Las Vegas-by-way-of-Southern California rapper THT Cyrus is a rapper born to “immigrant parents who moved to the States young and found themselves caught in a life of crime during the ’80s and ’90s.” That’s one hell of a back story, if you ask me. He’s a first-generation Samoan rapper who learned that life is full of “teachable and humbling moments” through the wildness his folks got caught up in. He also is seemingly very close with many members of his family. Keep that in mind as we discuss Mama’s Boy, a four-song collection that came about as a dedication to his recently-passed mother.

Mama’s Boy starts with a track called “Mama’s Boy Intro,” which help set the stage for the powerful woman Cyrus called “mom.” As someone who lost my mom, I empathize with his situation and respect him for powering through and using music as an outlet–not bottling everything up inside.

The intro starts off with Cyrus giving thanks to his mom for bringing him and keeping him here (on the physical plane). From there, we’re given vignettes throughout the project that help showcase who Cyrus’s mom was–and is. It also acts as catharsis for the pain he feels after losing someone so special. We see a man come to terms with his mother’s death, but a man who accepts that his mother is not gone (like we all should take into consideration). We also get to see a person celebrate positivity in a world where things can go real dark, real quick.

When physical life ends, that is not the end of you. As a matter of fact, I believe that you still live on. I mean that in a spiritual sense and a metaphorical sense. Through your actions, words and people you’ve impacted, you’re bound to be fondly remembered and still able to bring peace to people.

Check out Mama’s Boy above, give your mom a call if you can, and support dope music in all its forms.