| "Last Time I Saw You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Nicki Minaj | ||||
| from the album Pink Friday 2 | ||||
| Released | September 1, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Genre | Pop [1] | |||
| Length | 3:36 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Nicki Minaj singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio video | ||||
| "Last Time I Saw You" on YouTube | ||||
"Last Time I Saw You" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj from her fifth studio album Pink Friday 2 . It was released on September 1, 2023, through Young Money and Republic Records as the third single from the album. [2]
On June 29, 2023, Minaj announced the sequel to her debut studio album Pink Friday and began teasing the release of the album in the following weeks. [3] On August 14, the rapper shared a short snippet of a "vulnerable" track on an Instagram livestream. [4] The snippet was described as "emotionally charged" with lyrics "about a loved one from the distant past". [5] When asked for the title of the song, Minaj replied that it was called "Last Time That I Saw You". [6]
On August 25, Minaj shared the pre-save link of the song, where it was confirmed that the single name was "Last Time I Saw You". At the same time, she posted the single artwork. [7] The song was produced by Hendrix Smoke and ATL Jacob. [8] The cover depicts Minaj wearing a "glistening" dress, [9] in front of a pink backdrop with her hands raised. [10] Minaj further teased the release by posting more promotional images and video clips of the photoshoot. [11] On August 28, via Instagram Live, she confirmed that the single would be released on September 1.
Minaj confirmed in an interview with Zane Lowe that the song's lyrics explore her emotions surrounding the loss of her father shortly following the birth of her son, as well as an exploration of loss more generally in other types of relationships. "The last thing I thought I was going to have to do when I just gave birth to my first child was to start preparing for my father’s funeral," she commented. [12]
Trent Fitzgerald of XXL wrote that the song is "heavily more pop than her previous singles". [13] Alex Gonzalez of Uproxx also pointed out that the rapper "taps into her vocals, delivering a pop and R&B-influenced hit with a painfully relatable message". [14] In her review for Consequence, Jo Vito described the song as "dreamy" and "melancholic" captouring "a feeling of loss, it also offers a message of hope". The writer also wrote that "Minaj’s vocals carry the melodies and really hit home the reflective vibe, with the perfect amount of ethereal delay effects to boot". [15]
Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote that the production sounds "lush and layered" and "himmering pop song with a whole lot of singing" where Minaj "never gets too specific, and she barely raps on the track" talking about "regretting losing touch with someone". [16] Kyann-Sian Williams of NME defined the song "emotional". [17] Raphael Helfand of The Fader wrote that Minaj "expands on the sentiment in a familiar, slightly Seussian flow" showing her "emotional spectrum". [18]
On September 12, 2023, Minaj performed "Last Time I Saw You" for the first time at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, as well as a then-unreleased track from Pink Friday 2 entitled "Big Difference". [19] The performance featured Minaj standing mostly stationary and singing onstage in a bulbous black coat, awash in a magenta neon light background. Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul praised the "stunning vocal performance in a rare reminder that she can sing nearly as well as she can rap". [20] On the other hand, Pitchfork 's Madison Bloom criticized the "dull performance" for lacking Minaj's "beloved eccentricity". [21]
| Chart (2023-2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA) [24] | 33 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [25] | 48 |
| Canada CHR/Top 40 ( Billboard ) [26] | 35 |
| Global 200 ( Billboard ) [27] | 36 |
| Ireland (IRMA) [28] | 67 |
| Japan Hot Overseas ( Billboard Japan ) [29] | 14 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [30] | 3 |
| South Korea BGM (Circle) [31] | 149 |
| UK Singles (OCC) [32] | 46 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 [33] | 23 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [34] | 6 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard ) [35] | 23 |
| US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [36] | 16 |
| Country | Date | Format | Version | Labels | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | September 1, 2023 | Original | [22] | ||
| United States | September 5, 2023 | Republic | [37] | ||
| Various | September 7, 2023 |
| Sped up |
| [23] |
Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian-born rapper and singer based in the United States. Often referred to as the "Queen of Rap", she is known for her musical versatility, animated rap flow, and alter egos. She first gained recognition after releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009.
Beam Me Up Scotty is the third mixtape by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on April 18, 2009 by Young Money and Aphilliates. The mixtape features guest appearances from rappers Brinx, Busta Rhymes, Drake, Gucci Mane, Mack Maine, Gudda Gudda, Jae Millz, Lil Wayne, Red Café, Rocko and Ron Browz, as well as vocals from singers Ricky Blaze, Bobby V, Shanell. Its production was overseen by DJ Holiday and the Trap-a-Holics.
