Nice to Meet Ya (Meghan Trainor song)

"Nice to Meet Ya" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, featuring American rapper Nicki Minaj, for her third major-label studio album Treat Myself (2020). It was written by Trainor, Raul Cubina, Mark Williams, Scott Harris and Minaj, and produced by Ojivolta. The track was released on January 31, 2020, as the third single from the album. Backed by an instrumentation of tingling drums and a hip-hop beat, the pop and R&B song has feel-good and characteristically confident lyrics.

"Nice to Meet Ya"
Remix EP cover
Single by Meghan Trainor featuring Nicki Minaj
from the album Treat Myself
ReleasedJanuary 31, 2020 (2020-01-31)
Recorded2019
Genre
Length3:17
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ojivolta
Meghan Trainor singles chronology
"Wave"
(2019)		 "Nice to Meet Ya"
(2020)		 "Make You Dance"
(2020)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Tusa"
(2019)		 "Nice to Meet Ya"
(2020)		 "Say So (Remix)"
(2020)
Music video
"Nice to Meet Ya" on YouTube

Music critics were mixed in their reception of the song. Commercially, "Nice to Meet Ya" charted at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Trainor's 10th career entry. It also charted in Scotland, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Mathew Cullen directed the music video for "Nice to Meet Ya", which was inspired by Working Girl (1988), and featured Trainor performing dance routines with her female co-workers, and a pink-haired Minaj. Trainor has performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Background

Meghan Trainor delayed her August 2018-scheduled third studio album, Treat Myself, to January 25, 2019, because she wanted to add more songs to it, and removed it from iTunes that month.[1] Trainor wrote a rough demo of "Nice to Meet Ya" and played it for her label, and according to her, all of Epic Records was like "oh my God, this one".[2] She knew right away that the song was going to be a single, describing it as "the flame that [she] need[ed]" and a relative to "No" (2016).[2]

Trainor stated in a January 2020 interview that Treat Myself would be an attempt to make a pop record that feels relevant in an era when hip-hop reigns, adding that she had written four albums worth of material trying to adapt to new trends in the music industry.[3] Regarding her decision to have Nicki Minaj feature on "Nice to Meet Ya", Trainor stated that it was the "coolest thing" ever, adding that she worshipped the former since she was in middle school. According to Trainor, Minaj took the song to an "I'm a boss" level, and it felt "really awesome to be supported like that by awesome legends".[2]

On January 22, 2020, Trainor began teasing the track by using the shaking-hands emoji as a placeholder for it on the track list of its parent album. She confirmed the song title as "Nice to Meet Ya", along with its release date and Minaj as the featured artist, six days later. The song was digitally released on January 31, alongside Treat Myself as the third single from it.[4] It was serviced to hot adult contemporary radio in the United States on February 3, 2020, and mainstream radio in Australia.[5][6] "Nice to Meet Ya" was sent to contemporary hit radio in the former country on February 4, and in Italy on March 20, 2020.[7][8] A Remix EP to promote the song was released on May 22, 2020, featuring remixes of the song by Zookëper and Ape Drums.[9]

Composition

"Nice to Meet Ya" was written by Trainor, Raul Cubina, Mark Williams, Scott Harris and Minaj, with Ojivolta producing it.[10] The song begins with an intro which is whispered by Trainor over bouncy beats and Minaj's grunts,[11] the hip-hop infused song grows into a chorus where the beats pick up.[12] It is a "feel-good" pop and R&B song with a "catchy chorus".[13][14][15] Its production consists of tingling drums and a hip-hop beat.[16][11] Minaj delivers a rap verse which was described as "characteristically confident" by MTV News' Madeline Roth.[17] The verse includes "quotable" lyrics such as "I pop off 'cause I am the reigning champ" and "One minute I'm nice, the next, a monster".[17]

