David Guettaв Hey Mama Feat Nicki Access

: Rexha was not originally listed as a featured artist. She later explained to Billboard that the decision was made to keep the feature list short for radio appeal.

The Story of "Hey Mama": A Global Anthem with Dark Roots Released on March 16, 2015, stands as one of the most successful collaborations between French DJ David Guetta and rap icon Nicki Minaj . While it became a summer definitive with its "island-flavored" dancehall and trap production, the song’s legacy is a complex tapestry of chart-topping success, a controversial uncredited vocalist, and the sampling of a 1940s prison work song. 1. A Star-Studded Collaboration David GuettaВ Hey Mama Feat Nicki

: Critics praised Minaj for her "island-tinged" flow and "sharp, confident" wordplay, with some calling it her most undeniable hit since "Super Bass". 2. The Bebe Rexha "Ghost Singer" Controversy : Rexha was not originally listed as a featured artist

: Critics and scholars have argued that using the voices of exploited prisoners for a pop song about "cooking and cleaning" for a man is ethically problematic. Some labeled it a "gross misuse of sampling," noting the stark contrast between the prisoners' suffering and the song's hedonistic lyrics. 4. Commercial Dominance While it became a summer definitive with its

: Following public outcry and the song's massive success, Rexha was officially added as a featured artist in June 2015. 3. The "Rosie" Sample and Ethical Debate

"Hey Mama" was the fourth single from Guetta’s sixth studio album, Listen . It marked the third time Guetta and Minaj teamed up, following their 2011 hits "Where Them Girls At" and "Turn Me On".

For months after its release, many listeners believed the hook was sung by Nicki Minaj. In reality, the powerhouse chorus—featuring the iconic line "Beating the drum like dum di-di-day"—was performed by then-rising artist .