Ms. Jackson

---

title: "Ms. Jackson" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2000-songs", "2000-singles", "arista-records-singles", "billboard-hot-100-number-one-singles", "dutch-top-40-number-one-singles", "european-hot-100-singles-number-one-singles", "laface-records-singles", "music-videos-directed-by-f.-gary-gray", "number-one-singles-in-germany", "number-one-singles-in-norway", "number-one-singles-in-sweden", "outkast-songs", "song-recordings-produced-by-earthtone-iii", "songs-about-mothers", "songs-written-by-andré-3000", "songs-written-by-big-boi", "songs-written-by-mr.-dj"] description: "2000 single by Outkast" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ms._Jackson" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 2000 single by Outkast ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

Field	Value
name	Ms. Jackson
cover	Ms._Jackson.jpg
type	single
artist	Outkast
album	Stankonia
released
studio	Stankonia Recording (Atlanta, Georgia)
* Hip hop{{Cite web	url
* R&B<ref name	"1001 2015"
* soul<ref name	"RS Staff 2025"
*psychedelic rap{{cite magazine	last1
producer	Earthtone III
prev_title	B.O.B
prev_year	2000
next_title	So Fresh, So Clean
next_year	2001
misc	{{Audio sample
type	single
file	Ms. Jackson.ogg
description	}}
::

::callout[type=note] the song by Outkast ::

| name = Ms. Jackson | cover = Ms._Jackson.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Outkast | album = Stankonia | B-side =

• "Sole Sunday"
• "Elevators (Me & You)" | released = | recorded = | studio = Stankonia Recording (Atlanta, Georgia) | genre =
• Hip hop
• R&B
• soul
• psychedelic rap | length =
• 4:30 (album version)
• 4:03 (radio edit) | label =
• LaFace
• Arista | writer =
• André Benjamin
• Antwan Patton
• David Sheats | producer = Earthtone III | prev_title = B.O.B | prev_year = 2000 | next_title = So Fresh, So Clean | next_year = 2001 | misc = {{Audio sample | type = single | file = Ms. Jackson.ogg | description =}} "Ms. Jackson" is a song by the American hip-hop duo Outkast, consisting of André 3000 and Big Boi. It was released on October 24, 2000, as the second single from Outkast's fourth album, Stankonia. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week on February 17, 2001, and reached number one in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Rolling Stone ranked it 55th on its "100 Best Songs of the 2000s" list in June 2011 and at number 145 on its "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list in 2021. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 81 on its list of the "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".

"Ms. Jackson" won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. The music video, directed by F. Gary Gray, which features animals nodding along to the song, won the BET Award for Video of the Year and MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video. The single helped sell the album following the commercial underperformance of the lead single, "B.O.B", which, despite near universal acclaim from critics, failed to chart on the Hot 100 and only reached number 69 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

Background and writing

In Vibe magazine, a few years after the song was released, André Benjamin (André 3000) recalled creating the song, "'Ms. Jackson' was an acoustic guitar song that I was doing at home. Then I just converted it over into something people could understand a little bit more." The song was inspired, in part, by Benjamin's relationship with Erykah Badu and her mother. In November 2016, Badu described her initial reaction to the song, stating that, "It hit kind of a sore spot. I didn't wanna hear that, especially when I heard Big Boi's verse. When I heard André's verse, I felt very good because his verse was really, really inspiring. He just said how he felt and it was his honest feelings and I always respected that and listened to what he felt and appreciated it." Badu also noted that her mother loved the song, saying, "Baby, she bought herself a 'Ms. Jackson' license plate. She had the mug, she had the ink pen, she had the headband, everything."

Content

Lyrically, the song is a love profession to the mother of the narrator's romantic partner that examines the issues that arise from having a child out of wedlock. In the song, the narrator promises to support his child regardless of what happens. The instrumentation samples the Brothers Johnson's version (with various audio effects, prominently reversing) of "Strawberry Letter 23", by Shuggie Otis.