Critical reception

"Nice to Meet Ya" received mixed reviews from critics. Idolator's Mike Nied referred to the song as the type of "self-assured banger" that Trainor and Minaj do "so well".[12] He added that with a predictably fierce verse from the latter, it could become the first chart-dominating hit from the era.[12] Calling it an R&B "bop" vaguely reminiscent of "No", Hannah Mylrea of NME stated that it injects a moment of energy on its parent album.[15] Writing for The Arts Desk, Russ Coffey stated that "Nice to Meet Ya" pulls off outrageous hip-hop beats through its sheer chutzpah.[18] Pitchfork's Dani Blum named the song as the "most tolerable track" on Treat Myself, stating that it is engineered to be a banger but its "whisper of a chorus" is "harsh and irritating" and Minaj's verse is "mediocre".[16] Jessica Brant of PopMatters wrote that it does not deviate sonically as much as it does lyrically, and questioned its feminist message as inauthentic.[19]

Chart performance

"Nice to Meet Ya" charted at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated February 15, 2020, marking Trainor's 10th career entrance.[20] At that time, it also gave Minaj her 107th charting song on the Hot 100, tying her with Kanye West as the artist with the fifth-most entries.[21] The song reached number 88 on the UK Singles Chart.[22] It peaked at number 88 on the Irish Singles Chart, and at number 45 in Scotland.[23][24] "Nice to Meet Ya" reached number 29 on the Australia Digital Tracks chart, and number 13 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart, an extension to the New Zealand Top 40 Singles chart.[25][26]

Promotion

Background

The accompanying music video for "Nice to Meet Ya" was directed by Mathew Cullen. Trainor described the experience of the music video shoot, which was inspired by the American film Working Girl (1988),[27] as "[her] moment", stating that it made her more nervous than being at the Grammys.[28] She added that Minaj was "funny, really chill and hilarious" at the set.[28] Trainor recalled that she had donned a big jacket because she was insecure about her arms, which the rapper asked her to take off. Minaj assured her that she looked good without it, which empowered the singer to "love [herself] in that moment".[29] After completion of the shoot, Trainor cried and hugged crew members in disbelief about having worked with Minaj.[30] The music video was released, to YouTube and Vevo, on January 31, 2020.[31]

Synopsis and reception

The music video depicts Trainor and her female co-workers performing dance routines at a male-dominated office. They sport bright pastel-colored pantsuits and '80s hairstyles, while performing a routine that involves twerking.[17] Minaj is introduced when one of the men reads a business card that says "Boss Bitch Nicki Minaj", and depicts the name of the workplace as "Trainor Industries".[30] The pink-haired rapper delivers her verse in a golden elevator, and is later joined by Trainor at her desk in a pink-colored office. In the final sequence, they are clad in Chanel attire for a business meeting.[14]

The music video received positive reviews from critics. Idolator's Mike Nied wrote that the video is brimming with bold costumes, a bit of choreography and so much personality, adding that it makes the song "even better".[13] Writing for Billboard, Heran Mamo stated that "Trainor Industries", the fictitious workplace in the music video, stayed booked and busy for the successful shoot.[30] Michael Saponara of the same magazine called it an "energetic clip", stating that the outfits in the video make for a pleasing aesthetic.[14] Madeline Roth of MTV News thought that Minaj's pink hairdo ups the "boss bitch" factor of the visuals.[17]

Live performances

On February 6, 2020, Trainor performed the song for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[32] The performance featured a choreographed office space routine, where a group of backup dancers joined the singer to mirror the music video for "Nice to Meet Ya".[33]

Track listing
  1. "Nice to Meet Ya" (featuring Nicki Minaj) – 3:17
  1. "Nice to Meet Ya" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Zookëper Remix) – 2:30
  2. "Nice to Meet Ya" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Ape Drums Remix) – 3:37
  3. "Nice to Meet Ya" (featuring Nicki Minaj) (Spotify bonus track) – 3:17

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album liner notes, Treat Myself (2020).[10]

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[25] 29
Ireland (IRMA)[23] 88
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[26] 13
Scotland (OCC)[24] 45
UK Singles (OCC)[22] 88
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 89
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[35] 26
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[36] 30
US Rolling Stone Top 100[37] 93

