The track is a masterclass in modern pop production, featuring heavy-hitters like and Giorgio Tuinfort behind the boards. Interestingly, the song’s recognizable hook is built around a sample of "Rosie," a 1948 recording by ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax of an African-American chain gang.
Directed by , the official music video features a Mad Max -inspired desert wasteland. It showcases Guetta trekking through the dunes to find a mysterious machine, intercut with holographic projections of Nicki Minaj. The video has garnered over 1.6 billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched videos for both Guetta and Rexha. Meaning and Reception
: As of early 2026, the song has surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify .
"Hey Mama," the powerhouse collaboration between French DJ , rap queen Nicki Minaj , and vocal sensation Bebe Rexha , remains one of the most enduring hits of the mid-2010s. Released on March 16, 2015, as the fourth single from Guetta’s sixth studio album, Listen , the track perfectly captures the high-energy intersection of electro-house and trap . The Story Behind the Hit
"Hey Mama" was a commercial juggernaut, peaking at and reaching the top 10 in over a dozen countries, including the UK, Australia, and Canada.
While Nicki Minaj’s verses are the song’s focal point, provided the iconic chorus. Initially, Rexha was not credited as a featured artist to avoid "cluttering" the track title, though she was officially added to the credits in June 2015 following the song's massive success. Chart Success & Global Impact
