Moment 4 Life

"Moment 4 Life"
Single by Nicki Minaj featuring Drake
from the album Pink Friday
A-side "Super Bass"
Released December 7, 2010
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded 2010
Genre
Length 4:39
Label Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown
Writer(s) Onika Maraj, Aubrey Graham, Nikhil Seetharam, Tyler Williams
Producer(s) T-Minus
Certification Platinum (RIAA)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Raining Men"
(2010)		 "Moment 4 Life"
(2010)		 "The Creep"
(2011)
Drake singles chronology
"Fall for Your Type"
(2010)		 "Moment 4 Life"
(2010)		 "Put It Down"
(2010)
Music video
"Moment 4 Life" on YouTube

"Moment 4 Life" is a song by Trinidadian-American recording artist Nicki Minaj featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It serves as the third single from Minaj's debut album Pink Friday (2010). The song was produced by T-Minus and written by both artists, and samples Sly, Slick and Wicked's "Confessin' A Feeling", released in 1972. The song is inspired by a story Minaj created, in which two kids grow up together sharing the same dream of becoming famous rappers, and create this song while living out their dreams together. It peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. It also saw success internationally, becoming a top 40 hit in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, as well as charting in Belgium and France. "Moment 4 Life" was nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award in the category Best Rap Performance, but lost to "Otis" by Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Background and composition

During a session from the Pink Friday Diaries, Minaj discussed the song in detail, adding a background story to the original song.[1] "Moment 4 Life : is about 2 kids that grew up on the same block. They shared their dreams of making it as rappers. They laughed together, they cried together. One day they realize that their dreams have come to fruition. Though they know all things come to an end, they celebrate. They wish that they could have this moment 4 Life."[1] Lyrically the song is about a desire to maintain a feeling of accomplishment, as Drake follows behind Minaj and raps the same theme of enjoying the moment.[2] "Straying away from the standard rap song construction of three verses and a hook, Nicki performs a brain-dump of sorts on the track, spitting as if she’s making a speech to both her fans and detractors."[3]

Reception

Critical reception

Drake's contribution to the song was favored over Minaj's by critics.

The song garnered mainly positive reviews from critics. Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly stated "The triumphant 'Moment 4 Life,' along with the album’s two lead singles, all showcase her knack for melody while boasting lyrics chronicling her struggles–be they professional or intimate ones of love and hurt. All of which are way more poignant than raps about how dope she is."[4] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian gave the song a negative review commenting on Minaj's tone, stating "she sounds bored rigid, which rather makes you wonder where showing off one's musical versatility ends and cravenly softening your sound for the marketplace begins."[5] Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork commented on the songs status on the album and how Minaj was out-shined by its collaborator, stating "Minaj is upstaged by Drake and Kanye West on "Moment 4 Life" and "Blazin'", respectively, but these tracks—plus the Rihanna collaboration "Fly" and the solo ballad "Save Me"—are the best examples of what Pink Friday is rather than what many of us wanted it to be."[6] Jesse Cataldo of Slant Magazine gave the song a negative review on Minaj's part of the song and on the album as a whole, stating "Minaj's deranged wildness could potentially provide a foil for Drake, cutting into his tendency to work slowly and calmly on "Moment 4 Life." Instead, Minaj backs off from an early round of forcefulness, letting Drake dictate the pace of the song. It's this seeming lack of confidence, contradictory to the poise she shows elsewhere, which identifies the problems with Pink Friday, an often wobbly first effort that shows enormous promise."[7]

Nick Levine of Digital Spy UK gave the track 4 out of 5 starts, commenting that "yes, the track itself - melodic and portentous(ish) midtempo R&B produced by Canadian up-and-comer T-Minus - is decent, but 'Moment 4 Life' is inevitably all about its frontline duo, arguably the most exciting male and female rhyme merchants of our times. And boy do they know it. Drake, resisting the urge to put his Maths skills to the test this time out, boasts about getting pissed and laid in the Dominican. Minaj, meanwhile, likens herself to a "heavyweight champ", David of Goliath-slaying fame and, rather less obviously, "the umpire", which for British listeners of a certain ilk can't help but invite comparisons to the legendary Dickie Bird MBE. Not that you'd try to tell her to her face."[8]

Chart performance

The song debuted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 56 and the US Hot Rap Songs at number 17 due to strong digital sales and heavy radio play, following the album's release.[9] It became Minaj's first number-one song on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and also managed to top the Rap Songs chart.[10][11] On the Billboard Hot 100, "Moment 4 Life" peaked at number 13 making it her highest-charting song on the chart, until her new US single, "Super Bass", peaked number 3.[12] As of December 2014, the single has sold 2 million copies in the US.[13] In the UK, the single debuted on the singles chart at number 135, in its second week it rose to 55 due to strong digital sales. On February 13, 2011 the single entered the UK top 40 at a current peak of 22, giving Nicki her second UK top 40 single (after her joint single "Check It Out" with will.i.am peaked at 11).[14] It peaked at number 9 on the UK R&B Chart, becoming her third top 30 urban single to do so and

A music video for the single was shot and directed by Chris Robinson.[15] The president of Young Money Entertainment, Mack Maine, told MTV News, "We're still trying to work out the date for the next video with [Nicki] and Drake for the 'Moment 4 Life' video. That's the next project."[16][17] "Moment 4 Life" is the first music video shot in a string of music videos to be released for promotion.[18] In an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Minaj revealed that Roman Zolanski's mother, Martha Zolanski, will make a physical debut in the music video.[19] In an interview with MTV news, Minaj discussed the marriage concept of the music video between her and her label-mate Drake, stating "Obviously, Drake and I, we’ve played around so much with the whole marriage thing and stuff like that, so people have come to be kind of intrigued about us and it’s where we’re shooting the video together. So I was like, there has to be some sort of romantic storyline. It’s Drake and me."[15] Drake additionally added "I mean, it’s a fantasy video. You’ve got a very regal environment, and you’ve got Nicki doing what she does—big outfits, big everything. Yeah, I love that girl, man. I’m not going to lie to you. The twist of it, the concept of it, I don’t want to give it all away."[15]

Music video

Synopsis

"Moment 4 Life" marked the onscreen debut of Martha Zolanski, mother of Roman Zolanski, an alter-ego played by Nicki Minaj.

Young money in the makingThepremiered Thursday night, January 27, 2011 @ 7:54 PM ET, on MTV (along with an interview with Minaj).[20] The video takes part in a type of Minaj-assisted fairy tale from a book.[21] The video begins with Minaj sitting by a boudoir as Martha Zolanski appears as Minaj's fairy godmother. After discussing how Roman and Slim Shady have been sent to boarding school, Martha informs Nicki that this kind of fairy tale is different from ones she's seen, stating "These kinds of nights are fleeting and usually end by mid-night. But my fairy god mother senses tell me that you may have this moment for life." The song begins as Martha gifts Minaj with a special pair of heels.[21] During Minaj's verse she is seen walking into a ballroom as she is spotted by Drake. When the two meet in a hall, Drake performs his verse with Minaj by a fireplace. During the climax of the song, Drake and Minaj walk down the aisle, where they share a wedding kiss by fireworks as the clock strikes midnight.

Critical reception

On the day of its premiere, James Montgomery of MTV News gave the video a very positive review and breakdown, stating, "So it's not exactly a stretch to call 'Moment 4 Life' the most Nicki Minaj video of all time. It takes basically every aspect of her personality — the fashionista, the glamazon, the princess, the badass, the cartoon character, the girly girl — and crams them together into one very shiny package. And then it wraps that package with nods to her past (the British accent, the mention of her Roman Zolanski alter-ego, the consummation of her Twit-lationship with Drake) for good measure. The end result is perhaps the most complete portrait of Minaj to date... There are very few silly wigs and nary a stitch of Spandex to be seen anywhere. It is basically our first glimpse at the real Nicki: a young woman who is more than just the sum of her parts, even if those parts are pretty interesting."[22] Chris Robinson of Idolator compared and contrasted the "Moment 4 Life" wedding with other wedding music video's stating, "We’re going to call it right now.

