Mother’s Day Playlist: 12 Artists Who Have Their Momagers To Thank

WHO: Chris Brown MOM: Joyce Hawkins WORKING RELATIONSHIP: Chris Brown and his mama may have had humble beginnings in their hometown of Tappahannock, Virginia, but it was Joyce’s savvy business sense that transformed Breezy and his untapped potential into a hit-making machine. Aside from facilitating her son’s entrance in the music scene, Joyce has been Chris’s voice of reason and biggest cheerleader during his most controversial moments. KEY SONG: “Forever”

WHO: Brandy MOM: Sonja Norwood WORKING RELATIONSHIP: Sonja Norwood has been at the helm of her daughter’s career since Brandy could talk — not to mention belt out soulful notes grand enough to earn her the nickname “The Vocal Bible.” Sonja brokered the deal for Brandy’s first TV sitcom, Thea, and has been the heartbeat of the Brandy operation ever since. KEY SONG: “Have You Ever”

WHO: Debbie Gibson MOM: Diane Gibson WORKING RELATIONSHIP: 1980s pop star Debbie Gibson toured the dance club circuit with her momager Diane when her breakout hit “Only In My Dreams” was at its peak. This speaks to how tightly knit the mother-daughter duo were during Debbie’s streak of late ’80s radio smashes. KEY SONG: “Only In My Dreams”

WHO: Ashanti MOM: Tina Douglas WORKING RELATIONSHIP: Perhaps no one embraces the momaner title more proudly than Ashanti’s mom Tina Douglas. Despite the overbearing perception the public has of “stage moms,” Ashanti and Tina’s operation could not be a better-oiled machine. In an interview with Meredith Vieira, Ashanti revealed that having a mom as a manager turned out to be a benefit, given the cutthroat nature of show business where budding acts never quite know who they can trust. KEY SONG: “Foolish”

Did we miss any artists who have or had a momager? Let us know below…and Happy Mother’s Day!