Nicki Minaj Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Pink Friday Roman Reloaded cover
Nicki Minaj
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
Features Rick Ross
Cam'ron
Released April 2, 2012
Format Digital download
Genre Hardcore hip hop, electro hop
Length 3:33
Label Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Republic
Writer Nicki Minaj
Rick Ross
Cam'ron
Hit-Boy
Producer Hit-Boy
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded track listing
"I Am Your Leader" is track number 3.
Previous track
"Come on a Cone"
Next track
"Beez in the Trap"

"I Am Your Leader" is a song by Nicki Minaj from her second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which features guest vocals from Cam'ron and Rick Ross. It was written by Minaj, Chauncey Hollis, William Roberts II and Cameron Giles, and was produced by Hit-Boy. It was released on April 2, 2012 as a digital download and physical CD with the whole album. It is believe that it's the fifth single of the album because the reports of some websites[1], however neither Minaj or her label have confirm this information. A music video was filmed for the song, rumored to be on August 6, 2012, and premiered on August 24, on her official VEVO channel.

Background[]

A poll was posted on Minaj's official website, on May 24, 2012, asking the fans to choose the next singles. The poll is divided into three categories. The second category asks the fans to choose between "Champion", "HOV Lane", and "I Am Your Leader". "Champion" had the most votes and won the poll[2], second was "HOV Lane", and third was "I Am Your Leader". Minaj confirmed that "Champion" would be the next urban single from the album[3] and that a video was supposed to be filmed for Champion but she decided to release a video for "I Am Your Leader" instead.[4]

Composition[]

The song features boast-heavy verses about how she's better than all the other "bitches".[5] The octaves in the song gives gleefully pompous effect to the song.[6] She uses her vocal shifts for "punchlines", internal commentary, and have fun with her voice.[6]

Critical reception[]

The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Kyle Anderson from Entertainment Weekly and Kevin Ritchie from NOW Magazine labeled it as one of the best song in the album, while Anderson called it "best track, icy"[7], Ritchie called it "top track".[8] Adam Fleischer from XXL Magazine called it a "memorable moment" and, though that it "lack real substance", the song stays "generally exciting."[5] Alex Thornton from HipHop DX gave the song a positive review saying that the song is a "much-needed reminder of what made Nicki appealing to begin with—a fun streak of pink across an otherwise dark landscape."[9] Matthew Cole from Slant Magazine commented the song as an "excellent track which manage to sound both bubbly and heavy."[10] It was also one of the fews songs that Cole reviewed positively.

Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania from RapReviews.com said that "everyone [is] riding the beat as expected" as if the song was not something special or worthwhile comment.[11] David Amidon from PopMatters gave the song a mixed review saying that, if it was less of Minaj, it could "find strength in the summer."[12]

Music video[]

Music Video Information
Nicki_Minaj_-_I_Am_Your_Leader_(Explicit)_ft._Cam'Ron,_Rick_Ross Premiere August 24, 2012
Filmed August 6, 2012 (unconfirmed)
Director Colin Tilley
Producer Andrew Listermann
Production co Riveting Ent.
Exec. producer Jeff Panzer
Editor
Choreographer
Length 3:45
Source [1]

Background[]

On July 5, Minaj ask her fans if they want a video for "I Am Your Leader".[13] On August 14 the video for "I Am Your Leader" was confirmed to be shot in the future.[14] It was shot by director Colin Tilley.[14]

On August 23, Minaj suddenly tweeted "Should I drop the "I am your leader" video tomorrow?... or next week?"[15] which caused a big buzz on Twitter since many of her fans didn't expect that she'll release a new music video so soon ("Pound the Alarm" video was released just three weeks ago). She later, on the same day, revealed the premier date of the video.[16] It premiered on August 24 on VEVO. In the video, it has a snapshot of Minaj that ends up on the Re-Up album cover.

Stills[]

Live performances[]

Minaj performed I Am Your Leader for the first time on 106 & Park on April 3, 2012, along with "Roman Reloaded", "HOV Lane", "Champion ", "Beez in the Trap", "Right by My Side" and "Fire Burns". The song was on the set list of her Pink Friday Tour, on all dates. She also performed the song on The Today Show's summer concert series.

Credits[]

Recording:

  • Recorded at: Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA
  • Mixed at: Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Personnel:

  • Writers: O. Maraj, C. Hollis, W. Roberts, C. Giles
  • Producers: Hitboy
  • Recorded by: Ariel Chobaz & John Rivers
  • Recording Assistant: Jon Sher
  • Mixed by: Ariel Chobaz
  • Mix Assistant: Jon Sher

The credits for "I Am Your Leader" are adapted from the liner notes of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.[17]

Charts[]

Chart (2012) Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 71

Lyrics[]

References[]

  1. HipHop-N-More Nicki Minaj Picks New Urban Single From ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  2. MyPinkFriday.com Take the Poll & Pick Nicki's Next Single! Retrieved August, 26, 2012.
  3. Yes. Champion is next urban single > RT @DestinyAdams54: @nickiminaj Will you do a video for champion and Roman Holiday? Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  4. Twitter: Shooting "Champion" next week in a very "special" "sacred" place. :) Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Adam Fleischer from XXL Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Tom Ewing from The Guardian. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  7. Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) Nicki Minaj Review by Kyle Anderson from Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  8. Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (Cash Money/Universal) Review by Kevin Ritchie from NOW Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  9. Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Alex Thornton from HipHop DX. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  10. Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by Matthew Cole from Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  11. Nicki Minaj :: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - Cash Money Records Review by Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania from RapReviews.com. Retrieved August, 2012.
  12. Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Review by David Amidon from PopMatters. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  13. Twitter: Who wants a video for 'I am your leader'?
  14. 14.0 14.1 Nicki Minaj Shooting Video For "I Am Your Leader" Retrived August 16, 2012.
  15. Twitter: Barbz, should I drop the "I am your leader" video tomorrow?... or next week?... Hmmm *thinks* Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  16. Twitter: Ok barbz, #iamyourleadervideo premieres tomorrow on vevo. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  17. Digital booklet of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded


Pink Friday Roman Reloaded logo
Advertisement