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Pills n Potions

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"Pills n Potions"
Song

"Pills N Potions" is a song by Trinidadian-American recording artist Nicki Minaj from her upcoming third studio album The Pink Print (2014). It was released on May 21, 2014 by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records as the lead single from the record. Minaj collaborated with Cirkut, Dr. Luke, and Ester Dean during the songwriting process, while Cirkut and Dr. Luke were responsible for its production. Backed by a drum beat and a piano, the song is a mixture of pop, hip hop and R&B. The lyrics within the song revolve around somebody who has wronged Minaj. Music critics praised the track, appreciating its cross-over appeal and lyrical content.

Background

Nicki Minaj first mentioned the song in her promo single, "Yasss Bish" which features Soulja Boy. She stated that the single will drop in two weeks.[1] In an interview with Rap-Up TV, she stated that the song was "uplifting" and "very soulful".[2] Prior to it's release, she also described the song with "It sounds like urgency, It sounds like betrayal. It sounds like running. It sounds like fainting. It sounds like love. It sounds like -- *gasp!*", in an interview with Billboard.[3] On May 19, Minaj revealed the official artwork for the single via her Instagram page.[4] She revealed the title of the song at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards and afterwards hosted a Q&A on Twitter where she revealed information regarding the single.[5] On May 21, the full song premiered, worldwide, on her official Soundcloud page with song being available for purchase on iTunes later that day. She also promoted the single through multiple radio interviews including phone interviews with Power 105.1's nationally syndicated show "The Breakfast Club", KIIS-FM's On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Hot 97's morning show, Z100 with Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and a sit down interview with Los Angeles based radio station, Power 106 with "The Big Boy's Neighborhood Morning Show".[6]

Composition

Sonically, "Pills N Potions" is a slow-burning piano ballad "framed in the druggy imagery of mixtape rap".[7][8] A notable departure from her past work, the song combines the genres of pop, hip hop, and R&B.[9][10] Chris Payne of Billboard said the song coupled a chorus "reminiscent of a Rihanna ballad" with rapped verses.[7] Kory Grow of Rolling Stone said the song shows Minaj "sublimely (and maturely) rising above her detractors, even singing that she still loves them."[11]

"Pills N Potions" opens with a spare, haunting drum beat, while Minaj sings the pre-chorus in a feather-like near-whisper, "Pills 'n potions, we're overdosin'/I'm angry but I still love you". As the pre-chorus repeats, an echo effect is added to her vocals, and "blooming" chants of "I still love, I still love, I still lu-uh-uhhhv" are sung to create the songs chorus.[7] During the verses Minaj raps with a sense of urgency, however, the first verse is kept restrained as she raps about someone who wronged her, "They could never make me hate you/Even though what you was doin' wasn't tasteful/Even though you out here looking so ungrateful/I'mma keep it movin' be classy and graceful.” Although she later says that she'll "forgive and forget", but knows that they're jealous of her success: "But I spin off in a Benzie/I see the envy when I'm causin' a frenzy"[12]

Critical reception

"Pills N Potions" was universally acclaimed by critics. Zach Frydenlund of Complex called "Pills N Potions" a "monster of a song", saying: "after a few months of steadly dropping her more street singles, Nicki shows—once again—how she can delicately balance pop and hip-hop, while spitting true to her "real rap" promise to fans."[9] Chris Payne of Billboard felt Minaj was sincere in her delivery of the song's personal lyrics, and went on to call it a "crowd pleaser" with something for every listener to enjoy.[7] Gil Kaufman of MTV News was also positive in his review, saying: "After coming back hard on the singles "Yasss Bish" and "Chi-Raq," the nearly four-and-a-half minute "Potions" is actually a huge move back into the pop game, setting Minaj up for what could be her biggest cross-over hit to date."[12] Although Marc Hogan of Spin found the song's message confusing, he praised Minaj's rapping and said that "when we hear that Rihanna-like "I still lo-uh-uh-ve" hook blasting out of car windows this summer? We'll probably still lo-uh-uh-ve it."[8] A writer for ClickMusic called "Pills N Potions" a more "traditional" love song compared to those done by Minaj before, and said that "there's plenty of her personality running through it and a welcome depth to the lyrics this time around."[10] Kory Grow of Rolling Stone called the song a "piano rap ballad", and said it comes off as the "diametric opposite" of her last single, "Lookin Ass".[11]

Music video

A music video for the song was shot on May 13 and 14, 2014, by Diane Martel, who also shot Minaj's "Right Thru Me" video. Minaj released behind the scenes photos of the set on her official Instagram page. Minaj revealed, via Twitter, that the video would see her with a look that she hasn't ever had in a video before.[5]

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 38

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States May 21, 2014 Digital download
[14]
Canada [14]
United Kingdom [14]
United States June 10, 2014 Mainstream and Rhythmic radio [15][16]

References

  1. ^ Listen: Nicki Minaj reveals new song 'Yasss Bish!!' feat. Soulja Boy | Gigwise
  2. ^ Rap-Up.com || New Music: Nicki Minaj – ‘Pills N Potions’
  3. ^ Nicki Minaj Drops 'Pills N Potions,' Her New Dr. Luke-Produced Single | Billboard
  4. ^ Nicki Minaj Reveals 'Pills N Potion' Single Artwork | Vibe
  5. ^ a b Nicki Minaj Holds Twitter Q&A on "Pills N Potions" - XXL
  6. ^ Rap-Up.com || Nicki Minaj Talks Forbes Iggy Azalea Article, Jay Z’s ‘Blueprint,’ & Remy Ma
  7. ^ a b c d Payne, Chris (May 21, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Drops 'Pills N Potions,' Her New Dr. Luke-Produced Single". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Hogan, Marc (May 21, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Holds Onto Love (and Pop) on 'Pills N Potions'". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Frydenlund, Zach (May 21, 2014). "Listen to Nicki Minaj's "Pills N Potions"". Complex. Rich Antoniello. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Listen: Nicki Minaj's 'Pills N Potions' is finally here for you to hear". ClickMusic. Click Music Ltd. May 21, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  11. ^ a b Grow, Kory (May 21, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Spreads the Love in New Ballad 'Pills N Potion'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  12. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (May 21, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Sings Sweetly On 'Pills N Potions': Listen Here". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  14. ^ a b c "Pills N Potions – Single by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved May 22, 2014. Cite error: The named reference "itunes" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  15. ^ http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases
  16. ^ http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases
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