Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)

"Anaconda"
Single by Nicki Minaj
from the album The Pinkprint
Released August 4, 2014 (2014-08-04)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2014, Glenwood Recording Studios
(Burbank, California)
Genre
Length 4:20 (album version)
3:19 (radio edit)
3:51 (radio edit 2)
2:56 (album edit – international deluxe)
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Bang Bang"
(2014)		 "Anaconda"
(2014)		 "Low"
(2014)

"Anaconda" is a song by Trinidadian-born American rapper Nicki Minaj, from her third studio album, The Pinkprint (2014). It was released on August 4, 2014 by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records as the second single from the album.[3] The song was produced by Polow da Don, Anonymous, and Da Internz. The song heavily samples "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot.[4]

The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, consequently becoming Minaj's highest charting single in the United States to date. It went on to spend eight consecutive weeks in the top ten of the Hot 100 chart.[5] The song also peaked within the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

An accompanying video for the song was directed by Colin Tilley and released on August 19, 2014. Following the video's release, it broke the 24-hour streaming record on Vevo by accumulating 19.6 million views in its first day of release, being surpassed by Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" in 2015. To further promote the song, Minaj performed it live at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards and also performed it at Fashion Rocks and the iHeartRadio Music Festival. "Anaconda" was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 2015 Grammy Awards.[6] The song was also nominated for two categories at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, Best Female Video and Best Hip-Hop Video, winning the latter.[7]

Background and composition

On August 5, 2014, producer Polow da Don claimed the "Anaconda" instrumental was originally intended for fellow female rapper and musician Missy Elliott, but was scrapped and then re-recorded by Minaj.[8] However, on August 24, 2014, Elliott revealed to fans and followers via her Twitter account that Polow's recollections were untrue and additionally confirmed that she never received the alleged instrumental.[9] The cover art for the single went viral on the web after being revealed. On various digital music stores, the cover art is censored with the Parental Advisory label over Minaj's buttocks. The song heavily samples "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot, who also has vocals in the chorus of the song.[8]

Musically, the song is a hip hop and pop-rap song.[2] The song is written in the key of C♯ minor with a tempo of 130 beats per minute.[10]

Critical reception
"Anaconda"
A 26-second sample of "Anaconda", which heavily samples "Baby Got Back"
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Carolyn Menyes from Music Times said it is a bit "raunchy" though this was "expected" and saying "Anaconda" continues Minaj's promise to move away from her poppier singles such as "Super Bass" and "Starships", and go back to her hardcore rap roots.[11] Kory Grow from Rolling Stone praised the use of the "Baby Got Back" sample and said the song stayed true to the theme of the original.[12] Kevin Goddard from HotNewHipHop said "Nicki's raunchy new version may be the next big thing to hit the industry."[13] Dan Reilly from Spin said "Minaj takes the good Sir's '92 ode to protruding posteriors and adds a heavy dose of 2014 sex lingo".[14] Amy Davidson from Digital Spy gave the song three stars out of five and said that "Nicki's breaking down barriers".[15]

Sir Mix-a-Lot said he had "a whole new level of respect for Minaj" after hearing the record and that he became a "fan for life" of Minaj.[16]

The song made Spin's end of year 'The 101 Best Songs of 2014' list. It ranked #3 on the list of 101 entries and Spin herald it "much more than just a song" but a "cultural movement". She was the only rapper to make the top ten of the list as a lead artist.[17] "Anaconda" was also placed at number two on MTV's Best Songs of 2014.[18]

However, despite the positive reviews the song received negative reactions. The London Economic called it "one of the worst songs ever".[19] Critics from National Review referred to the song as "degrading", promotes prostitution and drug abuse and promotes immorality to young girls.[20] A city in Israel banned the song and prohibited it from concerts and sports events.[21] They claimed the record is "violations of women's dignity", encouragement of "a culture of rape, humiliation of women", and lyrics "full of racist words, insults, sexism and homophobia".[22]

Commercial performance

In the United States, the song debuted at No. 3 on the Digital Songs chart selling 141,000 digital downloads in its first week. Additionally, as Minaj shares lead credit on "Bang Bang", which was No. 2 on that same chart in the same week, Minaj became the first lead act to have two concurrent songs in the top three of the chart since Taylor Swift did it on the list dated September 22, 2012.[23] On the Billboard Hot 100, the song debuted at No. 19, marking Minaj's 51st Hot 100 entry and subsequently breaking out of a tie with Michael Jackson for overall career Hot 100 entries.[24]

For the week ending September 6, 2014, "Anaconda" jumped 39-2 on the Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest charting single on that chart, and marking her eleventh top ten single. It was kept from the top spot by Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off", which debuted atop the chart the same week. Its leap into the runner-up position was brought on primarily by the release of its music video, which garnered 32.1 million domestic streams in its first week. That streaming total caused it to consequentially skyrocket 42-1 on Billboard's Streaming Songs chart. It is the largest one week streaming sum since Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" received 36.4 million streams for the week ending September 28, 2013. Additionally, the 39-2 ascent for "Anaconda" marks the second-biggest jump ever within the Hot 100's top 40. Only The Black Eyed Peas made a bigger leap in the region when "Boom Boom Pow" blasted 39-1 on April 18, 2009.[25] "Anaconda" was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in November 2014 and has sold 2 million copies in the US as of December 2014.[26][27]

