I Am Your Leader

Last updated

"I Am Your Leader"
Song by Nicki Minaj featuring Rick Ross and Cam'ron
from the album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
ReleasedApril 3, 2012
Recorded2011
Genre
Length3:33
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Fernando Garibay & Hit-Boy
Music video
"I Am Your Leader" on YouTube

"I Am Your Leader" is a song recorded by American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj for her second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). The song features additional rap vocals from hip hop artists Rick Ross and Cam'ron. Production of the song was handled by Fernando Garibay & Chauncey "Hit-Boy" Hollis, with writing coming from Minaj, Garibay, Hollis, Ross, and Cam'ron. Musically, "I Am Your Leader" is a midtempo hardcore hip hop and electro hop song that contains sparse beats, minimal instrumentation, repetitive, high-pitched, off-pitch synth hooks, and a booming, static bass. Lyrically, Minaj "dishes boast-heavy verses about how she’s better than all these other bitches", according to Adam Fleischer of XXL Magazine .

Contents

"I Am Your Leader" garnered praise from contemporary music critics, with the majority praising the song's production, Minaj's vocal delivery, and the appearances of Cam'ron and Ross. To promote the song, an accompanying music video for the song was released on August 24, 2012. It features Minaj inside a brightly colored playhouse dressed in eccentric clothing, while sequences show Minaj, Ross and Cam'ron in different rooms such as the bathroom, the staircase, and the dining room. Fellow rapper Tyga also makes a brief cameo appearance. Despite not being released as a single, "I Am Your Leader" peaked at number 71 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Minaj briefly performed a part of the song on The Today Show's summer concert series.

Background

Rick Ross (pictured) and Minaj are long time collaborators. Rick Ross in 2011.jpg
Rick Ross (pictured) and Minaj are long time collaborators.

Following the success of Minaj's debut album, Pink Friday , Cash Money co-CEO, Brian "Birdman" Williams announced to Billboard that Minaj was aiming to release her second album within the first quarter of 2012. [1] In November 2011, Minaj announced on Twitter that the album would be released on February 14, 2012, though it was later delayed to April 3, 2012. The album focuses on Roman Zolanski, one of Minaj's alter egos that was first featured on Pink Friday. [2] On May 24, 2012, a poll was posted on Minaj's official website asking fans to choose the next single(s). The poll was divided into three categories: The second category asked fans to choose between "Champion", "HOV Lane", and "I Am Your Leader". [3] "Champion" had the most votes and won the poll; "HOV Lane" came in second, and "I Am Your Leader" came in third. [3] On June 6, 2012, Minaj announced through her official Twitter that "Champion" would be the next urban single. [4]

Composition

"I Am Your Leader" is a hardcore hip-hop and electro-hop song that runs for three minutes and thirty-three seconds. [5] The production consists of a "chilled-out, humming beat punctuated on the chorus with a blunted fake-horn hook—halfway between classic-era Neptunes and Look At Me Now" according to Andrew Unterberger of Popdust. [6] It also contains repetitive, high-pitched, off-pitch synth hooks, and a booming, static bass. [6] "I Am Your Leader" makes use of sparse beats, frills, minimal instrumentation, and allows Minaj's rhymes to be the focal point, all of which gives the song "something of a mixtape feel" according to Joe Rivers of No Ripcord. [7] In his review of the song, Unterberger of Popdust noted Hit-Boy's modern hip hop production, saying "Diplo and Bangladesh might have to watch their back after the up-and-comers contributions to this album." [6] Adam Fleischer of XXL said "Nicki dishes boast-heavy verses about how she’s better than all these other bitches." [8]

Critical reception

"I Am Your Leader" received positive reviews from critics. Andrew Unterberger of Popdust gave it a 4-star rating, complimenting Minaj's rapping as well as the guest verses of Cam'ron and Rick Ross. However, Unterberger felt that Minaj was overshadowed by the guest verses. [6] Andrew Hampp of Billboard echoed Unterberger's sentiments, saying "The nostalgia of Cam's return trumps the overall catchiness of the song." [9] XXL Magazine stated that "Though many of the early songs [on the album] lack real substance, the records remain generally exciting - “I Am Your Leader,” alongside Rick Ross and Cam’ron, “Beez In The Trap” with 2 Chainz, and the triumphant “Champion” featuring Nas, Drake and Young Jeezy are all memorable moments". [8] Joe Rivers No Ripcord praised "I Am Your Leader" along with "Beez in the Trap" for being "thrilling" and making "good use of cameos". [7] Stephen Deusner of Paste Magazine said that "On the nursery rhyming “I Am Your Leader,” [Minaj] spits yet another dick joke like a playground jeer, slyly undermining hip-hop's traditionally male-centric braggadocio. She's not only participating in phallocentric boasting; she's also inflating the convention with a Swedish penis pump until it's just shy of bursting". [10]

