Right Thru Me
Encyclopedia
"Right Thru Me" is the second official single from American
rapper and singer Nicki Minaj
's 2010 album Pink Friday
. The song was released as a digital download on September 14, 2010 before being serviced to urban and rhythmic Radio on October 5 and then mainstream radio on November 2, 2010. The song charted on the US Billboard Hot 100, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
"Right Thru Me" is described as being a R&B or dance-pop track, compared to her usual Rap and features electronic beats and synths. Lyrically, Minaj wonders how a lover can see through her. The song was met with generally positive reviews from critics, commenting on Minaj's lyrical playfulness and accepting the different musical sound.
The music video for the single was shot over the weekend of October 1, 2010 and was directed by Diane Martel and was later premiered on October 27. The concept is a boy-girl relationship drama and features Minaj and her love fighting and arguing, with him threatening to leave her while Minaj tries to apologize. The video was met with positive reviews from critics, with many calling it more natural and deep than her fun and costume-filled videos. Minaj has promoted the song in several live appearances on The Wendy Williams Show, Late Show with David Letterman, Live with Regis and Kelly, Saturday Night Live, and 106 & Park.
In an interview with ET, Minaj commented on the depth and the meaning of the song stating "The song to me is very, very personal. I haven't spoken about an authentic relationship since I've come out. … Not everybody is rich, not everyone likes jewelry, not everybody likes playing dress-up, but everyone has been in a relationship at some point in their lives, so when you hear a relationship song, it's like, you react.""
song "Always with Me, Always with You" from his breakout 1987 album Surfing With the Alien
. The song features Minaj singing the most she ever has on a song, with most critics branding the single more as a toned-down R&B or Dance-pop
track than her usual Rap, up-tempo tracks such as "Massive Attack
". The song has been described as a breezy jam that brandishes a swinging electronic beat, synth melodies, big pop hooks and guitar lines, and triple metre beats. Lyrically, Nicki wonders aloud how a lover can see right through her in rapping lines such as "Think you got the peephole right to my soul," and later changes the tone of the song in the chorus hook stating "You see right through me, how do you do that sh--, how do you do that sh--?"
The song has been described as a one-part straight-shooting rap, in Minaj's multiple-accent style. It has also been described lyrically as one-part a Katy-Perry-esque ballad, with Minaj singing about a lover who stands by her through thick and thin. Paul Cantor of MTV News
broke the song down lyrically and instrumentally stating "The song finds Nicki talking to a lover, admitting that she puts up walls and tries to hide behind a front, but despite all that, her feelings are really transparent. No matter what she does, she can't escape how she truly feels. The track is all triple-time drum programming and sprightly synthesizer lead lines. It's a perfect backdrop for her to spit. The hook finds Nicki questioning, almost rhetorically."
'. Treat your ears to Nicki’s latest and judge for yourself. Every time we hear Nicki sing, “How do you do that shit?”, we can’t help but think of the Insane Clown Posse
’s hilarious lyric in 'Miracles
'." Chris Ryan of MTV Buzzworthy
gave the song a positive review accepting the change of style by stating "Make no mistake, Nicki's solo singles--'Massive Attack,' 'Check It Out' and 'Your Love'--all have distinct qualities, but none of them has truly captured Nicki's blinding charisma the way some of her guest verses have. Maybe that's all going to change with 'Right Thru Me.'" Paul Cantor of MTV News
commented on the change in pace for Minaj, stating "One thing that's noticeably absent from the song is the different character voices Nicki's become known for. In the cover story of Complex magazine's October issue, she says the voices are something she's pulling back on."
and directed by Diane Martel
. Minaj commented on the concept of the music video stating "The concept of the video is boy-and-girl relationship drama, you know, all of the intimate stuff as well as the fighting as well as the self-reflecting type stuff. It's basically just a love story told from the perspective of a very hard girl who doesn't want to give in but she has to." A behind-the-scenes video was released on October 4, 2010. The music video was released for digital download on October 28, 2010.
