Nicki Minaj has long-since cemented herself as one of the household names in hip-hop and rap. The female rapper and singer/songwriter has displayed an innate ability to create top-charting tracks in both the pop and rap lanes throughout her career. However, a deeper dive into her catalog proves that she’s more than a hit artist. Her vulnerable songwriting and diverse sonic directions have made for a truly impressive catalog.
The New York City-raised artist first made a name for herself from 2007 to 2009, releasing 3 mixtapes within that time period. Already displaying an innate ability to bounce between braggadocios verses and heartfelt vocal falsettos, her childhood influences ranged from Janet Jackson to Nas. Minaj would start the 2010s off with her debut full-length project in the form of “Pink Friday.” Featuring artists such as Drake, Eminem, Kanye West, and Rihanna, she spent no time becoming one of the hottest names in the music industry.
After her first release, Minaj would continue to expand her scope as an artist. With a limelight personality, she would go on to release hit tracks such as “Anaconda” and “Starships.” Additionally, she would put a microscope the pop scene by releasing “The Pinkprint” in 2014. Most recently, she released “Queen” in 2018. Amidst a strong run of features in 2020 and 2021, she’s been teasing a new album on social media. Still one of the biggest artists in the world, this list is all about the very best tracks from her diverse catalog (so far).
Let us know what your favorite Nicki Minaj songs are in the comments.
Champion
The seventh track from her sophomore project “Pink Friday… Roman Reloaded,” “Champion” is a triumphant song from start to finish. Booming drums and shimmering synths add to the celebratory mood of the song. Minaj reflects on her work ethic propelling her out of Queen, speaking directly to her family and friends who supported her rise to fame. Impressively, she outperforms the features from Drake and Nas. However, her ability to get two of the most relevant names in hip-hop on the same track was massively telling about Minaj’s pristine status in the music industry. In addition, she absolutely kills the hook on what is likely the best track off of this record.
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Bed of Lies
Nicki Minaj and Skylar Grey bounce off of each other on the uncanny and heartbreaking “Bed of Lies.” The track is a direct response to her sudden breakup with 11-year-long partner and fellow MC Safaree. Grey delivers what is the best feature on “The Pink Print,” with an ethereal hook. For the numerous bangers that Minaj is known for, “Bed of Lies” showcases her ability to let her songwriting be the driving force of an engaging track. Painting her ex exploitative and soulless, she states: “You can never make eye contact, everything you got was based off of my contact.”
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Grand Piano
Coming right after “Bed of Lies,” “Grand Piano” is essentially a narrative continuation of that track. Undoubtedly Minaj’s most powerful outro track, she is self-deprecating regarding her naivety in believing that her heart could never be broken. While “The Pink Print” is a record that endorses female power, “Grand Piano” is Minaj letting her audience know that for all of the boldness and power which she displays, the scars are still there. Driven by somber piano chords, it’s one of her most impressive vocal performances to date.
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Anaconda
Hear me out. “Anaconda” is mildly cringe-worthy and unbearable to listen to. There’s no denying that. However, “Anaconda” is the track that solidified Minaj as a global icon both as a musician and as a personality. The music video was a hot topic of debate throughout, as old heads argued that it’s expression was overtly vulgar and sexual. Approaching 10 years since it’s release, the song highlighted a shift towards body positivity and sexuality through less of a filtered lens. Minaj stated: “I wanted to reinstate something. Because of the shift in pop culture, even hip-hop men are really glorifying the less curvy body. I wanted to say, ‘Hey ladies, you’re beautiful’”.
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Moment 4 Life
The hit song from Nicki Minaj’s debut album, “Moment 4 Life” resembles the cinematic sound of much of her earlier mixtapes. Similar to the previously mentioned “Champion”, Minaj and Drake are each marveling at their success in their lives. Through and through a nostalgic feel-good song, the duo are at the top of the mountain; “I can’t believe we really made it, I’m partly surprised.” Booming drums and soft piano chords seamlessly mix, as Minaj states “I wish that I could have this moment for life” on one of her catchiest hooks to date.
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Right By My Side
Nicki Minaj’s feature choices have been relatively hit or miss throughout her catalog. However, Minaj and Chris Brown flourish together on “Right By My Side.” Ironically, Brown doesn’t even write his verse for the track. One of the noteworthy tracks from the up-and-down “Pink Friday… Roman Reloaded” record, it’s an uncompromising love song. Minaj states “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, what I need is you right by my side.” A heartwarming blend of high hats and drums, it’s a relatively simple song that showcases Minaj and Brown’s vocal talents.
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Seeing Green
It wasn’t possible to make this list without featuring “Seeing Green.” Initially released to streaming in 2021, the song was actually created in 2009 as a part of the featured mixtape, “Beam Me Up Scotty.” Sampling Heather Headley’s “In My Mind,” the production is absolutely killer. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake are each at the top of their pen games, with bars such as: “I am the star in any room that I stand in / I am the stand-out, you just my stand in.”
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