Champion (Nicki Minaj song)

File:Nas in Ottawa, 2007.JPG (pictured) for "Champion".]]

"Champion" was written by Minaj, along with T-Minus, Nikhil S., Drake, Young Jeezy, and Nas, with production handled by T-Minus and Nikhil S., who had previously worked with Minaj on her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010). Minaj had wanted several artists to appear on the song, including fellow New York rapper Nas. She had stated that she did not think that she could get Nas on the song, saying "He's always been so exclusive. He doesn't work with everybody and I respect people that are like that. They take pride in their craft." Minaj told Vibe, "I keep saying to be from Queens and to end up having him... We know how picky he is [for features]. He said 'I like the song, I'm a do it, you can wait 'til Monday and I got you' and he kept his word. He murked it, for me to wait for a feature and it be that and murk the song and finish the song that way... I was amazed." After hearing the song, Nas agreed to be on the track, and sent his verse back to Minaj the following Monday.{{cite magazine |url= http://www.vibe.com/post/nicki-minaj-talks-trayvon-martin-roman-reloaded-working-nas-love-foxy-remy-ma-132214| title=Nicki Minaj Talks Trayvon Martin, 'Roman Reloaded,' Working With Nas, Love for Foxy & Remy Ma|magazine=Vibe |date=April 3, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}} After collaborating, Nas said that he had fallen in love with the song: "Nicki hit us up, I got love, so it was nothin'--I did the record....If I feel it, I can get on it. I heard the track. I felt it. I loved it."{{cite web |url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/03/29/nicki-minaj-drake-nas-young-jeezy-champion/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330130347/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/03/29/nicki-minaj-drake-nas-young-jeezy-champion/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |title=New Song: Nicki Minaj, 'Champion,' Featuring Drake, Nas & Young Jeezy |first=Jenna |last=Rubenstein|publisher=MTV |date=March 29, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} Another artist Minaj wanted on "Champion" was long-time idol and fellow female rapper Lauryn Hill. "I wanted to get her on 'Champion'... That would have been crazy, right? She was my fave. [...] Lauryn to me is the goddess. I'd love to meet her. I'm pretty sure she's heard me talk about her a billion times." Although Minaj vouched for Hill to appear on the track, plans were never finalized and the collaboration ultimately fell through.{{cite web |url=http://thisbeatgoes.com/hip-hop-news/nicki-minaj-admires-music-legend-lauryn-hill-x-wanted-to-collaborate-with-her-on-champion-single/ |title=Nicki Minaj Admires Music Legend Lauryn Hill x Wanted To Collaborate With Her On 'Champion' Single |first=Jasmine |last=McGee |publisher=This Beat Goes |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407063329/http://thisbeatgoes.com/hip-hop-news/nicki-minaj-admires-music-legend-lauryn-hill-x-wanted-to-collaborate-with-her-on-champion-single/ |archive-date=April 7, 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/04/nicki-minaj-hoped-to-get-lauryn-hill-on-new-champion-track/|title=Nicki Minaj Wanted to Get Lauryn Hill on New "Champion" Track|work= XXL Magazine |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bet.com/article/a6lhz9/nicki-minaj-disappointed-about-not-getting-lauryn-hill |title=Nicki Minaj Disappointed About Not Getting Lauryn Hill Feature |first=Brookylne |last=Gipson |publisher=BET |date=April 4, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}

Recording of "Champion" took place at Conway Studios, in Los Angeles, California, as well as Jungle City Studios in New York City, New York. Mixing was handled by Jon Sher and Noel Cadastre at Conway Studios. Minaj was unsure if he would accept her offer to be featured on "Champion", but after sending him the song, Nas replied back with his verse via e-mail. On March 28, 2012, "Champion" leaked onto the internet six days ahead of its official release. In the following hours after the leak of "Champion", the contents of the entire album were leaked online. On May 24, 2012, a poll was posted on Minaj's official website asking fans to choose the next single(s). The poll was divided into three categories. The second category prompted fans to choose between "Champion", "HOV Lane", and "I Am Your Leader". "Champion" had the most votes and won the poll. "HOV Lane" came in second place and "I Am Your Leader" came in third.{{cite web|url=http://mypinkfriday.com/news/80383|title=Pick Nicki's Next Single!|publisher=MyPinkFriday|access-date=April 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911220641/http://mypinkfriday.com/news/80383|archive-date=September 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}

{{Listen

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|title =Nicki Minaj – "Champion"

|description = A 29-second sample of the song's chorus, which features Minaj both rapping and singing.

