"Word of Mouf'" Discussion Questions

On Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges’ 2001 release, “Word of Mouf,” the artist encourages us to, “Read between the fine print, think about lyrical content.” With that in mind, I present these discussion questions.

1)    Coming 2 America

a.     Discuss the line “I pack more nuts than Delta Airlines” in light of post-9/11 security policies.

2)    Rollout (My Business)

a.     Examine the barrage of questions as it relates to the attainment of wealth for wealth’s sake, particularly the couplet, “Now tell me who's your housekeeper and what you keep in your house?/ What about diamonds and gold, is that what you keep in your mouf [sic]?”

b.     Discuss Mr. Bridge’s commentary on traditional rhyme scheme in his choice of rhyming “bag” with “bag,” “room” with “room,” and “case” with “case.”

3)    Go 2 Sleep

a.     Making hoes “go to sleep” is a matter of great import to the “dirty south” community, as evidence by the appearance of no less than five guest MCs. Discuss the socioeconomic impact of the current lucidity of said hoes and its effect on “nuttin on yo sheets”

4)    Cry Babies (Oh No)

a.     Discuss the line, “I got people scared as fuck like when condoms break/ or how your heart deals with eating eighty pounds of steak” as it relates to the lack of proper healthcare in underprivileged neighborhoods.

5)    She Said

a.     Discuss the post-feminist ideals of empowerment through sexuality as it relates to the line “She said she couldn't see how women turn trick (turn trick)/ And couldn't picture tryna suck a nigga dick (suck a dick)”

6)    Area Codes

a.     How does Mr. Bridges relate having “hoes in different area codes” to the Freudian dichotomy of id and superego and its relation to the search for pleasure and the desire for personal fulfillment?

b.     Discuss the line “7-1-8s, 2-0-2s/I send small cities and states I.O.Us” in light of the current administration’s economic stimulus initiatives.

7)    Move Bitch

a.     What are some of the possible reasons for the bitch‘s steadfast refusal to “get out the way”?

8)    Get the F**k Back

a.     Discuss the modern male’s unwillingness to confront physical pain as it relates to the line “Bitch, the whole town’s on my nut sack.”