David Jeffries of Allmusic listed it as one of the best tracks on the album. [11] Matthew Cole of Slant Magazine stated that "'I Am Your Leader' and 'Beez in the Trap' [are] two excellent tracks which manage to sound both bubbly and heavy as Minaj delivers her most effortlessly entertaining shit-talk to date". [12] Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork called "Come On A Cone" and "I Am Your Leader" "two brilliantly off-kilter songs". [13] Tom Ewing of The Guardian said that "On "I Am Your Leader", [Minaj] drops a couple of octaves to gleefully pompous effect". [14] Kevin Ritchie of NOW Magazine named it the top track of the album. [15] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly named it one of the best tracks on the album along with "Champion". [16]

Promotion

Music video

The video begins with a pink mailbox with the song's title on the front written in different fonts. It is set in an esque brightly coloured playhouse. Minaj raps her first verse in a spacious room filled with antler heads and wacky windows and is seen standing on a zebra print carpet. Minaj is then seen in a bathtub, partially clothed, wearing only Alexander McQueen “Armadillo” jewel encrusted 12-inch stiletto shoes. She wears a green, Marilyn Monroe inspired wig. This is followed by a scene with all three rappers. After the hook, Rick Ross is seen sitting on a gold banquet table reciting his rap, shirtless, while gold mannequins ascend behind him. For Cam'ron's verse the scene is located on a staircase of moving photos of the three rappers. Nicki's Young Money labelmate, Tyga also makes a brief cameo appearance in the clip. [17]

The video garnered positive reviews from critics, noting its high energy, fun and "wackiness". MTV's Rob Markman gave the video a positive review saying, "Only in a Nicki Minaj video can you find two of rap's hardest street figures performing in such a wacky setting, but it's the juxtaposition that 'I Am Your Leader' offers which makes it so fun." [17]

Live performances

Minaj performed the song for the first time on The Today Show 's summer concert series on August 14, 2012. [18]

Credits and personnel

Recording
Personnel

Credits adapted from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded liner notes. [19]

Charts

Chart (2012)Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [20] 71

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicki Minaj</span> Trinidadian-born rapper (born 1982)

Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian-born rapper, singer, and songwriter based in the United States. Often referred to as the "Queen of Rap", she is known for her musical versatility, animated flow in her rapping, alter egos, and influence in popular music. She first gained recognition after releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Chick Bad</span> 2010 single by Nicki Minaj and Ludacris

"My Chick Bad" is a song by American rapper Ludacris. The song features Trinidadian recording artist Nicki Minaj, who co-wrote the song with Ludacris, Samuel Lindley, and Derrelle Davidson. The track was produced by The Legendary Traxster. "My Chick Bad" serves as the second single from Ludacris' eighth album, Battle of the Sexes. An official remix to the song was also released, featuring female rappers Diamond, Eve, and Trina.

<i>Pink Friday</i> 2010 studio album by Nicki Minaj

Pink Friday is the debut studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj, released on November 22, 2010, by Young Money, Cash Money and Universal Motown. After signing a recording contract with Young Money Entertainment in 2009, Minaj began planning the album that same year and work continued into 2010. Minaj enlisted a variety of producers whose efforts resulted in a primarily hip hop and pop record, which sees additional influences from R&B. The album features guest vocals from Eminem, Rihanna, Drake, will.i.am, Kanye West and Natasha Bedingfield.

<i>Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded</i> 2012 studio album by Nicki Minaj

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is the second studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj, released on April 2, 2012 by Young Money, Cash Money and Universal Republic. Looking to transition from her debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010), Minaj wanted to make a follow-up record about "just having fun". Stylistically, the album is divided by a first half of hip hop tracks and a second half of dance-pop songs. As executive producer, Minaj enlisted a variety of collaborators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stupid Hoe</span> 2011 song by Nicki Minaj

"Stupid Hoe" is a song by Trinidadian-American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj. The song was written by Minaj and DJ Diamond Kuts, the latter of which handled the production. It was released through Cash Money Records on December 20, 2011, from Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), two weeks after the release of the album's first promotional single "Roman in Moscow".

