When talking about the OG rappers in the hip-hop game alive today, three big names we cannot forget are Lil Wayne, Drake, and of course, Nicki Minaj. While Nicki Minaj’s re-released ‘Beam Up Scotty’ mixtape has all three aplenty, the track “Seeing Green” is the only one where all three touches base.
Nicki Minaj re-released her iconic 2009 mixtape ‘Beam Up Scotty’ on May 14, 2021, with three brand new tracks; “Seeing Green,” “Fractions,” and a remix of “Crocodile Teeth.” This is Nicki Minaj’s major release since her 2018 album ‘Queen.’
“Seeing Green” is definitely a prominent track on the re-released album which not only reunites the Young Money artists but also as a track asserting Nicki’s dominance in the rap game. “The K-I-N-G, the G.O.A.T., plus me, the Queen,” sings Nicki in her verse.
Nicki Minaj also wrote about the track in a letter to the fans; “It’s so important to go back to basics for me. This world of smoke and mirrors can blind you. Be careful. Always important to step back & just really observe.”
Listen to “Seeing Green” by Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne & Drake
“Seeing Green” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Something all three verses by three artists have in common is about their journey from nothing to having everything. Now they are literally on the top of fame and fortune, all they see is green AKA cash around them.
Verse 1: Lil Wayne
In the first verse by Lil Wayne, he raps about how he enjoys a life of absolute luxury now. But it wasn’t like that in the beginning. He mentions how he had to keep a pistol by his side in the early days because his life was always threatened. He mentions how he had to protect his life ever before he thought of getting those iconic tattoos that define Lil Wayne. Later in the verse, he also tells us that he has a close relationship with his .44 magnum pistol.
Alluding to his wealth, Lil Wayne speaks about his love for Gucci products–even things that don’t necessarily need to be Gucci, such as Gucci soft toys. But when you do see green everywhere, Gucci looks like the Dollar Store.
More iconic is Lil Wayne shouting out to Drake saying “Free Drizzy.” Wayne says that Canada has him locked down within borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this is a ‘thank you’ of sorts to Drake by Lil Wayne for Drake also shouted “First thing I’ma do is free Weezy, go” in his 2009 track “Ignant Sh*t.” During this period, Lil Wayne was facing prison charges for possession of a pistol and drugs. He was sentenced to one year in prison in 2010.
Verse 2: Nicki Minaj
In the second verse on “Seeing Green” by Nicki Minaj, she goes hardcore on to preserve her spot as the #1 female artist in the rap and hip-hop game (recently threatened by the likes of Cardi B). She sings about how she is, still, the star in every room she walks in. And how she keeps her life and work privately because everyone else tries to steal her recipes for success.
Nicki Minaj also flashes her green in these lyrics as she sings about her favorite Dolce & Gabbana wallet and her price possession–the Maserati.
Towards the latter part of the verse, she hints at the ongoing feud with Cardi B. However, Nicki says that she has no competition in the game with any individual artists. But rather with corporations who have deep pockets and will spend enough money to replace Nicki with some new and upcoming artists.
Towards the end of the verse, Nicki Minaj shouts out to her collaborators on the track Drake and Lil Wayne. She calls Drake the ‘King’ and Lil Wayne the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). She also calls herself Queen, a frequent pronoun she has used for herself.
Break: Drake
Drake jumps in with some words of advice for all the fans.
You know, one of the perils of makin’ money is
You can afford to be dramatic
Y’all some drama queens, for real
Before his verse begins, Drake also shouts out to Youg Money Cash Money Billionaires (YMCMB) artists; Tunechi Lee, Young Angel, and Young Lion, AKA Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake respectively.
Verse 3: Drake
As usual, Drake drops some lyrics of motivation as he sings that he has received more awards than he has used toothbrushes in his life. He also tells us that he will continue to do what he loves–music, until the day the Pearly Gates of Heaven open up for him.
Drake also seems to address the controversy surrounding himself, Jamie Sun, and Naomi Sharon. It is rumored that Drake flew both Jamie Sun and Naomi Sharon to Toronto to work on Drake’s new album ‘Certified Lover Boy’ and slept with Naomi Sharon. Naomi and Jamie Sun were in a relationship for 8 years at this time.
Jamie Sun posted on Instagram; “I am no longer with the person people think I am together with / I am no longer with the 8 years I thought I was together with.”
Drake sings (or mocks); “Known her eight years and still f*ck her like a new husband.” To add insult to injury, Drake also sings; “All meetings happen in person, so they can’t prove nothin.”
Drake also has some warnings for people who try to come to his throne. He says that he cannot be touched at the top of the summit of success. Anyone who tries to attack him will only be hyping him up further. There is a certain level of success where you just cannot be touched–the same level enjoyed by Eminem. The word ‘competition’ just doesn’t exist at this level.
Trust, it’s all fun and games until I wanna play too
Drake ends his verse by saying that none of the things he has accomplished is a mirage, nor a facade. It’s all real and permanent, just like the greens that he surrounds himself with.
“Seeing Green” is one of those classic hip hop collaborations that just clicks. Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics on Genius.