Roman's Revenge

Roman's Revenge by Nicki Minaj
General information
Main artist	Nicki Minaj
Featured artist	Eminem
Release Date	October 30, 2010
Recorded	2010
Genre	Hip hop
Length	4:38
Label	Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Republic, Universal Motown
Songwriter(s)	Onika Maraj • Marshall Mathers • Kasseem Dean
Producer(s)	Swizz Beats
Album	Pink Friday
s chronology
Current	"Roman's Revenge"

Pink Friday track listing
"Roman's Revenge" is track number 2.
Previous track "I'm the Best"	Next track "Did It On'em"

"Roman's Revenge" is a song by Nicki Minaj featuring Eminem from her debut studio album Pink Friday. The song is the first and only promotional single off the album. It was written by Minaj, Kaseem Dean, Eminem, Q-Tip, Bryan Higgins, James Jackson, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Busta Rhymes, Phife Dawg, Jimi Hendrix, Jack McDuff, and Ryan Tedder and was produced by Swizz Beatz. It was released exclusively on October 30, 2010 through the US iTunes store, as a promotional release preceding the album's release.

Nicki performs the song as her alternate persona, Roman Zolanski, along with Slim Shady (Eminem's alter ego), who is dissing fellow female rapper, Lil' Kim whose response was a song called "Black Friday." Even though the song was not released as an official single from Pink Friday, the song charted within the Billboard Hot 100.

• Writers: O. Maraj, M. Mathers, K. Dean, K. Fareed, B. Higgins, J. Jackson, Ali S. Muhammad, T. Smith, M. Taylor, J. Hendrix, J. McDuff, R. Tedder
• Producers: Swizz Beatz
• Recorded by: Ariel Chobaz
• Recording Assistant: Lyttleton “Cartwheel” Carter
• Mixed by: Ariel Chobaz
• Mix Assistant: Lyttleton “Cartwheel” Carter

"Roman's Revenge" is a song by Nicki Minaj featuring Eminem from her debut studio album Pink Friday. The song is the first and only promotional single off the album. It was written by Minaj, Kaseem Dean, Eminem, and T. Smith and was produced by Swizz Beatz. It was released exclusively on October 30, 2010 through the US iTunes store, as a promotional release preceding the album's release. Nicki performs the song as her alternate persona, Roman Zolanski, along with Slim Shady (Eminem's alter ego), who is dissing fellow female rapper, Lil' Kim whose response was a song called "Black Friday." Even though the song was not released as an official single from Pink Friday, the song charted within the Billboard Hot 100.

Background

On October 31, Nicki Minaj talked about the track with MTV: "We went out on a whim and put it in the air like, 'It'd be great if he would collaborate with us,' " Minaj said."I remember I kept talking about it, and I thought, 'It can't hurt.' I sent him one record, and he didn't love it. He didn't say, 'I don't love it'; he just said, 'Can you send me something that's a little more me?' I sent him an e-mail and thanked him for that, just having enough respect. Sometimes people don't respond. He had the respect, at least, to treat me like a peer." On November 17, Minaj talks more about the "supposedly" diss she made to Lil' Kim at The Wendy Williams Show: "When you put out records, only the guilty ones feel like you're talking about them," Minaj said. "If you have nothing to worry about, if you never came out saying stuff, if you never came out saying your ungrateful bullshit, then you wouldn't worry about it." The official remix, which features her mentor Lil Wayne, was released as the albums fourth single on January 19, 2011 as a digital download. Another remix with Busta Rhymes was also released.

Composition

Roman's Revenge begins with ominous strings and the weighty knock of the drums and bass line. The song features a dark beat and intense, heavyweight energy.

Live performance

Nicki performed the song in all her performances at the Femme Fatale Tour. It was the first song of the set. It is also the first song on her Pink Friday Tour set in Europe, the Philippines, and North America.

