Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj song)
| "Feeling Myself" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Feeling Myself" is a song by Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj featuring American singer Beyoncé from Minaj's third studio album The Pinkprint (2014). It was written by Minaj, SZA, Beyoncé, and Hit-Boy and produced by the latter two. "Feeling Myself" is a hip hop song backed by a West Coast synth, driving bass and drums.
Background
In May 2014, Minaj's manager Gee Roberson contacted her to inform her that Beyoncé wanted a remix of "Flawless" on which she would be featured. Following this, Beyoncé sent Minaj a new version of the song she wanted and told Minaj, "I want you to be you. I don't want you to hold back."[3] Minaj agreed to do the song with her and in return Beyoncé would be featured on The Pinkprint.[3] Singer-songwriter SZA was en-listed to co-write parts of the song. She was called and later went to the studio to meet and work with the song's producer, Hit-Boy. During the studio session SZA wrote the song's lyrics whilst Beyoncé and Hit-boy produced it.[4]
Composition
The song's beat is built over a West Coast synth, driving bass and drums along with bells and whistles incorporated into the production.[5] The song contains rough edges, with high winding synths and intense lyrics that revolve around both Minaj and Beyoncé "bragging" about themselves.[6] Caroline Bologna of The Huffington Post writes that the song is about masturbation.[7]
Music video
On May 18, 2015 the music video premiered exclusively on music streaming service Tidal. It features the two singers in various scenes at Coachella and several other locations.[8] In June 2015, Billboard named "Feeling Myself" video as one of the 10 best music videos of the first half of 2015.[9]
Reception
Pitchfork Media named the song "Best New Track" of the day, with Molly Beauchemin commenting that "Nicki Minaj is the only woman who can get Beyoncé to do her bidding. When a woman capable of 'stopping the world' tells you to 'carry on', there's no choice but to bring it."[10] Additionally, Pitchfork Media named "Feeling Myself" the 13th best music video of 2015. [11]
"Feeling Myself" peaked at number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on urban radio. As of May 30, 2015, the song has sold 974,000 copies in the US.[12]
Live performances
On July 24, 2015, Nicki Minaj performed "Feeling Myself" on Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series.[13] Minaj also performed the song during The Pinkprint Tour.[14] On October 20, 2015, Minaj and Beyoncé performed the song at the Charity Concert "Tidal X1020" at the Barclays Center.[citation needed]
Charts
| Chart (2014–15) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[15] | 52 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[16] | 75 |
| Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[17] | 42 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] | 67 |
| France (SNEP)[19] | 53 |
| Scotland (OCC)[20] | 40 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[21] | 64 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[22] | 12 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[23] | 39 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[24] | 12 |
References
- ^ "16 Things We Learned About The Pinkprint From Nicki Minaj's Twitter Q&A". Retrieved August 5, 2014.
- ^ Ramirez, Erika. "Nicki Minaj Explains How Beyonce's 'Flawless' Remix Came to Be". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Ramirez, Erika (August 4, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Explains How Beyoncé's 'Flawless' Remix Came to Be". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
- ^ Mansell, Henry (January 1, 2015). "SZA Discusses Co-Writing Nicki Minaj's "Feeling Myself" & Updates "A" Album Status". HipHopDX.
- ^ Hughes, Josiah (December 11, 2014). "Nicki Minaj "Feeling Myself" (ft. Beyoncé)". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ Menyes, Carolyn (December 11, 2014). "Buzz Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé "Feelin' Myself' Leaks Before 'The Pinkprint' Release Date". Music Times. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ Bologna, Caroline (August 27, 2015). "22 Sexy Songs That Give Female Masturbation The Love It Deserves". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- ^ White, Caitlin (May 18, 2015). "Nicki Minaj – "Feeling Myself" (Feat. Beyoncé) Video". Stereogum. Spin Media. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (June 24, 2015). "Top 10 Best Music Videos of 2015 (so far)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- ^ Beauchemin, Molly (December 17, 2014). "Nicki Minaj "Feeling Myself" [ft. Beyoncé]". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
- ^ "Best Music Videos of 2015". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ^ Balfour, Jay (May 30, 2015). "Hip Hop Singles Sales: Wiz Khalifa, Fetty Wap, T'Wayne". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ Brodsky, Rachel (July 24, 2015). "Nicki Minaj Performs 'Feeling Myself' on 'Good Morning America'". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- ^ Platon, Adelle (July 27, 2015). "Review: Nicki Minaj Takes The Lead And Owns It At 'Pinkprint Tour' Stop In Brooklyn". Vibe. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (May 30, 2015). "ARIA Singles: Taylor Swift Bad Blood Is No 1". Noise11. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj feat. Beyoncé – Feeling Myself" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj feat. Beyoncé – Feeling Myself" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj + Beyoncé – Feeling Myself" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
