Hey everyone, welcome! Today, I’ve got a few topics to delve into. Let’s kick off with the latest buzz surrounding the City Girls. Recently, they sat down for an interview on Homegrown Radio, aired on Real 92.3. The hosts brought up Lil Yachty’s involvement in their smash hit “Act Up,” prompting an interesting response from the duo. Let’s tune in.
Now, here’s the burning question: just how much did Lil Yachty contribute to “Act Up”? When Lil Yachty caught wind of their remarks, he took to his IG story to share some thoughts, though the post was swiftly deleted. Kudos to Neighborhood Talk for snagging a screenshot! Lil Yachty expressed a sense of familiarity with not receiving due credit, citing it as no surprise. Fun fact: Lil Yachty openly admitted to penning the track during a chat with Karen Frost a couple of years back. His words? “One day I was in the studio with my best friend Earl, and he played the beat. He was like, ‘Just write something for the City Girls.’ I wrote the whole song, except for JT’s last verse.” So, Lil Yachty spilled the beans long ago about his major role in crafting the tune.
Now, onto the City Girls’ reaction. Their response, particularly Young Miami’s “Next,” seemed rather dismissive, raising eyebrows. Yet, it’s worth pondering their perspective. Perhaps they didn’t want to draw attention to the fact that they aren’t the primary writers of their music. While JT does contribute some verses, Young Miami doesn’t partake in the writing process. Rappers who don’t pen their own lyrics often face criticism, and admitting that Lil Yachty penned a significant portion of their hit might not earn them much respect. Thus, their reluctance to acknowledge his contribution might stem from a desire to maintain their image. However, it’s understandable why Lil Yachty might feel slighted, considering the magnitude of his role in shaping their success.
Let’s discuss the recent release of the City Girls’ music video for their single “Twerkulator,” which was directed by Missy Elliott. Upon viewing the video, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lacking. However, there were some positives worth mentioning. I appreciated certain concepts, such as the vibrant pink MCM scene and the creative use of human mannequin heads, reminiscent of Missy Elliott’s signature style. Yet, despite these elements, the video fell short for me. The visual quality seemed somewhat lacking, with some shots feeling awkward. Additionally, the City Girls appeared disengaged, which detracted from their performance. It’s crucial for artists to exude enthusiasm and captivate viewers in their own videos, but unfortunately, this seemed lacking here. Reflecting on the City Girls’ overall presentation, it feels as though there’s something missing, although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what. Comparatively, I can’t help but imagine how another artist, like Bree Runway, might have elevated the video with her undeniable star power, charisma, and dynamic presence. Her ability to command attention through dance and facial expressions is unmatched, which highlights the contrast with the City Girls’ performance in this instance. It’s evident that they could benefit from putting more effort into their performances, both on stage and in their music videos.
Moving on to my final topic of discussion: the collaboration between Nicki Minaj and Bia. Recently, these two artists teamed up to release a remix of Bia’s viral hit track “Whole Lotta Money”. I had the chance to give the remix a listen, and I must say, I found it quite impressive. Particularly captivating was the exchange between Nicki and Bia towards the song’s conclusion. What struck me even more was learning that Nicki and Bia co-wrote their verses together in the studio, highlighting a true collaborative effort.
However, while enjoying the remix, I couldn’t help but notice some subtle references reminiscent of Doja Cat and Rico Nasty’s track “Tia Tamera”. Whether intentional or not, I found this intriguing. The connection between Bia and Doja is noteworthy, especially considering last year’s alleged tensions between them. Following their collaboration on Cousin Stizz’s “Perfect”, rumors circulated that Bia had thrown shade at Doja through cryptic tweets. Thus, the incorporation of nods to Doja’s work raises questions. While some Doja fans interpreted this as a deliberate move to provoke, I personally lean towards viewing it as a strategic business decision. Both Nicki and Bia hold each other in high regard, suggesting that their collaboration stemmed from genuine respect and a desire to create buzz in the industry—a goal they certainly achieved, given the ensuing discussions.
I found Nicki’s comments in her live video particularly intriguing. One remark that resonated with me was her hesitation regarding collaborations with other female rappers, hinting at feeling exploited by some of them. She emphasized the importance of establishing an adult bond when working together, hoping for genuine camaraderie to persist afterward. It’s disappointing when collaborations don’t lead to a lasting rapport, as it often feels like people only show affection when it benefits them. This sentiment is echoed in her song lyrics, especially the line “Fake friends put in pills and potions.” Personally, I resonate with the line “All the bridges you came over, don’t burn that yet,” as it reflects the caution needed in relationships. Nicki also addressed feedback about becoming “too nice,” which can sometimes lead to others taking advantage of kindness.
Many times, you find yourself revisiting that energy, and it’s disheartening. I’ve witnessed it unfold in both professional and personal spheres. I want to stress this: strive diligently and pursue your goals in life, so you never become someone who receives support or recognition only to disregard those who helped you. Reflecting on that first day, as you mentioned at the end, I found myself pondering. I’ve had reservations about collaborating with female rappers, unsure if it was the right move. There are narratives I wish to share on this topic because there are aspects you may not be aware of, despite certain comments I’ve observed. However, today isn’t the time for that discussion. Today is about celebrating Bia. Let’s keep the focus on her. That’s all there is to it.
That’s the essence of Nicki’s message, which could resonate with many. While some of her words might have been aimed at Cardi B, I also sense they could apply to Megan Thee Stallion. Nicki and Megan previously shared a rapport during their collaboration on “Hot Girl Summer”. Their camaraderie was evident, and the collaboration proved to be a triumph.
Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” marked a significant milestone as her first top 20 hit on the Billboard charts, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. At that time, Megan was already gaining considerable attention, but Nicki Minaj’s endorsement amplified her buzz. Nicki’s fans rallied behind Megan, boosting her career. However, after their collaboration, Megan distanced herself from Nicki, collaborating with artists like Beyoncé and Cardi B, Nicki’s rival. This shift left Nicki feeling used, as Megan seemed focused solely on advancing her own career rather than fostering a friendship or alliance with Nicki.
A similar dynamic unfolded with Doja Cat, whose collaboration with Nicki on “Say So” strategically propelled her career. While Doja likely respects Nicki, the collaboration served as a career boost. This isn’t to diminish Doja and Megan’s genuine regard for Nicki, but it’s evident they leveraged her influence for personal gain, a move many aspiring artists might make. A Nicki co-sign holds immense value for emerging female rappers, akin to a male rapper receiving endorsement from Drake.
Nicki’s discernment in selecting collaborators is wise, given the competitive nature of the industry. She’s cautious about aligning herself with artists who might view her as a mere stepping stone. Her decision to collaborate with Bia reflects this approach, as Bia demonstrates genuine talent, support for Nicki, and a fresh sound. Nicki’s remix of Bia’s song is a savvy business move likely to amplify its success.
Feel free to share your thoughts on this perspective in the comments below. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe, and share this video if you found it insightful. Thank you for watching, and I’ll catch you in the next one.