The discography of Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj consists of five studio albums, one compilation album, three mixtapes, 136 singles, and 20 promotional singles.
"Your Love" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on June 1, 2010 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Motown as the lead single from her debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). It replaced the previously-released "Massive Attack" featuring Sean Garrett as the lead single of the album, after its underwhelming commercial performance a month earlier.
Pink Friday is the debut studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was 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, pop and R&B album, which sees additional influences from electronic music. The album features guest vocals from Eminem, Rihanna, Drake, will.i.am, Kanye West and Natasha Bedingfield.
"Roman's Revenge" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj featuring American rapper Eminem, performing as their respective alter egos Roman Zolanski and Slim Shady. Taken from her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010), written alongside producer Swizz Beatz. It was released exclusively on October 30, 2010 through the United States iTunes Store, as a promotional release preceding the album's release.
"Moment 4 Life" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on December 7, 2010 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Motown as the fourth single from Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). The song was produced by T-Minus and written by both artists. Sonically, it is a hip hop song that lyrically relates to maintaining a feeling of accomplishment and enjoying the moment.
"Super Bass" is a song by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj from the deluxe version of her debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). It was sent to American rhythmic radio stations as the album's fifth single on April 5, 2011. The song was written alongside Ester Dean, Roahn Hylton, and producers Kane Beatz and JMIKE. According to Minaj, the song's lyrics detail the story of a playful romance between a man and a woman. The rap song contains electronic influences, while Minaj raps over a hip hop beat. The song also features uncredited vocals by singer-rapper Ester Dean. An accompanying music video for the single was shot in March 2011 by director Sanaa Hamri and shows Minaj playfully taunting a group of men; while making use of multiple props colored bubblegum pink.
"Fly" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on August 30, 2011 by Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown and Universal Republic as the eighth and final single from Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). The song was released as the eighth and final single from the album on August 30, 2011. The track was written by Kevin Hissink, Will Jordan, J.R. Rotem, Clemm Rishad and Minaj herself, while production was helped by Rotem and Hissink. The song is inspired by the emotion of soaring above and overcoming all stereotypes and negativity, to come out victorious.
"Did It On'em" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on April 7, 2011 by Young Money and Cash Money as the sixth single from her debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). It was written by Minaj with J. Ellington and Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, who produced the track.
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is the second studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was 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.
"Starships" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on the date February 14, 2012 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Republic as the lead single from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). The song was written by Nicki Minaj, Nadir Khayat, Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub, Bilal Hajji, and Wayne Hector, and it was produced by RedOne, Yacoub, and Falk.
"Va Va Voom" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj from the deluxe edition of her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. It was released on September 12, 2012 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Republic as the fifth single from the album.
"Beez in the Trap" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj, featuring American rapper 2 Chainz. It was released on May 29, 2012 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Republic as the lead single from Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). It was written by both artists, alongside producer Kenoe.
"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.
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 pop styles. As co-executive producer, Minaj enlisted collaborators Boi-1da, Juicy J and T-Minus.
"The Night Is Still Young" is a song recorded by rapper Nicki Minaj, released as the sixth single from her third studio album The Pinkprint (2014), by Cash Money and Republic. It was written by Minaj, Ester Dean, Theron Thomas and Cirkut; and produced by Cirkut. It is a dance-pop and dubstep-pop song.
"Check It Out" is a song performed by American rapper will.i.am and Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj. The hip hop and electropop song, written by will.i.am and Minaj, samples the 1979 hit single "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. After release, it debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 78 and on the Canadian Hot 100 at No. 48. It appears on Minaj's first album, Pink Friday, though it was not released to promote the album. The special remix released in the UK features the British recording artist Cheryl Cole. The song peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. By December 2013, it has sold 780,000 digital downloads.
"Super Freaky Girl" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj from her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2 (2023). It was released on August 12, 2022, by Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records as the lead single from the album. It is an upbeat, raunchy song that samples Rick James' 1981 single "Super Freak," as Minaj raps about a girl having sexual fantasies and endeavors, while also boasting about her career. It received comparisons to Minaj's 2014 single "Anaconda," as both tracks include classic samples and sexual lyrics.
Pink Friday 2 is the fifth studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on December 8, 2023, by Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records. A sequel to Minaj's debut album Pink Friday (2010), it is her first studio album in five years following the release of Queen (2018). The album is a hip-hop and pop-rap record that borrows influences from other genres as well. Collaborations on the album include J. Cole, Drake, Lil Wayne, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, 50 Cent, Monica, Keyshia Cole, and various other collaborators.