Track Review: Nicki Minaj & Lil Baby, "Do We Have A Problem?"

She's back. In the time since Nicki Minaj has released music as a lead artist, she's given birth to a son affectionately nicknamed "Papa Bear," been on the receiving end of an intimidation and harassment lawsuit, and released collaborations with BIA, Jesy Nelson, Elton John, Drake, and Lil Wayne.

As the 2021 Bulletin Awards nominee (Best Collaboration, "Seeing Green") previews her upcoming fifth studio album, she joins forces with Lil Baby for the first taste of new music. "Do We Have A Problem," the first of two new Lil Baby collaborations, is an ambitious record that ultimately pays off. Over an ominous trap foundation complete with cascading synth-laden strings, Nicki bobs and weaves through countless flows as she delivers trademark double entendres, cheeky punchlines, and tributes to fallen young rappers and former collaborators Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD. Nicki masterfully handles the beat as she uses different elements of Papi Yerr's production to jump-start different flows. Lyrically, "Do We Have A Problem" is a departure from the overtly sexual bars that bookmarked verses like the ones she delivered on BIA's "Whole Lotta Money" remix. Nicki and Lil Baby stick to a storied, but reliable, lyrical lane of guns, ending beefs, and catching opps. In that vein, Lil Baby's verse is commendable; it's not as great as some of his 2021 verses, but it's always a treat to hear him rap alongside some of mainstream rap's strongest A-List emcees.

"Do We Have A Problem's" primary issue is the production. The looped synth riff gets annoying quite quickly, and the track would have benefitted from stronger bass and more punchy percussion. Some tweaks in production could have possibly inspired Nicki to speed up her own delivery and match the energy that Baby brought with his verse. Nonetheless, there's a nice balance that the pair strike which adds its own special kind of magic. There's also the distorted half-speed repetition of the "steak/outback" bar that feels heavy-handed. It's an inarguably great display of lyrical prowess that stands stronger on its own instead of forcing emphasis onto the listener. This single finds Nicki leaning heavily into Lil Baby's sonic territory. It's always a gamble to move away from your own comfort zone, but Nicki flexes a dexterity on this track that once again reminds us of her versatility and ability to sound at home on almost any beat. She even includes some of her own sonic trademarks (singing, to be specific) in ways that feel more tasteful than she's done in the past.

Not everything about this new single clicks, but it's a respectable return to the scene that sets up even more intrigue for the next Baby x Barbie link-up.

Score: 65