"Champion" is a song by Trinidadian rapper and singer Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Nas, and Young Jeezy, taken from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). "Champion" was written by Minaj, Aubrey Graham, Jay Jenkins, Nasir Jones, and Jayceon Taylor, while the production and additional writing was handled by Pink Friday (2010) collaborators T-Minus and Nikhil Seetharam. Musically, "Champion" is a downtempo hardcore hip hop ballad that also incorporates elements of R&B, new-age, and space music. The lyrics speak of each artist's rise to fame, as well as the trials and tribulations that it carries; it references the death of Minaj's cousin, Nicholas Telemaque, who was murdered near his Brooklyn home on July 3, 2011.

"Roman Holiday" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, released as the opening track from her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). It was written by Minaj, Larry Nacht, Winston Thomas and Safaree Samuels, and produced by Blackout (Thomas) and Pink Friday Productions. Two months prior to the album's official release, Minaj performed what many viewed as a controversial rendition of the song at the 54th Grammy Awards ceremony on February 12, 2012, which received controversy from the Catholic Church for the usage of religious imagery. Minaj was the first solo female rapper to perform at the Grammys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Reloaded (song)</span> 2012 promotional single by Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne

"Roman Reloaded" is a song by American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj. The song, featuring American rapper Lil Wayne, is from Minaj's second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. After being premiered on February 23, 2012 on Hot 97 radio, "Roman Reloaded" was released to digital outlets the next day as a promotional single. It was produced by Rico Beats.

"Right by My Side" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, released as the second single from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). The song also features additional vocals from R&B artist Chris Brown. "Right by My Side" was written by Ester Dean and Minaj, while production was handled by Pop & Oak. On March 27, 2012, "Right by My Side" was released as the second official single from the album to Rhythmic and Urban radio in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It to the Head</span> Single by Lil Wayne

"Take It to the Head" is a song by American hip hop producer DJ Khaled, released as the lead single from his sixth studio album, Kiss the Ring. The song features American singer Chris Brown, rappers Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Trinidadian American rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was premiered via DJ Khaled's Twitter on March 26, 2012. It was later released for digital download in the United States on April 3, 2012. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 digital copies. Musically, "Take It to the Head" is a hip hop song with elements of trap from Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, and R&B from Chris Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pink Friday Tour</span> 2012 concert tour by Nicki Minaj

The Pink Friday Tour was the debut concert tour by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj in support of her first two studio albums, Pink Friday (2010) and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). The tour was officially announced on May 1, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beez in the Trap</span> 2012 single by Nicki Minaj featuring 2 Chainz

"Beez in the Trap" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj featuring 2 Chainz for her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). Written by the artists alongside producer Kenoe, the track was released as the album's third single on May 29, 2012 following "Starships" and "Right by My Side".

"Whip It" is a song by American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj, taken from her second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). It was written by Minaj, RedOne, Alex Papaconstantinou, Björn Djupström, Bilal Hajji, and Hector and produced by RedOne and Papaconstantinou. "Whip It" is a Eurodance song that utilizes musical genres such as Europop and Euro disco, while also being influenced by other genres such as Latin freestyle, electronic dance, techno and electro. Lyrically, the song is about an attraction to somebody at a club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pound the Alarm</span> 2012 single by Nicki Minaj

"Pound the Alarm" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, serving as the fourth single from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). The song was written by RedOne, Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub, Bilal Hajji, and Achraf Jannusi, with co-writing credits from Minaj, and production was handled by RedOne, Falk, and Yacoub. Despite the song not winning the poll where Minaj and her label asked fans to pick the next single from her album, the label went ahead and released "Pound the Alarm" due to a large number of airplay requests for the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of My Mind (B.o.B song)</span> 2012 single by B.o.B featuring Nicki Minaj

"Out of My Mind" is a song by American rapper B.o.B from his second studio album Strange Clouds (2012). The song features Nicki Minaj and was produced by Dr. Luke and Billboard. "Out of My Mind" was the fifth single released from the album. The song was primarily written by B.o.B, Nicki Minaj, DJ Frank E, and Alex da Kid.