. In the video Willy Monfret, a French Caribbean
model & DJ, plays opposite of Minaj as her love interest. The opening frame of "Right thru Me" begins with Minaj & Monfret fighting at home after returning from an event. The two argue about whether he's "disrespecting her" by talking behind her back, and he threatens to leave after she breaks a glass in frustration. Then Minaj runs to Monfret before he can leave and apologizes for overreacting and asks him to stay. "You have to trust me, that I did nothing wrong." he whispers to her in a form of comfort. The next scene begins with a title screen saying "Right Thru Me" as the song officially starts. As the song begins, both Minaj and Monfret are seen either in bed touching each other sensually and at the beach walking together. Another fight takes place when Minaj tries to prevent Monfret from driving away by refusing to leave the driver's seat of his car. In between the scenes, frames of Nicki behind a full-length window covered with steam are inserted as she sings the chorus. As the video continues, scenes of Minaj and Monfret are shown in an infinity pool twirling around as Monfret carries Minaj in his arms, embracing each other, while the fight from the opening scene are inserted. The video ends with Minaj continually wiping fog from the glass to sing out the rest of the song.
commented on the music video positively stating, "Hip-hop’s Barbie, who trades in her colorful wigs for a more natural look, shows off her acting chops as she argues with her man." James Montgomery of MTV Buzzworthy
reviewed the music video during a behind a scenes look, stating "Yes, from her vast collection of neon wigs to her closet full of skintight outfits, Nicki is rarely, if ever, subtle. But in her upcoming video for 'Right Thru Me,' all of that has changed. Gone are the Kool-Aid accoutrements and Harajuku Barbie getups, replaced instead with a side of the rapper most of her fans have never seen before: a sensitive, softer one.
On the day of its actual release, Hillary Crosley of MTV News
commented on the change in pace for Minaj in the video stating, "You can take the girl out of Queens, but you can't take the Queens out of the girl. Nicki Minaj premiered her stripped-down video for 'Right Thru Me' on MTV Wednesday (October 27), and it is quite a departure from her boisterous 'Check It Out' video that debuted Tuesday. Instead of blond hair and futuristic outfits, Nicki looks like she's about to walk down Jamaica Avenue in 50 Cent's hometown." An Idolator writer also gave the song a positive review stating "Our favorite thing about Nicki Minaj? Is it the kaleidoscopic fashion? Her obsession with toys? Or her flat-out astounding skills on the mic? While Nicki has blessed us with many things, perhaps our favorite thing about her is that she continues to surprise us. Witness: just two days after laughing it up in a cartoonish clip with will.i.am, she returns with what has to be her heaviest performance ever (yes, more so than Stuck On Broke) — watch her in a rare moment of vulnerability as she plays a disrespected woman in the just-premiered, 'borderline romantic' 'Right Thru Me'. Watch Nicki get personal."
Ed Easton Jr. of 92.3 Now gave the song an extremely positive review, also complimenting Minaj on her change in pace stating, "The flow of the song matches perfectly with the video – even though Nicki wasn’t “Barbied-Up” she still possesses that glow from her we’ve all grown to love. The video may not be filled with her signature random Japanese/Korean culture references or special effects but was still interesting to watch and definitely kept my attention. In all the video was a breath of fresh air for Minaj, bringing her image a little more down to earth for her fans so it deserves a 9 out of 10."
on November 17, on Late Show with David Letterman
on November 18, 2010, and again on Live with Regis and Kelly
on November 29, 2010. She later performed the track on Saturday Night Live
on January 29, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper and singer Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
's 2010 album Pink Friday
Pink Friday
Pink Friday is the debut studio album by hip hop recording artist Nicki Minaj. It was released on November 19, 2010 in both standard and deluxe editions through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Motown. The intended lead single from the album, "Massive Attack", flopped...
. The song was released as a digital download on September 14, 2010 before being serviced to urban and rhythmic Radio on October 5 and then mainstream radio on November 2, 2010. The song charted on the US Billboard Hot 100, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
"Right Thru Me" is described as being a R&B or dance-pop track, compared to her usual Rap and features electronic beats and synths. Lyrically, Minaj wonders how a lover can see through her. The song was met with generally positive reviews from critics, commenting on Minaj's lyrical playfulness and accepting the different musical sound.
The music video for the single was shot over the weekend of October 1, 2010 and was directed by Diane Martel and was later premiered on October 27. The concept is a boy-girl relationship drama and features Minaj and her love fighting and arguing, with him threatening to leave her while Minaj tries to apologize. The video was met with positive reviews from critics, with many calling it more natural and deep than her fun and costume-filled videos. Minaj has promoted the song in several live appearances on The Wendy Williams Show, Late Show with David Letterman, Live with Regis and Kelly, Saturday Night Live, and 106 & Park.
