Nicki Minaj drops the third single from his highly-anticipated fourth studio album, ‘Queen.’ On “Bed,” she enlists Ariana Grande for the assist.

Unless something changes (again), Nick Minaj has set the date for her highly-anticipated, fourth studio album, Queen.  The Queen set to arrive *crosses fingers* August 10, 2018.  Since 2017, Minaj has thrown around various singles, with only two making the album as far as we know – “Chun-Li” and the more recently released, raunchy “Rich Sex” featuring Lil Wayne.  That would make “Bed,” featuring a resurgent Ariana Grande, the third single from the album.

“Bed” begins with Ariana Grande singing the intro, which ends up being part of the chorus.  Grande delivers low-key vocals, which are ultimately sung in her lower register.  While she’s not wowing us with that sick upper register, sigh, the results are effective all in all.  The chorus is simple and relatively catchy, but don’t call it the catchiest, most infectious of the year.

“Got a bed wit’ your name on it / Wit’ your name on it / Got a kiss wit’ your name on it / Wit’ your name on it / Love me good, love me down, don’t turn me down / Got a bed wit’ your name on it / Wit’ your name on it.”

But this tropically-infused pop/urban/rap collaboration isn’t about Ms. Grande – it’s about Nicki Minaj.  Minaj pop-raps on a relatively brief first verse, referencing Carter III (from 2008 mind you) and “Back shots to the beat of ‘A Milli’.” The second verse is even more melodic as she references “strawberry lingerie” and of course, the three-letter word. The third and final verse by is the most assertive, eliminating any sense of the melodic and dropping straight-up bars.  For good measure, Minaj serves up an f-bomb, matching the sexually-charged nature of the song and specifically, the verse – you’re welcome.  Returning attention to Ariana Grande, she lets loose more on the final chorus.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “Bed” serves as another enjoyable collaboration between these two stars.  They’ve made magic many times previously – “Bang Bang” (with Jessie J in 2014), “Get on Your Knees” (The Pinkprint, 2014) and “Side to Side” (Dangerous Woman, 2016). “Bed” isn’t game changing, but definitely enjoyable.

Nicki Minaj • Queen • Cash Money • Release: 8.10.18

Photo Credit: Cash Money