How often does Nicki Minaj think about the Roman Empire?
The rapper has two dozen alter egos. Switched On Pop producer Reanna Cruz asks what happened to the most significant character in Nicki Minaj's musical universe.
I fell in love with Nicki Minaj’s music at the same time I fell in love with pop music. After a childhood of listening to mostly my parents’ classic rock and freestyle deep cuts (no shade to Stevie B, of course) I reached an age where I was actually cognizant of what was happening on the radio. And as I began to fixate on Gaga and Katy and other pop A-listers of that era, I began to become obsessed with Nicki Minaj. She was the first rapper I can remember wholeheartedly loving, whether it was because of the maximalism of “Super Bass” or the catchiness of her “Bottoms Up” verse.
It wasn’t until college that I began to explore the deep cuts of Nicki, the songs that never made it to the radio. That, for me, was where the true artistry lay: songs like “Roman in Moscow” and “Roman Holiday” hit me like a truck, opening my mind up to the sonic possibilities her distinct blend of pop and rap could provide.
Maybe this is a hot take, but I truly believe Nicki Minaj is a performance artist – at least she was in the early years of her career. The way she was able to paint theatrical portraits of multiple characters filled with such vibrancy rivals that of my favorite directors. Her character Roman specifically serves as a centerpiece of her early records, a funny voice that, once explored, reveals years of lore and intricate world building. Roman is the prism that allows Nicki’s best work to shine through.
Last week, Nicki released Pink Friday 2, her fifth album and her first in five years. In the Pink Friday timeline, though, it follows Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up, projects that I consider her best. These records are explorations into all Roman has to offer, sonically and lyrically. So, on this episode of Switched on Pop, I thought it’d be timely to go back and explore Nicki Minaj’s career under her most successful alter-ego, and how he serves her in 2023.
- Reanna Cruz
The search for Roman continues on this week’s episode: web, Apple Spotify
What to listen to
Each week the Switched On Pop team does extensive listening to new music and shares it back in our pitch meeting. Sometimes we record these conversations and release them as “Switches Brew” episodes. But as a newsletter subscriber we want to give you more access on what to listen to each week. Here are some recommendations from this week.
Beyoncé - “Grown Woman”
Beyoncé dropped “Grown Woman,” a delightful upbeat track that evokes the empowerment pop optimism of the early 2010s. This Timbaland produced track has been in the vault for a decade and is a fun gift for long time fans. - Charlie
ML Buch - Suntub
ML Buch's record Suntub was one of the most beautiful things I've listened to this year. Its a beautiful meditation on the mundane. - Reanna
The Lemon Twigs - “In My Head”
Two brothers bringing chord changes back to rock. Rickenbacker guitars, tight vocal harmonies, and a final chorus of heavenly “La las” make this throwback banger a staple of my musical diet. - Nate
Tems - “Not An Angel”
The rhythm is hypnotizing and Tems just floated on it. Soulful, danceable, minimal. Everything you love to hear from Tems. - Brandon
ZEROBASEONE - “CRUSH”
I love the way the way the percussion is the primary element that leads you through the narrative of the song. It elevates what would otherwise be a pretty standard k-pop candy sugar song.” - Jolie