Avg Rating: 
4.2 ( 114 total votes )
Kanye West - Monster
Artist: Kanye West
Featuring: Jay-Z , Rick Ross , Nicki Minaj
Producer: Kanye West & DJ Premier
Album: Watch the Throne EP
Label: Def Jam/IDJMG
People go to the zoo because it’s always cool to see ferocious beasts in close proximity, and the line-up on this Jay-Z and Kanye cut Monster – from their upcoming, currently unscheduled collab Watch the Throne EP – is fascinating for the same reason. Home to lyrical specimens Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and Mr. West himself, Monster is a hip-hop zoo. After an intro by singer Bon Iver, Ross spits an almost un-needed verse (think about an animal at the zoo that does nothing but sleep, like a panda). Then, ‘Ye keeps listeners entertained like a playful seal by dropping his best verse since Run This Town, leading to Hova also giving the audience some bang for their buck as he circles his enemies like a great white shark (Beanie Sigel, head for land). As for Nicki (who unleashes not only the best verse, but HER best verse yet), Ms. Minaj represents the untamed. She tears through this Kanye & DJ Premier beat like a psychotic lioness, clawing her way out of the cage and wreaking havoc upon anything in her way. The effect is truly chilling, but what true monster isn’t?
This song first appeared on the
Top Hip Hop / R&B Chart
on September 13, 2010
Listen to More: Kanye West , Jay-Z , Rick Ross , Nicki Minaj Written by Quentin Cuff
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Member |
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AND THE AWARD FOR BEST ROLE PLAYIN RAPPER IS.... NICKI MINAJ... AS THE FEMALE ASSASIN. SHE BODIED EVERYBODY ON THAT TRACK... THE ONLY DISLIKE IN THE TRACK IS IT'S QUALITY... THEN AGAIN, JUST LIKE "SWAGGER LIKE US" THIS IS A HELL OF A TRACK...
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11684 |
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With a line-up like this I think I had higher expectations. I also never imagined that Kanye and Jay would be outdone on a record by Nicki Minaj (who spazzed out in a great way here). With all of that said, this is still highly enjoyable.
Sidebar: You think Ricky's contribution got cut or did they really ask him to spit about 6 bars? 
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 13 |
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It's pretty long, but I love. Jay-Z and Kanye did good, but Nicki KILLED this. I was wanted a little more Ross on here thugh, but still really impressive. 4.5 stars
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 13 |
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It's pretty long, but I love it. Jay-Z and Kanye did good, but Nicki KILLED this. I wanted a little more Ross on here though, but still really impressive. 4.5 stars
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 455 |
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I really expected more, but this is good anyway. I still expect better from the EP
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1642 |
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Okay, Im glad I wasnt the only person who thought Nicki was the BEST part of this song.
Honestly, this is how it goes: Beat: 4 Hook: 3.5 Ross: 3 Kanye: 0 Jay-Z: 1 Nicki: 10 Iver: ? I missed that part.? |
| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 687 |
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I REALLY like Nicki's verse. It's so off the wall... but she killed it. Jay was alright, not his best effort. And Rick Ross? He's pullin a Diddy with this one.
AND Bon Iver! Dope musician. Odd choice for this track though. |
| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 9 |
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jesus christ minaj's flow is on point in this....everyone else was pretty good, but did ross really have to be in here for that short of a verse
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 42 |
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Only thing needed for this song is DJ Khaled screaming all over this track lol
But, honestly this track was pretty boring too me, prolly the beat. Jay-Z to me had the best verse, no comment on Nicki... -____- |
| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 319 |
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First thought as it came on was 'this is wack' but by Kanye's verse it had me hooked. I thought Kanye > Nicki > Jay... Strong from all 3 and might as well forget about Ross and Iver (?)
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 120 |
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I'm feelin' the circus-like production... Ricky'z verse iz un-needed... Ye Spaz'd-Out... Jay Went-In... But Nicki stepped her lyrical game-up though... 3 - ***'z
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 21 |
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ok ever had sex with a pharaoh i put that @*#$! in a sarcophagus complaining saying i bruised her esophagus... that is toooooo hilarious... Kanye can handle the pressure.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1227 |
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First of all Ross was not needed on this song, he unbelievably bad. Kanye just beasted all over this track and Hov seems to be back on form, ever since free mason. However the surprise standout is Nicki as she just kills everyone on this track.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 6 |
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Nicki>Kanye>JayZ>Ross all verses just elevated each others game!
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 206 |
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WTF is Bon Iver and Rick Ross doing on this track if each one is only like ten seconds?
