Released: 2023 • Features: Lil Uzi Vert
“Everybody” by Nicki Minaj, featuring Lil Uzi Vert, is a braggadocious track asserting the artists’ status in the game, confronting the fakes and phonies, and indulging in ostentatious displays of their riches. It operates as a commentary on the duplicitous nature of the industry, and serves as a warning to those who might cross them.
The opening lines, “Ain’t gang if you let shit slide / Ain’t bad if you gotta dick ride” speak directly to the notion of authenticity in the hip-hop community. The idea is that you can’t claim to be part of the ‘gang’ if you let disrespect go unchallenged, and you can’t claim to be ‘bad’ if you’re just jumping on someone else’s success. In essence, Minaj is setting the real apart from the fake.
The recurring line “We gon’ spin and kill (everybody)” is a stark reminder that Nicki and Uzi are prepared to tackle anyone who stands in their way. In hip-hop, ‘spinning’ typically refers to retaliation or exerting dominance, painting a fierce image of the artists’ raw determination.
The refrain “Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop” is a direct challenge to competitors, suggesting that they’re relentless in their pursuit of success. The phrase “big guns and a lot of zip ties” connotes power and control, while “every whip, Heavy On It, new (body)” represents their extravagant lifestyle.
“Hollow points gonna go through your (body) / Washin’ them bitches, Bath and (Body)” taps into gun references, underscoring the idea that they’re not to be messed with, while also being able to indulge in luxuries. Minaj uses the (body) as a recurring motif to adeptly transition between themes of violence, sex, and wealth.
Lil Uzi’s verse maintains the same theme, flexing his wealth (e.g., “Buy ’em all a BBL ‘fore they got a (body)”), his connections (“All my niggas, they slide with the button”), and his disregard for personal relationships when it comes to his enemies (“I don’t even care if my opp really my cousin”).
Overall, “Everybody (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)” is a testament to the assertive, don’t-mess-with-me attitude that has come to define both Nicki Minaj and Lil Uzi Vert’s place in the hip-hop industry. It’s a testament to their resilience, ambition and success in the game.