Credits

Recording:

• Recorded at: Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA
• Mixed at Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA

Personnel:

• Writers: O. Maraj, M. Mathers, K. Dean, T. Smith
• Producers: Swizz Beatz
• Recorded by: Ariel Chobaz
• Recording Assistant: Lyttleton “Cartwheel” Carter
• Mixed by: Ariel Chobaz
• Mix Assistant: Lyttleton “Cartwheel” Carter

Others

• Additional Vocals by Safaree "SB" Samuels.
• Eminem appears courtesy of Interscope Records.

The credits for "Roman's Revenge" are adapted from the liner notes of Pink Friday.

Charts

Chart (2010)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	125
UK R&B Chart	29
US Billboard Hot 100	56
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	85
US Billboard Rap Songs	23

Lyrics

"Roman's Revenge"

[Verse 1: Nicki Minaj] I am not Jasmine, I am Aladdin So far ahead, these bums is laggin' See me in that new thing, bums is gaggin' I'm startin' to feel like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon I'm startin' to feel like a dungeon dragon Look at my show footage, how these girls be spazzin' So fuck, I look like gettin' back to a has-been? Yeah, I said it, has-been Hang it up, flatscreen (Ha ha) Plasma Hey, Nicki, hey Nicki, asthma I got the pumps, it ain't got medicine I got bars, Xenocin I'm a bad bitch, I'm a cunt And I'll kick that hoe, punt Forced trauma, blunt You play the back, bitch, I'm in the front You need a job, this ain't cuttin' it Nicki Minaj is who you ain't fuckin' with You li'l brag a lot, I beat you with a pad-a-lock I am a movie, camera block You outta work, I know it's tough But enough is enough [Hook: Nicki Minaj] Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon [Verse 2: Eminem] I ain't into S&M, but my whip's off the chain A little drop of candy paint drips off the frame Twisted-ass mind, got a pretzel for a brain An eraser for a head, fuckin' pencil for a frame You don't like it then peel off, bitch Every last woman on Earth I'll kill off, and I still wouldn't fuck you, slut So wipe the smile on your grill off, I swear to God I'll piss a Happy Meal off Get the wheels turnin', spin, and wheel off Snap the axel in half, bust the tie-rod Quit hollerin' "Why, God? " He ain't got shit to do with it Bygones'll never be bygones, so won't be finished swallowin' my wad I ain't finished blowin' it, nice bra Hope it'll fit a tough titty, bitch Life's hard, I swear to God, life is a dumb blonde white broad With fake tits and a bad dye job Who just spit in my fuckin' face and called me a fuckin' tightwad So finally I broke down and bought her an iPod And caught her stealin' my music, so I tied her arms and legs to the bed Set up the camera, pissed twice on her Look, two pees and a tripod! The moral to the story is, life's treatin' you like dry socket Kick it back in it's face, my God It's Shady and Nicki Minaj, you might find the sight quite odd But don't ask why, bitch (Ask why not) The wo-world is my punchin' bag and If I'm garbage, you're a bunch of maggots Make that face, go on, scrunch it up at me Show me the target so I can lunge and attack it Like a, raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon You fell off, off, they must've bumped your wagon You must've went off the back, I'm 'bout to go off the deep end I told you to stay in your lane, you just choked in traffic [Verse 3: Nicki Minaj] (I-I-I-I-Is) Is this the thanks that I get for puttin' you bitches on? Is it my fault that all of you bitches gone? Should've sent a thank-you note, you little ho Now I'm a wrap your coffin with a bow (Ni-ni-ni) "Nicki, she's just mad 'cause you took the spot" Word, that bitch mad 'cause I took the spot? Well, bitch, if you ain't shittin', then get off the pot Got some n*ggas out in Brooklyn that'll off your top I-I-I hear them mumblin', I hear the cacklin' I got 'em scared, shook, panickin' Overseas, church, Vatican You at a stand, still, mannequin You wanna sleep on me? Overnight? I'm the motherfuckin' boss, overwrite And when I pull up, vroom, motorbike Now all my n*ggas gettin' bucked, overbite I see them dusty-ass Filas, Levi's Raggedy-ass, holes in your knee-highs I call the play, now do you see why? These bitches callin' me Manning, Eli (Manning, Eli!) Ma, ma-ma-ma-ma, Manning, Eli These bitches callin' me (Manning, Eli) [Verse 4: Eminem] A-a-a-a-all you li'l f*ggots can suck it No homo, but I'm a stick it to 'em like refrigerator magnets And I'm crooked enough to make straitjackets bend Yeah, look who's back again, bitch, keep actin' as if You have the same passion that I have Yeah, right, still hungry, my ass You assdicks had gastric bypass Ain't hot enough to set fire to dry grass And 'bout as violent as hair on eyelids (Eyelash!) Go take a flyin' leap of faith off a fuckin' balcony 'Fore I shove a falcon wing up your fly ass You know what time it is, so why ask? When Shady and Nicki's worlds clash It's (high class) meets (white trash) [Hook: Nicki Minaj] Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Raah, raah, like a dungeon dragon Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon [Outro: Nicki Minaj] Roman! Roman! Stop it, stop it! You've gone mad, mad, I tell you, mad! You and this boy Slim Shady! What's goin' on? They'll lock you away! They'll put you in a jail cell! I promise! Take your mother's warning, Roman Pleeeeeeeaseeee Back to bed! Run along! Let's go! Come on! Wash your mouth out with soap, boys (Boys, boys, boys, boys, boys, boys...)