'Ye and Hov' get half a star each, and Nicki gets the other three. HOLY CRAP I F**KING LOVE HER. She is sooo funny; I laughed my socks off at her flow and crazy-as-hell verse. I've listened to it alone on repeat for a dozen times and I don't think I'm going to get old of it. |
| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 206 |
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WTF is Bon Iver and Rick Ross doing on this track if each one is only like ten seconds?
'Ye and Hov' get half a star each, and Nicki gets the other three. HOLY CRAP I F**KING LOVE HER. She is sooo funny; I laughed my socks off at her flow and crazy-as-hell verse. I've listened to it alone on repeat for a dozen times and I don't think I'm going to get old of it. |
| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 181 |
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REAL TALK: (NICKI MINAJ) Just Don't Do It For Me... I MEAN: When I First Heard The Track, Her VERSE Sounded Kind Of HOT But When I Listen To It Again, It Didn't Sound As Good As It Did The First Time I Heard It... and Just Like (LIL WAYNE) It's Points In Her VERSES Where It Sounds Like She's Just RAMBLING. But OVER-ALL The BEAT, JAY-Z & KANYE Go Hard.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 8038 |
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I thought this was OK when I heard it yesterday. Not anywhere as good as I thought it was going to be with all those big names on the track. The Production all around is good, but as a beat, I don't really like it much. Kanye raps better than usual on here. I really like Nicki Minaj on here. This is one of her best showings ever in my opinion. Jay-Z sounds good too. Still just a weird track for me.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2476 |
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I've read some other forums where people absolutely hated Nicki on this, but the ironic part is that they spent all their time complaining about how terrible she is and didn't even mention Jay or Kanye. Love her or hate her, you obviously love to hate her.
Speaking of which, don't sleep on Ye's verse here, I though he killed it.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Not a big fan of callobos and this is why.Kanye is all over the place J sounds uninspired but Nicki shines as usual I dont expect much rotation from this one
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Imagine the remixes/ freestyles that are going to drop from this...!!!! ClassiC
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 14 |
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"I'm living in the future, so the present is my past; Aw, my presence is a present, kiss my ass."
I gotta give Kanye the best verse on this but Nicki definitely impressed. Jay and Ross, step up your game. |
| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 614 |
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Great track, really interested to see the EP! Nicki absolutely killed both Jay-Z & Kanye, that sh!# she pulled was crazy! Definitely deserved a rewind or two... Rick Ross added absolutely nothing to this record... 4 stars Nicki 5
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1142 |
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Kanye is the strongest link here if you ask me. I enjoyed his verse, but guests on this track were just average.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 68 |
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nicki!!! hahaha jay said "i still hear fiends scream in my dreams" wow!
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 484 |
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This track is amazing
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 224 |
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Rick Ross sucks in general, but I really liked his verse in this. But I couldn't believe it when I heard Nicki Minaj's verse. She frikkin killed this song. I wasn't thinking Nicki Minaj is gonna make this song awesome. Jay-Z and Kanye did good but not as good as Nicki Minaj.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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NICKI MURDERED EVERYONE ON HERE. rest of the song was good, jay-z was great 4.5.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Kanye Killed this all over
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I really liked this beat. Not exactly what I'm used to hearing. Rick Ross musta been in the studio and had 5 minutes to kill cuz he was on for about 30 seconds. I understand why everyone is all over Nicki Minaj in this one cuz she did rip it and it is her best work yet, but is that really saying much? Honestly, this is the only track I could stand her on so far. Kanye and Jay Z both rip it, but for some reason no one is talking about Jay's verse. His lead in rhyme is great. With this all star team I expected a classic but am pleased with this banger.
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| Posted on Aug 31, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
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I'll agree with everybody here in saying that Nicki's was the best. While stating that though I'll also say that everybody else's verse was great as well. Can't say too much for Ross though but that's because he only dropped six verses. What I liked most was the production, especially near the end with the piano.
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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amazing. ye and jay are definitely outdone by nicki, but thats not to say that they were terrible.
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1339 |
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FIRE!
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 214 |
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Everyone has said just about everything. NM has such market saturation that there would have to be some point where she plateau's and puts it on cruise control, but it has yet to happen, go figure. This is a hella long track, and I would have liked to see NM towards the first half. Ross is missing on this and unless I put it back on and try hard to find him, he is forgettable. It should have been KW, Jay and NM and should have been left at that.
