Alone (Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj song) explained

Alone
Type:single
Cover:Kim Petras - Alone.png
Border:yes
Artist:Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj
Album:Feed the Beast
Genre:
Length:3:05
Label:
Producer:
Chronology:Kim Petras
Prev Title:If Jesus Was a Rockstar
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Stars Are Blind (Paris' Version)
Next Year:2023

"Alone" is a song by German singer Kim Petras and Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj.[1] It was released on 21 April 2023 through Amigo Records and Republic Records as the lead and only single from Petras' debut studio album, Feed the Beast (2023).[2] The song was produced by Dr Luke and Rocco Did It Again!. The song became a top 40 hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Slovakia.

Background

Petras' admiration for the rapper dates back as far as 2011.[3] First speculations about a collaboration arose in early March 2023, after Petras started commenting on Minaj's Instagram.[4] In an interview with Billboard, the singer also mentioned Minaj as part of her dream girl group.[5] On 9 March and 15 March, Petras posted snippets of the song to her TikTok account.[6] The singer announced the collaboration with Minaj on 6 April.[7] She is seen answering a phone and lip-synching over Minaj's part of the song.[8] The song samples "Better Off Alone" (1999) by Alice Deejay.[9] Musically, it has been described as a dance track.[10] [11] [12]

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by Arrad. They stated: "Inspiration was drawn from the quintessential early 2000s Europop music videos by artists such as Fedde Le Grand and Alex Gaudino."[13]

Petras stated: "I wanted a really German techy vibe, and was so happy Nicki was down. The harness was custom made by Zana Bayne."[14]

Critical reception

"Alone" received generally positive reviews from critics. Tyler Damara Kelly of Line of Best Fit described the song as a "club-ready dance-pop track" that "elevates Petras’ penchant for glossy hooks with Minaj’s effortless rap verses."[3] Jeff Nelson from People praised the track for sampling the iconic 1999 hit "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay and called it "an infectious bop that blends nostalgic dance with a modern twist."[15] Charlotte Manning of Attitude wrote that Petras and Minaj "absolutely deliver" on the "ultimate dance banger" and highlighted the song’s catchy beat and Minaj’s "spicy verse."[16] In a review for Euphoria, Nmesoma Okechukwu commended the collaboration for delivering "undeniable chemistry between Petras and Minaj," noting that "Alone" is a "catchy dance-pop anthem" destined for club and radio success.[17]

On the other hand, some critics were more critical of the song. Mosi Reeves of Rolling Stone pointed out that while Minaj's performance was strong, the track’s "repetitive hooks" and "overly polished production" lacked the originality found in both artists' previous works.[18] Mano Sundaresan of NPR criticized the track for being "void of personality" and called Minaj's verse "a well-worn rhyme scheme with platitudes about money and private jets." Sundaresan concluded that the collaboration between Petras and Minaj ultimately didn't live up to its promise.[19]

Track listing

Streaming/digital download – single[20]

  1. "Alone" – 3:05
  2. "Alone" (a cappella) – 3:04
  3. "Alone" (extended) – 4:01

Streaming/digital download – sped up and slowed version[21]

  1. "Alone" (sped up) – 2:35
  2. "Alone" (slowed) – 3:23

Streaming/digital download – remixes[22]

  1. "Alone" – 3:05
  2. "Alone" (2.0) – 3:05
  3. "Alone" (DallasK remix) – 3:41
  4. "Alone" (Alex Chapman remix) – 3:22
  5. "Alone" (Tommie Sunshine & On Deck remix) – 5:10
  6. "Alone" (extended) – 4:01
  7. "Alone" (sped up) – 2:35
  8. "Alone" (slowed) – 3:23
  9. "Alone" (a cappella) – 3:04
  10. "Alone" (instrumental) – 3:04

Streaming/digital download – James Hype remix[23]

  1. "Alone" (James Hype remix) – 3:00

Streaming/digital download – Major Lazer remix[24]

  1. "Alone" (Major Lazer remix) – 2:48

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023-2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatia (HRT)[25] 71
Greece International (IFPI)[26] 77
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[27] 9
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[28] 4
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[29] 43
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[30] 17

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[31] 30

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatVersionLabel
Various21 April 2023Single
25 April 2023Single EP
27 April 2023Sped Up + Slowed
24 May 2023Remix album
16 June 2023James Hype remix
22 June 2023Major Lazer remix

