Hard White

Nicki Minaj Queen
Released	August 10, 2018
Recorded	2017
Format	Digital download, streaming
Genre	Rap Trap
Length	3:13
Label	Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Republic
Writer	Onika Maraj Matthew Samuels Ramon Ibanga Jr. Brittany Hazard
Producer	Boi-1da !llmind

Queen track listing
"Hard White" is track number 5.
Previous track "Rich Sex"	Next track "Bed"

"Hard White" is a song by Nicki Minaj from her fourth studio album Queen. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Nicki stated that the track was recorded in early 2017 in Paris. The song was originally leaked under the title "Half Back".

Background

A track under the name of "Half Back" was leaked in April of 2018 and made available on a Russian music streaming service. It is believed that the song was renamed and mastered into "Hard White".

Live performances

Minaj performed the track live at the TIDAL X Vivo concert in São Paulo, Brazil.

Cross references

• The line "pick a side" was used in "No Frauds".
• Minaj plays on the term "GOAT" (Greatest of all Time) in "Up in Flames", "Skrt On Me", "Bed", "Woman Like Me" "Transformer" and "Barbie Goin Bad".

Music Video

Nicki announced via her Instagram on January 30, 2019 that she would be releasing the music video later at midnight.

Music Video	Information
	Premiere	January 31, 2019
	Filmed	October 26, 2018
	Director	Mike Ho
	Producer	Keith Brown & Krista Worby
	Production co
	Exec. producer	Erix Arocha
	Editor	Mike Ho
	Choreographer
	Length	3:15
	Source	[1]

Lyrics

"Hard White"

[Hook: Nicki Minaj] Work hard, just to get half back Used to work hard, just to get half back Now I'm gettin' to it that way (Straight up, straight up) I ain't coming through unless the bag straight I used to work hard just to get half back Used to work hard, just to get half back [Verse 1: Nicki Minaj] Ayo, just last week I told 'em to pick a side I bust shots, don't duck if it don't apply Bae out in Paris, he told me to pick a ride Sike, made you look, I still didn't pick a guy I'm the trophy of the game, everybody tryna win me Me, Olivier, Jourdan Dunn, my baby, Winnie Partying in Paris, these bitches is embarrassed 'Cause they know I'm the queen, I still didn't pick an heiress Mirror, mirror, who's the fairest? You the motherfucking fairest, Nicki What I drop on this watch? I don't know, about a hundred-fifty I'm who they wishin' to be These hoes is on the 'Gram, Nicki pitchin' a ki' 'Bout to cop Neverland, Michael up in the tree You got bars and still broke? You might as well took a plea, uh Be in the bando Or would you rather move weight, Don Pablo? Uh [Hook: Nicki Minaj] Work hard, just to get half back Used to work hard, just to get half back Now I'm gettin' to it that way (Straight up, straight up) I ain't coming through unless the bag straight I used to work hard just to get half back Used to work hard, just to get half back [Verse 2: Nicki Minaj] Ayo, just last week I told 'em they run done My legacy could never be undone I'm a prodigy, R.I.P Thun-Thun Got these bitches shook, they shocked, no stun-gun I'm the billy, billy goat, the GOAT, the GOAT's here Vintage Hermès by Jean Paul Gaultier Lagerfeld customize my gold chair I run the point, you bitches just go cheer Uh, look at my knockoffs, I told 'em knock it off Anything that Nicki do, you know they knock it off Put my crown on again, and I'mma knock it off Anything with Nicki in it, they gon' pocket off I mean profit off, my plug drop it off You see them copyin' my hair, tell 'em, "Chop it off" Uh, bad gyal whip, the top is off You nuh see him downgrade when mi drop 'em off Uh, I ain't never play the hoe position I ain't ever have to strip to get the pole position Hoes is dissin'? Okay, these hoes is wishin' You're in no position to come for O's position I ain't movin' weight, but I'm in the dope position I ain't movin' weight, but I'm in the dope position [Hook: Nicki Minaj] Work hard, just to get half back Used to work hard, just to get half back Now I'm gettin' to it that way (Straight up, straight up) I ain't coming through unless the bag straight I used to work hard just to get half back Used to work hard, just to get half back [Outro: Nicki Minaj] W-w-w-w-w-work hard W-w-w-w-w-work hard J-j-just last week, I told 'em to pick a side I-I-I bust shots, don't duck if they don't apply

Credits

Personnel:

• Composer: Onika Maraj, Brittany Hazzard, Matthew Samuels, Ramon Ibanga Jr.
• Producer: Boi1da, !llmind
• Mixer: Jaycen Joshua, Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine
• Assistant mixer: Bne Milchev, Laura Bates, David Nakaji
• Recording engineer: Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine
• Assistant recording engineer: Yann Bordeo, Ludovick Tartavel, Iain Findley, Jordon Silva

Charts

Chart (2018)	Peak position
US (Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles)	6
US (Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles)	3