015). "Why LL Cool J's Most Famous Album Almost Never Happened". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (November 18, 1990). "Home Entertainment/Recordings: Recent Releases". The New York Times. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
- ^ "Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J Song Information". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
- ^ "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.