Champion (Nicki Minaj song)

"Champion" is a song by Trinidadian rapper and singer Nicki Minaj featuring Drake, Nas, and Young Jeezy, taken from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012).

"Champion" was written by its performers—Minaj, Aubrey Graham, Jay Jenkins, and Nasir Jones—while the production and additional writing was handled by Pink Friday (2010) collaborators T-Minus and Nikhil Seetharam.

The lyrics speak of each artist's rise to fame, as well as the trials and tribulations that it carries; it references the death of Minaj's cousin, Nicholas Telemaque, who was murdered near his Brooklyn home on July 3, 2011.

[6] Minaj was unsure if he would accept her offer to be featured on "Champion", but after sending him the song, Nas replied back with his verse via e-mail.

[12][13][14] The "anthemic" and "inspiring" song features a low-key, woozy, and snaky production,[11][12][15] accompanied by prominent military-style drums, heavy synths, and rough, hard strewn beats.

Lewis Corner of Digital Spy called them "genuinely heartbreaking", and Alex Macpherson of Fact described them as "undeniably moving".

[15][21][22] Andrew Hampp of Billboard gave the track a positive review, stating Minaj "Sheds light in her journey from struggle to success.

[12] Trent Fitzgerald of Popcrush was positive towards "Champion", calling it the "biggest" song on the album, as well as a noting its potential commercial success.

[7] "Champion" was labeled as the most impressive hardcore hip hop song on the album, as well as being "anthemic" by Andy Gill of The Independent.

[11] In his review of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, 'Nathan S of DJ Booth said: "It has to be said that 'Champion', featuring an excellent Nas verse, is one of Nicki's most engaging tracks in memory, precisely because she drops the posturing and fame-hunting.

[26] Randall Roberts of the Los Angeles Times gave the song a mixed review, highlighting Nas' verse, while mildly criticizing Minaj's.

[28] XXL Magazine stated that "Though many of the early songs [on the album] lack real substance, the records remain generally exciting - 'I Am Your Leader', alongside Rick Ross and Cam'ron, 'Beez in the Trap' with 2 Chainz, and the triumphant 'Champion' featuring Nas, Drake and Young Jeezy are all memorable moments.

"[29] Minaj performed "Champion" for the first time on 106 & Park on April 3, 2012, along with "Roman Reloaded", "HOV Lane", "I Am Your Leader", "Beez in the Trap", "Right by My Side" and "Fire Burns".