Live performances

Minaj first performed the song at a Thanksgiving Party hosted by Hot 97 with Drake, and later performed their other song "Up All Night".[23] Minaj also performed the song on the Lopez Tonight show as her alter ego Rosa without the assistance of Drake.[24] While performing on VH1 Divas Support the Troops, Minaj performed the song for the men and women of the military[25] without Drake again. During the performance, Minaj wore a fluffy white wig, turquoise tights, elongated heels and a super-snug, orange and blue mini-dress.[26] Minaj performed the song for the holidays on many occasions, including a Christmas concert for Hot 97.[27] During the Christmas special, Minaj wore a leopard-print bodysuit wrapped in a black cloth cage.[27] Minaj additionally performed the song on a Manhattan rooftop during a pre-taped New Year's event on NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly.[28] Minaj performed the song with the assistance of Drake at the New Year's celebration "All Pink Everything Belvedere Vodka" she also hosted.[29] During the performance, Minaj wore black and gold piece with multi-colored hair.[29] Minaj most recently performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, minus Drake, in a black cocktail dress, blonde hair, and signature “Barbie” chain.[30] Minaj performed the song on her first appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she wore a colorful full bodysuit and performed the song minus Drake.[31] The rapper performed the song on her first headlining tour, the Pink Friday Tour. She has also added this song to her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour and to The Pinkprint Tour. During her concert at 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival, Minaj also performed the song.[32] On May 30, 2015, Minaj also performed the song on the iHeartRadio Summer Pool Party 2015 in Las Vegas.[33]

Track listing

  1. "Moment 4 Life" (Clean Radio Edit) - 3:46
  1. "Moment 4 Life" – 3:21
  2. "Super Bass" – 4:39

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from Pink Friday liner notes.[36]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2010–11) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[37] 23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[38] 27
France (SNEP)[39] 65
Ireland (IRMA)[40] 37
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 51
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[42] 24
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[43] 22
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[44] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 13
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 1
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[11] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[45] 18
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[46] 2

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[48] Platinum 3,000,000[13]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Year-end charts

Chart (2011) Position
Canadian Hot 100[49] 92
US Billboard Hot 100[50] 50

Release history

Country Date Type
United States[51][52] December 7, 2010 Rhythm airplay
January 4, 2011 Urban airplay
United Kingdom[53][54] February 3, 2011 Mainstream airplay (BBC Radio 1)

