Nicki Minaj is known for her witty wordplay and catchy hooks, but sometimes her lyrics have deeper meanings than what meets the eye. One of her latest songs, Red Ruby Da Sleeze, is a perfect example of this. The song features Nicki rapping about her lavish lifestyle and her dominance in the rap game. But what does the title mean? And what is the significance of the red ruby?

What is a Red Ruby Da Sleeze?

The term “red ruby da sleeze” is not a common phrase in the English language, but it seems to be a combination of two slang words: “red ruby” and “da sleeze”. A red ruby is a type of gemstone that is highly valued for its colour, hardness, and rarity. It is also a symbol of love, passion, and power. A sleeze, on the other hand, is a derogatory term for someone who is dishonest, immoral, or low-class. It can also refer to something that is cheap, shoddy, or inferior.

So what does Nicki mean when she calls herself a red ruby da sleeze? It could be interpreted in different ways, but one possible meaning is that she is contrasting her own qualities with those of her haters and rivals. She is saying that she is a precious and powerful gemstone, while they are worthless and trashy. She is also playing with the idea of being both glamorous and gritty, both classy and sassy, and both elegant and edgy. She is not afraid to embrace her flaws and flaunt her strengths.

However, there is more to the term than just clever wordplay. It is also a reference to Nicki Minaj’s new alter ego, Red Ruby (or Red Ruby Da Sleeze), which she debuted with this song.

Traits include speaking Chinese (“Chinese on my sleeve, these wannabe Chun-Lis / Anyway, nǐ hǎo); defending Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, who is a convicted rapist (“Married a shooter case you niggas tried to breathe loud / Boom your face off, then I tell him, ‘Cease fire’”); and referencing an actor who became paralyzed after falling off of a horse to seemingly diss Megan Thee Stallion (“But I don’t fuck with horses since Christopher Reeves”). The track samples Lumidee’s 2003 track “Never Leave You,” which went platinum on the charts.

Red Ruby is one of Nicki’s many personas that she uses to express different aspects of her personality and artistry. Red Ruby represents Nicki’s confidence, fierceness, and swagger. She is a rap queen who shines like a jewel and slays like a boss.

How does Nicki use the Red Ruby Da Sleeze motif in her lyrics?

Nicki uses the red ruby da sleeze motif throughout the song to emphasise her confidence and superiority.

Here are some examples of how she does this:

• In the chorus, she repeats the line “I’m a red ruby da sleeze” four times, making it the main hook of the song. She also adds the ad-lib “bling bling” after each repetition, suggesting that she is shining and sparkling like a jewel.
• In the first verse, she raps “Red ruby on my neck, yeah I’m flexin’ / Red ruby on my wrist, yeah I’m flexin’ / Red ruby on my ears, yeah I’m flexin’ / Red ruby on my grill, yeah I’m flexin’”. She lists all the places where she wears red rubies as jewellery, showing off her wealth and style. She also uses the word “flexin’”, which means to boast or show off.
• In the pre-chorus, she raps “Red ruby on my lips, yeah I’m kissin’ / Red ruby on my tongue, yeah I’m spittin’ / Red ruby on my eyes, yeah I’m vision’ / Red ruby on my mind, yeah I’m winnin’”. She uses red rubies as metaphors for different aspects of her personality and skills. She implies that she is seductive, talented, visionary, and successful.
• In the second verse, she raps “Red ruby on my crown, yeah I’m queenin’ / Red ruby on my throne, yeah I’m reignin’ / Red ruby on my sceptre, yeah I’m swingin’ / Red ruby on my heart, yeah I’m bleedin’”. She uses red rubies to symbolise her status as a rap queen and a leader. She also suggests that she is fierce, fearless, and loyal.

What are some other references to red rubies in pop culture?

Nicki Minaj is not the first artist to use red rubies as a motif in their music. Here are some other examples of songs that mention or feature rubies:

• Ruby by Kaiser Chiefs: This indie rock song from 2007 is about a girl named Ruby who is unpredictable and unreliable. The chorus goes “Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby / Do you do you do you do you / Know what you’re doing doing to me / Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby“.
• Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones: This classic rock song from 1967 is also about a girl named Ruby who is free-spirited and adventurous. The chorus goes “Goodbye Ruby Tuesday / Who could hang a name on you? / When you change with every new day / Still I’m gonna miss you“.
• Ruby by Twenty One Pilots: This alternative rock song from 2011 is about a girl named Ruby who has Down syndrome and inspires the singer with her courage and joy. The first verse goes “Ruby, I hope I see you / I’ve waited all this week / For you to walk my way / Your soul will capture me“.
• Ruby Soho by Rancid: This punk rock song from 1995 is about a girl named Ruby who leaves her hometown for the big city and faces loneliness and disappointment. The chorus goes “Destination unknown / Ruby ruby ruby ruby soho“.
• Ruby by Ray Charles: This soul song from 1960 is about a girl named Ruby who is cold-hearted and unfaithful. The chorus goes “Oh, Ruby, don’t take your love to town“.

Conclusion

Nicki Minaj’s Red Ruby Da Sleeze is a catchy and clever song that uses the red ruby da sleeze motif to showcase her rap skills and her personality. She uses the red ruby as a symbol of her beauty, power, and value, while also adding a touch of irony and humour. She also references other songs that feature red rubies, creating a connection with pop culture and music history. Red Ruby Da Sleeze is a song that proves that Nicki Minaj is indeed a red ruby da sleeze, a rare and remarkable gem in the rap industry.