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Starships (song)

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"Starships"
Song
B-side"Stupid Hoe"

"Starships" is a song by Trinidadian-American recording artist, Nicki Minaj, and appears her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. It premiered during On Air with Ryan Seacrest and was released as the lead single from the album on the same day. It was produced by RedOne, Carl Falk and Rami Yacoub. The song was released for digital download on February 14, 2012. An accompanying music video for the single was shot in Hawaii on March 13–15, 2012.

"Starships" debuted at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her second solo arrival in the Top 10 of the chart, after "Super Bass", which reached number 3 in 2011. The song peaked at number 5 in the US and was certified platinum. In the United Kingdom, the track debuted at number 16, reaching a peak of number 2 on March 18, 2012, marking Minaj's highest charting single as a solo artist in the region. In Australia, the track debuted at number 14, so far reaching a peak of number 2 making it her highest charting single in the region, and second top 10 hit. It also received a platinum certification in Australia exceeding sales of 70,000 in its fourth week of official release. The single also charted in the top ten for Canada, France, Ireland, Norway, and New Zealand.[1] In 2012, "Starships" was the 3rd most-played song on Myspace, the 12th most-played song on Yahoo! Music, and was the 21st most downloaded ringtone.[2]

Background and recording

Minaj said about the song: "'Starships' is one of my absolute, absolute favorite records on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. It just sounds like a Ryan Seacrest-type of record. And I'm so excited for you to give this song your blessing, Ryan, because I know people are gonna love it. It feels right. It just feels good. It makes people feel happy and that's all I want. I want to start the year off with making people feel good. The [Grammy] performance was the performance, that was my clear craziness, and now it's time to make people dance and have fun, and that’s all I want to do". In a separate interview, she gave further details on the recording of the track: "There was so much love surrounding the making of the song, because RedOne is just so sweet to work with, he just sent me that one day, and he said, 'Hey, I got something for you!' I was like, 'You got to be kidding me, right?' I went to the studio and started writing ... scratch that ... I didn't even write the first verse! That was just me mumbling and just saying the first thing that came to my head, and we recorded it, because I just felt like: 'Let's go to the beach ... let's go get away.' It was just so good. It feels good!"[3]

Composition

"Starships"
A 21 second sample of the song's chorus.[4]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Starships" is a multi-genre song,[5] which heavily utilizes Eurodance,[6] Europop,[7] and Euro house,[5] while also incorporating other genres such as pop,[5] dance,[7] reggae,[8] pop rock,[9] and hip hop.[10] After the chorus, there is a '90s-influenced Eurodance breakdown, which some critics have compared to the likes of Europop groups 2 Unlimited and C+C Music Factory. During the final Breakdown, a stadium football chant can be heard chanting the lead notes of the song. The background vocals on the chorus were considered extremely similar to Britney Spears' 2011 single "Till the World Ends" by Scott Schettler of Popcruch.[4] Jocelyn Vena of MTV also said that "it's hard not to see Spears' influence on the rapper/singer when listening to the song."[3] Billboard compared "Starships" to the work of Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, other artists produced by RedOne.[11] Musically, "Starships" is written in the key of D major and follows a moderate tempo of 125 beats per minute. Written in common time, the song follows a chord progression of D−A−G−Bm−F♯m−G.[12]

