Nicki Minaj Producers Reflect On Mega "Pink Friday" Anthem Leak

News: Nicki Minaj Producers Reflect On Mega "Pink Friday" Anthem Leak

Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 10:12AM

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday producers, Pop and Oak, have reflected on the album getting a Grammy nomination in light of initial complications behind its "Your Love" record.

Admitting "Your Love" was originally slated to be a mixtape track, the duo said its unexpected 2010 leak made it an instant smash.

Nicki was super-critical of her performance on the song, but after it eventually leaked at the top of 2010, there was no stopping it -- well, there was one little obstacle to clear. The original leaked version featured a sample of Annie Lennox's 1995 version of "No More I Love You's," but after the U.K. singer wouldn't clear the sample, Pop and Oak had to come up with an alternative. "They didn't let us clear the sample, so the version that leaked wasn't the version that got on the radio. We ended up re-creating it," Oak said. The duo redid the sample a little too well, it seemed. Even after the switch-up, Lennox's lawyers continued to reach out, thinking Nicki's new version of "Your Love" still incorporated the sample. "They thought what they were hearing on the radio was still the master," Oak said. "Annie Lennox thought she was hearing ! herself, which was fly as hell," Pop added. (MTV)

In summer 2010, Minaj even shot a music video for "Your Love."

Love is a battlefield in Nicki Minaj's red-hot video for "Your Love," the No. 1 rap song in the country from her debut album, due November 23. In her latest role, the Harajuku Barbie stars as a samurai-in-training, who falls in love with her master while a jealous peer fights for his affection. Will love conquer all? (Rap-Up)

The track also helped Minaj make history on the Billboard music chart.

'Your Love' is the first single by a female rap artist to top the Rap Songs chart in seven years, with Lil' Kim's 'Magic Stick' featuring 50 Cent serving as the last track to hold the same position back in June 2003 for five consecutive weeks. And while Kim had some male assistance, Missy Elliott is the last female artist to have a solo track top the chart with 'Work It' in November '02. (The Boom Box)

Next month, Minaj will help heat up the Grammy Awards by performing at the annual ceremony.

Nicki Minaj, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars are set to perform at next month's Grammy Awards, it has been announced. Minaj is nominated for four awards at the ceremony, including best new artist and rap album for Pink Friday. Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson have also been announced as performers at the annual event, which takes place on 12 February this year. (BBC)

The 54th Grammy Awards will be televised Sunday, February 12th from Los Angeles.

Check out the "Your Love" music video below: