Fly (Nicki Minaj song)
"Fly" | ||||
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Single by Nicki Minaj featuring Rihanna | ||||
from the album Pink Friday | ||||
Released | August 30, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Studio | Glenwood Place Studios (Burbank, California); Chalice Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California) | |||
Genre |
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Length | 3:32 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Nicki Minaj singles chronology | ||||
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Rihanna singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Fly (Clean)" on YouTube |
"Fly" is a song by Trinidadian rapper and singer
In the United States, "Fly" peaked at number 19 on the
The song's accompanying music video, directed by Sanaa Hamri, depicts Minaj and Rihanna experiencing the destruction in a post-apocalyptic environment.
Production, recording, and composition
"Fly" was written by Minaj, J.R. Rotem, Kevin Hissink, W. Jordan and Clemm Rishad.
According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Fly" is written in the
Background
The song was produced by Hissink and
During a Pink Friday Diaries session, Minaj talked more in depth about the song. "FLY is one of my absolute faves. I wanted to work with Rihanna for a long time. I'm very proud of her accomplishments ; especially since she was born on an island like me. This song is a female empowerment song. But then again, it's not specific to just women. It speaks about flying, soaring high in the face of every single solitary adversity that comes your way. I speak about how the media has attempted to box me in and how that has made me feel suffocated. After years of being dragged thru the mud, I've mustered up the courage to re-define myself. I believe that I represent an entire generation. My fans have become my family, and together we have become a movement. Get ready for it. We came to win."[4]
Critical reception
Robbie Daw of Idolator gave the song a positive review, stating, "And here on the J.R. Rotem-produced 'Fly', she's wearing the coat of the down-and-out-but-hopeful fighter striving to overcome her adversaries. Consider this an 'I Believe I Can Fly' for the current generation. If there's one thing Rihanna has proven, it's that she's the go-to chorus girl with a Midas touch. And if Eminem's 'Love The Way You Lie' and T.I.'s 'Live Your Life' are any indicators, Nicki stands the chance of having her first #1 on the Hot 100 with "Fly"—provided, of course, it gets an official single release."[5] Margaret Wappler of the Los Angeles Times complimented the song's collaboration, stating, "Even though her roots are elsewhere, Minaj sounds better on the Pink Friday tracks that are more squarely in the club R&B vein, which she almost always spikes with enough rap to remind anyone that she isn't another Beyonce or even Sasha Fierce, not by any stretch. 'Fly' makes good work out of its Rihanna cameo — while the dark glamour bird soars, Minaj skitters around her with her vulnerable but choppy rhymes, equal parts tough woman and big softie."[6]
Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork complimented the song and how it made Pink Friday the record it is by stating, "but these tracks – plus the Rihanna collaboration "Fly" and the solo ballad "Save Me"—are the best examples of what Pink Friday is rather than what many of us wanted it to be."[7] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone commented on the genre of choice and the toned-down sexiness, "Minaj aims for a Rihanna-style crossover approach, singing R&B choruses over electro floss and toning down her nasty side."[8] Marc Hogan of Spin complimented the song's inspirational tone and that other cuts from the album, including "Fly", "have her charismatically colorful, larger-than-life personality all over them."[9]
Chart performance
"Fly" debuted at number 22 in New Zealand on September 5, 2011. The following week, the song climbed into the top 20 of the chart at number 18. It reached its final peak of 13 the following week. The song spent nine weeks on the chart in total.[10] "Fly" entered the Australian Singles Chart at number 38 on September 18, 2011. The following week, it rose to number 23, and reached its peak of 18 in its third week. The song spent a total of nine weeks on the chart.[11] It earned a Platinum certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association, denoting sales of 70,000 copies.[12]
Following its release as a single in the United States, "Fly" reached number 19 on the
"Fly" entered the top 40 of the
Music video
Background
A music video for the song was shot the weekend of January 7, 2011 and directed by Sanaa Hamri.[25][26] "Fly" was the second music video to be shot in a string of music videos Minaj announced to be shot for promotion, along with "Save Me" and "Girls Fall Like Dominoes".[27] Minaj and Rihanna both shared behind the scenes photos of the music video on Twitter, where Rihanna sported straight red hair and Minaj wore a curly black wig and a barbed pink dress.[28] In an interview with E! Online, Minaj spoke briefly about the concept stating, "We're going to save the world in more ways than one with the video and that's all I can say about that."[29] In an interview with BBC Radio's Tim Westwood, Minaj spoke very highly about the upcoming video, stating "The video is done. The 'Fly' video is a freakin' movie! Movie! Movie! Cinematic popcorn."[30] In a blog from Minaj's website, she stated that the video for "Fly" had been pushed back, but it would be released soon. The video was filmed at Universal Studios Hollywood on the plane crash set used for War of the Worlds.