Music video

A music video for the track was shot in Los Angeles, California by Colin Tilley[28] and was released on August 19, 2014.[29] The video features a cameo appearance by fellow rapper and labelmate Drake.[30] The video broke the 24-hour streaming record on Vevo by accumulating 19.6 million views in its first day of release, beating the 19.3 million 24-hour record previously held by Miley Cyrus for the music video of her song, "Wrecking Ball", in 2013.[31] On August 30, 2014, eleven days after the release of the music video, "Anaconda" was Vevo certified for receiving over 100 million views. In 2015 Taylor Swift surpassed Minaj's record with the video for her single "Bad Blood" which got 20.1 million views in 24 hours.[32]

In a review of Minaj's video, Lucas Villa of AXS wrote, "It's butts abound in her bananas clip for 'Anaconda.'"[33] NBC host Al Roker called the music video "vile" and "desperate". Roker said, "It almost seems like Minaj has gotten desperate and needs to do something to get her crown back."[34] Molly Lambert of Grantland was complimentary, writing "the video is about Nicki asserting her power, not as a sexual object but a sexual subject."[35] It was named one of the sexiest videos of 2014 by VH1.[36]

Live performances and parodies

On 24 August 2014, Minaj first performed the song live at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. The performance followed Ariana Grande's individual performance of her single "Break Free" and was followed by a performance of Jessie J, Grande, and Minaj's joint single "Bang Bang."[37] On September 9, 2014, Minaj performed the song live at Fashion Rocks.[38] On September 19, 2014, Minaj performed the song at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival.[39] On November 9, 2014, Minaj performed "Anaconda" at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards in a three song medley including her other songs "Super Bass" and "Bed of Lies" featuring Skylar Grey.[40]

One parody cover by Internet personalities Bart Baker and Tiffany Tynes has received more than 80 million views.[41]

Credits and personnel

Recording[42]
Personnel[42]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[43] 8
Australian Urban (ARIA)[44] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[45] 36
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[46] 22
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[47] 4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[48] 33
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[49] 3
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[50] 47
Denmark (Tracklisten)[51] 37
Finland Download (Suomen virallinen latauslista)[52] 26
France (SNEP)[53] 38
Germany (Official German Charts)[54] 48
Ireland (IRMA)[55] 10
Italy (FIMI)[56] 52
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[57] 30
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[58] 9
Portugal (AFP)[59] 39
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[60] 2
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[61] 29
South Korea (Gaon Download Chart)[62] 80
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[63] 38
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[64] 30
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[65] 55
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[66] 3
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[67] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[68] 2
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[69] 1
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[70] 22
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[71] 21
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[72] 4

Year-end charts

Chart (2014) Position
Australia (ARIA)[73] 62
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[74] 48
US Billboard Hot 100[75] 36

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[76] 2× Platinum 140,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[77] Gold 7,500*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[78] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[79] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[80] Silver 200,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[81] 2× Platinumdagger 1,300,000[27]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

dagger Since May 2013 RIAA certifications for digital singles include on-demand audio and/or video song streams in addition to downloads.[82]

Radio and release history

Country Date Format Label
Various[83] August 4, 2014 Digital download
United States[84] August 12, 2014 Contemporary hit radio
Rhythmic contemporary
United Kingdom[85] October 5, 2014 Digital download

