Nicki Minaj’s Alter Ego ‘Red Ruby Da Sleeze’ Bars Cut Deep

“Their lips prepared to part as the mumble and cackle built up in their throats; but the notion was abruptly and swiftly thwarted as they were reminded who the Queen of Rap is. As He watches the sparrow, THEY watch her.” KaraB20

Nicki Minaj has proven again that boundaries and limitations are intended for the sheep. As the Shephard, Nicki Minaj has lambasted the restraints of the music industry and hip-hopculture. Pushing the envelope of creativity and ingenuity while reinventing herself as a modern musical marvel. The Trinidadian born, South Jamaica Queens raised rap mammoth has blazed a trail so authentic and original, it leaves the outside observer wondering “how far can she take this?” Well, The Queen has answered. After a visible social media absence, Nicki Minaj returned with a new single on March 3, 2023 titled “Red Ruby Da Sleeze”. Teasing the single a week prior to its release with a snippet, fans quickly speculated the arrival of Minaj’s newest alter ego, Red Ruby.

 

“Red Ruby Da Sleeze” samples Lumidee’s 2003 banger “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)”. Minaj brings her signature rap bravado, impeccable cadence, bevy of entendres, lethal flows, Teflon bars and stylistic wordplay to the Go Grizzly and Cheeze Beatz produced sample. Don’t get it twisted, Minaj isn’t just rapping over a familiar music beat. The sample was produced in a way that modernized the beat while still being true to the original sound, with the inclusion of Tate Kobang adlibs.

We all know music sampling can be tricky, similar to walking a tight rope. Either the familiarity of the song will carry it, or the artistr will get washed on it due to the expectations. Minaj doesn’t have that problem. Her ability to bring her signature sound to a beat and command it isn’t talked about enough as it is on full display with this latest release. “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” is Nicki Minaj in her musical form.

 

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The producers did a masterful job with the beat transitions andcapturing the essence of Minaj’s “sound”. As Nicki transitioned from rapping to singing the chorus, I was reminded of a conversation I had with someone awhile back and they described Nicki as a linguist. A linguist is defined as someone who studies language; however, in Nicki’s case it’s her understanding of flows, rap technique and the “sound” language makes. Whether Minaj is spitting straight bars, melodic rapping, singing or diving into her “island gyal” bag😊Minaj’s vocal dexterity is the seasoning that makes “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” work. The production, vocal arrangement and structure of the song makes it addictive-ear candy is the only way to describe it.

 

We are in a rap cycle that is dizzying to say the least with the number of female rappers vying to come up. Yet, Nicki Minaj almost 20 years into her career is still setting the standard of what a female rapper represents and is. In terms of her talent, razor sharp lyricism, skill, overall musicality, versatility and craftsmanship it often feels as if Nicki is in a genre of one; competing against herself. Shattering the glass ceiling of limitations, suppression and societal norms (ageism). Minaj still has the intuitiveness to remain connected with her audience and the industriousness and creative insight of continually masteringthe art of reinvention, storytelling and alter egos. With the introduction of the latest alter ego Red Ruby, Minaj is besting herself yet again in the realm of creativity, vision and messaging. Minaj is no stranger to the art and purpose of the alter ego and executes with ball point pen precision.

 

Alter egos have always been creative outlets for artistic expression but what makes it so fascinating and endearing as it pertains to Nicki Minaj is the power it encompasses. Minaj’s alter egos from “Barbie” to “Roman” to “Queen Sleeze” and now “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” are (in my opinion) conduit’s formessaging her music and nurturing the creativity within her. Alter egos represent what the artist already embodies within themselves; it’s not a cosplay or an album theme. Alter egos’ have purpose and reflect the personality and creativity of the artist. Which is why it works so well for Minaj. Her talent level, animation, impeccable storytelling and character development pulls the audience in. Remember, Onika never says the things Roman was tasked with.

 

This is what makes Nicki Minaj the prototype of every record label’s female rapper. It’s the power of her reinvention,strengthening the connection with her existing audience and pulling in the younger generation. Nicki has mastered her craft, crossover appeal and the art of musicality. Those three concepts combined with her dynamic personality makes Minaj a never-ending threat to the construct of the “influencer female rapper”.With the release of “Red Ruby Da Sleeze”, Minaj has managed (yet again) to create a tone and sound that can’t be mimicked and specific to her. She did the same with last year’s release of “Do We Have A Problem”.

 

“Red Ruby” to most fans appears to be a combination of “Chun Li” and “Queen Sleeze” taking a lyrical stand against the silly notion of flourishing and thriving mediocrity in female rap. I’m of the opinion “Red Ruby” addresses the “for a long time it was just Nicki and now we are all on the same level” crap being fed to the public. I’ve noticed when Minaj addresses things in her music, it has a farther reach than her saying “hey guys, that’s not right” and it’s sad the way media operates against her. This iswhy the alter ego as a messenger is so powerful.

 

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“Red Ruby Da Sleeze” shook the table in more ways than one. It is a bar for bar and punchline thrill, but it set the sound of what is expected from female rappers this year. Nicki Minaj lyrically and vocally slaughtered an iconic beat, which means the lazy sampling that has gotten a pass within the last few years has ended. The music listener will expect the vocal and lyrical talent to stand out and not rely on the familiarity of the beat. Every producer will be anticipating the artist to bring something new to the sample.

 

The worst mistake the music industry could have done was underestimate the talent, tenacity and boldness of Nicki Minaj, umm not Nicki Minaj but Onika. We often forget there is a real woman behind the stage persona. A woman who is coming for what was stolen and redistributed off the back of her suppression. Muster up the courage to stand btchs, it’s “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” season.