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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i guess im only one who thinks jay killed it tha best still crazy though
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 198 |
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my offical comeback feels good to be back wutz good booth but i only have time for one song to comment but ill start bein on here more but anyway songs a straight banger like everyone else rick was unneeded but Ye,J,NM all on point especially Nicki the production worked perfectly with her crazy voice and flow but yea i luv da song been puttin dis on repeat
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 20 |
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Nicki's best verse, the alternative production which balances on the thin line between catchy and annoying along with the arguable chorus plus Charlie Wilson singing 2 or 3 lines at the end of the song = 5 stars. This has a similar pattern compared to Power though. The chorus hits in before you even know it's actually the chorus and a breakdown towards the end with a catchphrase.
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 242 |
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Now I think kanye got, nicki minaj's verse didn't mean anything, just random verses. "Have you ever had sex with a pharaoh, aaaa i put the @*#$! in sarcophagus"
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 242 |
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Also with lupe almost all of his songs have double meaning, i think what he means by saying go to sleep is be blind, that's why he says he's an insomniac since he's not bein ignorant and blind.
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 242 |
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oh sh!t i posted the comment above in the wrong song
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 97 |
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I'm not gonna lie, I almost never give out 5 stars but I'm really feelin this.
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| Posted on Sep 01, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Nicki killed jay and kanye what! were did that come from. Jay had the second best verse kanyes verse was all over the place
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| Posted on Sep 02, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 101 |
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Nicki's verse on that No Ceilings Beyonce track was better but this is dooope.
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| Posted on Sep 02, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 34 |
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aight.... bon iver added some sort of a feel to the track.. ross? wtf was he even on there for lol. kanye's verse was the most solid all around... jay's was alright but i dunno some of the words he used or the way he actually arranged it i dunno, i only payed more attention cuz it was jay... nicki... she had the most character on there... she upstaged everyone to be fair... i dont think her verse was the best one lyrically but all the character and authority in her verse just made it outshine the rest... overall good track but for me its only good for a few listens n then ur like ok.. whats next.
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| Posted on Sep 02, 2010 |
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| Posted on Sep 02, 2010 |
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Sorry Kanye not feeling it, in my opinion. Im not hating, its just not my type of Kanye track.
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| Posted on Sep 03, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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nicki tore it up. best verse of the track
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| Posted on Sep 04, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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NICKI SUCKS!!! EVERYBODY THAT THINKS THAT SHE IS TIGHT IS WACK!!! KANYE AND JAY Z GOOD!!
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| Posted on Sep 05, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 77 |
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Please cut Nicki Minaj off this track. She is absolutely terrible as an artist and singer.
Everybody else did amazing though. Nicki Minaj is terrible. |
| Posted on Sep 06, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 492 |
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guess im just on a different page then everyone else on this one haha. kanye and nicki flow well but eh. not a huge fan of the beat. and its easy to flow well and if you just throw any word into your verse nicki. ross and jay were trash on this one.
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| Posted on Sep 07, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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It took me a second listen to realize where Rick Ross verse was. This track would have been just as fine without him. Jay and 'Ye always do their thing, so there is no need to comment on their contribution. But Nicki. Nicki...Nicki...Nicki, my how you impressed me for once.
The difference between a Nicki Minaj hater and someone that really appreciates lyrical craftiness, is that one will give credit when it is due. So, kudos Nicki. I actually listened to this track back to back to really make sure I heard you correctly. |
| Posted on Sep 07, 2010 |
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Tastemaker |
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I can't see why some people did not like the production. This beat is dope. But I do agree with everyone when they say Nicki Minaj destroyed this track. This is the best verse that I've heard from her in a while. Kanye killed and Jay was cool too.
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| Posted on Sep 07, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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ok ok i done calmed down from this track so i can comment on it now.... nicki minaj @*#$! demolished this shit when she layed dat verse down she punched every female rapper in da mouth dis shit is redonkulous!!!!!!
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| Posted on Sep 07, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 253 |
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Kanye Such a @*#$! Monster that why I think he's one of the best, Nicki Killed It & I think Jay-z tryed sounding like Tyga
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| Posted on Sep 08, 2010 |
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I'm going to just just rate and that is a 5!! Nicki was the best on this track, she slayyed though.
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| Posted on Sep 08, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 490 |
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This beat goes harder than I don't even know. Jay-Z went so in on this. Was anyone listening to his flow? Kanye was the same. And Nicki simply abused the beat, it wasn't even fair.
