Red Ruby da Sleeze

"Red Ruby Da Sleeze"
Single by Nicki Minaj
from the album Pink Friday 2
ReleasedMarch 3, 2023 (2023-03-03)
Recorded2022
GenreHip hop, trap
Length3:35
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Go Grizzly
  • Cheeze Beatz
  • Kobang
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Princess Diana"
(2023) 		"Red Ruby Da Sleeze"
(2023) 		"Alone"
(2023)
Music video
"Red Ruby da Sleeze" on YouTube

"Red Ruby Da Sleeze" is a song by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj from her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2 (2023). Initially released on March 3, 2023 as a promotional single, it was officially released on March 14, 2023 to US rhythmic contemporary radio through Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records, serving as the album's second single. It contains a sample of "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (2003) by Lumidee and was produced by Go Grizzly, Cheeze Beatz and Tate Kobang. The song debuted in the top 20 in the United States.

Background and composition

Nicki Minaj first previewed the track on February 23, 2023 on Instagram, also announcing in a post that it would be released on March 3, 2023.[1] She teased the song with a video of her rapping to it at the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.[2] Minaj referred to the track as a "street record b4 [sic] my next official single."[3]

Over a beat of "near-Flamenco handclaps" and trap drums,[4] the song finds Nicki Minaj rapping and singing.[5] The chorus functions as a percussive breakdown, featuring faint vocals of "Uh oooooh's" from the sample in the background.[6]

Minaj performs in her new titular alter-ego, with regard to her botched attempts of rudimentary Chinese greetings and an allusion to the respective Street Fighter character, which also happened to be a song of hers in which the lyrical allusion was named after ("Chinese on my sleeve, these wannabe Chun-Lis / Anyway, nǐ hǎo"). According to music critics and fans, Minaj takes shots at Megan Thee Stallion, beginning with a reference to the incident in which actor Christopher Reeve became paralyzed from falling off of a horse ("700 on 'em horses when we fixin' to leave / But I don't fuck with horses since Christopher Reeves"),[7][8][9][10] before alluding to Megan's promotional song "Flamin' Hottie" for a Hot Cheetos and Doritos Super Bowl commercial ("Dorito bitches mad that they not chose")[8][9] as well as her shooting in 2020, specifically when her attacker, Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, allegedly yelled "Dance bitch, dance!" while shooting Megan ("Ya fuckin' bozo / That .40 cal a make 'em dance like a go-go").[8][10] In addition to Megan Thee Stallion, Minaj also references fashion designer Donna Karan and disses rapper Latto in a reference to when she called Latto a "Karen" during their argument on Twitter in October 2022 ("We don't be Karen like Donna-na, na-na-na-na").[10]

Reception

The track received critical acclaim upon release, with many referencing the lyrics, punch lines, and production. Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote, "I don't know what Megan Thee Stallion did to piss off Nicki Minaj, or why Nicki can't seem to tolerate the presence of other visible female rappers. But Nicki can really rap, and she can really, really rap when she's mad about something. She goes off on this thing, moving in and out of patois, and the beat — from producers Go Grizzly, Cheeze Beatz, and Tate Kobang — is hard and pop at the same time."[9] Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented "Calm arrogance is Nicki Minaj's gift. There's no need to decipher all her allusions because her delivery and production say it all." and "Her percussive rhymes are competitive in every realm — linguistic, sexual, financial, culinary ('guacamole with the taco') — and their utter confidence is still convincing."[4] In a year-end ranking, the track was ranked at No. 24 out of Harpsichords Zine's 2023's 33 Best Songs, referring to Red Ruby as "one of [Nicki Minaj's] more cruel alter egos," and continuing "who is in fact sleazier than Chun-Li, but also more crafty about her witty attacks than the rambunctious Roman."[11]

Music video

An official music video was teased on March 15, 2023,[12] and released on May 13. Directed by Grizz[13] and filmed in Trinidad and Tobago,[14] it sees Nicki Minaj on the deck and in the backyard of a tropical mansion overlooking the ocean.[13][14][15] She is shown in different outfits, such as a black monokini, a red Dior bikini (wearing it by a pool) and a red kimono[13] which she wears over a swimsuit and later takes off,[14] as well as various clothing of high fashion brands.[13][16] Reality star Brooke Bailey appears alongside Minaj in multiple scenes, such as sitting under a cabana, walking down the city streets and shopping for fashion,[13][14] and posing in front of a white Range Rover, while also wearing luxury clothing.[13] Additionally, Minaj is seen going on joyrides at night,[17] and in a pink Rolls Royce with red interior.[15] Her link-up with Bailey and outfits in the clip were teased in Instagram posts prior to the release of the video.[18]

