Up in Flames

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up
Released	November 19, 2012
Format	Digital download
Genre	Hardcore hip hop, R&B, gospel
Length	5:05
Label	Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Republic
Writer	Onika Maraj, Stephen Kozmeniuk, Matthew Samuels, Brett Ryan Kruger, Zale Epstein
Producer	Boi-1da, Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up track listing
"Up in Flames" is track number 1.
Previous track —	Next track "Freedom"

"Up in Flames" is a song by Nicki Minaj from the re-release of Minaj's second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up. The song was written by Minaj, Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk, Matthew Samuels, Brett Ryan Kruger, and Zale Epstein, and was produced by Boi-1da, and Stephen Kozmeniuk. It leaked online on November 16, 2012, and was released on November 19, 2012, with the whole album. A music video for the song premiered on April 9, 2013.

Background

"Up In Flames" leaked with the whole album on November 16, 2012, and was officially released on November 19, 2012. On November 29, Minaj opened a poll to determinate by the fans which song of the album should be the next single. "I'm Legit" won the poll with the most votes, while "High School" placed second, followed by "Up In Flames" third, "Hell Yeah" in fourth, and "I Endorse These Strippers" in fifth.

Critical reception

The song received positive review by music critics. Jesal Padania from RapReviews commented positively that "'Up In Flames' builds slowly, and the MC kicks in after a minute over a slow, heavy and melodramatic beat, throwing out a relentless slew of barbs (not Barbz)." Nicki Levine from BBC Music said that "Up In Flames" is "probably her grandest moment yet." Website Women in Hip Hop praised Minaj's "fearless cocky punch lines back when she was performing Itty Bitty Piggy in a packed to the brim Club to a raw performance by a hungry artist." William E. Ketchum III from HipHop DX commended that Minaj "finds the right balance" on the song.

Music video

Minaj announced a surprise on April 8, 2013, and the next day she released a video for the song as a promotional video for the album.

Music Video	Information
	Premiere	April 9, 2013
	Filmed	2013
	Director	Grizz Lee
	Producer
	Production co
	Exec. producer
	Editor
	Choreographer
	Length	5:11
	Source	World Star Hip hop

Stills

Lyrics

Rene Rowe and Amoy Levy:
We are going up in flames
One more night for us to burn brighter
We are going up in flames
One last time for us to go higher
We are going up in flames
One more night for us to burn brighter
We are going up in flames
One last time for us to go higher

Nicki Minaj:
Anyway, lil' nigga don't test the kid
Even Maury Povich couldn't test the kid
Even R. Kelly couldn't touch the kid
And even with all your bars, you couldn't text the kid
I got a pool that I never even swam in
Airports that you bitches never land in
They be like, "What you doin', Nicki?" Brandin'
Suck a cockpit, prepare for landing
I'm brandin', I ain't talking about Priestley
I keep a sniper, I ain't talking about Wesley
Why these bitches so pressed, B?
Open my trunk, all I gotta do is press B
I'mma violate y'all asses like Chris Stokes
I'm in Saint-Tropez, on a big boat
Go my way to make a billi like a big goat
Pull my dick out case you bitches get a slick throat

Rene Rowe and Amoy Levy:
We are going up in flames
One more night for us to burn brighter
We are going up in flames
One last time for us to go higher
We are going up in flames
One more night for us to burn brighter
We are going up in flames
One last time for us to go higher

Nicki Minaj:
Want another round? Well, then get the ref!
Got the clothing line popping, and the wigs is next
When I fly, you know G5 is the jet
I'm the motherfuckin' Queen, 'lizabeth
Meetings with the president of every network
That is what the fuck I call how to network
My net worth, that net works
Keep my shooters out in Brooklyn where the Nets work
Chillin' with executives
Check the charts, all my winnings are consecutive
Trillion dollar deficit
But y'all don't hear me though, all you bitches deaf as shit
Bitches ain't got punchlines or flow
I have both and an empire also
Sell out shows out in Norway, Oslo
This is the Re-Up, better cop it while the cost low
Flow's sick, I'll slap a patient
I'm checking these bitches like an application
'Cause these bitches trippin', no navigation
So it's off with your head, decapitation
S-s-send 'em up in flames like a fireman
I do the hiring and I do the firing
That boss shit that you talk, I live it
And I'm calling a travel if you don't stay on your pivot
Bitches

Rene Rowe and Amoy Levy:
We are going up in flames
One more night for us to burn brighter
We are going up in flames
One last time for us to go higher
We are going up in flames
One more night for us to burn brighter
We are going up in flames
One last time for us to go higher

Going up in flames
Going up in flames

Credits

Recording:

• Recorded at: Studio Malibu, Malibu CA & KazaKoz Studios
• Mixed at: Studio Malibu, Malibu CA
• Mastered at: Chris Athens Masters, Austin TX

Personnel:

• Writers: Onika Maraj, Stephen Kozmeniuk, Matthew Samuels, Brett Ryan Kruger, Zale Epstein
• Producers: Boi-1da & Stephen “Koz” Kozmenuik
• Additional production by: The Maven Boys for 1da Boi Productions Inc.
• Mastered by: Chris Athens
• Mixed by: Ariel Chobaz & Boi-1da
• Drums by: Boi-1da
• Drum Programming by: Zale Epstein
• Vocals by: Rene Rowe & Amoy Levy
• Piano & Claps by: Bret Ryan
• Sythesizer, Guitar, Viola, Organ, Engineering & Bells by: Stephen Kozmeniuk

The credits for "Up In Flames" are adapted from the liner notes of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up.

Charts

Chart (2012)	Peak position
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)	25