References

  1. 1 2 TeamMinajTrini (2011-01-02). "Pink Friday Diaries (via Nik's FB pg) : Nicki Minaj". Mypinkfriday.com. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  2. ↑ Scott Shetler (2010-12-01). "Nicki Minaj, 'Moment 4 Life' Feat. Drake - New Song". AOL Radio Blog. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  3. ↑ Nicki Minaj’s ‘Moment 4 Life’ Compliments Billboard Chart Success
  4. ↑ Wete, Brad (2010-11-22). "Nicki Minaj's 'Pink Friday': Read EW's review | The Music Mix | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  5. ↑ Alexis Petridis (2010-11-22). "Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday | CD review | Music". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  6. ↑ "Album Reviews: Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday". Pitchfork. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  7. ↑ "Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday | Music Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  8. ↑ Released on Sunday, March 20, 2011. "Music - Singles Review - Nicki Minaj ft. Drake: 'Moment 4 Life'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Moment 4 Life - Nicki Minaj". Billboard.com. 2010-12-21. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  10. 1 2 "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Nicki Minaj.
  11. 1 2 "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for Nicki Minaj.
  12. 1 2 "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Nicki Minaj.
  13. 1 2 Trust, Gary (2014-12-23). "Ask Billboard: Why Is There No R&B/Hip-Hop in the Hot 100's Top 10?". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2014-12-23.
  14. ↑ "Singles Top 40 from the Official UK Charts Company". Theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  15. 1 2 3 "Nicki Minaj and Drake’s ‘Moment 4 Life’ Video in Photos". Rap-Up.com. 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  16. ↑ Crosley, Hillary (2010-12-09). "Nicki Minaj, Drake Set To Shoot 'Moment 4 Life' Video - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  17. ↑ "Nicki Minaj to Shoot Video With Drake for 'Moment 4 Life'". The Boombox. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  18. ↑ Rodriguez, Jayson (2010-12-01). "Nicki Minaj Says She's Euphoric Over Pink Friday Sales - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Nicki Minaj's Appearance On Ellen! : Nicki Minaj". Mypinkfriday.com. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  20. ↑ "Nicki Minaj’s ‘Moment 4 Life’ Video Gets Premiere Date". Rap-Up.com. 2011-01-26. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  21. 1 2 "Nicki Minaj And Drake Plan A Cinderella Wedding In "Moment 4 Life" Video | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  22. ↑ 1/27/11 (2011-01-27). "Nicki Minaj's 'Moment 4 Life' Video Premieres - Watch It Now! - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Celebrates Thanksgiving With Help From Kanye, Rihanna And Drake | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. 2010-11-26. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  24. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Introduces New Alter-Ego". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  25. ↑ "Video: Nicki Minaj Reports for ‘Diva’ Duty". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  26. ↑ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-12-05). "Nicki Minaj Drives Soldiers Crazy At 'VH1 Divas' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  27. 1 2 Rap-Up.com || Nicki Minaj Spends Christmas in Concert
  28. ↑ Rap-Up.com || Video: Nicki Minaj Kicks Off New Year with Carson Daly
  29. 1 2 Rap-Up.com || Nicki Minaj’s New Year’s Moment in Miami
  30. ↑ "Video: Nicki Minaj Makes Moments with Ellen DeGeneres". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  31. ↑ "Video: Nicki Minaj Performs on ‘SNL’". Rap-Up.com. 2011-01-29. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  32. ↑ "VIDEO: Nicki Minaj Performs During the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival". My Pink Friday. September 20, 2014.
  33. ↑ "CHRIS BROWN, NICKI MINAJ PERFORM AT IHEARTRADIO SUMMER POOL PARTY", Rap-Up, 31 May 2015, retrieved 31 May 2015
  34. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Nicki-Minaj-Moment-4-Life/release/2831329
  35. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Nicki-Minaj-Moment-4-Life-/release/3349671
  36. ↑ Pink Friday (Media notes). Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown. 2010.
  37. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Nicki Minaj feat. Drake – Moment 4 Life" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  38. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Nicki Minaj.
  39. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Nicki Minaj feat. Drake – Moment 4 Life" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  40. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 07, 2011". Irish Singles Chart.
  41. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Nicki Minaj feat. Drake – Moment 4 Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  42. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-02-19". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  43. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-02-19" UK Singles Chart.
  44. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2011-02-19" UK R&B Chart.
  45. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Nicki Minaj.
  46. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Nicki Minaj.
  47. ↑ "British single certifications – Nicki Minaj feat. Drake – Moment 4 Life". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 1, 2014. Enter Moment 4 Life in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
  48. ↑ "American certifications – Nicki Minaj – Moment 4 Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2014-12-23.
  49. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/canadian-hot-100?begin=91&order=position
  50. ↑ "Best of 2011: Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
  51. ↑ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. December 25, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  52. ↑ "Home > Urban/UAC > Future Releases". AllAccess.com. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Dev's Fart Machine Tribute to The White Stripes". BBC. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  54. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Moment 4 Life". Discogs. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
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