How Nicki Minaj’s ‘Super Bass’ Solidified Her Legend Status

It took two years for Nicki Minaj to take over the world. Following her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty , she caught the attention of Lil Wayne , who signed her. Minaj became ubiquitous , quickly taking over the charts and winning over rap heavyweights and pop divas with her next-level guest verses.

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But it was her debut album Pink Friday and single “Super Bass” that made her a force to be reckoned with across the board. Her pop pivot was a huge risk, especially as she pulled double duty singing and rapping on the hit. But it paid off: The song was her first Top 10 single and became the highest-charting song by a female rapper since Missy Elliott’s “Work It.”

On this week’s episode of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs , hosts Rob Sheffield and Brittany Spanos discuss “Super Bass” and how it started a new chapter in Nicki Minaj’s story. They’re joined by their brilliant Rolling Stone colleague Mankaprr Conteh as they break down Minaj’s quick rise, legacy and present-day career.

In 2004, Rolling Stone launched its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. Tabulated from a massive vote that had artists, industry figures, and critics weighing in, the list has been a source of conversation, inspiration, and controversy for two decades. It’s one of the most popular, influential, and argued-over features the magazine has ever done.

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So we set out to make it even bigger, better, and fresher. In 2021, we completely overhauled our 500 Songs list , with a whole new batch of voters from all over the music map. Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs takes a closer look at the entries on our list. Made in partnership with iHeart, Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs finds Brittany and Rob discussing a new song each week, delving into its history and impact with the help of a special guest — including fellow RS colleagues, producers, and the artists themselves. It’s our celebration of the greatest songs ever made — and a breakdown of what makes them so great.

Check out the latest episode above, on iHeart , or wherever you get your podcasts, and look for new episodes every Wednesday.

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