Background
While discussing the progress of her debut album with MTV, Minaj discussed a song she described as a "standout" in the entire album. The song "Right Thru Me" is confirmed for the album with Minaj stating, "It's not gonna come right now. It'll come closer to when the album drops, but it's a really, really pretty song. Everyone's gonna like it. It's just really insightful but in a very conversational kind of way." The song was produced and co-written by Andrew "Drew Money" Thielk.In an interview with ET, Minaj commented on the depth and the meaning of the song stating "The song to me is very, very personal. I haven't spoken about an authentic relationship since I've come out. … Not everybody is rich, not everyone likes jewelry, not everybody likes playing dress-up, but everyone has been in a relationship at some point in their lives, so when you hear a relationship song, it's like, you react.""
Composition
The main melody is sampled from the Joe SatrianiJoe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
song "Always with Me, Always with You" from his breakout 1987 album Surfing With the Alien
Surfing with the Alien
Surfing with the Alien is the second album by instrumental rock guitarist Joe Satriani, released in 1987. Surfing with the Alien contributed greatly to establishing Satriani's reputation as a respected rock guitarist....
. The song features Minaj singing the most she ever has on a song, with most critics branding the single more as a toned-down R&B or Dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
track than her usual Rap, up-tempo tracks such as "Massive Attack
Massive Attack (song)
"Massive Attack" is a song by Trinidadian recording artist Nicki Minaj. The song features American singer-songwriter and producer Sean Garrett who wrote the song with Minaj and produced the song with Alex da Kid. It served the first single from Minaj's debut album, Pink Friday, with Billboard later...
". The song has been described as a breezy jam that brandishes a swinging electronic beat, synth melodies, big pop hooks and guitar lines, and triple metre beats. Lyrically, Nicki wonders aloud how a lover can see right through her in rapping lines such as "Think you got the peephole right to my soul," and later changes the tone of the song in the chorus hook stating "You see right through me, how do you do that sh--, how do you do that sh--?"
The song has been described as a one-part straight-shooting rap, in Minaj's multiple-accent style. It has also been described lyrically as one-part a Katy-Perry-esque ballad, with Minaj singing about a lover who stands by her through thick and thin. Paul Cantor of MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
broke the song down lyrically and instrumentally stating "The song finds Nicki talking to a lover, admitting that she puts up walls and tries to hide behind a front, but despite all that, her feelings are really transparent. No matter what she does, she can't escape how she truly feels. The track is all triple-time drum programming and sprightly synthesizer lead lines. It's a perfect backdrop for her to spit. The hook finds Nicki questioning, almost rhetorically."
Critical reception
Erika Brooks Adickman of Idolator gave the song a mixed review stating that, "The Harajuku Barbie doll reveals a more vulnerable side to her in this borderline romantic tune—that is until Nicki busts out the repetitive chorus 'How do you do that shit?'. Musically, 'Right Through Me' is quite a departure from her drum-thumping 'Massive Attack', but it lacks the record-breaking rapper’s signature lyrical playfulness heard in 'Your LoveYour Love (Nicki Minaj song)
"Your Love" is a song performed by Trinidadian-American recording artist Nicki Minaj. It was written by Minaj with Joseph Hughes, David Freedman, and Andrew "Pop" Wansel, with the latter receiving production credits. The song serves as the first single from her debut studio album, Pink Friday...
'. Treat your ears to Nicki’s latest and judge for yourself. Every time we hear Nicki sing, “How do you do that shit?”, we can’t help but think of the Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
’s hilarious lyric in 'Miracles
Miracles (Insane Clown Posse song)
Miracles is a song written by Insane Clown Posse and Mike E. Clark for the duo's 2009 album Bang! Pow! Boom!. A music video was produced for the 2010 reissue of the album, dubbed the "Nuclear Edition". The song's lyrics focus on things experienced in everyday life and displaying an appreciation for...
'." Chris Ryan of MTV Buzzworthy
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
gave the song a positive review accepting the change of style by stating "Make no mistake, Nicki's solo singles--'Massive Attack,' 'Check It Out' and 'Your Love'--all have distinct qualities, but none of them has truly captured Nicki's blinding charisma the way some of her guest verses have. Maybe that's all going to change with 'Right Thru Me.'" Paul Cantor of MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
commented on the change in pace for Minaj, stating "One thing that's noticeably absent from the song is the different character voices Nicki's become known for. In the cover story of Complex magazine's October issue, she says the voices are something she's pulling back on."
Music video
A music video for the single was shot over the weekend of October 1, 2010 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and directed by Diane Martel
Diane Martel
Diane Martel is a music video director and choreographer.-Choreographer:1989*Bloodhounds of Broadway 1991*"Shiny Happy People" - R.E.M...
. Minaj commented on the concept of the music video stating "The concept of the video is boy-and-girl relationship drama, you know, all of the intimate stuff as well as the fighting as well as the self-reflecting type stuff. It's basically just a love story told from the perspective of a very hard girl who doesn't want to give in but she has to." A behind-the-scenes video was released on October 4, 2010. The music video was released for digital download on October 28, 2010.
