Writer: Kara B @karabrazey20 via X, formerly Twitter
There is an inexplicable beauty to music that defies the barriers of language, cultural differences, and personal preferences. Music can be used to invoke emotions, imagery, and creativity. It has been used to reinforce the messaging of the greatest social and civil rights movements of this time. The power to evoke thought and convey emotions without the reliance of imagery, and universal enough that it can intertwine every human together with just a few strums of a guitar chord.
We all get chills listening to the opening of “Killing Me Softly” as Lauryn Hill sings “strumming my pain with his fingers.” The vulnerability in which Ms. Hill sings those first few words; pulls the listeners in to be intrigued and delighted for the story being told against the melodic instrumental. Music is purposeful, intentional, and a window into ourselves.
As you all know, we can’t have a conversation of music and not discuss Nicki Minaj. The incomparable rapper, wordsmith, and songwriter has reigned over female rap and hip-hop for the last 10 plus years with no signs of letting up. A virtuoso of incomparable musical talent, Nicki still manages to leave us in awe (she has been doing that a lot lately lol). Her newest release, “Last Time I Saw You” is the Webster dictionary definition of musicality and artistry. She is giving a course in versatility, musical vulnerability, and range. Nicki singing shouldn’t be a shocker to anyone but her willingness to display emotional vulnerability to the world as a rapper, will be studied by hip hop artist for generations to come.
With only music, Nicki has been able to form a bond of relatability with the listeners and fans. This isn’t an easy feat
There are millions of women across the globe that can sing but only a few can captivate the listener to become emotionally invested in the song. All artists want their listener/fans to connect with their music beyond the initial consumption of it. That connection is what drives the music and gives it a life of its own, so no matter how many years past or seasons change, the song will possess a relevance payola can’t buy and hip-hop talking heads can’t downplay.
The emotionally driven song “Last Time I Saw You,” gives us Nicki in rare form…vulnerable. Her voice is both angelic and melodic as she reflects over a loss through smooth storytelling against an indie pop instrumental. Nicki never says whether she is talking about a relationship or the loss of a loved one, however that is what makes LTISY so special and such a rare gem.
Nicki’s smooth storytelling plunged us all into one emotion that is at the core of human existence . . . loss. Loss can be in friendships or relationships that ended or losing a loved one. But no matter how unfortunate the circumstance or memory, this one human emotion can bring us all together on one accord. With no visuals Nicki was able to convey her vulnerability and evoke our emotions because of the mastery level of her artistry. Storytelling is an art form by itself and those who possess the ability to create visual imagery from sound, are in a league by themselves. Storytelling pours from people of substance; they see the world through their lens and not the ones given.
If you didn’t know “Last Time I Saw You” samples “Sweater Weather” from The Neighborhood, with a sprinkle of jersey club production from ATL Jacob. I would be remised if I didn’t talk about how Nicki’s voice has matured, becoming more confident and refined, leaving me pleasantly surprised by her range and overall vocal growth on this song, GO NICKI!!! Her vocals are so soothing and without being a vocal powerhouse, she executed with precision. I’m not going to lie to you, listening to “Last Time I Saw You” the past few days was somewhat of a tear jerking rollercoaster for me.
As with you all, I was faced with my own thoughts of having a “do over” with a loved one. The death of my father, even after all these years isn’t something I truly dealt with. But I found myself talking with my sisters about memories of our father and amazingly, it wiped my tears away. Which is why the standout verse in this song for me is the “Starlight, star bright” lines, not because of its familiarity but because of what it represents . . . hope.
I have said this in almost every write up I have done; Nicki can command a beat to her will and I love, love the rap verse. From the rhyme scheme to her cadence and flow, she executed with the of a Swiss watch accuracy.
I’m going to leave you all with this to think about. We must protect our music and the art of storytelling for the generation coming behind us. Music has a purpose and it’s not always about Billboard or music label agendas. It is about the pattern of sound and its ability to elicit joy, excite change, start dialogue like “Last Time I Saw You” and be a voice for the marginalized. We must respect and support artists like Nicki Minaj. She represents music in its truest form.