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Nicki Minaj Plays It Safe with “MEGATRON”

Nicki Minaj is a voracious rapper on any song, but she hasn't been able to put out anything innovative or captivating since 2014's The Pinkprint.

Nicki Minaj is throwing her hat into the ring for the song of the summer— and if her Barbz have anything to say about it, it's a big contender.

On "Megatron," Minaj stays in her element with an airy vibe. The Caribbean-inspired beat highlights the rapper's clever lyricism and bitey flow. Her first single post-Queen, "Megatron" validates that Minaj has already proven her abilities as a singular rapper. However, despite her skills, the "Queen of Rap" is still struggling to maintain relevance and reinvent the wheel.

The seductive, glossy video for "Megatron" is reminiscent of the bootylicious jungle in "Anaconda"—but the song, while great, demonstrates that Minaj hasn't progressed much as an artist since then. "Megatron" could've been released in 2015; if it had been, Minaj would've seemed edgy and ahead of her time. Unfortunately, nowadays, island-inspired, hip-swaying music has been overdone in popular music ever since Rihanna's "Work."

Still, the music video incorporates all of today's popular elements of futuristic, colorful, and inviting visuals. The video successfully adds to the playful, seductive energy of "Megatron." It perfectly captures how Minaj wants to be perceived, regardless of how unchanged and outdated her public image becomes.

Nicki Minaj may be in a realm of her own when it comes to her sound and style, as she's cultivated a voice that's instantly recognizable and sharp. Even though she comes packing with ingenious wordplay, a unique flow, and entertaining production, she hasn't been able to deliver anything as inspiring and cohesive as 2014's The Pinkprint. Yet, there's no doubt people will be bumping to the loose, sexy "Megatron" this summer, and maybe that's just what she needs to launch a second wave of relevance.