Feeling Myself

"Feeling Myself" is an anthem of self-love, confidence, and female empowerment. The song's core message revolves around the celebration of one's own success, sexuality, and authority, particularly from the perspective of powerful Black women in the music industry. Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé use the track to assert their dominance, financial independence, and lyrical prowess. The repeated phrase "I'm feelin' myself" acts as a mantra for self-acceptance and pride. Lyrically, the song is filled with braggadocio, with both artists boasting about their achievements, wealth, and influence. It's a rejection of the male gaze and an affirmation that their self-worth is not dependent on male approval. The collaboration between two of the most successful female artists itself sends a powerful message of solidarity and mutual respect over competition. The song also became associated with the "#BlackGirlMagic" movement, celebrating the unique experiences and accomplishments of Black women.

The song is a bold and unapologetic celebration of self-confidence, success, and female empowerment, primarily delivered through the confident and boastful verses of Nicki Minaj and the powerful, chorus-driving vocals of Beyoncé. The track opens with an introduction from Minaj, setting a tone of readiness and excitement. Beyoncé's recurring hook, "I'm feelin' myself," serves as the song's central mantra, a declaration of self-love and assurance that is repeated with infectious energy throughout.

Nicki Minaj's first verse immediately establishes her status and wealth. She paints a picture of her lifestyle, surrounded by a mix of 'hood' and affluent friends, highlighting her ability to navigate different social circles. References to her Black Card for shopping sprees at Saks and her penchant for Chanel bags underscore her financial success. She uses clever wordplay, comparing her comeback to a 'jack rabbit' and asserting her dominance. There's a playful yet assertive tone as she dismisses a man, likening it to a 'bad toss.' The verse also includes a nod to her and Jay-Z's 'On The Run Tour,' further cementing her place in the upper echelon of the music industry.

Beyoncé's post-hook section shifts the focus to her own monumental impact on the music world, specifically referencing her game-changing surprise digital album release. Her lines, "I stopped the world," are a powerful assertion of her influence, transcending gender. The world literally stops and then she commands it to 'carry on,' a testament to her authority and cultural significance.

Minaj's second verse continues the theme of female dominance and sexual confidence. She describes herself as 'on fleek' and talks about her allure and control over men. The lyrics are sexually suggestive and empowering, portraying her as being in complete control of her sexuality and her relationships. She cleverly uses a university reference, 'give me brain like NYU,' to boast about her intellect and desires. The verse emphasizes her work ethic and the quality of her 'product,' using drug-related metaphors to describe the addictive nature of her music and persona.

The bridge finds Minaj reflecting on her legacy and lyrical skill. She directly addresses her critics and competitors, stating that they lack her punchlines and flow, while she possesses both, in addition to a business empire. She boasts about her continued success, receiving plaques for her urban records without needing to rely on pop radio. She solidifies her status as a 'rap legend' and dares anyone to question her position as the 'queen.' This section is a powerful statement of her artistic and commercial dominance in a male-dominated genre.

The outro reinforces the collaborative power of two of music's biggest female stars. Minaj's lines about 'stingin' with the Queen B' and being 'dope girls' and 'flawless' celebrate their partnership and collective success. They are presented as the 'poster girls' for this level of achievement. The song concludes with a final, triumphant repetition of the 'feelin' myself' hook, leaving the listener with an empowering and enduring message of self-love and accomplishment.

"Feeling Myself" was a result of a musical exchange between Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé. In May 2014, Beyoncé reached out to Minaj for a remix of her song "Flawless". As a return favor, Beyoncé agreed to feature on a track for Minaj's upcoming third studio album, The Pinkprint. Beyoncé already had the concept for "Feeling Myself" and presented it to Minaj, who loved it instantly. The song was written by Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, SZA, and the producer Hit-Boy. SZA was brought into a studio session with Hit-Boy and wrote lyrical parts for the track while he and Beyoncé handled the production. The final mixing of the song happened in November 2014, just before the album's deadline. The song was recorded in 2014 at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California. The music video was filmed spontaneously during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2015 and was released exclusively on the streaming service Tidal on May 18, 2015.