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"Champion" is a relatively slow-paced, retrospective downtempo ballad that draws heavily from hardcore hip hop.{{cite web |url=http://idolator.com/6234471/nicki-minaj-champion-listen|title=Nicki Minaj Taps Nas, Drake & Young Jeezy For New Track "Champion"|first=Becky |last=Bain|publisher=Idolator |date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} It is also influenced by other genres, such as R&B, new-age, and space music.{{cite news |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/new-music-146514205.html|title=New Music|author= Staff Writer |work=Winnipeg Free Press |date=April 7, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Review+Nicki+Minaj+Roman+Reloaded+pink+mess/6404937/story.html|title=Review: Nicki Minaj's 'Roman Reloaded' a hot pink mess|first=Chris|last=Willman|work=Ottawa Citizen|date=April 3, 2012|access-date=April 8, 2012|archive-date=April 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407005950/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Review+Nicki+Minaj+Roman+Reloaded+pink+mess/6404937/story.html|url-status=dead}} The "anthemic" and "inspiring" song features a low-key, woozy, and snaky production,{{cite news|url=http://blogs.detroitnews.com/poptropolis/2012/04/05/review-nicki-minaj-shoots-blanks-with-roman-reloaded/|title=Review: Nicki Minaj shoots blanks with 'Roman Reloaded'|first=Adam|last=Graham|work=The Detroit News|date=April 5, 2012|access-date=April 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407135131/http://blogs.detroitnews.com/poptropolis/2012/04/05/review-nicki-minaj-shoots-blanks-with-roman-reloaded/|archive-date=April 7, 2012}} accompanied by prominent military-style drums, heavy synths, and rough, hard strewn beats.{{cite web |url=http://www.hitfix.com/articles/listen-nicki-minaj-heads-an-allstar-cast-on-new-track-champion |title=Listen: Nicki Minaj heads an all star cast on new song 'Champion' |first=Dave |last=Lewis |work=HitFix |date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} "Champion" has been described as one of the few songs that Minaj's delivery is "calm and collected" as opposed to her eccentric "Roman" tracks.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefader.com/2012/03/28/nicki-minaj-f-nas-drake-and-young-jeezy-champion-mp3/|title=Nicki Minaj f. Nas, Drake and Young Jeezy, "Champion" MP3|first=Claire |last=Lobenfeld|work=Fader |date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} The rise to fame, the trials and tribulations that ensue, and celebration are prominent themes that are discussed in the lyrics.{{cite web |url=http://popcrush.com/nicki-minajs-champion-leaks/|title=Nicki Minaj's All-Star Track 'Champion' Leaks to the Internet|first=Trent |last=Fitzgerald |publisher=Popcrush |date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://globalgrind.com/music/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded-album-review|title=Nicki Minaj "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" Album (REVIEW)|first=Brittany|last=Lewis|publisher=Global Grind|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=April 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408184539/http://globalgrind.com/music/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded-album-review|archive-date=April 8, 2012|url-status=dead}} Minaj also makes reference to her deceased cousin, Nicholas Telemaque, who was shot and killed near his Brooklyn home on July 3, 2011, in the line "'Cause they killed my little cousin, Nicholas/ But my memories only have happy images."{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666795/nicki-minaj-cousin-murder.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707080922/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666795/nicki-minaj-cousin-murder.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2011|title=Nicki Minaj Mourns Cousin Nicholas Telemaque's Death|first=Rob |last=Markman|publisher=MTV |date=July 4, 2011|access-date=April 7, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.ca/music/albumreviews/a374099/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded-album-review.html|title=Nicki Minaj: 'Pink Friday - Roman Reloaded' - Album review|first=Lewis |last=Corner|publisher=Digital Spy |date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}} Multiple critics felt the lyrical content of "Champion" was the most sincere on the album. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy called them "genuinely heartbreaking", and Alex Macpherson of Fact described them as "undeniably moving".{{cite web |url=http://www.factmag.com/2012/04/02/nicki-minaj-roman-reloaded/ |title=Nicki Minaj: Roman Reloaded |first=Alex |last=McPherson|work=Fact Magazine |date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}}

