Joanna

[Intro] Yeah... Uh-huh... Joanna... Look... [Hook] Joanna... Joanna... Some called her Lady J... Some called her Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Joanna... Joanna... That's my mama... That's my mama... [Verse 1] Mama had a skillet with a criminal record, One bite had grown men protectin' the refrigerator... Mac and cheese so good, You'd slap your own reflection, Then apologize to the mirror For the overreaction... Cornbread hit crazy, Greens needed a warning label, Folks came for one plate, Then started movin' in stable... Mama stretched one paycheck Like it owed her money, Made a feast from thin air, That's hood magic, dummy... Worked all day tired, Still handled business nightly, Bills got paid so regular The mailbox feared her slightly... And when she hit a party? Boy, she cut up for real, Had aunties losin' shoes And uncles signin' peace deals... Lady J had motion, Everybody knew her face, Could walk in a room broke And still own the place... [Hook] Joanna... Joanna... Some called her Lady J... Some called her Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Joanna... Joanna... That's my mama... That's my mama... [Verse 2] Mama raised me and Woot With respect in our speech, Had us call folks "sir" Before we could drive in the street... She wasn't one for fluff, Everything came direct, Mama handed out truth Like the IRS collect... Told me, "Boy, you talented... But talent ain't enough." Translation: "Get off your behind And quit talkin' tough..." When I started movin' reckless, Thinkin' I knew it all, Mama saw through the smoke Like there wasn't a wall... I was hard-headed, Mama was harder... I brought excuses home, She returned 'em to sender... That's why them streets Couldn't completely consume me, Mama planted enough game To eventually renew me... Some people preach sermons, Mama lived hers daily, Fed folks she barely knew When her own pockets looked shaky... [Hook] Joanna... Joanna... Some called her Lady J... Some called her Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Joanna... Joanna... That's my mama... That's my mama... [Verse 3] Later on she watched Everything start connectin', Saw me quit bein' potential And become a direction... Saw the music, Saw the family, Saw the growth... Saw the lessons... Saw me finally become What she'd already been expectin'... That smile hit different, Ain't no trophy above it, A mama proud of her son? Man, there ain't nothin' like it... Then God called her home... And the room lost color... Like somebody unplugged The soundtrack from the summer... She took part of me with her, Yeah, I still feel that absence, Some wounds don't disappear, You just learn a little balance... But if heaven got cookouts, I know she runnin' the kitchen, Probably got angels arguin' About who washed the dishes... And every time they say "Joanna," I don't think about grief... I think about a woman Who built a man from concrete... Lady J... Mama Jo... The first name on my résumé... Before the world knew Polomac, She was bettin' on me anyway... [Final Hook / Outro] Joanna... Joanna... Some called her Lady J... Some called her Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Joanna... Joanna... That's my mama... That's my mama... Lady J... Mama Jo... Lady J... Mama Jo... Yeah... Still carry you with me... Every move... Every win... Every memory... Joanna... That's my mama... 🎤