Critical reception

Billboard magazine wrote that song's message is genuine, noting its 1980s hip-hop sound and Outkast's "frantic" lyrics that emphasize the track's storyline. Reviewing the parent album, the same publication compared the track to an "old-school hip-hop love song" and called it "oh-so-radio-ready". Marci Kenon of Billboard called the "babies' mommas' mommas" hook memorable and later referred to the track as "infectious".

In 2020, The Ringer ranked the song number five on its list of the 50 greatest Outkast songs, and in 2021, The Guardian ranked the song number six on its list of the 20 greatest Outkast songs.

Music video

The song's music video, directed by F. Gary Gray and produced by Earthtone III, works as a possible metaphor for the duo's "stormy" relationships with the mothers of their children and their families. In the United States, a DVD single featuring the videos for "B.O.B" and "Ms. Jackson" was released in 2000, before the other physical formats. Along with Toni Braxton's "Just Be a Man About It", this single was the first to bear only a DVD credit on the Billboard Hot 100 until the other formats were issued. Because "Ms. Jackson" was the only Outkast song that was present on the Hot 100 at the time, sales points were added to this song instead of "B.O.B".

Track listings

US maxi-CD and 12-inch single, Australian CD single

1. "Ms. Jackson" (radio mix) – 4:03
2. "Ms. Jackson" (instrumental) – 4:34
3. "Sole Sunday" feat. Goodie Mob (radio mix) – 4:41
4. "Sole Sunday" feat. Goodie Mob (instrumental) – 4:41

US DVD single

1. "B.O.B" (video)
2. "Ms. Jackson" (video)
3. "What Is Stankonia? An Exclusive Interview with Big Boi & Dre"

European CD single

1. "Ms. Jackson" (radio mix) – 4:03
2. "Ms. Jackson" (instrumental) – 4:34 UK CD single
3. "Ms. Jackson" (radio edit) – 3:36
4. "Elevators (Me & You)" – 4:56
5. "Ms. Jackson" (video) – 4:58

UK 12-inch and cassette single

1. "Ms. Jackson" (album version) – 4:30
2. "Elevators (Me & You)" – 4:56

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes.

Studio

• Recorded and mixed at Stankonia Recording (Atlanta, Georgia)

Personnel

• André 3000 – writing (as André Benjamin), vocals, background vocals, guitar
• Big Boi – writing (as Antwan Patton), vocals
• David Sheats – writing
• Earthtone III – keyboards, programming, production, arrangement
• Rajinder Kala – backwards congas
• Marvin "Chanz" Parkman – piano
• Aaron Mills of Cameo – bass
• John Frye – recording
• Malik Albert – recording assistant
• Vincent Alexander – recording assistant
• Warren Bletcher – recording assistant, mixing assistant
• Neal H. Pogue – mixing

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (2000–2001) | Peak position | Australia|2|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016|refname="aus"}} | Australiaurban|2|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue578.PDF|access-date=September 21, 2020}} | Austria|3|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Flanders|2|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Wallonia|5|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) | Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS) | Croatia (HRT) | Denmark|3|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | Finland|8|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | France|5|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Germany|1|songid=4580|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Ireland2|5|artist=Outkast|song=Ms Jackson|access-date=January 24, 2020}} | Italy|9|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Dutch40|1|week=5|year=2001|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Dutch100|1|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=May 21, 2018}} | New Zealand|5|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Norway|1|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Poland (Music & Media) | Romania (Romanian Top 100) | Scotland|4|date=20010303|access-date=May 21, 2018}} | Sweden|1|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Switzerland|2|artist=Outkast|song=Ms. Jackson|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | UK|2|date=20010303|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | UKdance|3|date=20010303|access-date=May 5, 2017}} | UKrandb|1|date=20010303|access-date=May 5, 2017}} | Billboardhot100|1|artist=OutKast|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Billboardrandbhiphop|1|artist=OutKast|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Billboardpopsongs|13|artist=OutKast|access-date=July 21, 2016}} | Billboardrhythmic|1|artist=OutKast|access-date=February 9, 2020}} | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (2001)	Position	Australia (ARIA)	Australian Urban (ARIA)	Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	France (SNEP)	Germany (Media Control)	Ireland (IRMA)	Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	Netherlands (Single Top 100)	Romania (Romanian Top 100)	Sweden (Hitlistan)	Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	UK Singles (OCC)	UK Urban (Music Week)	US Billboard Hot 100	US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)	US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)	US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)	US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)
17
7
21
21
28
11
45
12
52
34
50
79
15
24
43
24
25
18
3
56
10
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table]

