| Somebody Else | |
| Cover: | Artwork for Mario's single, "Somebody Else".jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Mario featuring Nicki Minaj |
| Released: | May 21, 2013 |
| Recorded: | 2012 |
| Length: | 4:09 |
| Chronology: | Mario |
| Prev Title: | Ms. Chocolate |
| Prev Year: | 2009 |
| Next Title: | I Need More |
| Next Year: | 2016 |
"Somebody Else" is a song recorded by American R&B singer-songwriter Mario, featuring guest vocals from Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was released in the United States as a digital download on May 21, 2013, on RCA Records.
It was intended to be the lead single for his then-upcoming fifth studio album, but would only be a standalone single due to Mario scrapping the whole album and departing from the label.[1] [2]
The record heavily samples the 1975 song "Remember the Rain", by American R&B group 21st Century.[3]
Through his official Twitter page, on May 17, 2013, he confirmed that he has been working with Polow Da Don, for the track "Somebody Else" featuring rapper Nicki Minaj.[4] [5] R&B singer-songwriter Frank Ocean recorded a demo of the song[6] as did Chris Brown who considered the song for his album Fortune.[7]
"Somebody Else" was written by Mario and Nicki Minaj, and it was produced by Polow da Don.[8] The song is an upbeat tempo track featuring thumbing percussion, with hip-hop influences and sampled vocals in the hook.[9]
"Somebody Else" was praised by R&B music critics, many of them adored Minaj's verse. Critics also commented that people may love or hate this song, because of the meaning of it: "getting dumped and watching the man or woman you love run straight into the arms of 'Somebody Else'."[10] RnB Magazine called it "hot music" and a summer hit. ThisisRnB.com acclaimed Minaj's verse and Polow Da Don's production, calling those "impressive" and "infectious", respectively.[11]
The video was filmed on May 25, 2013 and directed by Alexandre Moors.[12] The video premiered on July 8, 2013 on MTV Jams and it was premiered on July 10, 2013 on BET's 106 & Park.[13] The video chronicles the dramatic ending of a relationship as Mario and Nicki square off in the video.