Only

"Only" is a song that primarily revolves around themes of sexual politics, power dynamics, and the dismissal of rumors within the hip-hop community. At its core, the track is a direct and explicit refutation by Nicki Minaj of persistent rumors that she has slept with her Young Money labelmates, Drake and Lil Wayne. Minaj uses her verse to reclaim her narrative and assert her sexual autonomy. She makes it clear that her relationships with Drake and Wayne are platonic, and she does so in a way that is both defiant and sexually confident.

The song also explores the complexities of male and female relationships in a male-dominated industry. While Minaj asserts her independence, Drake and Lil Wayne's verses present a different perspective. They both confirm they haven't been intimate with her but openly express their sexual desire for her. Their lyrics can be interpreted in a few ways: as a playful and respectful acknowledgment of her appeal, or as a more problematic objectification where she is seen as a conquest to be had. Some critics have pointed out the sexist undertones in their verses, particularly Lil Wayne's line suggesting she 'acts like she needs dick in her life'. However, others have argued that the song is a parody of these very sexist attitudes, with all three artists collaborating to mock the public's obsession with their relationships.

Beyond the personal dynamics, "Only" is also a statement of power and status. The chorus, sung by Chris Brown, and the overall tone of the song emphasize exclusivity and the idea of being part of an elite group. The repetition of "only" in the chorus – "bad bitches only," "real niggas only" – reinforces this theme of a select circle of successful and powerful individuals.

The song opens with Nicki Minaj forcefully refuting long-standing rumors that she has been sexually involved with her Young Money labelmates, Drake and Lil Wayne. She expresses her frustration with the speculation in a very direct and explicit manner. Minaj asserts her independence and high standards, stating that she only associates with 'real' men and successful, independent women. She uses vivid and sometimes provocative imagery to emphasize her point and her own sexual power. Her verse is a declaration of her control over her own body and narrative, challenging the gossip and assumptions that have followed her career.

Drake's verse follows, and he directly addresses Minaj's opening statement. He confirms that he has never slept with her, attributing it to the fact that she has a man. However, he makes it clear that he is romantically interested in her and would be 'first in line' if she were to become single. His verse is a mix of admiration for her and his own brand of bravado. He describes his attraction to her physique and fantasizes about a potential relationship, blending compliments with his signature confident and sometimes boastful rap style.

Lil Wayne's verse continues the theme of addressing the rumors and his own desires regarding Minaj. Like Drake, he confirms he has never been intimate with her but expresses a strong desire to be. His lyrics are characteristically explicit and filled with aggressive punchlines and metaphors. He boasts about his wealth, power, and dangerous persona, contrasting it with his fantasized encounters with Minaj. His verse is a display of his signature over-the-top and often shocking lyrical style, adding to the song's provocative nature.

Chris Brown's contribution is the song's chorus, which serves as a recurring motif that ties the verses together. The chorus is a chant-like affirmation of the company they keep: 'real niggas' and 'bad bitches.' It reinforces the song's overall theme of exclusivity and being part of an elite circle of powerful and successful individuals. The repetition of 'only' emphasizes this theme of exclusivity and sets a standard for who is allowed in their world.

"Only" was released on October 28, 2014, as the third single from Nicki Minaj's third studio album, The Pinkprint. The song features collaborations with fellow Young Money artists Drake and Lil Wayne, as well as singer Chris Brown. The track was written by the four featured artists along with the song's producers, Dr. Luke, Cirkut, and JMIKE. Production assistance was also provided by HBM and Rock City.

In a 2013 interview, Minaj had expressed her hope that Drake would be featured on the album, and they were scheduled to meet in the studio. The creation of "Only" brought together the core members of the Young Money label, a highly anticipated collaboration for fans. According to Minaj's sound engineer, Big Juice, Minaj was ecstatic after hearing Chris Brown's vocals for the chorus, exclaiming, "This is a fucking hit."

The song's release was accompanied by a delay in the album's release date, which was pushed from November 24 to December 15, 2014. The single's cover art, an illustration depicting Minaj in a superhero costume, Drake as the Pope, and Lil Wayne in a suit, also garnered attention upon its release.

"Only" is set to a steady, mid-tempo beat with a prominent bassline, which provides a solid foundation for the rappers' verses. The song's rhythm is largely driven by the lyrical flow of Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne. Each artist brings their own unique rhythmic sensibility to the track. Minaj's verse features a confident and assertive rhythm, with a clear and deliberate delivery. Drake's verse has a more conversational and laid-back feel, with a flow that ebbs and flows with the beat. Lil Wayne's verse is characterized by a more complex and unpredictable rhythm, with intricate rhyme schemes and a rapid-fire delivery.