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tobin, Patricia (August 19, 2014). "Nicki Minaj beats the music industry at its own sexist game with "Anaconda"". Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Caramanica, Jon (December 15, 2014). "Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  3. ↑ Frynlund, Zach (July 24, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Played a Guessing Game on Twitter Before She Announced Her Second Single Today". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Sir Mix-A-Lot on Nicki Minaj's 'Anaconda,' Booty Fever & New Music". Billboard. September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  5. ↑ Trust, Gary. "Taylor Swift's Shake It Off Debuts at No.1 on hot 100". billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "57th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees". Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  7. ↑ http://medicinehatnews.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2015/08/30/kanye-west-rants-at-mtv-vmas-he-got-high-is-running-for-president/
  8. 1 2 Diep, Eric (4 August 2014). "Polow Da Don Compares Nicki Minaj To Missy Elliott With "Anaconda"". XXL. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Missy Elliott on Twitter: @ZsoltPalffy @luvhiphop1983 not true babes". Twitter. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  10. ↑ Jones, Jamal. "Nicki Minaj "Anaconda" Sheet Music - Download & Print". musicnotes.com.
  11. ↑ "REVIEW: Nicki Minaj 'Anaconda' Leaks, Features Sir Mix-A-Lot 'Baby Got Back' Sample, Raunchy Lyrics".
  12. ↑ "Hear Nicki Minaj's Bootylicious Sir Mix-a-Lot Riff 'Anaconda'".
  13. ↑ "Nicki Minaj - Anaconda (CDQ)".
  14. ↑ "Nicki Minaj's 'Anaconda' Leaks, Features Sir Mix-a-Lot and Lots of Cheek".
  15. ↑ "Nicki Minaj 'Anaconda' single review - 'Time to cut Nicki some slack'".
  16. ↑ "Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" Dubbed New & Improved "Baby Got Back" By Sir Mix-A-Lot".
  17. ↑ "The 101 Best Songs of 2014".
  18. ↑ "Best Songs Of 2014 - MTV". mtv.com. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  19. ↑ "Reasons why Nicki Minaj's Anaconda is the worst song ever". TLE.
  20. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Is Worse for Young Girls' Morals Than Madonna Ever Was - National Review Online". National Review Online.
  21. ↑ Zayin B'Ayin. "This Israeli City Hates Nicki Minaj's Butt". Heeb.
  22. ↑ "Israeli City Bans Nicki Minaj's 'Anaconda,' 13 Other Songs From Summer Teen Event". Haaretz.com.
  23. ↑ "Guardians Of The Galaxy' Soundtrack Hits No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  24. ↑ "MAGIC! Still No. 1 On Hot 100 as Meghan Trainor & Charli XCX Soar". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  25. ↑ Trust, Gary. "Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' Debuts At No. 1 On Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  26. ↑ "American Single Certifications — Nicki Minaj — Anaconda". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  27. 1 2 Trust, Gary (December 23, 2014). "Ask Billboard: Why Is There No R&B/Hip-Hop in the Hot 100's Top 10?". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  28. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (24 July 2014). "Nicki Minaj Reveals Sexy Artwork for 'Anaconda' Single" Billboard. Billboard 2014. Retrieved on July 24, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Video: Nicki Minaj – 'Anaconda'". Rap-Up.
  30. ↑ Kenneally, Tim (August 18, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Gets Freaky With Drake's 'Anaconda' in Steamy Video Sneak Peek (Photos)". The Wrap. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Nicki Minaj's 'Anaconda' Video Breaks Vevo Record". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  32. ↑ Erin Strecker (May 21, 2015). "Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' Video Breaks Vevo Record". Billboard. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  33. ↑ Villa, Lucas (August 20, 2014). "Nicki Minaj twerks out the jungle and Drake in 'Anaconda' music video". AXS.
  34. ↑ Mensah, Esi (August 22, 2014). "Al Roker Blasts Nicki Minaj's Anaconda Calling It 'Vile' And 'Desperate'". Entertainmentwise. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  35. ↑ Lambert, Molly. "Nicki Minaj Reclaims the Twerk in the 'Anaconda' Music Video". Grantland. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  36. ↑ "The 15 Sexiest Videos Of 2014". E! Online. December 26, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  37. ↑ Lipschutz, Jason (August 25, 2014). "MTV VMAs: Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj Open Show with a 'Bang Bang'". Billboard.
  38. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Performs 'Anaconda' at Fashion Rocks". Rap-Up. September 10, 2014.
  39. ↑ "VIDEO: Nicki Minaj Performs During the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival". My Pink Friday. September 20, 2014.
  40. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (November 9, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Debuts Skylar Grey Collabo at 2014 MTV EMA Awards: Watch". Billboard.
  41. ↑ Baker, Bart. "Nicki Minaj - "Anaconda" PARODY", YouTube, September 14, 2014, accessed August 4, 2015
  42. 1 2 The Pinkprint (booklet). Nicki Minaj. Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, Republic Records. 2014. 00602547163844.
  43. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  44. ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 40 Urban Singles Chart". ARIA Charts. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Ultratop.be – {{{artist}}} – {{{song}}}" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Nicki Minaj. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  50. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201437 into search. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". Tracklisten. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  52. ↑ "Nicki Minaj: Anaconda" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Musicline.de – Nicki Minaj Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 41, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  56. ↑ "FIMI - Nicki Minaj: Anaconda". FIMI. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  57. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Nicki Minaj search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Nicki Minaj: Anaconda". Acharts.us. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  60. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-10-18". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  61. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201437 into search. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  62. ↑ "South Korea Gaon Download Chart". Gaon Chart. August 10, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  63. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  64. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  65. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  66. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-10-18" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  67. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2014-10-18" UK R&B Chart. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  68. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Nicki Minaj. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  69. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Nicki Minaj. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  70. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Nicki Minaj. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  71. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Nicki Minaj. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  72. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Nicki Minaj. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  73. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  74. ↑ "2014 Year End Charts - Top Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  75. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year End 2014". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  76. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  77. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 03 November 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  78. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  79. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  80. ↑ "British single certifications – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 9, 2015. Enter Anaconda in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
  81. ↑ "American single certifications – Nicki Minaj – Anaconda". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 12, 2014. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  82. ↑ "RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  83. ↑ Release date for "Anaconda":
  84. ↑ "FMQB: Radio Industry News". FMQB. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014.
  85. ↑ "Anaconda – Single by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store (GB). Archived from the original on October 3, 2014.
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