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.	United States	Sweden	United Kingdom	Australia
October 24, 2000
December 12, 2000	Contemporary hit radio
January 22, 2001	CD
February 19, 2001
February 26, 2001	CD
::

References

References

1. Smith, Troy. (April 13, 2021). "200 greatest hip-hop songs of all time".
2. Harrington, Jim. (2015). "1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die". [[Rizzoli Libri.
3. Rolling Stone Staff. (January 10, 2025). "The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far".
4. (August 18, 2006). "OutKast: Idlewild".
5. (June 17, 2011). "100 Best Songs of the 2000s".
6. (September 15, 2021). "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
7. Schiller, Rebecca. (October 6, 2011). "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years". [[NME]].
8. "Stankonia - OutKast {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic".
9. Vibe Magazine, October 2006, p. 128
10. Levine, Nick. (November 26, 2016). "Erykah Badu reveals what the real 'Ms. Jackson' thinks of Outkast's iconic rap hit". NME.
11. Lopez, Stephanie. (October 28, 2000). "Stephanie Lopez's Rhythm Section".
12. (November 18, 2000). "Reviews & Previews: Singles".
13. Songfacts. "Ms. Jackson by OutKast - Songfacts".
14. (November 4, 2000). "Reviews & Previews: Albums".
15. Kenon, Marci. (September 23, 2000). "OutKast Breaks Hip-Hop's Mold".
16. (December 30, 2000). "Hip-Hop Heard Throughout the World".
17. (October 29, 2020). "The Ringer's 50 Best Outkast Songs, Ranked".
18. Petridis, Alexis. (August 20, 2021). "Outkast's 20 greatest songs – ranked!". [[The Guardian]].
19. (November 14, 2009). "OutKast - Ms. Jackson (Official Video) - YouTube".
20. Pietroluongo, Silvio. (December 9, 2000). "Hot 100 Spotlight".
21. (2001). "Ms. Jackson". LaFace Records, Arista Records.
22. (2001). "Ms. Jackson". LaFace Records, Arista Records.
23. (2000). "Ms. Jackson". LaFace Records, Arista Records.
24. (2001). "Ms. Jackson". LaFace Records, Arista Records.
25. (2001). "Ms. Jackson". LaFace Records, Arista Records.
26. (2001). "Ms. Jackson". LaFace Records, Arista Records.
27. (2001). "Ms. Jackson". LaFace Records, Arista Records.
28. "Outkast Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)".
29. "Canadian Top 20 in 2002".
30. "HR Top 20 Lista". [[Croatian Radiotelevision]].
31. (March 3, 2001). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
32. (March 31, 2001). "Major Market Airplay – Week 14/2001".
33. "Top of the Year 2001". [[Romanian Top 100]].
34. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
35. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2001". ARIA.
36. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001".
37. "Jaaroverzichten 2001". [[Ultratop]].
38. "Rapports annuels 2001". Ultratop.
39. (December 22, 2001). "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001".
40. "Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 2001". [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
41. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2001". [[GfK Entertainment]].
42. "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allchart.
43. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2001". [[Dutch Top 40]].
44. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001".
45. "Årslista Singlar, 2001". [[Sverigetopplistan]].
46. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001".
47. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001". [[UKChartsPlus]].
48. (January 19, 2002). "Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2001".
49. "Billboard Top 100 – 2001".
50. (December 29, 2001). "The Year in Music 2001: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks".
51. (December 29, 2001). "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Rap Singles".
52. (December 21, 2001). "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001".
53. (December 21, 2001). "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2001".
54. (October 20, 2000). "Going for Adds / AddVance Notice".
55. (December 8, 2000). "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds".
56. "Outkast: Ms. Jackson".
57. (February 17, 2001). "New Releases – For Week Starting February 19, 2001: Singles".
58. (February 26, 2001). "The ARIA Report: ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 26th February 2001". ARIA.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::