The rhyme scheme throughout the song is predominantly based on couplets, with a conversational and freestyle-like quality. The rappers employ a mix of perfect rhymes and slant rhymes to create a sense of spontaneity and lyrical dexterity. There is also a significant use of internal rhyme within the verses, particularly in Lil Wayne's section, which adds to the complexity and density of the lyrics. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the underlying beat is a key element of the song's effectiveness, with the rappers often playing with the timing and phrasing of their lines to create a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

"Only" is characterized by its minimalist and ominous production, featuring a looping four-note sequence that creates an atmospheric and icy feel. This sparse instrumental backdrop places a strong emphasis on the lyrical delivery of the four artists. The song is a prime example of a posse cut, a hip-hop tradition where multiple rappers collaborate on a single track, each delivering a verse.

Lyrically, the song employs a range of stylistic techniques. Nicki Minaj is known for her animated and versatile delivery, often shifting personas within a single verse, although on "Only," her delivery is more direct and declarative. All three rappers utilize punchlines, metaphors, and wordplay to showcase their lyrical prowess. Drake's verse is characterized by his conversational flow and brand of introspective bravado, while Lil Wayne's verse is a whirlwind of non-sequiturs, internal rhymes, and often shocking imagery. Chris Brown's melodic chorus provides a catchy and repetitive hook that contrasts with the dense rap verses.

The song's structure is a standard verse-chorus format, with each rapper getting a chance to shine. The interplay between the different vocal styles and lyrical approaches of Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne is a key feature of the track.

"Only" achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making Nicki Minaj the female rapper with the most number-one singles on that chart at the time, surpassing Missy Elliott. The song was certified triple platinum in the United States. "Only" received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

The song's biggest cultural impact, however, stemmed from the controversy surrounding its lyric video. The video's use of Nazi-inspired imagery sparked widespread condemnation and a public apology from Minaj. This controversy overshadowed much of the discussion around the song itself and became a significant moment in the conversation about the use of provocative and potentially offensive imagery in music videos.

Despite the controversy, or perhaps in part because of it, "Only" remains a notable track in Minaj's discography. It is a prime example of a high-profile collaboration between some of the biggest names in hip-hop at the time and showcases the signature styles of each artist. The song also played a role in solidifying Minaj's status as a dominant force in the rap world.

The most significant and controversial symbolism associated with "Only" comes from its lyric video. Released in November 2014, the animated video employed imagery heavily inspired by Nazi propaganda. In the video, Nicki Minaj is depicted as a dictator, with an army of soldiers wearing armbands with a "YM" (Young Money) logo that resembled a swastika. The video also featured imagery reminiscent of Nazi rallies and architecture. This sparked immediate backlash, with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) calling the video "deeply disturbing and offensive." The release of the video was also criticized for its proximity to the anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Minaj later apologized for the video's concept, stating she was not involved in its creation and would never condone Nazism. She explained that the video's creator was influenced by the cartoons "Metalocalypse" and "Sin City." The director, Jeff Osborne, however, did not apologize and stated that the use of Nazi imagery was intentional, meant to be a commentary and a reminder of past atrocities.

In the song's lyrics, Minaj uses the metaphor of her female competitors being her "sons" to assert her dominance in the rap game. The explicit cupcake metaphor she uses to deny sleeping with Drake and Wayne is a blunt and memorable image that underscores her direct and provocative style. The cover art for the single also contains symbolic imagery, with Drake depicted as the Pope, which some found ironic given that he is Jewish.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Only" is the explicit denial of sexual relationships between Nicki Minaj and her labelmates, Drake and Lil Wayne. This theme is introduced in the opening lines of Minaj's verse ("I never fucked Wayne, I never fucked Drake") and is reiterated in both Drake's and Lil Wayne's verses. This repetition serves to hammer home the song's central message and directly confront the rumors that the artists are addressing.

The chorus, sung by Chris Brown, features the recurring phrase "only," which is used to define the exclusive circle of people they associate with: "bad bitches only," "real niggas only," "boss niggas only," etc. This repetition emphasizes the song's themes of power, status, and exclusivity. The use of "only" acts as a lyrical gatekeeper, establishing a clear distinction between those who are in their elite group and those who are not.

Another recurring motif is the objectification of Nicki Minaj's body, particularly her buttocks. This is a common theme in her music and is referenced by both Drake and Lil Wayne in their verses. This motif contributes to the song's provocative and sexually charged nature.