Remixes

Lil Wayne Remix

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday
Features	Lil Wayne
Released	January 19, 2011
Format	Digital download
Length	3:49
Label	Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown
Writer	Nicki Minaj Lil Wayne Swizz Beatz T. Smith
Producer	Swizz Beatz
Single information
Single release	January 19, 2011
Video release	—
←Last single "Moment 4 Life"		Next single→ "The Creep"

British Pink Friday Re-Release track listing
"Roman's Revenge" is track number 15.
Previous track "Girls Fall Like Dominoes"	Next track —

The official remix of "Roman's Revenge" is included on the UK re-released edition of Nicki Minaj's debut album Pink Friday, but not on the same UK re-release which features "Super Bass". It features guest vocals by rapper Lil Wayne. Although "Roman's Revenge 2.0" is not the track's official title, it was nicknamed that by Lil Wayne and is popularly referred to that title by Team Minaj to distinguish from the original. It's worth mentioning that Weezy only has one verse even though in the original Eminem has two verses. Also there is now a hook beetwen the second and third verse, which wasn't the case in the original.

Critical Reception

The song garnered positive to mixed reviews by critics, most of which found it refreshing to find Wayne working with Minaj after his jail-sentencing, but were in favor of the original Eminem-track instead. During the songs release, Rap-Up described Wayne's verse "hungry." Chris Ryan of MTV Buzzworthy gave the song a positive review calling the song thrilling to listen to, and appreciating Wayne's addition stating that his earlier prison sentencing did not affect Wayne's "lyrical acumen or his culinary tastes." Ryan additionally appreciated the collaboration between both label-mates. Jayson Rodriguez of MTV stated that after Wayne's jail-sentencing, he "made up" for his absence by assisting Minaj on a remix of one of her best cuts off Pink Friday.

Reviewing Wayne's lyrical content of the remix, Latifah Muhammad of The Boombox stated that Wayne delves "in between one explicit metaphor after another" as he quickly reclaims his position at the top of the "rap game." While callings Wayne's addition to the song "wild-eyed," Karen Civil of Idolator favored the original song over the remix of the track. Opposite of Civil, Tom Breihan of Pitchfork Media enjoyed Wayne's addition and complimented the remix as "a definite upgrade in every way." Breihan continued to compliment Wayne as a perfect gentleman in comparison to the original with Eminem, and stated that Wayne "sounds unbelievably happy to be on a track again," as every other rapper should feel nervous with Wayne back.