Critical reception

The song received mixed reviews. Los Angeles Times said that "The new single will undoubtedly divide Minaj's fan base. Longtime fans may want the cypher queen they fell in love with when she was young and hungry on the mixtape circuit, while her newer, sugar pop-loving delegation will likely crave the quirkier verses -- and cotton candy-colored wigs -- of today's Minaj".[13] MTV said that "The song not only is pure pop perfection, but RedOne's influence is evident, thanks to its grinding Euro dance beats", adding that "It is certainly the perfect song for those who enjoyed shaking their groove thang to "Super Bass". The lighthearted, feel-good vibe of the song is perfect for casual Barbz to blast. It's hard not to see Britney Spears' influence on the rapper/singer when listening to the song, and given that the two toured together last year, Minaj may be trying to remind her pop fans that she has an ear for what they want".[3] Entertainment Weekly gave a negative review, stating that it's "super clubby and contains almost no rapping, which continues Minaj's push into the complete opposite direction she should be heading."[14] Bill Lamb from About.com was mixed with his review, stating: "Starships is a solid outing for Nicki Minaj. However, the day-glo pop-rap success of "Super Bass", emotional power of "Fly", and experimentation of her Grammy Awards performance has left us expecting Nicki Minaj to push boundaries. "Starships" feels a little bit like retreating into a musical pocket and trying a little too hard to insure another pop chart hit. The result is pleasurable but not particularly memorable".[15] Bloggers for Billboard magazine, Andrew Hampp and Erika Ramirez, criticized the track for, "...monstrous pop hooks that overshadow its throwaway lyrics," while stating that it was, "the most polarizing single in Minaj's career to date." The pair also noticed that Minaj seemed to be exploring her "musical identity" through singing, instead of focusing on her strengths.[11]

Music video

In early March 2012, a fan asked Minaj on Twitter if there will be a video for "Starships". She quickly replied, "Yes. Of course barbz. Don't be silly".[16] According to Nickidaily.com, Minaj's assistant Safaree Samuels streamed on UStream that a video for "Starships" will be released before the album comes out.[17] The "Starships" video was filmed in Hawaii, it was a 3-day shoot, filming began on March 13, 2012 and ended on March 15, 2012. The video was directed by Anthony Mandler. In an interview with Capital FM, Minaj briefly commented on the video for "Starships", calling it "very, very saucy" and her "best one yet".[18][19]

Live performances

On February 26, 2012, Minaj performed the single live for the first time along with "Moment 4 Life", "Turn Me On" and "Super Bass" at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. Minaj also performed the single on the eleventh season of American Idol results show on March 29, 2012.

Track listing

  • Digital download
  1. "Starships" – 3:31
  1. "Starships" - 3:31
  2. "Stupid Hoe" - 3:16

Charts and certifications

Release history

Country Date Format
United States[48] February 14, 2012 Radio premiere, digital download
Canada[49] Digital download
United Kingdom[50]
Ireland[51]
Belgium[52] February 15, 2012 Digital download
Spain[53]
Finland[54]
Italy[55]
Luxembourg[56]
Netherlands[57]
New Zealand[58]
Norway[59]
Austria[60]
Portugal[61]
Singapore[62]
United States February 21, 2012 Mainstream and Rhythmic radio
Germany[20] April 6, 2012 CD single

