Encore '07
Nicki Minaj Lyrics

Thank you
Opening gratitude.

Thank you for comin' out tonight
Acknowledging the audience's presence.

Ladies and gentlemen
Welcoming everyone in attendance.

I am the president of Dirty Money Records
Identifying oneself as the head of a record label.

(What the hell are you waiting for?)
Urging the audience to participate.

New York city
Identifying the location.

Who you know fresher than Nick?
Asking a rhetorical question about one's superiority.

Riddle me that
Challenging the listener.

Mami you itty bitty can't mirror me back
Pointing out the listener's physical inferiority.

Everybody gon' see where I'm lyrically at
Boasting about one's lyrical prowess.

Used to hate Nicki now dey givin' me dat
Reveling in one's newfound success and popularity.

I live and I learn but I wait my turn
Acknowledging personal growth and readiness for opportunities.

I'm always on the run, got weight to burn
Staying busy and focused.

Ease off the gas then I make a turn
Knowing when to slow down and pivot.

Three off the pass they don't play like her
Noticing the competition's inferiority.

Why I can't just be ill?
Expressing frustration about not being fully appreciated.

Why when they see me bitches gotta to go "Ew"?
Noting jealousy and disrespect from others.

Why my lil' nigga still gotta sell krills?
Questioning why others close to the artist aren't successful.

Why I'm this hot and still didn't get a deal?
Expressing confusion about not having the level of success desired.

The rain and the pain I done paid my dues
Acknowledging the hardships and sacrifices made for success.

I'm ready for the game I done laced my shoes
Prepared for action and competition.

Everything I say believe I'm gon' do
Establishing trustworthiness and reliability.

Came out the coop petite with tall boots
Describing one's own unique style and flair.

Can I get an encore I know you want more
Asking for continued support and enthusiasm from the audience.

I know you sick of all them girls, they such a bore
Acknowledging the audience's discontent with other performers.

But it's my time I need you to roar
Asserting one's own importance and deservingness of attention.

After me, there shall be no more
Claiming uniqueness and irreplaceability.

Look what you made me do, look what I made for you
Blaming and crediting external factors for one's current position.

Know when I paid my dues, that I would aim for you
Striving for success and recognition after hard work and dedication.

Straight from the streets of Queens and yet it seems
Highlighting one's roots and background.

The only thing they know is that I push a beam
Acknowledging others' ignorance and lack of understanding about oneself.

All they see's a pretty face, how I ride the base
Noting others' superficial focus on appearance rather than talent.

So I put my hoodie down just to hide my face
Covering up and avoiding attention.

They don't see the tears I cry, the fears I hide
Keeping emotions private and hidden.

Tend to keep my cares inside, it's merely pride
Maintaining a sense of dignity and strength.

Like my grandmother, I wonder if she next to pop
Reflecting on family and mortality.

Said the next time I seen her she would be in a box
Remembering a past conversation with a loved one who has passed away.

Damn she was right, she was dead right
Realizing a loved one's prediction has come true.

How was I to know, that would be her last night?
Dealing with the shock and grief of a loved one's death.

If I could turn back the time
Expressing regret or a desire to undo past actions.

Dear God, somehow could you press rewind?
Turning to a higher power for help or answers.

Won't come when I call, but he just in time
Acknowledging good timing and faith.

So I come when he call like I'm next in line
Responding to opportunity and divine guidance.

When you got something good why the devil gotta ruin it?
Expressing frustration with external obstacles and negativity.

Guess she never know I be the best bitch doing it
Asserting one's own superiority and confidence.

Tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling pressure to conform to others' expectations.

Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Expressing feelings of insecurity and confusion.

Don't know what you're expecting of me
Unclear about others' wants or needs.

Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
Feeling burdened by the expectations or standards of others.

(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Referencing the numbness or disconnection experienced.

Every step that I take is another mistake to you
Feeling judged and criticized for one's actions.

(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Repeating the previous reference to numbness or disconnection.

And every second I waste is more than I can take
Feeling overwhelmed and pressured by time.

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Feeling disconnected from oneself and others.

Become so tired so much more aware
Feeling worn out but more perceptive and introspective.

I'm becoming this all I want to do
Becoming more focused on oneself and personal growth.

Is be more like me and be less like you
Embracing and asserting one's own identity and uniqueness.

Can I get an encore
Repeating the previous request for continued support and enthusiasm from the audience.

I know you want more
Assuming the audience's desire to hear and see more of the artist.

(I've become so numb)
Repeating the previous description of numbness or disconnection.

But it's my time I need ya'll to roar
Reiterating one's own importance and deservingness of attention.

It's my time I need ya'll to roar
Asserting one's own dominance and calling for the audience to follow.