Synopsis
The music video premiered on October 27, 2010 on MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. In the video Willy Monfret, a French Caribbean
French Caribbean
The term French Caribbean varies in meaning with its usage and frame of reference. This ambiguity makes it very different from the term French West Indies, which refers to the specific, formal French possessions in the Caribbean region...
model & DJ, plays opposite of Minaj as her love interest. The opening frame of "Right thru Me" begins with Minaj & Monfret fighting at home after returning from an event. The two argue about whether he's "disrespecting her" by talking behind her back, and he threatens to leave after she breaks a glass in frustration. Then Minaj runs to Monfret before he can leave and apologizes for overreacting and asks him to stay. "You have to trust me, that I did nothing wrong." he whispers to her in a form of comfort. The next scene begins with a title screen saying "Right Thru Me" as the song officially starts. As the song begins, both Minaj and Monfret are seen either in bed touching each other sensually and at the beach walking together. Another fight takes place when Minaj tries to prevent Monfret from driving away by refusing to leave the driver's seat of his car. In between the scenes, frames of Nicki behind a full-length window covered with steam are inserted as she sings the chorus. As the video continues, scenes of Minaj and Monfret are shown in an infinity pool twirling around as Monfret carries Minaj in his arms, embracing each other, while the fight from the opening scene are inserted. The video ends with Minaj continually wiping fog from the glass to sing out the rest of the song.
Reception
On the day of its premier Rap-UpRap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
commented on the music video positively stating, "Hip-hop’s Barbie, who trades in her colorful wigs for a more natural look, shows off her acting chops as she argues with her man." James Montgomery of MTV Buzzworthy
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
reviewed the music video during a behind a scenes look, stating "Yes, from her vast collection of neon wigs to her closet full of skintight outfits, Nicki is rarely, if ever, subtle. But in her upcoming video for 'Right Thru Me,' all of that has changed. Gone are the Kool-Aid accoutrements and Harajuku Barbie getups, replaced instead with a side of the rapper most of her fans have never seen before: a sensitive, softer one.
On the day of its actual release, Hillary Crosley of MTV News
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
commented on the change in pace for Minaj in the video stating, "You can take the girl out of Queens, but you can't take the Queens out of the girl. Nicki Minaj premiered her stripped-down video for 'Right Thru Me' on MTV Wednesday (October 27), and it is quite a departure from her boisterous 'Check It Out' video that debuted Tuesday. Instead of blond hair and futuristic outfits, Nicki looks like she's about to walk down Jamaica Avenue in 50 Cent's hometown." An Idolator writer also gave the song a positive review stating "Our favorite thing about Nicki Minaj? Is it the kaleidoscopic fashion? Her obsession with toys? Or her flat-out astounding skills on the mic? While Nicki has blessed us with many things, perhaps our favorite thing about her is that she continues to surprise us. Witness: just two days after laughing it up in a cartoonish clip with will.i.am, she returns with what has to be her heaviest performance ever (yes, more so than Stuck On Broke) — watch her in a rare moment of vulnerability as she plays a disrespected woman in the just-premiered, 'borderline romantic' 'Right Thru Me'. Watch Nicki get personal."
Ed Easton Jr. of 92.3 Now gave the song an extremely positive review, also complimenting Minaj on her change in pace stating, "The flow of the song matches perfectly with the video – even though Nicki wasn’t “Barbied-Up” she still possesses that glow from her we’ve all grown to love. The video may not be filled with her signature random Japanese/Korean culture references or special effects but was still interesting to watch and definitely kept my attention. In all the video was a breath of fresh air for Minaj, bringing her image a little more down to earth for her fans so it deserves a 9 out of 10."
Live performances
Minaj performed "Right Thru Me" on The Wendy Williams ShowThe Wendy Williams Show
The Wendy Williams Show is a syndicated talk show hosted by Wendy Williams that premiered on July 14, 2008, as six-week sneak peek, in Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York City. The test run was picked up for a full season that began its run on July 13, 2009 in over 70% of the country in...
on November 17, on Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
on November 18, 2010, and again on Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
on November 29, 2010. She later performed the track on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
on January 29, 2011.
Chart history
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Urban Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
38 |
Radio dates and release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | September 24, 2010 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
| October 5, 2010 | Urban & Rhythmic radio | |
| November 2, 2010 | Mainstream radio | |
| United Kingdom | November 28, 2010 | Digital download |