Release history
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various January 31, 2020
Original Epic [4]
Australia Mainstream radio [6]
United States February 3, 2020 Hot adult contemporary radio [5]
February 4, 2020 Contemporary hit radio [7]
Italy March 20, 2020 Sony [8]
Various May 22, 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Remixes Epic [9]

References
  1. Nied, Mike (February 4, 2019). "Change Of Plans: Meghan Trainor Announces 'The Love Train' EP". Idolator. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. Caulfield, Keith (April 2, 2020). "Meghan Trainor on Recruiting Nicki Minaj & Pussycat Dolls for 'Treat Myself,' Knowing *This* Song Was 'The Flame'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  3. Feeney, Nolan (January 14, 2020). "Pop Music Is Changing, So Meghan Trainor Did Too". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  4. Mamo, Heran (January 28, 2020). "Meghan Trainor Teases Snippet of New Collab With Nicki Minaj". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  5. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  6. "Singles To Radio". The Music Network. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  7. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  8. "Meghan Trainor 'Nice to Meet Ya' | (Radio Date: 20/03/2020)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  9. "Nice to Meet Ya (The Remixes) [feat. Nicki Minaj] - Single by Meghan Trainor". Apple Music. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  10. Treat Myself (Media notes). Meghan Trainor. Epic Records.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. Wass, Mike (January 28, 2020). "Meghan Trainor Taps Nicki Minaj For 'Nice To Meet Ya'". Idolator. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  12. Nied, Mike (February 3, 2020). "Album Review: Meghan Trainor's 'Treat Myself' Was Worth The Wait". Idolator. Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  13. Nied, Mike (January 31, 2020). "Meghan Trainor & Nicki Minaj Take Over The Workforce In 'Nice To Meet Ya' Video". Idolator. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  14. Saponara, Michael (January 31, 2020). "Meghan Trainor Links Up With Nicki Minaj at the Office for Colorful 'Nice to Meet Ya' Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  15. Mylrea, Hannah (February 3, 2020). "Meghan Trainor – 'Treat Myself' review: pure 'High School Musical' (without the fun basketball scenes)". NME. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  16. Blum, Dani (February 6, 2020). "Meghan Trainor: Treat Myself Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  17. Roth, Madeline (January 31, 2020). "Nicki Minaj Is A Certified 'Boss Bitch' In Meghan Trainor's New Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  18. Coffey, Russ (January 31, 2020). "Meghan Trainor - Treat Myself album review". The Arts Desk. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  19. Brant, Jessica (January 31, 2020). "Meghan Trainor: Treat Myself (album review)". PopMatters. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  20. "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  21. McIntyre, Hugh (February 12, 2020). "Nicki Minaj Ties Kanye West For The Fifth-Most Hot 100 Hits Of All Time". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  22. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  23. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Meghan Trainor". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  24. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  25. "ARIA Australian Top 50 40 Digital Tracks" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. February 10, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  26. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 10, 2020. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  27. Shaffer, Claire (January 31, 2020). "Meghan Trainor, Nicki Minaj Pay Homage to 'Working Girl' in 'Nice to Meet Ya' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  28. Coldestdecember (February 2, 2020). "Meghan Trainor Was Extremely Nervous To Work With Nicki Minaj". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  29. Tuccillo, Andrea (February 6, 2020). "Meghan Trainor reveals how Nicki Minaj empowered her during 'Nice to Meet Ya' video shoot". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  30. Mamo, Heran (February 10, 2020). "Meghan Trainor Cried Happy Tears Over Nicki Minaj Being on 'Nice to Meet Ya'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  31. "Meghan Trainor - Nice to Meet Ya (Official Music Video) ft. Nicki Minaj". Meghan Trainor. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020 – via YouTube.
  32. "Meghan Trainor Covers Selena Gomez, Harry Styles and T-Pain for Musical Challenge on 'Fallon'". Billboard. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  33. Zemler, Emily (February 7, 2020). "Watch Meghan Trainor Perform 'Nice to Meet Ya' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  34. "Nice to Meet Ya (feat. Nicki Minaj) [The Remixes] by Meghan Trainor". Spotify. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  35. "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  36. "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  37. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
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