Massive Attack (song)

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"Massive Attack"
"Massive Attack", influenced by "euro-club synths" saw a distinct style difference to Minaj's previous work.
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The song fuses hip-hop and dance as Minaj delivers her lyrics in a Caribbean accent. [6] It is composed in a "futuristic" style with heavy drum beats. [6] It carries a "chaotic" beat with "screechy Euro-club synths" compared to Timbaland. Minaj references E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Mr. Miyagi, The Phantom of the Opera, and Simba and Mufasa of The Lion King film in her lines. [6]

Critical reception

Monica Herrera of Billboard gave the single a mixed review, stating that Minaj, being "one of the most visually distinctive rappers to come along in years", that the single was an "anticlimactic coming out song", "considering the hype Minaj has generated through mixtapes, cameos and her co-starring role in Lil Wayne's Young Money project". [13] However Hererra did commend the lyrical content, stating "her sassy one-liners are as entertaining as always", and the overall production although it didn't suit Minaj's "her mental-patient delivery nearly as well as, say, Kane Beatz' simpler track for Young Money's "BedRock". [13] Robbie Daw of 'Idolator' said, "we wouldn’t expect Nicki to do any less than come out of the gate charging full force, lyrically, on her debut single. That said, we were expecting maybe a tad more of a melody on the track." [14] Chris Ryan of 'MTV Buzzworthy' gave the song a positive review, stating "you get the feeling, listening to the song's air-raid keyboards and thunderous beats, that the Young Money princess really wants to separate herself from the rap pack and carve out a space all her own". [15] Ryan also said, "her verbal dexterity, complex flow and humor, Nicki is reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott – and that's a compliment of the highest order". [15]

Music video

A music video for the single was shot on March 15, 2010 in the deserts of Lancaster, California, directed by Hype Williams. [7] When talking to MTV News about the video Minaj stated,

"I didn't want to shoot the typical new-artist vision. Thank God I have a wonderful label that stands behind me and my vision. I met Hype in a freakin' airport...and it happened to be a week before I wanted to shoot a video. I told him the idea. Of course, I had to let Baby and Slim know and hope they would understand my expensive taste. It all came together." [6] It's just beautiful — the clothes, everything. The ambiance..It's for all the girls that like to play dress-up. They're gonna love this one...we get on the walkie-talkie, like, 'Mayday! Mayday!' It's really fashion and beauty shots, and we're acting like we're doing something important. [7] We wanted to make it pretty in the dirt. We wanted to have a very crazy contrast. I didn't want to do everything clean. I like the dirt. All that pink stuff looks even prettier in the dirt." [8]

Minaj leading her army of Harajuku barbies in the video Massiveattackvideo.jpg
Minaj leading her army of Harajuku barbies in the video

Concept

Sean Garrett appears in the video and Birdman, Amber Rose, and Ringmasters of Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew make cameos. [7] The video premiered on BET's 106 & Park on March 31, 2010 [16] The video is in native 4:3 instead of 16:9 like most other music videos from the era. The video comprises a helicopter chase and militaristic desert and jungle scenes. [16] The music video begins with Birdman giving Minaj a stack of money to carry to an unknown area in the desert. As the song begins Minaj appears in a blonde wig with a pink background which then cuts to Minaj riding in a pink Lamborghini with Amber Rose driving as a potential new take on Thelma & Louise in a helicopter chase. [17] Shots of desert creatures and Minaj in her Barbie wig are shown during the first hook. As the helicopter chase progresses, Minaj is seen singing to the camera in military gear and is later shown walking in an attacking line with her Harajuku Army, which are all dressed in the same gear with pink wigs under helmets. [16] During the chorus of the song, a shirtless Garrett is shown singing into the camera while clips of the helicopter chase are interpreted. [17] During the second verse Minaj is in the jungle as a ninja with a long pink braid running down her back as she crawls on the ground and walks around the jungle. Some clips of two men (from Ringmasters) dancing with double-jointed shoulders are also shown. During the climax of the song Minaj is still in the jungle this time with a green wig, dancing in the mud and comes out of the water, crawling through the forest. [16] The video ends as clips of the entire video are shown and closes with Minaj and Rose escaping in the pink Lamborghini. [17]

