Destined feat. Nicki Minaj (M)

## ***Destined feat. Nicki Minaj***Promotional single by Monica Lacroix

### Songwriter(s)

Max Martin · Monica Lacroix (penned Monica) · Jordin Sparks · Al Sherrod Lambert · Nicki Minaj (penned as Onika Tanya Maraj)

### Producer(s)

Max Martin · Dr Dre

"**Destined feat. Nicki Mina**j" is a song recorded by American singer Monica Lacroix featuring Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was released by Hollywood Lux Records, shortened Hollywood Records for release purposes on February 4, 2013 as a promotional single from Lacroix. The song was written by Lacroix (penned Monica), Max Martin, Jordin Sparks, Al Sherrod Lambert and featured artist Nicki Minaj (penned as Onika Tanya Maraj). It was produced by Max Martin, and Dr Dre.

The single charted #1 on every modern chart in most regions around the world making Lacroix one of the few teen-artist to dominate music charts worldwide since Britney Spears with Baby One More Time in 1999. Lacroix would earn herself her first US Billboard Hot 100 #1, her first debut at number one, and her first entree onto the chart. Lacroix's label would confirm however in the coming month that the single would not be featured on her upcoming projects and was merely a promotional release for the artist.

Although it was a global success, being played on almost every Pop genre based radio worldwide and achieving number one in most to every major music chart in the world in its release, it was met with disappointment by most critics in the industry. Monica later distanced herself from the single as did Hollywood Lux Records following RollingStone's low rating on the single and Metacritic's review going viral.

## Background

Hollywood Records was aiming at a single that would launch Monica into people's faces and as such, they chose to release the single earlier. Monica was reportedly in the studio recording the single in her own time as with the other tracks on her upcoming album, and Nicki recorded her part reportedly in the early half of January in 2013 at a NY Studio.

## Commercial Performance

Destined feat. Nicki Minaj debuted globally number one on almost every major chart becoming one of the most dominant songs on US Adult Contemporary radio, later moved to almost every US Pop airplay radio in the United States earning massive amounts of impressions despite harsh reviews.

The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 the following week after its release debuting at #1 on the chart. In turn, this became both artist's first US number ones on the chart and has since remained in that place for over 10 weeks on the chart.

Elsewhere the song debuted #1 in most major charts outside of the US. In its 8th week of charting in Asia, the single fell to #2 stalling for another week before in its 10th week falling to #4. In Canada, the single fell to #5 from #1 in its 8th week. In Latin America, the single fell from #1 to #2 in its 10th week. In the United Kingdom, the song fell from #1 in its 8th week to #2 in its 9th to #6 in its 10th. In Europe, the single fell from #1 to #3 in its 10th week on the chart. In Oceania, the single fell from #1 in its 5th week falling to #7. The single then fell to #10 in its 9th week before falling out of the top 10 to #13 in its 10th week.

The single became one of the longest charting singles to remain #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for a consecutive streak of 18 weeks when it fell on it's 19th week to #2 by Joell Ortiz's release of Still Standing.

Nicki Minaj brought Monica Lacroix out during her set-list at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to a crowd of over 90,000 fans at the Empire Polo Club. They performed the single in what was described as the supposed meant to be released version at the following weeks event.

The single has since sold an estimated 8 million units across the world being certified platinum in multiple regions.

On August 29, 2013 Destined was certified Diamond by the RIAA. It marks a first for both artist in their careers.

 Source
 Source
 Exclaim.ca

## Critical Review

Destined was met with mixed reviews, primarily because of the song's structure and composition. A close source to Lacroix later revealed the track was just a demo, but Hollywood Records wanted to push out music as fast as possible to keep Lacroix in the spotlight. As such, the single was reportedly underdeveloped upon release. Lacroix has distanced herself from the single with many media outlets giving the single at most 3.5 - 4 star reviews, while also pointing out its structure and lack of initial depth.