Super Bass
"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 (who provides additional vocals), Roahn Hylton, and producers Kane Beatz and JMIKE. According to Minaj, the song's lyrics detail the story of a playful romance between Minaj and a potential suitor. The pop rap song contains electronic influences, while Minaj raps over a hip hop beat. 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.
For the Ray Brown album, see SuperBass."Super Bass"
April 5, 2011
2010
3:20
- Onika Maraj
- Daniel Johnson
- Esther Dean
- Roahn Hylton
- Jeremy Coleman
- Kane Beatz
- JMIKE
"Super Bass" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number eight on the UK Singles Chart. It also charted within the top ten in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. In the United States, it has sold over five million digital downloads as of December 2014.[4] In November 2021, "Super Bass" was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for selling 10 million equivalent units in the US.[5][6] The song received positive reviews from music critics upon release. Billboard placed "Super Bass" on their "100 Songs That Defined the Decade" list,[7] and later ranked it number 13 on their list of the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time".[8] The song has also appeared on Rolling Stone's "500 Best Songs of All Time" list.[8][9]
Composition[edit]
"Super Bass" was co-written by Minaj, Ester Dean, Roahn Hylton,[10][11] and Daniel "Kane Beatz" Johnson, who produced the song alongside JMIKE.[12] While being interviewed by MTV News during the video shoot for the single, Minaj explained the song's concept, stating: "'Super Bass' is about the boy that you are crushing over, [...] And you kind of want to get your mack on, but you're taking the playful approach."[13] The song utilizes electronic music and pop in its composition, while Minaj raps over a hip hop drum beat,[14] while also infusing elements of J-pop combined with an upbeat hook.[15][16][17] It uses a busy beat that is interspersed with digital rain drop sound effects and strong bass. Minaj's vocals in the song have been described as "breathy".[18] "Super Bass" is written in the key of G-sharp minor with a moderate tempo of 128 beats per minute.[19] Minaj's lyrics in the song are often provocative and suggestive, with lines like "He just gotta give me that look, when he give me that look / Then the panties comin' off, off, uh" and a catchy onomatopoetic refrain: "Boom, badoom, boom, boom, badoom, boom, bass, he got dat super bass".[16]
Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly stated that the song describes Minaj's type of man as "one who hits the gym often and has first-class... money" as she states: "He pops bottles and he’s got the right kind of build.... He’s always in the air / But he never flies coach".[20] Charley Rogulewski of AOL's The Boombox stated that "the uber-catchy 'boom, badoom, boom, boom' chorus makes 'Super Bass' the most pop-friendly Minaj song released to radio [sic] yet".[21] Described as a lighter side to Minaj by Jessica Sinclair of Long Island Press, the song gets more in-depth with a little more pop and an upbeat hook that "really sticks"; however, Minaj still assists the song's pop edge with "crazy rapping skills".[17]
Commercial performance[edit]
On the week of May 14, 2011, "Super Bass" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at position 98.[34] The following week it rose 50 spots to number 48.[35] On the week titled May 21, 2011, "Super Bass" debuted on the Hot Rap Songs and Hot Digital Songs charts at number 25 and 31 respectively.[36][37] In its 14th week, the song reached a new peak at number three on the Hot 100,[38] while also having longevity on the charts for 39 weeks until 2012; 38 of which were in the top 50.[39] In Canada, "Super Bass" debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at number 92 and peaked at number six.[40] It was the highest-charting female rap song since "Work It" by Missy Elliott in 2002.[41] "Super Bass" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 46 on May 21, 2011, and after nine non-consecutive weeks of moving up the chart, reached a peak of number eight on the chart for the week ending August 13, 2011. As of December 2014, the song has sold 5 million pure sales in the United States.[4] As of November 2021, the song has sold 10 million equivalent units in the United States and has been certified diamond.[42]
Live performances[edit]
"Super Bass" was performed live for the first time during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2011.[51] Minaj performed the song alongside David Guetta at the American Music Awards of 2011 on November 20, 2011, and also performed Guetta's song "Turn Me On", which Minaj was featured on.[52] Minaj also performed the song on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest and on the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show which aired on November 29, 2011 on CBS.[53][54] The song was the encore song on Minaj's debut concert tour, the Pink Friday Tour. She also has performed the song on her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour, The Pinkprint Tour and on The Nicki Wrld Tour.
Minaj performed "Super Bass" at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards followed by "Bed of Lies" with Skylar Grey and "Anaconda". On May 30, 2015, Minaj also performed the song on the iHeartRadio Summer Pool Party 2015 in Las Vegas.[55]
Cover versions[edit]
"Super Bass" was covered by several artists and celebrities such as Taylor Swift,[56] Selena Gomez,[57] Kendall Jenner[58] and Sophia Grace & Rosie who performed with Minaj on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after going viral on YouTube.[59][57][60] MTV writer, Rob Markman, stated that "more than its chart positioning was the song's impact" citing various covers and renditions.[61]