"Come on a Cone" is a song by American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj, taken from her sophomore studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). Minaj, Garibay and Hit-Boy wrote it and Fernando Garibay & Hit-Boy produced it. Musically, it is a hardcore hip hop song that uses electronic beats. Lyrically, the song is rumored to be another diss song to Lil' Kim, following "Roman's Revenge" and "Stupid Hoe". "Come on a Cone" received mainly positive reviews from contemporary critics, while others criticized the chorus, calling it the main problem of the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boys (Nicki Minaj and Cassie song)</span> 2012 single by Nicki Minaj and Cassie

"The Boys" is a song recorded by Trinidadian-American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj and American singer Cassie. It was written by Minaj, Anjulie Persaud, Jonas Jeberg and Jean Baptiste, and produced by the latter two. The song was released on September 13, 2012, through Cash Money, Young Money and Universal Republic as the lead single from the reissue of Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up (2012). It was Minaj's last single to be released by Universal Republic before the label went defunct and its artists roster moved to the revived Republic Records. Initially a track recorded by Cassie for her second studio album under the title "Money on Love," it was subsequently played for Minaj during sessions for The Re-Up, who decided to keep Cassie's vocals but wrote her own verses with certain production portions also being re-worked.

<i>Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up</i> 2012 studio album (reissue) by Nicki Minaj

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up is the reissue of rapper Nicki Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). It was released on November 19, 2012, by Young Money, Cash Money, and Republic Records. Released seven months after the original, The Re-Up features seven newly recorded songs and an exclusive behind-the-scenes footage DVD. The new material incorporates hip hop and R&B styles. As co-executive producer, Minaj enlisted collaborators Boi-1da, Juicy J and T-Minus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom (Nicki Minaj song)</span> 2012 single by Nicki Minaj

"Freedom" is a song by Trinidadian-American rapper and singer Nicki Minaj, for the reissue of her second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, subtitled The Re-Up (2012). It was written by Minaj, Matthew Burnett, and Matthew Samuels. Production was helmed by Samuels under his stage name Boi-1da. The song was released for digital download by Cash Money Records in the US and Canada on November 2, 2012 and in other countries on November 6, 2012. It was serviced to US urban radio on November 27 and to mainstream radio in the United Kingdom the following day. "Freedom" is a downtempo hip hop and R&B song that features a "sonically breezy" soundscape, complied with ambient riffs, pop-inspired synths, and soft pop choruses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High School (song)</span> 2013 single by Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne

"High School" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Wayne for her reissued second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up (2012). It was released on April 16, 2013, by Young Money, Cash Money, and Republic as the third single from the album.

References

  1. ↑ "New Nicki Minaj Album Out in Early 2012, Says Birdman". Billboard. November 21, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  2. ↑ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (March 1, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Releases 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' Album Art". Rovi Corporation . Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Pick Nicki's Next Single!". MyPinkFriday. Nicki Minaj, Young Money Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  4. ↑ Martin, Andrew (June 7, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Reveals "Champion" As Next Urban Single". Complex . Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  5. ↑ Notarized (January 1, 2013). "Top 100 Videos of 2012". Black Entertainment Television . Viacom . Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Unterberger, Andrew (March 29, 2012). "Nicki Minaj's "Roman Reloaded" Reviewed: "I Am Your Leader" (Feat. Cam'Ron & Rick Ross)". Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  7. 1 2 Rivers, Joe (April 16, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". No Ripcord. Drupal . Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Fleischer, Adam (April 3, 2012). "Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". XXL . Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  9. ↑ Hampp, Andrew (March 29, 2012). "Nicki Minaj, 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard . Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ Deusner, Stephen M. (4 April 2012). "Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Paste . Wolfgang's Vault . Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  11. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  12. ↑ Cole, Matthew (April 2, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Slant Magazine . Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  13. ↑ Dombal, Ryan (April 6, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  14. ↑ Ewing, Tom (April 5, 2012). "Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – review". The Guardian . Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  15. ↑ Ritchie, Kevin (April 5, 2012). "Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Now . Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (April 13, 2012). "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) Nicki Minaj". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  17. 1 2 Markman, Rob (August 24, 2012). "Welcome To Nicki Minaj's Playhouse: 'I Am Your Leader' Video". MTV News . Viacom. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Fires Up The 'Today' Show: Watch Her Performances". Idolator . Buzz Media. August 14, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  19. ↑ Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (liner notes). Nicki Minaj. The Island Def Jam Music Group. 2012. 2796668.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.