Nicki Minaj has not succeeded in getting her new single to number one on the UK Singles Chart, which was released earlier today. Her single, “Anaconda,” only managed to make it to number three in the chart, with “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor claiming the top spot after six weeks on the UK Singles Chart. Figures taken six days ago suggested that the two songs would be competing for the top spot in a very close race with “Anaconda” snapping at the heels of Meghan Trainor’s debut single for a number of weeks.
The release of the single seemed to be surrounded with more controversy than hype. The song and music video call into question whether it promotes racism and outright misogyny, or is just a well thought-out rap designed to bring the problems in our society to the forefront of the public’s mind. This video has been central in the argument of whether or not videos displaying viewpoints like this are actually helping music to evolve and change, or whether certain archaic ideas are actually causing music to go backwards. However, all of the controversy doesn’t seem to have affected the sales or popularity of the song, with the music video getting over 237 million views on YouTube.
Also featured on the chart was the single “Bang Bang,” which is a collaboration of Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj, and came in at number two for the second week in a row. Taylor Swift is also staying strong in the charts after eight weeks on it, still claiming the fourth spot. The cover of the classic song “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys, redone by twenty-seven different artists including Sam Smith, One Direction and Sir Elton John, came into the chart at number 20, despite only having been on sale for four days. The music video was unveiled this week to launch the beginning of BBC Music, with all of the proceeds from the sale of the single going toward the charity Children in Need.
Nicki Minaj is set to release her new album, The Pink Print, later on in 2014. It will include the track “Anaconda,” along with several other tracks that she has been writing and recording over the course of the year.