"Dear Mama" has been consistently ranked among the best of its genre, appearing on numerous "greatest" lists.

In 2009, the song was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, who deemed it a work that is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States",[3] making it the first hip hop recording by a soloist to be inducted.

Having "lost all respect" for his mother, he subsequently moved into a vacant apartment with friends and began writing poetry and rap lyrics.

[7] In 1990, realizing her habit was out-of-control,[7] she enrolled in a 12-step program at a drug and alcohol treatment center in Norwalk, Connecticut.

[10] Upon completion of the track, Shakur phoned longtime friend Jada Pinkett-Smith, remarking; I wrote this song about our mothers and I want you to hear it.

[11] Pinkett-Smith's mother too had struggled with drug addiction, and their experiences growing up with this as children led to their friendship.

[8] In a cultural and historical context, "Dear Mama" is part of a long line of hip-hop songs in which male rappers state their reverence for their mothers.

Statistics show that a disproportionate number of African-American households are headed by single mothers, and Hess asserts that their bravery and role in their children's lives leads to their status as an "eternal symbol of love" in their offspring's eyes.

[6] In addition, Shakur recorded the tune as he knew he was not the only person to grow up with a parent struggling with drug addiction.

"[17] Shakur also describes "being kicked out of his home at 17, selling crack rock with thugs who offered paternalistic support, hugging his mother from behind bars.

According to The Philadelphia Tribune's George Yancy, the slowness of the beat creates in the listener a mood of reflective reminiscence.

[19] Tupac begins by creating a context where his mother was simply taken for granted against the backdrop of his rather mischievous behavior.

I reminisce on the stress I caused..."[19] Tupac Shakur has truly provided us with a Black matriarchal praise song.

It pulls us into the center of Tupac's own individual son-mother symbiotic relationship and yet it speaks to our own often dormant memories of just how wonderful our mothers have been.

[22][23] The Los Angeles Times praised the tune, writing, "The song attests to Shakur's gift at crystallizing complex emotions in simple stark images.

"[10] Rolling Stone called the song "a heartfelt, sometimes harsh dedication of love for his mother that deals with the trials and tribulations each has put the other through.

"[24] In his dean's list for the Pazz & Jop critics poll, Robert Christgau named "Dear Mama" the eighth best single of 1995.

[27] Carrie Golus of USA Today opined that "Dear Mama" was the sole reason for the double-platinum certifications of Me Against the World.

[7] Golus also argues that the song revealed a softer side of the rapper, leading to increased recognition, especially among female fans.

"[30] On the subject of the inclusion, Afeni Shakur stated, It could have been any song, but I'm honored they chose "Dear Mama" in particular.