Lookin Ass Nigga

Album: Young Money: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Detail produced cut finds Minaj blasting various stereotypical behaviors in men that annoy her. She hates on dudes that pretend they're regular smokers but end up choking, stare at her butt, lie about their finances and exaggerate on their drug-dealing past (to name a few). The tune was released as a promotional single from the Young Money compilation, Rise of An Empire.
  • Minaj had previously hinted at the release of the single as well as a mixtape and album on her guest verse for Young Thug's "Danny Glover" remix. "I got something for you 'Lookin' Ass Ni--as.' Week and a half, I'mma be in that ass," she spat on the intro. "It's like I'm working on an album and a mixtape at the same motherf---ing time."
  • Minaj was forced to apologize after using for the single's artwork a famous photo of Malcolm X with an assault rifle in his hands juxtaposed with the song title, which of course features a racial slur. "That was never the official artwork nor is this an official single. This is a conversation. Not a single," she wrote on her Instagram page. "I apologize to the Malcolm X estate if the meaning of the photo was misconstrued. ... I have nothing but respect (and) adoration for u."

    Known for his civil rights work with black communities in the US, the photo of Malcom X was taken when he was trying to protect his family from death threats. It reportedly appeared in the 1964 issues of Ebony and Life magazines a year before he was assassinated.
  • Speaking to Hot 97's Angie Martinez, Minaj said she wrote the song to empower women because there are too many songs that attack them. "I don't think the majority of the people are actually pissed off, I think it's just a great conversation to have 'cause it's so many records that come out daily and they're nothin' but bashing females," she explained. "I think that I am in a position to put a record out that women can feel empowered by in our own way, you know? Not in a suit and tie way, in our way. We never get a chance to talk crazy and we don't always wanna tell you how much we love you."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.