In an interview with MTV News, Minaj discussed the song's video and official release from the album.[31] She stated that the video's release date and official single release would take place sometime around Memorial Day weekend, as she did not want to interfere with Rihanna's releases circulating the radio and wanted to allow time for both artists to promote each other's respective album before the collaboration was officially released.[31] She added "So she has a lot of [songs] in rotation and I want to let her stuff have a moment and do its thing, dominate radio. [Instead], I wanted to come out with something more fun."[31] A preview of the video was previewed first time at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show.[32] The preview consisted of Minaj and Rihanna in a foggy area, with Minaj having a pixie cut and Rihanna having long hair, seemingly switching hairstyles. The full "Fly" music video premiered on mtv.com and Minaj's Vevo after the preview on VMA's Pre-Show on August 28, 2011.
Synopsis
The video begins with a
Reception
A writer of
In popular culture
- American musical TV series season three, "On My Way" (aired on February 21, 2012). It is a mash-up track with the song "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly.[36]
Credits and personnel
- Recording locations
- Recording – Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, California; Chalice Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California.
- Mixing – Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA; Chalice Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
- Personnel
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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Pink Friday.[1]
Charts
Chart (2011–2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[11] | 18 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[37] | 24 |
Brazil ( Billboard Brasil Hot 100)[38]
|
19 |
Brazil Hot Pop Songs[38] | 29 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] | 55 |
Canada | 35 |
Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista)[40]
|
21 |
France ( SNEP)[41]
|
26 |
Ireland (IRMA)[24] | 14 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] | 13 |
Scotland (OCC)[42] | 12 |
16 | |
3 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 9 |
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[16] | 47 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] | 20 |
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[43] | 9 |
US | 16 |
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[44] | 8 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[12] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[46] | Platinum | 1,500,000[17] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Labels | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | August 30, 2011 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [47] | |
Australia | September 5, 2011 | Contemporary hit radio | [48] | |
United States | September 20, 2011 |
|
[47] |
References
- ^ Universal Motown. 2010.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ Kevin, Hissink; William, Jordan; Onika, Maraj; Clemm, Penton; Jonathan, Rotem; Nicki, Minaj; Rihanna (September 6, 2011). "Fly". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ "Unsupported Browser or Operating System". Musicnotes.com. September 6, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- ^ a b Rodriguez, Jayson (November 30, 2010). "Nicki Minaj 'Manifested' Rihanna For 'Fly' Feature, J.R. Rotem Says – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj And Rihanna Soar On Inspirational New Song "Fly" | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. November 17, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ "Pop & Hiss". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Album Reviews: Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday". Pitchfork Media. November 24, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Rob Sheffield (November 22, 2010). "Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj | Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Hogan, Marc (November 22, 2010). "Nicki Minaj, 'Pink Friday' (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown)". Spin. Spin Media LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj feat. Rihanna – Fly". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj feat. Rihanna – Fly". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
- ^ a b Trust, Gary (December 23, 2014). "Ask Billboard: Why Is There No R&B/Hip-Hop in the Hot 100's Top 10?". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ "2011 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive – 17th September 2011". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ "2011 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive – 24th September 2011". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj – Artist – Official Charts". Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Nicki Minaj featuring Rihanna". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Says She and Rihanna Would Be a 'Crazy Power Couple'". Rap-Up.com. January 13, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj and Rihanna to Shoot 'Fly' Video". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (December 1, 2010). "Nicki Minaj Says She's Euphoric Over Pink Friday Sales". MTV. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj and Rihanna 'Hook Up' On Set of 'Fly' Video". Rap-Up.com. January 9, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj and Rihanna 'Hook Up' On Set of 'Fly' Video". Rap-Up.com. January 9, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ "News: Nicki Minaj Calls 'Fly' Video with Rihanna a 'Freakin' Movie'". Rap-Up.com. January 27, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Nicki Minaj and Rihanna's 'Fly' Video to Take Off Memorial Day Weekend". Rap-Up.com. March 22, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj and Rihanna to preview 'Fly' during VMA Pre-Show". Rap-Up. Devine Lazerine. August 21, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
- The Huffington Post. August 29, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ Cline, Georgette. "Nicki Minaj, Rihanna Debut 'Fly' Video at 2011 MTV VMAs – Watch". The Boombox. AOL. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 28, 2011). "Nicki Minaj And Rihanna Defy The Apocalypse In 'Fly' Video". MTV News/ MTV Networks. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "GLEE: The New Directions Perform Fly/I Believe I Can Fly on Perez TV". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- Ultratip. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ a b BPP, ed. (December 2011). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (25): 84–89.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj: {{{song}}}" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
- Les classement single. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
- ^ "British single certifications – Nicki Minaj feat. Rihanna – Fly". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Nicki Minaj – Fly". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^ a b "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. 2011. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
- ^ "NICKI MINAJ FT. RIHANNA – Fly – Issue 852". The Music Network. April 15, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2012.