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| Posted on Sep 08, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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618 approved
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| Posted on Sep 08, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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ok, nice track but with that lineup I expected more! Except Nicki... Daaaamn Barbie got again all the attention!
maybe this will sound kinda weird but: Nicki's verse reminded me somehow of the young (monster) busta rhymes :-D I mean you can't compare them, but she brings the same energy y'know, sometimes she screams, then she's more quiet, then her voice flatters, then she slows it down and explodes by the end :) mane, very entertaining! her flow and rhymes are just amazing! I call that "pure talent" |
| Posted on Sep 09, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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OMG NICKI MANAGE KILLED i mean thats her best verse EVER Nicki rips kanye and all the rest apart only reason y i listen
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| Posted on Sep 09, 2010 |
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| Posted on Sep 12, 2010 |
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HMMM KANYE MAN HE IS VERY UNIQUE AND JAY NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE BUT I DONT LIKE HIM. AND NICKI AHHHA WHAT CAN I SAY SHES AHH MOTHER @*#$!'NN MONSTER. AND TO EVERYONE ELSE ON THAT TRACK UHHH NO CMMT.(:
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| Posted on Sep 13, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 74 |
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Lovin this track-- Nicki Minaj mentions my country Sri Lanka so i'm made even happier :D :D
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| Posted on Sep 14, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 37 |
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MINAJ KILLS IT!! i'm officially a fan. only wish I could give more stars...
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| Posted on Sep 15, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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I didn't like the production and Nicki Minaj is on this so i can't get on board with this.
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| Posted on Sep 17, 2010 |
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| Posted on Sep 20, 2010 |
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kanye killed shit...jay-z did his thang i was impressed ...nicki...sigh...im srry she jus too weird an annoying its sound like she got skills but her delivery is not wussup...it sound like she tryin to have her own type or flow but it aint working...fo me anyways
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| Posted on Sep 20, 2010 |
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| Posted on Sep 21, 2010 |
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what's with all they hype about nicki on this track? i that kanye did some work, and jay was there just not on fire, i guess i missed ross. nickis verse wasn't horrible, it was nice, it just didn't go with this track to me :( ? like some of you said, i expected more with these guys on the same track. maybe they should do it again.
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| Posted on Sep 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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DAMN!!!
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| Posted on Sep 22, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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everybody Kills it ... Nikki stop growling !!!
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| Posted on Sep 23, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 27 |
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Lmao!! Nicki killed it!! Jay did his thing and Yeezy was on par, really wasn't expecting Nicki to go ham, but she had the best verse hands down.
And when I rate this as 5 stars I mean it as 5 stars for Nicki eating everyone else, lol. |
| Posted on Sep 27, 2010 |
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| Posted on Sep 29, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 868 |
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This track is F'IN dope. Im really diggin this one good job by all on this one (even ross and his two lines lol) i wouldnt call it a classic but its definitly 5 stars for me.
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| Posted on Oct 02, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 138 |
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WOW!every1 killed it sept fo Ross. c'mon now i think yu could do better
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| Posted on Oct 03, 2010 |
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| Posted on Oct 05, 2010 |
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| Posted on Oct 08, 2010 |
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| Posted on Oct 19, 2010 |
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everybody went hard in this track
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| Posted on Oct 21, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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loving dis jaaam
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| Posted on Oct 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1805 |
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nicki always has the best verse
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| Posted on Oct 25, 2010 |
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nicki did diz 1...
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| Posted on Nov 01, 2010 |
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| Posted on Nov 19, 2010 |
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i thought it was a good song needs a little more rick ross and nicki put fuel to the fire car rocker definently
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| Posted on Nov 21, 2010 |
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| Posted on Nov 23, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 6 |
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Anything Bon Iver mingles with with, is more than dope. Too bad Minaj is in it as well.
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| Posted on Nov 27, 2010 |
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| Posted on Dec 07, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 35 |
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YUUUUP!!!!!!!!!! IM A MUTHAFUKIN MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted on Dec 08, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 369 |
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ok i would like nothing more to say that MR.YEEZY had the best verse[he had the second best verse] but sadly i cant and as much as i hate nicki minaj and all her fat @*#$! songs u cant hate her verse
every one did there thing but nicki and Kanye did the best classic |
| Posted on Dec 14, 2010 |
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| Posted on Dec 14, 2010 |
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Im In Love....Nicki Minaj Take Music To A Whole New Level...Im Geekin 4 The Video...#TeamMinaj Stand Up 4 The New Queen Of Hip-Hop & Best Verse On The Track....NICKI MINAJ :D
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| Posted on Dec 14, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
JAY KILLED DIS SHYT
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| Posted on Dec 14, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
I LOVE this song. Nicki's the best. Kanye you're amazing!
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| Posted on Dec 17, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 5 |
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I lived
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| Posted on Dec 18, 2010 |
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| Posted on Dec 20, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Hot track
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| Posted on Dec 21, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this song is straight fire
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| Posted on Jan 01, 2011 |
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