Moment 4 Life
"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.
"Moment 4 Life"
The single peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. It also saw success internationally, becoming a top 40 hit in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, as well as charting in Belgium and France. In the US, it has sold over two million digital downloads as of December 2014. The song received a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 2012 Grammy Awards and a nomination for best collaboration at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. It has also won the Soul Train Music Award for Rhythm & Bars. [1]
Background and composition[edit]
During a session from the Pink Friday Diaries, Minaj discussed the song in detail, adding a background story to the original song.[2] "Moment 4 Life is about 2 kids that grew up on the same block. They shared their dreams of making it as rappers. They laughed together, they cried together. One day they realize that their dreams have come to fruition. Though they know all things come to an end, they celebrate. They wish that they could have this moment 4 Life."[2] Lyrically the song is about a desire to maintain a feeling of accomplishment, as Drake follows behind Minaj and raps the same theme of enjoying the moment.[3] "Straying away from the standard rap song construction of three verses and a hook, Nicki performs a brain-dump of sorts on the track, spitting as if she's making a speech to both her fans and detractors."[4]
Chart performance[edit]
The song debuted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 56 and the US Hot Rap Songs at number 17 due to strong digital sales and heavy radio play, following the album's release.[10] It became Minaj's first number-one song on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and also managed to top the Rap Songs chart.[11][12] On the Billboard Hot 100, "Moment 4 Life" peaked at number 13 making it her highest-charting song on the chart at the time. As of December 2014, the single has sold 2 million copies in the US.[13] In the UK, the single debuted on the singles chart at number 135, in its second week it rose to 55 due to strong digital sales. On February 13, 2011, the single entered the UK top 40 at a current peak of 22, giving Nicki her second UK top 40 single (after her joint single "Check It Out" with will.i.am peaked at 11).[14] It peaked at number 9 on the UK R&B Chart, becoming her third top 30 urban single to do so and her first top 10 UK R&B hit.[14]
Music video[edit]
Background[edit]
A music video for the single was shot and directed by Chris Robinson.[15] The president of Young Money Entertainment, Mack Maine, told MTV News, "We're still trying to work out the date for the next video with [Nicki] and Drake for the 'Moment 4 Life' video. That's the next project."[16][17] "Moment 4 Life" is the first music video shot in a string of music videos to be released for promotion.[18] In an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Minaj revealed that Roman Zolanski's mother, Martha Zolanski, will make a physical debut in the music video.[19] In an interview with MTV News, Minaj discussed the marriage concept of the music video between her and her label-mate Drake, stating "Obviously, Drake and I, we’ve played around so much with the whole marriage thing and stuff like that, so people have come to be kind of intrigued about us and it's where we’re shooting the video together. So I was like, there has to be some sort of romantic storyline. It's Drake and me."[15] Drake additionally added "I mean, it's a fantasy video. You’ve got a very regal environment, and you’ve got Nicki doing what she does—big outfits, big everything. Yeah, I love that girl, man. I’m not going to lie to you. The twist of it, the concept of it, I don't want to give it all away."[15]
Live performances[edit]
Minaj first performed the song at a Thanksgiving Party hosted by Hot 97 with Drake, and later performed their other song "Up All Night".[23] Minaj also performed the song on the Lopez Tonight show as her alter ego Rosa without the assistance of Drake.[24] While performing on VH1 Divas Support the Troops, Minaj performed the song for the men and women of the military[25] without Drake again. During the performance, Minaj wore a fluffy white wig, turquoise tights, elongated heels and a super-snug, orange and blue mini-dress.[26] Minaj performed the song for the holidays on many occasions, including a Christmas concert for Hot 97.[27] During the Christmas special, Minaj wore a leopard-print bodysuit wrapped in a black cloth cage.[27] Minaj additionally performed the song on a Manhattan rooftop during a pre-taped New Year's event on NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly.[28] Minaj performed the song with the assistance of Drake at the New Year's celebration "All Pink Everything Belvedere Vodka" she also hosted.[29] During the performance, Minaj wore black and gold piece with multi-colored hair.[29] Minaj most recently performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, minus Drake, in a black cocktail dress, blonde hair, and signature "Barbie" chain.[30] Minaj performed the song on her first appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she wore a colorful full bodysuit and performed the song minus Drake.[31] The rapper performed the song on her first headlining tour, the Pink Friday Tour. She has also added this song to her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour, The Pinkprint Tour and to The Nicki Wrld Tour. During her concert at 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival, Minaj also performed the song.[32] On May 30, 2015, Minaj also performed the song on the iHeartRadio Summer Pool Party 2015 in Las Vegas.[33]
Credits are taken from Pink Friday liner notes.[35]