Reception and lawsuit

The video garnered media attention, with Monica Herrera of Billboard commenting on a review for the single, "It figures, then, that discussion of her debut single, "Massive Attack," would take a back seat to its Hype Williams-directed, B-movie-inspired video." [13] Chris Ryan of MTV News commented on the video, saying, "We L-U-V Barbie because she's a trendsetter and a strident, unique artist. But with great style comes great responsibility. Her video for 'Massive Attack,' the first single off her long-awaited debut album, is bananas". [17]

On June 11, 2010 Hollywood Exotic Car Rental filed a lawsuit against Minaj for damages and unpaid rental charges on the car. [18] They claimed that the vehicle was driven "off-road" and damaged “in the approximate amount of $11,589.41." [18] Along with damages to the car, Minaj rented the car for $1,750 a day, and used the vehicle an additional three days totaling in an extra $5,250 owed. [18] The rental company is suing for unpaid rental charges, property damage, and punitive damage. [18]

Charts

"Massive Attack"
Minaj-massive-attack.jpg
Single by Nicki Minaj featuring Sean Garrett
from the album Pink Friday (intended)
ReleasedApril 13, 2010
Genre
Length3:17
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Roger That"
(2010)		"Massive Attack"
(2010)		"Woohoo"
(2010)
Sean Garrett singles chronology
"Get It All"
(2010)		"Massive Attack"
(2010)		"Feel Love"
(2011)
Chart performance for "Massive Attack"
Chart (2010)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [19] 22
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [20] 65

Release history

RegionDateFormat
United StatesApril 13, 2010 Digital download [21]
Rhythmic airplay [22]
April 20, 2010 Urban airplay [23]
BrazilApril 16, 2010Digital download [24]

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References

  1. ↑ Concepcion, Mariel (October 20, 2010). "Sean Garrett: Nicki Minaj's Failed Single Was 'Out Of My Control'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  2. ↑ "A Chick and a Dude Review Nicki Minaj's "Massive Attack"". March 31, 2010.
  3. ↑ Concepcion, Mariel (October 20, 2010). "Sean Garrett: Nicki Minaj's Failed Single Was 'Out Of My Control'". Billboard "The Juice" Column. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
  4. ↑ Cline, Georgette (March 1, 2010). "Nicki Minaj to Launch 'Massive' First Single". Rap-Up . Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  5. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (April 12, 2010). "Nicki Minaj Is 'Real Creative,' Producer Alex Da Kid Says". MTV News . MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Reid, Shaheem (March 30, 2010). "Nicki Minaj Unleashes 'Massive Attack' at Last". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on April 1, 2010. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Reid, Shaheem (March 16, 2010). "Nicki Minaj Shoots 'Massive Attack' Video With Drake And Amber Rose". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Reid, Shaheem (March 31, 2010). "Nicki Minaj Goes Big For 'Massive Attack' Video". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ "New Music: Nicki Minaj f/ Sean Garrett – 'Massive Attack'". Rap-Up. March 29, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Single Cover: Nicki Minaj – 'Massive Attack'". Rap-Up. April 1, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ Kondo, Toshitaka (July 2010). XXL Magazine July/August: Production Credit (Alex da Kid). XXL Mag July/August. p. 103.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ↑ Cline, Georgette (June 15, 2010). "Producer Responds to 'Massive Attack' Reception, Reveals New Nicki Minaj Collaboration" . Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  13. 1 2 3 Herrera, Monica (April 16, 2010). "Nicki Minaj featuring Sean Garrett, "Massive Attack"". Billboard . Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  14. ↑ Daw, Robbie (March 30, 2010). "Listen To Nicki Minaj's Debut Single "Massive Attack"". Idolator. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  15. 1 2 Ryan, Chris (March 31, 2010). "Song You Need To Know: Nicki Minaj, Featuring Sean Garrett, 'Massive Attack'". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Video: Nicki Minaj f/ Sean Garrett – 'Massive Attack'". Rap-Up. March 31, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Ryan, Chris (April 1, 2010). "5 Trends We Hope Don't Come Out Of Nicki Minaj's 'Massive Attack' Video". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on April 10, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Nicki Minaj Sued Over Lamborghini". Rap-Up. June 12, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Massive Attack (feat. Sean Garrett) – Single by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store (U.S.) . Apple Inc. April 13, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  22. ↑ "R&R: Going For Adds :: Urban". Going for Adds. R&R Records. Archived from the original on March 3, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Cool New Music". AllMusic . Allaccess Music Group. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Napster Terra: Serviço de música online para computador, smartphone e tablet – Terra". Loja Terra. Retrieved May 20, 2017.

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