The song samples Michael Jackson's 1983 single "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" in the repeated line "Mama say, mama sa mama cu sa" in its chorus; the title is taken from both this sample and the song "Soul Makossa", which inspired the Jackson tune. Another credited sample is from Duran Duran's "Save a Prayer". Track listing CD single
His âSoul Makossaâ* was a Top 40 hit in 1973 and was widely covered by other artists. Its chanted refrain, âmama ko, mama sa, maka makossa,â was adapted by Michael Jackson for his 1983 hit âWanna Be Startinâ Somethin'â and again by Rihanna for her 2007 âDonât Stop the Music.â. In 2009, Dibango sued both artists for using theIf youâre familiar with the Michael Jackson song âWanna Be Startinâ Somethinââ (or if youâve heard one of its countless covers and samples 1) youâve probably wondered to yourself, âWhat the hell does mamase mamasa mamakusa mean?â Some cite misheard lyrics as the origin of the phrase, while others assume itâs a foreign language. Hacf.