Let's be real for a second. If you grew up in the 2010s, you probably remember exactly where you were when you first heard that massive, sirens-and-thump beat. It wasn't just a song; it was a whole mood. I’m talking about shitted on em nicki minaj—or as the official tracklist calls it, "Did It On 'Em."
It’s loud. It’s gross. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Honestly, the track is a masterclass in what happens when you let a rapper truly go off the rails in the best way possible. Released as the sixth single from her debut studio album, Pink Friday, the song didn't just climb the charts; it cemented Nicki’s place as a lyrical heavyweight who wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Or, well, you know.
The Story Behind the Chaos
Back in 2010, Nicki was doing this cool thing called the "Pink Friday Diaries" on iTunes Ping. Remember Ping? Yeah, neither does anyone else, but the lore she dropped there was gold. She described shitted on em nicki minaj as a "ball of cocky arrogant diva bitchy insanity."
She basically said the energy comes from mixing a "cute ghetto girl" with the "Queen of England." That’s the most Nicki Minaj description of a song ever.
The track follows "Roman's Revenge" on the album, which is already a high-bar for aggression. But while "Roman's Revenge" is a theatrical duel, shitted on em nicki minaj is more like a victory lap through a mud pit.
The production? That was all Shondrae "Mr. Bangladesh" Crawford. If the beat sounds familiar, it's because Bangladesh has a signature "ugly-beautiful" style—think Lil Wayne’s "A Milli" or Ludacris’s "What's Your Fantasy." He used these whirring synth drones that sound like a car alarm going off in a parking garage. It’s grating, it’s heavy, and it’s perfect for Nicki to spit over.
Breaking Down Those Viral Lyrics
You can't talk about this song without talking about the "sons."
"All these bitches is my sons."
It’s one of the most quoted lines in rap history. She wasn't just talking about being better; she was claiming motherhood over the entire female rap game at the time. She even goes as far as saying she’d get "bibs for 'em" and "formula." It’s condescending, funny, and incredibly effective.
Then there’s the line that made everyone double-take: "If I had a dick, I would pull it out and piss on 'em."
Talk about a power move.
She’s basically saying she doesn't need to play by "feminine" rules to dominate a male-dominated genre. She can out-gross the guys and still look better doing it. Safaree Samuels (SB) pops up on the track too, adding those background ad-libs that really flesh out the "Earthquake" feel of the hook.
Why It Still Matters Today
Critics actually loved it, which is kind of funny considering how vulgar it is. Pitchfork called it the best track on the album. Rolling Stone put it at number 25 on their best songs of 2010 list. They called it a "hazy, synapse-butchering throwdown."
But the real reason shitted on em nicki minaj sticks around is its cultural footprint.
- The Numbers: It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
- The Impact: It gave birth to the "put your number twos in the air" concert moment.
- The Longevity: It’s certified Gold in the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
The music video, directed by DJ Scoob Doo, was a gift to the fans. It wasn't some high-concept cinematic piece; it was raw footage from the I Am Still Music Tour. You see her backstage with Drake and Lil Wayne, signing fans' chests, and performing to packed arenas. It showed the reality of her "shitting on 'em"—she was actually winning.
Common Misconceptions
People sometimes think the song is just about being gross for the sake of it. It’s not.
If you look at the landscape of 2010, female rappers were being told to be pop stars or stay in a very specific "sexy" lane. Nicki decided to be the "Terminator." She uses words like "perminator" and references Cher and Nair. It’s quirky, weird, and displays a level of lyricism that most pop-leaning rappers wouldn't touch.
She also clarifies her "stripper" past in the diaries, mentioning she worked under the name "Whole Lotta Minaj" back in 2004. This song is her way of saying she came from the bottom and now she can afford to be as "crusty" (her word for her haters) as she wants to be.
How to Experience the Track Now
If you’re revisiting the Pink Friday era or just discovering why the Barbz are so loyal, don't just stream the radio edit. You need the full version to hear the "earthquake" in the bass.
Actionable Steps for the True Fan:
- Check the Credits: Look for the work of Ariel Chobaz, the engineer who managed to make that messy Bangladesh beat sound crisp enough for car speakers.
- Watch the Tour Footage: The official music video on YouTube gives you a better sense of the Young Money era energy than any documentary could.
- Compare it to "Big Foot": If you want to see how her diss-track style has evolved (or shifted), listen to this 2010 classic back-to-back with her 2024 releases. You’ll notice the 2010 version relies much more on "pretzel-shaped" vocal contortions.
This song remains a foundational brick in the house that Nicki built. It’s a reminder that sometimes, to get to the top, you have to be willing to get a little bit messy.