Megatron (song)

"Megatron"
Single by Nicki Minaj
ReleasedJune 21, 2019 (2019-06-21)
Genre
Length3:11
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Onika Maraj
  • Brittany "Chi" Coney
  • Denisia "Blu June" Andrews
  • Haldane Wayne Browne
  • Pop Wansel
Producer(s)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"BAPS"
(2019) 		"Megatron"
(2019) 		"Extravagant"
(2019)
Music video
"Megatron" on YouTube

"Megatron" (stylized in all caps) is a song by Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj, released as a standalone single on June 21, 2019, along with its accompanying music video.[3] The song contains a sample of "Heads High" by Jamaican singer Mr. Vegas.

Background and release

[edit]

"Megatron" is Minaj's only solo single released in 2019.[4] Prior to release, Minaj was on a social media hiatus after wrapping up her world tour, The Nicki Wrld Tour, in Europe.

Music and lyrics

[edit]

"Megatron" was co-written by Minaj, Brittany "Chi" Coney, Denisia "Blu Jones" Andrews, Haldane Wayne Browne, and Andrew "Pop" Wansel, with additional production by Nova Wav and co-production by Minaj.[5] The song's lyrical content reflects on the spirit of partying, dating, and flirtation. The song's sound is a Caribbean-inspired uptempo rhythm.

Promotion

[edit]

The song was first teased by Minaj on June 12, 2019, when the rapper posted the word "Megatron" to her social media accounts.[6] One day after, Minaj uploaded a series of pictures from the music video's set, announcing the song's release date and an episode of her own Beats 1 show, Queen Radio, for the same day.[7] A teaser for the music video was posted on June 19.[3] Model Blac Chyna showed support to the song's visuals by posing in pictures with similar backgrounds to Minaj's teasers, leading to speculation she would feature in the music video, rumors Minaj quickly shut down.[8] One day prior to the record's release, the rapper posted a video with her then-boyfriend and now husband, Kenneth Petty, and continued to tease the song.[9]

Music video

[edit]

On June 19, Minaj released the first teaser for the music video.[3] On June 21, the music video, directed by Mike Ho, was officially premiered on the rapper's YouTube channel.[10][11] The music video has since received over 100 million views.

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United States, "Megatron" debuted and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number 21 on the Rhythmic Songs airplay chart.

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[12]

  • Nicki Minaj – vocals, songwriting, co-production
  • Pop Wansel – songwriting, production, programming
  • Brittany "Chi" Coney – production
  • Denisia "Blu June" Andrews – production
  • Haldane Wayne Browne – production
  • Nova Wav – additional production, programming
  • Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine – record engineering
  • Jacob Richards – mixing engineering
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 89
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 25
France Downloads (SNEP)[15] 30
Greece International Digital (IFPI Greece)[16] 53
Hungary (Single Top 40)[17] 9
Ireland (IRMA)[18] 56
Lithuania (AGATA)[19] 93
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[20] 10
Scotland (OCC)[21] 23
UK Singles (OCC)[22] 34
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[24] 11
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[25] 21
US Rolling Stone Top 100[26] 14

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[27] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[28] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[29] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[30] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label(s) Ref.
Various June 21, 2019
[31]
United States July 2, 2019 Rhythmic contemporary [32]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Video Premiere: Nicki Minaj - Megatron". June 21, 2019.
  2. ^ "Best New Rap Music, Nicki Minaj Megatron". June 24, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Nicki Minaj Previews New Single 'Megatron'". Rap-Up. June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Lamarre, Carl (June 13, 2019). "Nicki Minaj Announces 'Megatron' Release Date & Return of Queen Radio". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  5. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 21, 2019). "Nicki Minaj Returns With 'Megatron': Watch the Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  6. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 12, 2019). "Nicki Minaj Returns With Cryptic 'Megatron' Tweet". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  7. ^ Lamarre, Carl (June 13, 2019). "Nicki Minaj Announces 'Megatron' Release Date & Return of Queen Radio". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  8. ^ "Nicki Minaj Shoots Down Rumors Blac Chyna Is Part of Her 'Megatron' Video". Hiphopwired.com. June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  9. ^ Robidoux, Brandy (June 20, 2019). "Nicki Minaj's BF, Kenneth Petty, Grabs Her Chest & She Calls Him Her 'Husband' In Sexy New Video". Hollywood Life. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  10. ^ Matthew, Strauss (June 21, 2019). "Watch Nicki Minaj's Video for New Song "MEGATRON"". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  11. ^ Murphy, Helen (June 23, 2019). "She's Back! Nicki Minaj Releases Sexy New Video for Song 'Megatron'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  12. ^ "MEGATRON / Nicki Minaj". Tidal. June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  13. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #531". auspOp. June 29, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  14. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  15. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 26, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  16. ^ "Greece Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart: 27/2019". IFPI Charts. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  17. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  18. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Nicki Minaj". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  19. ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. July 1, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  20. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 1, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  21. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  22. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  23. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  24. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  25. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  26. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  27. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  28. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Nicki Minaj – Megatron" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  29. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Nicki Minaj – Megatron". Music Canada. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  30. ^ "American single certifications – Nicki Minaj – Megatron". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  31. ^ "Nicki Minaj - MEGATRON". nickiminaj.lnk.to.
  32. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Megatron_(song)&oldid=1232826618"