Yikes (Nicki Minaj song)

"Yikes" is a song by American rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released as a promotional single on February 7, 2020.[1][2][3][4] "Yikes" drew criticism for its lyrics referencing activist Rosa Parks. It debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5]

"Yikes"
Promotional single by Nicki Minaj
ReleasedFebruary 7, 2020 (2020-02-07)
RecordedFebruary 2020
Length2:36
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pooh Beatz

Background

Minaj first teased the song with a snippet on her Twitter on February 4, 2020.[5] The snippet received criticism for lyrics including the late activist Rosa Parks, to which Minaj responded that "she had no clue anyone was mad" and does not care.[6][7][8] On February 6, 2020, she revealed the cover art and announced that it would be released later that night.[9] The cover shows the rapper and her husband Kenneth Petty in a red sports car with Minaj waving to paparazzi.[10]

Composition and lyrics

Minaj revealed via Twitter that the song originally only contained one verse, heard in a snippet she previewed online. She jokingly added that her fans and label then "bullied" her into finishing the song and releasing it.[11]

According to Minaj, she freestyled the chorus, upon hearing the song's beat for the "very first time". The outro was also freestyled.[12] Minaj said she wanted to be "aggressive" on the track, but opted to make a "switch" after the fourth line in the second verse.[13] The song contains a bass-heavy, click-clack beat and spacey, spare keyboards.[14][15] In the song, Minaj references civil rights activist Rosa Parks, with the line "All you bitches Rosa Parks, uh-oh, get your ass up". Trent Fitzgerald of XXL Mag said that the song features a "biting chorus in which Nicki raps, 'You a clown you do it for likes'", noting how "interestingly, that's the same thing she said during her intense and personal quarrel with [her ex-boyfriend] Meek Mill on social media on February, 5, 2020".[15]

Critical reception

Complex magazine's Jessica McKinney listed the song among the best new music of the week, saying it's nice to see "Nicki's still got it", while calling "Yikes" a "cocky record that appears to target the 'clowns' on social media".[16] Erika Marie of HotNewHipHop gave the song a positive review, and said although the line referencing Rosa Parks "seemed to get everyone in a tizzy", "Yikes" is much more than a one-liner track. Marie also opined that despite Minaj having being "criticized lately for spending more time appealing to the pop music masses, [...] it seems that the Queens emcee is back with the smack-talking rhymes that the Barbz [her fans] can't get enough of hearing".[17]

Chart performance

"Yikes" debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it her highest charting promo single while also marking Minaj's record-extending 108th entry. It also debuted at the summit of the Digital Songs component chart with 20,000 digital downloads sold within its first week of availability, while garnering 15.5 million streams.[5] It dropped 58 positions to number 85 in its second week on the Hot 100.[18] "Yikes" also debuted at number 6 on the Rolling Stone Top 100.[19]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[20]

  • Nicki Minaj – vocals, songwriting
  • Darryl Clemons – songwriting, production, programming
  • Taji "Tane Runo" Ausar – production, programming
  • Bobby Barrett – production, programming
  • Derrick Milano – songwriting
  • Jamal Berry – assistant recording engineering
  • Chris Athens – mastering engineering
  • Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine – mixing

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 54
Greece (IFPI)[22] 52
Hungary (Single Top 40)[23] 16
Ireland (IRMA)[24] 85
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[25] 15
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[26] 35
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[27] 69
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 23
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[29] 13
US Rolling Stone Top 100[19] 6

References
  1. "Yikes - Single by Nicki Minaj on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  2. Willman, Chris (5 February 2020). "Nicki Minaj Sheds Tears for Kobe Bryant, Cheers for Larry David in Unfiltered Q&A". Variety. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. "Nicki Minaj Returns With New Song 'Yikes'". Rap Up. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  4. Zemler, Emily; Legaspi, Althea (7 February 2020). "Hear Nicki Minaj Establish Herself as 'Queen' on New Song 'Yikes'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  5. Trust, Gary (February 18, 2020). "Roddy Ricch's 'The Box' Rules Hot 100 For Sixth Week, Dua Lipa Matches Career Best With 'Don't Start Now'". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  6. Saponara, Michael (February 4, 2020). "Nicki Minaj Slammed For Rosa Parks Reference in Preview of New Song "Yikes"". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  7. Cowen, Trace William (February 6, 2020). "Nicki Minaj Disputes Report on Rosa Parks Lyric: "Had No Clue Anyone Was Mad. Don't Care."". Complex. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  8. Tesema, Feleg (February 6, 2020). "Twitter Is Still Roasting Nicki Minaj Over Rosa Parks Diss in New Track "Yikes"". Highsnobiety. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  9. @NICKIMINAJ (February 6, 2020). "#YikesTonight" (Tweet). Retrieved February 6, 2020 – via Twitter.
  10. A., Aron (February 6, 2020). "Nicki Minaj & Kenneth Petty Get Flashy In A Foreign On "Yikes" Cover Art". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  11. Nicki Minaj [@NickiMinaj] (February 8, 2020). "I was playing a snippet for my crazy fans & they made me put it out. They are bullies. I only had 1 verse done. The label bullied me too. I've been bullied..." (Tweet). Retrieved February 18, 2020 – via Twitter.
  12. Nicki Minaj [@NickiMinaj] (February 8, 2020). "I made up the hook with no paper. Just freestyled in the booth cuz I loved the beat. so the yikes part is me hearing the beat for the very first time. The verses I wrote down. The outro was a freestyle..." (Tweet). Retrieved February 18, 2020 – via Twitter.
  13. Nicki Minaj [@NickiMinaj] (February 9, 2020). "This is such a great observation. I wanted to be aggressive for the whole track. I was advised to keep my bad btchs & Barbie Dolls fed as well so I made a switch after the 4th line of the 2nd verse..." (Tweet). Retrieved February 18, 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. Kaufman, Gil (February 7, 2020). "In Case You Forgot, Nicki Minaj Proclaims Herself Queen on Fiery 'Yikes': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  15. Fitzgerald, Trent (February 7, 2020). "Nicki Minaj Drops New Song "Yikes": Listen". XXL Mag. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  16. McKinney, Jessica; Callas, Brad (February 8, 2020). "Best New Music This Week: DaBaby, Pop Smoke, Justin Bieber, and More". Complex. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  17. Marie, Erika (February 7, 2020). "Nicki Minaj Drops Boastful, Booming "Yikes" After Much Hype". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  18. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2020-02-29
  19. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  20. "Yikes / Nicki Minaj – Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  21. "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  22. "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 7/2020". IFPI Greece. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  23. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  24. "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  25. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  26. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  27. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  28. "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  29. "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
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