Honestly, when Nicki Minaj hopped on Skillibeng’s Crocodile Teeth, the internet basically lost its mind. It was May 2021. The world was still shakey, and then suddenly, this haunting, piano-driven dancehall track drops with a Queen Sleeze verse that felt like a sharp left turn.
But here is the thing.
If you aren't plugged into Jamaican culture or the specifics of dancehall slang, you probably heard the phrase crocodile teeth and thought of, well, actual reptiles. Maybe a National Geographic special? Or just some weird fashion choice?
Nope. Not even close.
The Real Story Behind Crocodile Teeth Nicki Minaj Lyrics
When Skillibeng raps about being "fulla crocodile teeth," he isn't talking about his dental work or a literal swamp. He’s talking about weaponry. Specifically, the high-capacity magazines used in rifles.
These clips, often holding 50 to 100 rounds, are filled with bullets that, when lined up, look exactly like the jagged, terrifying rows of a crocodile’s maw. It is a grim, aggressive metaphor that fits the "trap-hall" subgenre Skillibeng helped pioneer.
Nicki knew exactly what she was doing by jumping on this remix. She has always been vocal about her Trinidadian roots, and her flow on this track is a masterclass in code-switching. She weaves between her standard New York rap delivery and a sharp, biting Patois that matches Skillibeng’s energy perfectly.
Why the "Crocodile Teeth" Remix Still Matters
It wasn't just another feature. This was a strategic cultural moment.
By the time the remix dropped as part of her Beam Me Up Scotty re-release on streaming platforms, Skillibeng was already the hottest thing coming out of St. Thomas, Jamaica. Nicki didn't just add a verse; she validated a specific sound that was bubbling in the underground and pushed it into the Billboard Hot 100.
A lot of people think she just "showed up." They’re wrong.
She studied the cadence. If you listen closely to the crocodile teeth Nicki Minaj lyrics, she starts with a classic flex:
"First thing I'ma do when I pop out is tell my nigga, 'Yo, make sure you got the Glock out.'"
It’s simple. It’s effective. It’s Nicki. But then she pivots.
She moves into lines like, "Dem bright, fuck I look like in your eyesight?" and "Gyal ah try but it nuh quite right." This isn't just a rapper trying to sound Caribbean for a paycheck. This is a woman who grew up with this dialect in her household. She’s mocking the "corny" rappers who don't have her type of "hype" or her "shooter" who doesn't miss.
Breaking Down the Patois and Slang
If you're reading the lyrics on a standard site, you might see words like "unnu," "grimy," or "rahtid." For the uninitiated, here is the quick breakdown of what is actually happening in the song:
- Unnu/Unnuh: This basically means "you all" or "y'all."
- Grimy: In this context, it’s about being tough, street-hardened, or "about that life."
- Rahtid: An exclamation of surprise or emphasis. It’s like saying "damn" or "wow."
- EastSyde: This is Skillibeng’s crew and his hometown movement.
When Nicki says "If it's a calm flex, then I bring the Crocs out," she’s playing with the "crocodile" theme of the song. It’s a double entendre. She’s literally talking about the shoes (the calm flex) but also nodding to the "teeth" (the weapons) that the title refers to.
It is these layers that make the track work.
The Impact on Dancehall
Skillibeng’s original version was already a massive hit in the streets. Drake had already given it a shoutout on OVO Radio. But the Nicki effect is real.
The remix debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100. That might not sound like "Super Bass" numbers, but for a raw, uncompromising dancehall track with heavy Patois, it was a massive win for the genre. It proved that the US market was finally ready to stop "watering down" Caribbean music for radio play.
Common Misconceptions About the Lyrics
Some fans on Reddit and Twitter initially thought Nicki was dissing someone specific with the "cropped out" lines.
"They don't get the big picture, they get cropped out."
While Nicki loves a good subliminal, this was more of a general "stay in your lane" message. She was reminding the industry that while other "bitches" might have "dropped out," she’s still the one bringing "The Lox" out (a reference to the legendary Yonkers rap trio) and selling out "headline tours."
The song isn't about a specific beef. It’s about dominance.
What You Should Do Next
To really appreciate the crocodile teeth Nicki Minaj lyrics, you have to listen to the original Skillibeng version first.
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- Listen for the "Chopstick" line: Skillibeng uses this to refer to rifles (long and thin like chopsticks).
- Watch the energy shift: Notice how Nicki slows down her usually frantic "Barbie" persona to match the "grimy" piano loop.
- Check the credits: Notice names like Johnny Wonder and Adde Instrumental. These are the architects of that specific, eerie sound.
The best way to "get" the song is to stop looking for a pop hook. There isn't one. It’s a mood. It’s an atmosphere. It’s a reminder that Nicki Minaj can still out-rap almost anyone when she decides to go back to her roots.
If you want to dive deeper into her dancehall catalog, look up her features on tracks with Beenie Man or her earlier "Lollipop" remixes. You'll see that "Crocodile Teeth" wasn't a fluke—it was a homecoming.
To fully grasp the cultural weight of this track, compare the remix's chart performance to other dancehall-pop crossovers of the last decade. You will find that few managed to keep the "street" credibility of the original as well as Nicki did here. Pay close attention to the way the bass interacts with her vocal delivery; it is designed for soundsystems, not just iPhone speakers.