Released: 2023
“FTCU” by Nicki Minaj is a powerful assertion of her dominance in the hip-hop scene. This bravado-laden anthem serves as both a celebration of her success and an unapologetic reminder of her status in the industry.
The song’s repetitive hook, “F$#k This Club Up” (FTCU), shakes the room with boldness, asserting a sense of power and control. The term “club” here may be a metaphor for the music industry, suggesting that Nicki is shaking things up, disrupting norms and breaking the status quo. The phrase “Flocka” references rapper Waka Flocka Flame, known for his energetic and riotous style – this is Nicki signaling that she’s bringing similar energy.
In her verse, Nicki refers to herself as “the Sleeze,” a nickname that asserts her audacious and assertive nature. She talks about her success, mentioning “I’m movin’ units, my videos, they gon’ view it,” which is a clear nod to her music selling well and her videos getting substantial views. The phrase “leaving bitches on read” is a term borrowed from texting culture, signifying ignoring someone’s message or leaving them in suspense.
Nicki also grounds herself as the queen of the industry, saying, “I give bitches the crown, They f$#k around and lose it.” She’s stating that even when other female rappers are given opportunities, they can’t maintain the same level of success and dominance she has.
When she rhymes, “Stay in your Tory Lane, bitch, I’m not Iggy,” she’s likely referring to rapper Iggy Azalea’s career, which many believe was negatively impacted by her feud with rapper Tory Lanez. Nicki is underlining her resilience in the volatile rap game.
“Got the power, I could tell my niggas, ‘Spray like 50′” is a reference to 50 Cent’s music and persona, implying she has the power to command her crew to bring chaos or unsettle the scene, just like how 50 Cent dominated the industry in his prime.
Nicki continues her high energy and assertive tone in the second verse with lines like “I am such a catch nigga, throw on ya mitty,” insisting that she is a highly coveted figure in the game, impossible to ignore or dismiss, metaphorically requiring a baseball mitt to handle her.
She ends her verses with the phrase “give me my tens,” four times in a row, a slang way of asking for full marks or perfect scores for her work, further establishing her demand for recognition and respect. The closing lines, “Then take away two, I ate, I win” use hip-hop vernacular for succeeding or winning (eating), indicating that even when critics try to lower her score, she remains victorious.
Overall, through “FTCU,” Nicki Minaj delivers an audacious tribute to her stature in the hip-hop scene, celebrating her success and reinforcing her influence with masterful, aggressive lyricism.
