Nicki Lewinsky, a character who appears in multiple songs, is an update from the Nineties model, this time with her sexuality weaponized. Nicki does not merely reference Anna Nicole Smith and Monica Lewinsky, she fuses with them to become the superentities Anna Nicki and Nicki Lewinsky. Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.īiology, chronology, sex, and race offer no resistance to this shape-shifting artist: No sooner does she mention a trait than she merges with it, creating a curious form of hybrid personality. Boys who misbehave face abuse or disinheritance (“You my son, son prodigal/ And you adopted, not even biological”), although in Nicki’s take on gender, “sons” can also be female: in “ The Boys” (2012), she sings, “Girls is my sons, carried them for eight months/ And yes, you’re premature” and “Or the razor, yeah the razor/ She my son, yeah, but I ain’t raise her.” Where most rappers trade insults about money, sex, and success, Nicki knows that maternal disappointment cuts deeper. “Sonning” is a method of cutting down to size, in ways only a mother can: in “ Give It All to Me” (2013), Nicki is the icy, disapproving mom who can yank away privileges in an instant (“I’m like, ‘Who’s up?’/ Girls is used up/ These bitches is my sons, I tied my tubes up”). Giving birth means she has ultimate bragging rights, demanding filial piety while threatening to withhold love, care, and even legitimacy (“So fuck a funny style, tryna act hard/ Uh, you my son, no daddy, you a bastard They talk slick and wondering why I be sonning them” in “ Hands Up”). By declaring herself the mother of all rappers, Nicki claims to be the originator of hip-hop vernacular, an expert speaker watching her sons stutter and mewl. In the Minaj universe, mothering is mastery: a specifically female form of one-upmanship. “ Don’t cry/ Don’t’ go/ Won’t lie/ I f**king love you.” he sings.Slate has relationships with various online retailers.īut note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.Īll prices were up to date at the time of publication. The late rapper XXXTentacion appears on “Don’t Cry,” holding down the song’s chorus with his signature tone.
Despite fans disappointment, Drake only makes a small cameo on “Hittas.” Lil Wayne’s mother Jacida “Cita” Carter plays an instrumental role as she provides another perspective to Wayne’s genius. A few notable names include his daughter Reginae Carter, Nicki Minaj and Kendrick Lamar. While Carter V is far from Christian rap, Weezy ties heavily into religion with singles like “Dope New Gospel” featuring singer-songwriter Nivea, and “Took His Time,” an ode to God’s divine creation– Dwayne Michael Carter, A.K.A himself.īeyond the religious inflections, the album features a list of high-collaborations that elevate Carter’s strong lyrical ability. With many themes to unravel, the album follows Wayne’s journey in love, lust, family ties and his relationship with God. 28) with a heaping of unique and fitting samples and features. After much anticipation, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter Varrived in our ears Friday (Sept.