Nicki Minaj has recorded some regrettable songs in her time and has tried multiple genres during her career. However, unlike her Young money counterpart, Drake, Minaj has often been less successful in her attempts and, although she may have achieved commercial triumph, alienated a large portion of her fanbase.
In 2012, Nicki Minaj (real name Onika Maraj) released her sophomore body of work, Pink Friday 2: Roman Reloaded, but the project saw Minaj drift towards becoming an EDM artist instead of an emcee.
Minaj received criticism not only from fans but from the industry at large. It’s fair to say that the Queens lyricist has never responded well to criticism regarding her music and pays attention to the press. However, when Peter Rosenberg of HOT 97.0 publicly declared his hatred for Minaj’s 2012 single, ‘Starships,’ she lashed out.
Produced by the EDM artist Red One, ‘Starships’ was not well received by hip-hop fans as the lead single of the album. Fans lashed out at Minaj for releasing what was dubbed a “techno-pop” record, and people did not hold back in addressing Minaj’s evident abandonment of rap.
Fortunately, the ‘Roman’s Revenge’ rhymer has come around as she recently declared she no longer performs the track. During a New Year’s Eve performance at the nightclub E11EVEN in Miami, she played the intro of ‘Starships,’ duping her fans into believing she was about to perform the song. However, she then stopped the music.
After abruptly stopping the music, she exclaimed, “Hold on. Psych, psych, psych, psych, psych. I don’t perform that song no more, y’all. I don’t like it. What y’all want me to do? Stupid song.”
Minaj has also admitted she dislikes her 2014 track ‘Anaconda.’ In a 2020 Q&A panel appearance with Pollstar Live, the lyricist spoke about her discography and how she has artistically grown since her sophomore project. Reflecting on some of her tracks, she stated, “I wish I never recorded ‘Anaconda.’ I like the video, but ugh.” She also expressed her disdain for ‘Starships.’
You can see Nicki Minaj tell her Miami fans she no longer performs ‘Starships’ below.
@raptherapth When Nicki past Starships ! @Nicki Minaj #starships #nickiminaj ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – Rap the rap ✅