Red Ruby Da Sleeze

Album: Pink Friday 2 (2023)
Charted: 28 13
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this confrontational track, Nicki Minaj states her dominance over other female rappers, taking aim at those who question her status as the Queen of Rap. The song marks the debut of Red Ruby Da Sleeze, a new alter-ego created by Minaj, who emphasizes her superiority in the genre.
  • Minaj specifically calls out several female rappers in the lyrics. They include:

    Megan Thee Stallion, whom she refers to as "Dorito bitches" (regarding Megan's appearance in a Doritos commercial).

    Latto, when she raps, "We don't be like Karen") (she called her "an entitled Karen" during a Twitter feud in the fall of 2022).
  • Minaj starts the song with a reference to Chun-Li, the iconic character from the classic video game Street Fighter, whom she channeled in a 2018 track of the same name.

    Red Ruby Da Sleeze, Chinese on my sleeve
    These wannabe Chun-Li's, anyway


    Minaj sees Chun-Li as a symbol of female power, with her left arm bearing a Chinese tattoo that translates to "God Is Always With You." She also uses the Chun-Li metaphor to criticize other female rappers she perceives as imitating her style, asserting that she is the only true "Chun-Li" in the rap game.
  • Go Grizzly and Cheeze Beats' production samples Lumidee's 2003 dancehall smash "Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh))." Lumidee's song has a gentle and entrancing vibe that contrasts with Minaj's combative lyrics.

    Atlanta producer Go Grizzly's other credits include "You Da Baddest" by Future featuring Nicki Minaj," and "Not The Only One" by Kevin Gates.

    Miami native Cheeze Beatz has also produced for Migos ("Handsome and Wealthy") and Cardi B ("Bartier Cardi").

    Go Grizzly and Cheeze Beatz previously teamed up to create the beat for Drake and 21 Savage's "Pussy & Millions."
  • Minaj interpolates "Never Leave You (Uh-Oh)" in the outro. She sends a message to her fans, rivals, and critics that she will never leave the rap game, regardless of the pressure to exit prematurely, as long as there is a demand for her music.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"