"Feeling Myself" features a confident and driving rhythm with a tempo of approximately 139 beats per minute, set in a 4/4 time signature. The rhythmic structure is characteristic of hip-hop, with a strong backbeat that encourages movement. Nicki Minaj's verses are characterized by complex and intricate rhyme schemes, including the use of multi-syllabic rhymes. For example, she rhymes "back at it" with "jack rabbit". The lyrical rhythm is dynamic, with Minaj altering her flow throughout the song, creating a sense of energy and spontaneity. The interplay between the rhythmic complexity of Minaj's verses and the more straightforward, repetitive rhythm of Beyoncé's hook creates a catchy and memorable structure. This contrast between verse and chorus is a common and effective technique in pop and hip-hop music.

Musically, "Feeling Myself" is a hip-hop track with a West Coast synth-heavy beat, driving bass, and prominent drums. The production, handled by Hit-Boy and Beyoncé, incorporates bells and whistles, creating a confident and slightly gritty texture. Lyrically, the song is a prime example of braggadocio in hip-hop, with both artists using boastful language to assert their dominance. Nicki Minaj showcases her lyrical dexterity by reportedly switching her flow four times on the track. The song makes use of several literary techniques including metaphors and similes. There's also a significant use of intertextuality, with references to the "On The Run Tour", Beyoncé's "digital drop", and even the film The Karate Kid with the line "wax on, wax off". The vocal delivery is a key stylistic element, with Minaj's sharp, rhythmic rapping contrasting with Beyoncé's smooth, melodic singing on the hook, creating a dynamic interplay between the two artists.

"Feeling Myself" had a significant cultural impact upon its release and in the years following. The song became a feminist and self-love anthem, particularly celebrated within the Black community and the "#BlackGirlMagic" movement. Despite not being released as an official single, the song peaked at number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 20 weeks. Its music video, an exclusive release on Tidal, garnered widespread attention for its depiction of Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé's friendship and carefree confidence. The video's aesthetic and fashion choices were widely discussed and emulated. "Feeling Myself" has been performed live by both artists on multiple occasions, including Nicki Minaj's The Pinkprint Tour and Beyoncé's Formation World Tour and her iconic 2018 Coachella performance. The song is often cited as a key track in Nicki Minaj's discography, showcasing her lyrical skills and her ability to create empowering anthems. Its influence can be seen in the subsequent rise of other confident female rappers.

"Feeling Myself" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that reinforce its themes of power and success.

• "Black card" and "Saks": These are direct symbols of wealth and high social status, indicating financial freedom and purchasing power.
• "Chanel bag's a bad habit": This metaphor portrays luxury goods not just as possessions but as an addictive and integral part of her lifestyle.
• "Curve that n*gga like a bad toss": This simile uses a sports metaphor to illustrate her dismissal of men who don't meet her standards, symbolizing her independence and control in relationships.
• "On The Run Tour, with my mask off": This is a reference to the highly successful joint tour of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, but Minaj's mention of taking her 'mask off' symbolizes authenticity and being unapologetically herself in the limelight.
• Beyoncé's "digital drop": This is a direct reference to her surprise 2013 self-titled album, which has become a symbol of her power to disrupt the music industry and control her own narrative.
• "Cooking up that base" and drug metaphors: These metaphors equate their musical creations to addictive substances, highlighting the potent and irresistible nature of their work.
• "My finger that is a glacier": This metaphor uses the image of a massive ice formation to describe her diamond ring, symbolizing immense wealth and success.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Feeling Myself" is the hook sung by Beyoncé: "I'm feelin' myself, I'm feelin' myself". This line is repeated throughout the song, acting as its central theme and a powerful, self-affirming mantra. Its repetition drills the message of self-love and confidence into the listener's mind, making it a memorable and empowering catchphrase. Another recurring motif is the idea of stopping the world, as stated by Beyoncé in the post-hook: "I stopped the world... world stop... Carry on". This phrase emphasizes their immense influence and power within the cultural landscape. Additionally, the song contains motifs of financial success, lyrical superiority, and female solidarity, which are woven throughout Nicki Minaj's verses, reinforcing the overall message of the track.