Track listings

  • Streaming/digital download[19]
  1. "Red Ruby da Sleeze" – 3:34
  • Digital download – acapella[20]
  1. "Red Ruby da Sleeze" (acapella) – 3:34
  • Streaming/digital download – sped up[21]
  1. "Red Ruby da Sleeze" (sped up) – 2:59
  2. "Red Ruby da Sleeze" – 3:34

Charts

Release history

Release history and formats for "Red Ruby da Sleeze"
Country Date Format Version Labels Ref.
Various March 3, 2023
Original
[19]
March 7, 2023 Digital download Acapella [20]
United States March 14, 2023 Rhythmic contemporary radio Original [36]
Various March 30, 2023
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Sped up [21]

References

  1. ^ Mendez, Marisa (February 24, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Previews New Song That Samples 2000s Hit". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  2. ^ Singhvi, Diya (March 3, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Delivers Heat In "Red Ruby Da Sleeze": Stream". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  3. ^ @NickiMinaj (March 8, 2023). "Never said this. Super Freaky Girl stats… not on my album??? RRDS?!?!! I said it's my street record b4 my next official single. Never said not on my album. SFG ONLY FEMALE RAP SONG TO DEBUT #1. Broke about 10 records. Not on my album? #ComeOnSon stupid" (Tweet). Retrieved March 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (March 3, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Returns Ready to Rumble, and 8 More New Songs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  5. ^ Blistein, Jon (March 3, 2023). "You Can't Walk in Her Crocs: Nicki Minaj Drops First Song of 2023 'Red Ruby Da Sleeze'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  6. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (March 3, 2023). "First Stream: New Music From Nicki Minaj, Morgan Wallen, J-Hope & J. Cole and More". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  7. ^ Guy, Zoe (March 3, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Debuts a New Alter Ego, 'Red Ruby Da Sleeze'". Vulture. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Brasil, Sydney (March 3, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Seemingly Disses Megan Thee Stallion on New Single "Red Ruby Da Sleaze"". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Breihan, Tom (March 3, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Goes After Megan Thee Stallion On Her New Single "Red Ruby Da Sleeze"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Coleman II, C. Vernon (March 3, 2023). "Fans Think Nicki Minaj Disses Megan Thee Stallion and Latto on New Song 'Red Ruby Da Sleeze'". XXL. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Harpsicord's Top 33 Songs of 2023 [33-23]". Harpsichord. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  12. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (March 16, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Shows Some Skin In Her Spicy Teaser Trailer For The 'Red Ruby Da Sleeze' Music Video". Uproxx. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Corrine, Amber (May 15, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Drops "Red Ruby Da Sleeze" Video Starring Brooke Bailey". Vibe. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d Peters, Michelle (May 14, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Goes Back to Trinidad in Island-Themed 'Red Ruby Da Sleeze' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  15. ^ a b Ellington, Andre (May 14, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Serves Up An Eyeful In 'Red Ruby Da Sleeze' Video". HipHopDX. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  16. ^ Li, Joyce (May 15, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Shows off Her Bodacious Curves in New "Red Ruby Da Sleeze" Music Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  17. ^ Legaspi, Althea (May 13, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Drops Early Mother's Day Gift With 'Red Ruby Da Sleeze' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  18. ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (May 14, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Flexes Her Curves & Much More In "Red Ruby Da Sleeze" Music Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Red Ruby Da Sleeze". Spotify. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Red Ruby da Sleeze (Acapella) Digital Single". Nicki Minaj. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Red Ruby Da Sleeze (Sped Up)". Spotify. March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  23. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  24. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Nicki Minaj". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  25. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 13, 2023. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  26. ^ "South Africa Songs: Week Of March 18, 2023". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  27. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  28. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  29. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  31. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  32. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  33. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  34. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  35. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  36. ^ "A Recap of Radio Add Recaps". Hits. March 14, 2023. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.