References

  1. ^ "Nicki Minaj Breaks UK Record With 'Starships,' Tells Jay-Z She's Coming For His Spot". Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Starships - Nicki Minaj - Song Information". Billboard. Rovi. Retrieved 3 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Vena, Joceyln (February 14, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Shows Off 'Big Talent' On 'Starships'". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Shetler, Scott (February 14, 2012). "NICKI MINAJ, 'STARSHIPS' – SONG REVIEW". PopCrush. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c Vena, Joceyln (February 14, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Drops Fist-Pumping 'Starships' Single". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  6. ^ Kat George (2012-02-27). "Tuned In: Nicki Minaj Performs A Colorful "Starships" And "Super Bass" At NBA All Star Game". VH1. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  7. ^ a b Sherman, Maria (February 14, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Debuts New Single 'Starships': Listen". Billboard. Rovi. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  8. ^ Florino, Rick (February 16, 2012). "Nicki Minaj "Starships" Song Review — 5 out of 5 stars". Artist Direct. Rogue. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  9. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick (February 14, 2012). "Nicki Minaj's 'Starships' reaffirms her pop star aims". LA Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  10. ^ Anderson, Kyle (February 14, 2012). "Nicki Minaj releases new song 'Starships': Hear it here". Entertainment Weekly. CNN. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  11. ^ a b Hempp, Andrew; Ramirez, Erika (29 March 2012). "Nicki Minaj, 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Rovi. Retrieved 3 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  12. ^ "Unsupported Browser or Operating System". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  13. ^ February 14, 2012  (2012-02-14). "Nicki Minaj's 'Starships' reaffirms her pop star aims - latimes.com". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19. {{cite web}}: Text "  1:21 pm" ignored (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Franich, Darren (2012-02-14). "Nicki Minaj releases new song 'Starships': Hear it here | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  15. ^ "Review: Nicki Minaj - Starships". Top40.about.com. 2009-11-08. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  16. ^ "@NickiMinaj Tweets". Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  17. ^ "Nicki Minaj 'Pink Friday Roman Reloaded' Tracklist Will Be Revealed Next Week!". March 10, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  18. ^ X. Alexander (31 March 2012). "Nicki Minaj Calls Her "Starships" Video "Very Saucy" And Her "Best One Yet"". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  19. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/NICKIMINAJ/status/190485353075970049
  20. ^ a b ' + this.nickname + ' (2008-03-02). "NICKI MINAJ - Diskografie - Starships (2-Track): Minaj,Nicki - Single, CD - CDs, Discography - Universal Music". Universal-music.de. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  21. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  22. ^ "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 2012-03-11.
  23. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  24. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  25. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  26. ^ "Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (Brasil: bpp) (2): 80. 04 April 2012. ISSN 977-217605400-2
  27. ^ "Billboard Brasil Hot Pop & Popular". Billboard Brasil (16): 78–79. 2011. ISSN 977-12176-588555. {{cite journal}}: Check |issn= value (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |autorlink=, |ultimo=, |coautores=, and |primeiro= (help); Unknown parameter |editora= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  28. ^ "Canadian Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  29. ^ "ARC, Issue Date: March 26, 2012" (in Croatian). HRT. 2012-03-28. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  30. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships". Tracklisten. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  31. ^ "Suomen virallinen lista". Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  32. ^ "Charts in France (SNEP)". SNEP. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  33. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  34. ^ "Chart Track: Week 13, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  35. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  36. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships". Top 40 Singles.
  37. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships". VG-lista.
  38. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  39. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships". Singles Top 100.
  40. ^ "Nicki Minaj – Starships". Swiss Singles Chart.
  41. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  42. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  43. ^ Trust, Gary (2012-03-17). "Katy Perry's 'Part of Me' Debuts Atop Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  44. ^ a b c d e "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  45. ^ "Top 50 Singles Chart - Australian Record Industry Assocation". Ariacharts.com.au. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  46. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  47. ^ "Nicki Minaj Sells 1 Million Copies of 'Starships' Single Through Digital Downloads". This Beat Goes. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  48. ^ "iTunes - Music - Starships - Single by Nicki Minaj". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  49. ^ "iTunes - Music - Starships - Single by Nicki Minaj". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  50. ^ "hmvdigital UK - Starships (Explicit Version) by Nicki Minaj". Hmvdigital.com. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  51. ^ "iTunes - Music - Starships - Single by Nicki Minaj". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  52. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | Téléchargements MP3 de Haute Qualité | 7digital Belgique". Fr-be.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  53. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | Descargas de MP3 alta calidad | 7digital España". Es.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  54. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | High quality MP3 downloads | 7digital Suomi". Fi.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  55. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | Download di MP3 di alta qualità | 7digital Italia". It.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  56. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | Téléchargements MP3 de Haute Qualité | 7digital Luxembourg". Lu.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  57. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | MP3 downloads van hoge kwaliteit | 7digital Nederland". Nl.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  58. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | High quality MP3 downloads | 7digital New Zealand". Nz.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  59. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | High quality MP3 downloads | 7digital Norge". No.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  60. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | Musikdownloads - legal, einfach & sicher - in MP3 und anderen Formaten | 7digital Österreich". At.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  61. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | Downloads de MP3 de Alta Qualidade | 7digital Portugal". Pt.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  62. ^ "Starships (2012) | Nicki Minaj | High quality MP3 downloads | 7digital 新加坡". Sg.7digital.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
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