Nicki Minaj is one of the greatest female rappers of all time. She’s given us numerous iconic guest verses from “Monster” to “Flawless (Remix),” everlasting hits like “Super Bass” and “Starships,” and legions of loyal fans in the Barbz. She’s also given us over twenty alter-egos in the course of her career. However, no alter-ego of hers has been more impactful than Roman. The voice at the center of Nicki’s most unhinged music, the “Roman” persona serves a conduit for Nicki to put forward a high level of theatricality and character work in her music, from beats to bars. And to understand Nicki, you need to understand Roman.
This episode of Switched on Pop, producer Reanna Cruz takes us on a journey through the history of Roman, on the heels of Nicki Minaj’s latest record, Pink Friday 2.
Songs Discussed:
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In Defense of Crunk
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The Art of Flow (with DJ Jazzy Jeff) ICYMI
Doja Cat’s Satanic Suite
Jimmy Buffett: Next Year in Margaritaville
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Olivia Rodrigo’s Good Ideas
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The mid-career crises of Travis Scott and Post Malone
Song Camp 2: Electric Boogaloo! (with Alex Tumay, Wolftyla, Nicholas Petricca, Grace VanderWaal)
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Speak Now (about Taylor's versions)
My Beyoncé Ticket Cost $4,000: Why the Touring Industry Might Be Broken – Into It with Sam Sanders
What makes a gay anthem?
Switches Brew: blink-182, Kate Bush, BewhY, The Pointer Sisters, Saint Levant
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