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kim Petras Samples Iconic Dance Song for New Nicki Minaj Collab: 'I Wanted to Be a Raver' as a Kid. Nelson. Martin. People. 21 April 2023. 24 May 2023.
  2. Web site: 4 May 2023 . Kim Petras On "Torturing" Her Friends, Surprising Sam Smith & Epic Album Announce . 23 May 2023 . . YouTube.
  3. Web site: Kim Petras announces new single "Alone" featuring Nicki Minaj. Kelly. Tyler Damara. Line of Best Fit. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407153406/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/kim-petras-announces-new-single-alone-featuring-nicki-minaj. live.
  4. Web site: Kim Petras to release new song 'Alone' featuring Nicki Minaj. Martin. Annie. UPI. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023.
  5. Kim Petras Reveals Her Dream Girl Group: Cher, Nicki Minaj & More Billboard. Billboard. 6 April 2023. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407161020/https://www.billboard.com/video/kim-petras-reveals-her-dream-girl-group-cher-nicki-minaj-billboard/. live.
  6. Web site: Kim Petras shares snippet of new track "Alone" that samples Alice Deejay's "Better Off Alone". Kenneally. Cerys. Line of Best Fit. 16 March 2023. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407161020/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/kim-petras-shares-snippet-of-new-track-alone-that-samples-alice-deejays-better-off-alone. live.
  7. Kim Petras Teases New Collab 'Alone' With Nicki Minaj: Find Out When It Drops. Rowley. Glenn. Billboard. 6 April 2023. 7 April 2023. 14 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414185244/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/kim-petras-alone-nicki-minaj-teaser-1235299292/. live.
  8. Web site: Kim Petras Talks Women in Pop Music and Latest Collaboration with Nicki Minaj. Lella Magazine. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023. 7 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407161022/https://lellamag.com/kim-petras-talks-women-in-pop-music-and-latest-collaboration-with-nicki-minaj/. live.
  9. Web site: Kim Petras enlists Nicki Minaj for "Alone". Darville. Jordan. The Fader. 21 April 2023. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429143006/https://www.thefader.com/2023/04/21/kim-petras-enlists-nicki-minaj-for-alone. live.
  10. Web site: Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj absolutely deliver as they drop ultimate dance banger Alone – listen here. Attitude. Manning. Charlotte. 24 April 2023. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429141510/https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/music/kim-petras-and-nicki-minaj-absolutely-deliver-as-they-drop-ultimate-dance-banger-alone-listen-here-431549/. live.
  11. Web site: Kim Petras Samples Iconic Dance Song for New Nicki Minaj Collab: 'I Wanted to Be a Raver' as a Kid. People. Nelson. Jeff. 21 April 2023. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429141504/https://people.com/music/kim-petras-releases-nicki-minaj-collab-alone/. live.
  12. Web site: Kim Petras – Alone (with Nicki Minaj). Euphoria. Okechukwu. Nmesoma. 22 April 2023. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429141505/https://www.euphoriazine.com/blog/2023/04/music/tracks-kim-petras-alone-with-nicki-minaj/. live.
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXv_yBBJUHs Kim Petras - The Making of 'Alone' (Vevo Footnotes) ft. Nicki Minaj
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXv_yBBJUHs Kim Petras - The Making of 'Alone' (Vevo Footnotes) ft. Nicki Minaj
  15. Web site: Kim Petras Samples Iconic Dance Song for New Nicki Minaj Collab: 'I Wanted to Be a Raver' as a Kid. People. Nelson. Jeff. 21 April 2023. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429141504/https://people.com/music/kim-petras-releases-nicki-minaj-collab-alone/. live.
  16. Web site: Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj absolutely deliver as they drop ultimate dance banger Alone – listen here. Attitude. Manning. Charlotte. 24 April 2023. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429141510/https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/music/kim-petras-and-nicki-minaj-absolutely-deliver-as-they-drop-ultimate-dance-banger-alone-listen-here-431549/. live.
  17. Web site: Kim Petras – Alone (with Nicki Minaj). Euphoria. Okechukwu. Nmesoma. 22 April 2023. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230429141505/https://www.euphoriazine.com/blog/2023/04/music/tracks-kim-petras-alone-with-nicki-minaj/. live.
  18. Best New Music: Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj Team Up on 'Alone'. Rolling Stone. Reeves. Mosi. 21 April 2023. 24 April 2023.
  19. Web site: The misplaced promise of Kim Petras. NPR. Sundaresan. Mano. 7 July 2023. 9 May 2024.
  20. Web site: Alone - Single by Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj. Spotify. 24 May 2023.
  21. Web site: Alone (Sped Up + Slowed Version) - Single by Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj. Spotify. 24 May 2023.
  22. Web site: Alone (Remixes) - Single by Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj. Spotify. 24 May 2023.
  23. Web site: Alone (James Hype remix) - Single by Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj. Spotify. 16 June 2023.
  24. Web site: Alone (Major Lazer remix) - Single by Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj. Spotify. 22 June 2023.
  25. Web site: ARC 100 - date: 21. August 2023.. HRT. 28 August 2023. en.
  26. Web site: IFPI Charts . 2023-05-03 . www.ifpi.gr . 3 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503120116/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html . live .
  27. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of May 3, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. 3 May 2023. 3 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230503051200/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=d_and_a_overseas&year=2023&month=05&day=08. live.
  28. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 1 May 2023. 29 April 2023. 28 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428225135/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5565. live.
  29. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay. OLiS. pl. 26 June 2023. Select week 17.06.2023–23.06.2023..
  30. Web site: Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 17. Sverigetopplistan. 29 April 2023. 28 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428143812/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2023&dspp=17. live.
  31. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 23 November 2023.

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