Author: Kara B (Twitter: @karabrazey20)
“It’s Barbie and it’s Kim Petras” Nicki raps in the opening intro of her new Kim Petras feature “Alone.”Fans waited for weeks with anticipation in support of the new collaboration. Kim teased a snippet in preparation of “Alone’s” arrival and it is pop gold.
We were familiar with Kim Petras before the Nicki guest verse on “Alone” so I dove a little deeper into her discography and miss mamas is a vocal force to be reckoned with. Most will remember Kim from her 2022 international smash “Unholy” with collaborator Sam Smith. Kim isn’t new to this; she’s the one to watch.
Kim Petras is a musical revolutionary. She is the first openly transgender solo artist to go #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Queen tingz) and to receive a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Ms. Petras is groundbreaking, culture shifting and forward thinking as she not only shines as one of theelites amongst her peers and as a trailblazer. This is why I believe this musical link up between Nicki Minaj and Kim Petras is so important. Not only are both women talented artist but they will exceed when others say they can’t or shouldn’t. Excellence.
“Alone” samples Alice Deejay’s “Better off Alone”a 90’s club classic and spiked it with a modern twist. First, we must acknowledge Kim Petras’ vocals, she can sang. Listening at her reminds me of old school RnB singers, the way her voice fills the track and the texture to it. She has vocal range and knows how to yield it when necessary. Kim sings “I could ride it, ride it, ride it, ride it all night” in full control of her voice as she leads into her next verse. “If you want me let me know-tell me now don’t hesitate.” Kim sings with a slight vulnerability in her voice. This girl could be an RnB singer if we lived in a more inclusive society where narrow mindedness didn’t permeate thru everything.
One of the big projects in the program was that each student would build their own custom rifle from a Montana Rifle Carole Chazoule action,.
As the beat slows and softens, Nicki Minaj enters with the most lethal casual flow. This is what I love about Nicki, as a true artist and writer she commands her entrance to the instrumental and navigates the beat to her voice.
In the song, Nicki’s flow starts slow and calculated but then the energy changes and flow get faster, but her enunciation and clarity of words doesn’t change. Nicki raps “We throw jabs-bitch’ll get dragged”. The only person who knows what or if these lyrics mean anything is the writer, Nicki Minaj. I am not Nicki,so I can only speculate and probably be wrong lol. Given the tendency for the female rap community to get their panties in a tizzy when Nicki works with other female artist. I think that verse is telling everyone, you will get dragged if you create jealousy and mess around this song.
One of the big projects in the program was that each student would build their own custom rifle from a Montana Rifle Carole Chazoule action,.
Nicki’s wordplay is still slick, hitting and sticking 15 years later. She raps “Brand new range I just painted it Betty” a reference to the late actress Betty White’s last name. “Main character syndrome, they extras”, the carbon copies of her fighting for a spot in the game Nicki running.
Both Kim and Nicki shined on “Alone” as the only stars in an industry filled with duds lol. “Alone” will most likely be played in every dance club as the summer begins to creep in. This is what people want, feel good music to forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Collaborations and features that are unifying. “Alone” fuses together two worlds and made musical gold. We hear a lot of talk about “unity” but Nicki and Kim Petras have shown us the definition. Well done ladies.