Remix lyrics

"Roman's Revenge 2.0"

[Verse 1: Nicki Minaj]  I am not Jasmine, I am Aladdin  So far ahead, these bums is lagging  See me in that new thing, bums is gagging  I'm starting to feel like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  I'm starting to feel like a dungeon dragon  Look at my show footage, how these girls be spazzing  So fuck I look like getting back to a has-been  Yeah, I said it, has-been  Hang it up, flatscreen, haha, plasma  Hey Nicki, hey Nicki, asthma  I got the pumps, it ain't got medicine  I got bars, sentencing  I'm a bad bitch, I'm a cunt  And I'll kick that hoe, punt  Forced trauma, blunt  You play the back, bitch, I'm in the front  You need a job, this ain't cutting it  Nicki Minaj is who you ain't fucking with  You lil' brag a lot, I beat you with a pad-a-lock  I am a movie, camera block  You outta work, I know it's tough  But enough is enough [Hook: Nicki Minaj]  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon [Verse 2: Lil Wayne]  I eat your face off  You n*ggas sweet as pie like this is a bake off  I love Nicki's curves, swing at the baseball  I beat your brakes off  H-H-Hi, I'm Tune', salt in the wound  I'm up in this bitch, pardon the goons  Throw dirt on the floor and get caught in the broom  I like a big wet pussy with a fork and a spoon  I got money and the power  A woman in the shower  And she don't want nothin' but my johnson, Howard  Sour D's and a swisher sweet, sweet and sour  You scared? Go to church, say your prayers, read a Bible  Huh, I don't know what y'all on  Please, I go in like goin'  Drink drink in my hand with the world in the other  The uzi go "brrrrrrr", stutter  Ha, life is a puzzle, jigsaw  All I do is win, my name should be "Victor"  Old-ass rappers, I'm still the shit, old-ass Pampers  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Foie gras, I hear you ducks is quackin'  I'm just pluckin' my ashes, I'ma puff it and pass it  I'm a fuckin' assassin, you should jump in a casket [Hook: Nicki Minaj]  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon [Verse 3: Nicki Minaj]  (I-I-I-I-Is) Is this the thanks that I get for putting you bitches on?  Is it my fault that all of you bitches gone?  Shoulda sent a thank you note, you little ho  Now I'ma wrap your coffin with a bow  "N-N-N-Nicki, she's just mad 'cause you took the spot"  Word, that bitch mad 'cause I took the spot?  Well, bitch, if you ain't shitting, then get off the pot  Got some n*ggas out in Brooklyn that'll off your top  I-I-I-I hear them mumbling, I hear the cackling  I got 'em scared, shook, panicking  Overseas, church, Vatican  You at a stand, still, mannequin  You wanna sleep on me? Overnight?  I'm the motherfucking boss, overwrite  And when I pull up, vroom, motorbike  Now all my n*ggas gettin' bucked, overbite  I see them dusty-ass Filas, Levi's  Raggedy-ass, holes in your knee-highs  I call the play, now do you see why?  These bitches calling me Manning, Eli  (Manning, Eli!)  Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-Manning, Eli  These bitches calling me (Manning, Eli) [Hook: Nicki Minaj]  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Rah, rah, rah, like a dungeon dragon  Like a dungeon dragon, like a dungeon dragon [Outro: Nicki Minaj] Roman! Roman! Stop it, stop it! You've gone mad, mad, I tell you, mad! You and this boy Lil Weezy! What's goin' on? They'll lock you away! They'll put you in a jail cell! I promise! Take your mother's warning, Roman Pleeeeeeeaseeee Back to bed! Run along! Let's go! Come on! Wash your mouth out with soap, boys (Boys, boys, boys, boys, boys, boys...)

Busta Rhymes Remix

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday
Features	Lil Wayne
Released	January 19, 2011
Format	Digital download
Genre	Hardcore hip hop, dirty rap
Length	3:49
Label	Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown
Writer	Onika Maraj, Dwayne Carter, Kaseem Dean, T. Smith
Producer	Swizz Beatz
Single information
Single release	January 19, 2011
Video release	—
←Last single "Moment 4 Life"		Next single→ "The Creep"

British Pink Friday Re-Release track listing
"Roman's Revenge" is track number 15.
Previous track "Girls Fall Like Dominoes"	Next track —

The Busta Rhymes remix of "Roman's Revenge" was relased on 17 December, 2011. The remix was made because the hook of the song interporlated one of Busta Rhymes lines on the on the song "Scenario" by A Tribe Called Quest.