Honestly, if you've been on the internet for more than five minutes, you know Nicki Minaj doesn't do "subtle." She's the queen of saying the quiet parts out loud. But there’s one specific lyrical moment that still makes people double-take even years later. I’m talking about the 2014 hit "Feeling Myself" with Beyoncé. It’s the track that basically birthed a thousand captions, but it also contains one of the most direct references to female pleasure in mainstream hip-hop history.
People still argue about it. Was it a metaphor? Was it literal?
Most fans point to the line where she mentions a "jack rabbit." For the uninitiated, that's not a reference to a fast animal. It’s a very specific, very famous type of adult toy. When Nicki raps, "I'm feelin' myself, jack rabbit," she isn't just talking about her ego. She’s talking about autonomy.
Why the "Feeling Myself" Lyrics Still Spark Debate
It’s kinda wild how much staying power this song has. In the mid-2010s, female rappers were definitely sexual, but they were often sexualized for someone else. Nicki flipped the script. She made it about her own time, her own space, and her own satisfaction.
The term "jerking off" is usually associated with guys, right? It’s a crude, casual phrase. But in the context of Nicki Minaj, the conversation shifts toward "self-service" as a form of power. She’s said in interviews, specifically with Vogue around The Pinkprint era, that she wants women to be "bosses" and "go-getters." Part of that, in her world, is owning your body without needing a man’s permission or presence.
The Double Meaning You Might Have Missed
You’ve gotta look at the wordplay. Nicki often uses "feelin' myself" as a triple entendre:
- Confidence: Looking in the mirror and loving the fit.
- Success: Knowing she’s the best rapper in the room.
- Physicality: The literal act of self-pleasure.
There’s a line in her older track "Come on a Cone" where she says, "I'm not masturbatin', but I'm feelin' myself." Fast forward to the Beyoncé collab, and the "jack rabbit" line suggests she stopped caring about the disclaimer. She just owned it.
The Cultural Impact of the "Pinkprint" Era
When The Pinkprint dropped, it was a pivot. It wasn't all "Super Bass" glitter. It was raw. Songs like "Get on Your Knees" and "Only" pushed buttons, but "Feeling Myself" was different because it felt like a private moment shared between two of the biggest women in the world.
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Critics at the time, including writers for Audiofemme, noted that this was a "weird middle stage" for pop culture. We were moving away from female masturbation being a "scandalous" secret and toward it being a "bold" artistic choice. Nicki didn't treat it like a big, dark secret. She treated it like a Tuesday.
What Fans Get Wrong About Her Intent
Some people think these lyrics are just there to shock. That's a bit shallow. If you look at Nicki’s trajectory through 2024 and 2025, she’s become increasingly vocal about "reclaiming" her image. Whether it’s her recent feuds with SZA or her viral "High School" stiletto challenge on TikTok, she’s always about control.
When she raps about sexual acts or self-pleasure, she’s usually the one in the driver's seat. Think about the "Anaconda" video. Drake is literally a prop in that lap dance. He’s not allowed to touch. She’s the one moving. She’s the one in charge. That same energy applies to her lyrics about being alone.
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The Evolution into 2026
We’re seeing a different Nicki now. She’s leaning into her "Pink Friday 2" era, balancing being a mother with being the "Queen of Rap." But the "Barbz" (her fan base) still go back to those 2014-2018 tracks because they represent a specific kind of liberation.
It’s not just about the act itself. It’s about the fact that she didn't feel the need to hide it. In a world where female artists are often picked apart for being "too much" or "too little," Nicki’s stance on self-pleasure was basically her saying: "I don't need you to enjoy myself."
Actionable Insights for the "Barbz" and Music Fans
If you're trying to understand the deeper layers of Nicki's discography, don't just listen to the radio edits. Look at how she uses sexual autonomy as a metaphor for business independence.
- Listen for the "Boss" Mentality: Notice how her most explicit songs often overlap with her most "business-heavy" lyrics. Power in the bedroom = power in the boardroom.
- Check the Collaborations: See how she interacts with other women (like Megan Thee Stallion before the beef, or Beyoncé). These tracks are often about collective female strength.
- Analyze the Visuals: Watch the "Feeling Myself" video. It’s not a club scene; it’s two friends eating burgers and hanging out. It recontextualizes the "sexy" lyrics into a "lifestyle" vibe.
Ultimately, whether she's talking about a "jack rabbit" or just her own reflection, the message is the same: stay in control of your own narrative.
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Next Steps:
If you want to dive deeper into the history of these lyrics, go back and listen to The Pinkprint from start to finish. Pay attention to the transition from the vulnerable tracks like "Pills N Potions" to the high-energy "Feeling Myself." It shows the full spectrum of how she views herself—not just as a performer, but as a person who doesn't need external validation to feel complete.