My African Mother Is...

For Mother's Day this year we asked some of our favorite artists for their help honoring all the moms out there.

Below, nine musicians share photos with their mothers, and how they'd describe them.

My African mother... has an irrepressible spirit

–Angélique Kidjo

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My African mother...

she is like no other, often she is single

yet manages to instill

values,

so you keep it real.

You grow into a a strong palm,

from them slaps of that forearm.

she'll keep you from most harm,

and when the times are cold out

you don't slow down,

you remember how mama made it

and you don't fall down.

A queen she is, and I am blessed to be her kid,

Afrikan Mama, Ngiyakuthanda !!!

–Toya Delazy

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My African mother is... stylish

–Afrikan Boy

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Our mother is... the light of our journey.

–Ibeyi

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My African mother... will DIE for her family (I'm saying this based on my experiences with this incredible woman I call MUM....she's too strong.)

–Mashayabhuqe KaMamba

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My African mother... was known as ‘Mamy Boku’ [in English ‘Mother Plenty’] because when she sold food at her cookery, she was very fair with the amount of food she gave her customers. They got a lot for their money. She always made sure we didn’t go to bed with an empty stomach.

–Pupa Bajah (Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew)

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My African Mother is... Sensational.

–Sinkane

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My African Mother Is... Dignified.

–Shad

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My mother is a queen. I would like to say I got my beauty from her. Inside and out. She is my favorite artist for she created me-Mapei.

–Mapei