"Champion" was met with critical acclaim, and was hailed as an album highlight by critics.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/05/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-review?newsfeed=true|title=Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – review|first=Tom |last=Ewing |work=The Guardian |location=London |date= April 5, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/music-review-on-sophomore-album-nicki-minaj-feeds-all-fans-with-rap-randb-and-pop-sounds/2012/04/04/gIQA8gj8uS_story.html|title=Music Review: On sophomore album, Nicki Minaj feeds all fans with rap, R&B and pop sounds|agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 4, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/04/04/national/a070025D50.DTL|title=Review: Nicki Minaj feeds all fans with 2nd album |first=Mesfin |last=Fekadu |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=April 4, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}} Andrew Hampp of Billboard gave the track a positive review, stating Minaj "Sheds light in her journey from struggle to success."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/498719/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded-track-by-track-review|title=Nicki Minaj, 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded': Track-By-Track Review|first=Andrew |last=Hampp |magazine=Billboard |date=March 29, 2012 |access-date= April 7, 2012}} While reviewing the album, Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone declared the song "beamingly triumphant".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/pink-friday-roman-reloaded-20120406|title=Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday Roman Reloaded |first= Jody |last= Rosen|magazine=Rolling Stone |date= April 6, 2012 |access-date=April 7, 2012}} Global Grind reviewer Brittany Lewis gave the song a very positive review, saying :"This retrospective track explores Nicki's more serious side and details the trials and tribulations of Nicki's now solidified success", and later went on to say that "Champion" will make the listener evaluate their own life. Both the reviewer from The Washington Post and Mesfin Fekadu of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the song a positive review, calling it "top-notch". Adam Graham of The Detroit News said the song would please fans of early Minaj, while going on to praise her rap-heavy delivery. Trent Fitzgerald of Popcrush was positive towards "Champion", calling it the "biggest" song on the album, as well as a noting its potential commercial success. "Champion" was labeled as the most impressive hardcore hip hop song on the album, as well as being "anthemic" by Andy Gill of The Independent.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded-island-7621985.html|title=Album: Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday Roman Reloaded (Island)|first=Andy |last=Gill|work=The Independent |date=April 6, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} In his review of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, 'Nathan S of DJ Booth said: "It has to be said that 'Champion', featuring an excellent Nas verse, is one of Nicki's most engaging tracks in memory, precisely because she drops the posturing and fame-hunting. It's proof that behind all the acting is a legitimately talented artist."{{cite web |url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/nicki-minaj-roman-reloaded-04021201/ |title=Nicki Minaj- Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded |first=Nathan |last=S |publisher=DJ Booth |date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406193614/http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/nicki-minaj-roman-reloaded-04021201 |archive-date=April 6, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Although, not all reviews were positive. Matthew Cole of Slant Magazine criticized the vocalist's performance of the verses, claiming they were "incapable".{{cite magazine |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded/2752|title=Nicki Minaj- Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded |first=Matthew |last=Cole|magazine=Slant Magazine |date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012}} Randall Roberts of the Los Angeles Times gave the song a mixed review, highlighting Nas' verse, while mildly criticizing Minaj's.{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/04/album-review-nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded.html|title=Album review: Nicki Minaj's 'Pink Friday ... Roman Reloaded |first=Randall |last=Roberts|work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 2, 2012|access-date=April 8, 2012}} Entertainment Weekly named it one of the best songs on the album along with "I Am Your Leader".{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/04/13/pink-friday-roman-reloaded-review-nicki-minaj/ |title=Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded |first=Kyle |last=Anderson |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 13, 2012 |access-date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417050115/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20584367,00.html |url-status=live }} XXL Magazine stated that "Though many of the early songs [on the album] lack real substance, the records remain generally exciting - 'I Am Your Leader', alongside Rick Ross and Cam'ron, 'Beez in the Trap' with 2 Chainz, and the triumphant 'Champion' featuring Nas, Drake and Young Jeezy are all memorable moments."{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/reviews/2012/04/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded/ |title=Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded |first=Adam |last=Fleischer |work=XXL |date=April 3, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2012 }}

Minaj performed "Champion" for the first time on 106 & Park on April 3, 2012, along with "Roman Reloaded", "HOV Lane", "I Am Your Leader", "Beez in the Trap", "Right by My Side" and "Fire Burns".{{cite web |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2012/04/03/nicki-minaj-invades-106-park-talks-her-fashion-sense-performs-video/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102030344/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2012/04/03/nicki-minaj-invades-106-park-talks-her-fashion-sense-performs-video/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2013 |title=Nicki Minaj Invades '106 & Park,' Talks Her Fashion Sense & Performs (Video) |first=BallerStatus |last=Staff |publisher=Baller Status |date=April 3, 2012 |access-date=April 8, 2012 }} She performed "Champion" alongside "Beez in the Trap" with 2 Chainz at the 2012 BET Awards. The rapper also performed "Champion" on the Australian and Asian legs of her Pink Friday Tour.

;Recording

• Recorded at Conway Studios, Los Angeles, California; Jungle City Studios, New York City, New York

;Personnel

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• Songwriting – Onika Maraj, Tyler Williams, Nikhil Seetharam, Aubrey Graham, Jay Jenkins, Nasir Jones.
• Production – T-Minus, Nikhil S.
• Mixed at – Conway Studios, Los Angeles CA

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• Recording – Ariel Chobaz, Noah "40" Shebib, Stuart White
• Recording assistant – Jon Sher, Noel Cadastre
• Mixing – Ariel Chobaz, Jon Sher

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Credits adapted from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded|others=Nicki Minaj|year=2012|publisher=Universal Music Group|type=Liner notes}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Nicki Minaj singles}}

{{Drake songs}}

{{Nas singles}}

{{Young Jeezy}}

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Category:2012 songs

Category:2010s ballads

Category:Nicki Minaj songs

Category:Drake (musician) songs

Category:Nas songs

Category:Jeezy songs

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Songs written by Nicki Minaj

Category:Songs written by Drake (musician)

Category:Songs written by Nas

Category:Songs written by Jeezy

Category:Song recordings produced by T-Minus (record producer)

Category:Songs written by Nikhil Seetharam

Category:Songs written by T-Minus (producer)