If you were anywhere near a radio or a club in 2011, you heard it. That massive, grimy, almost industrial beat. And then, the line that launched a thousand captions: "All these bitches is my sons."
Honestly, Nicki Minaj did it on em lyrics aren't just words; they’re a whole mood that defined an era of female rap. It’s been well over a decade since Pink Friday dropped, yet this track still feels like a fever dream of aggression and pink-hued dominance. Most people think it’s just a song about... well, the title. But there’s a lot more under the hood of this Bangladesh-produced monster.
The Production Behind the Chaos
Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford is the mind behind this beat. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he's the same guy who did Lil Wayne's "A Milli." You can hear the DNA. It’s got that "whirring synth drone" that honestly sounds like a car alarm going off in a warehouse. It’s loud. It’s obnoxious. It’s perfect.
Nicki needed something that could stand up to her Roman Zolanski persona. On the album, this track sits right after "Roman's Revenge," which featured Eminem. That’s a lot of energy to follow. But somehow, "Did It On 'Em" manages to keep that foot on the gas.
The lyrics are famously explicit. Nicki isn't playing nice here. She’s winning over detractors by, quite literally, dismissing them as children. "I'ma go and get some bibs for 'em," she raps. It’s a hilarious image—a rap superstar hand-delivering baby gear to her rivals.
What the Lyrics Actually Mean
People focus on the "shitted on 'em" hook, but the verses are where the technical skill shines. Let's talk about that first verse.
"If I had a dick, I would pull it out and piss on 'em."
That line caused a massive stir. It’s vulgar, sure. But it’s also a power move. She’s adopting the hyper-masculine bravado of 90s gangsta rap and flipping it. She’s saying she doesn't need to play by the "Barbie" rules. She can be just as gross and just as arrogant as the guys.
Then you’ve got the wordplay. "Just let them bums blow steam, radiator." It’s simple, but it works. She’s calling her competition "bums" and "radiators" in one breath.
The Sonning Phenomenon
Nicki basically popularized the term "sonning" for a new generation. When she says, "You ain't my son, you my motherfucking step-son," she’s establishing a hierarchy. In the rap world, being someone's "son" means they birthed your style. They are the blueprint; you are the copy. By calling everyone her "step-son," she’s adding an extra layer of detachment. You’re not even biologically related to her greatness.
👉 See also: Finding That Specific Slipknot CD Song List: Why the Tracklists Always Change
The Music Video and the Fans
The music video for "Did It On 'Em" isn't a high-budget cinematic masterpiece like "Super Bass." It’s a "thank you" to the Barbz. Directed by DJ Scoob Doo, it’s a montage of the I Am Still Music tour.
You see everything:
- Nicki signing fans' chests (yes, really).
- Backstage hangs with Drake and Lil Wayne.
- Candid shots of her various wigs—the Marge Simpson beehive, the platinum blonde, the Bettie Page bangs.
- The raw energy of her live shows.
It’s personal. It feels like a home movie from the top of the world. At the time, she was the only woman at the table in mainstream rap. This video captured that lightning in a bottle.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Rolling Stone put this song at number 25 on their "50 Best Songs of 2010" list. They called it a "hazy, synapse-butchering throwdown." That's a pretty accurate description of how it feels to listen to it at full volume.
🔗 Read more: Land of Illusion Middletown Ohio: Why It’s Not Just Your Average Haunted House
The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It wasn't just a niche fan favorite; it was a legitimate hit. It proved that Nicki didn't have to make pop songs like "Starships" to win. She could be "dirty Nicki" and still dominate the charts.
The "number twos in the air" line became a staple at her shows. It’s a weird, gross, and iconic call-to-action that only Nicki could pull off. She turned a bathroom metaphor into a symbol of triumph.
Why It Still Matters Today
In 2026, the landscape of female rap is huge. We have so many voices now. But in 2010? It was mostly just Nicki. "Did It On 'Em" was her flag-planting moment. It was her saying, "I’m not just a pop star; I’m a rapper’s rapper."
If you’re trying to understand the DNA of modern "flex" rap, you have to go back to this track. It’s arrogant. It’s weird. It’s unapologetic.
✨ Don't miss: Longmire Season Five Cast: Why the Chemistry Finally Boiled Over
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators:
- Analyze the Tone: If you're a songwriter, look at how Nicki uses contrasting imagery (babies vs. violence) to create tension.
- Study the Beat: Producers should look at how Bangladesh uses silence and "ugly" sounds to create a compelling rhythm.
- Check the Credits: Always look at the liner notes. Seeing Safaree Samuels credited on additional vocals and as a songwriter gives context to that era of Nicki's career.
- Watch the Live Footage: To truly get the song, watch the live performances from 2011. The energy explains why the lyrics landed so hard.
Go back and listen to the track again. Pay attention to the way she contorts her voice on the "Cher" and "Nair" lines. It's a masterclass in vocal performance that goes way beyond just reciting lyrics.