Are You Gone Already

Album

Pink Friday 2

Label

Young Money Entertainment

Genre

Hip hop

Composer(s)

Onika Maraj;Finneas O'Connell

Entered Chart

Dec 23, 2023

Peak Date

Dec 23, 2023

Robert Maraj, the father of Nicki Minaj, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident on February 12, 2021, in Mineola, New York. He was 64 years old. Maraj was reportedly crossing the street when he was struck by a car driven by Charles Polevich, a 70-year-old man. Maraj was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died the following day. Polevich was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and tampering with physical evidence. A financial executive and part-time gospel singer, Maraj struggled with drug addiction and was violent with his wife, but eventually went to rehab and got clean. Nicki Minaj had a complicated relationship with her father, but things improved once he got sober. His death was a devastating loss for Minaj and her family. Here, she discusses the loss of her father. Minaj gave birth to a son on September 30, 2020, whom she refers to publicly as "Papa Bear." Minaj's father never got to meet Papa Bear but had arranged a flight to visit them. Three days before the trip, he was run down by Polevich's vehicle. Here, Minaj talks to her son about his late grandfather. You never got to meet Papa He sweet proper, he keep Mama on my toes I needed help, you booked a flight In three days, you'd meet Papa Minaj explained: "He called me and said he would come to help us with the baby on Monday. It was a Friday. I was rocking Papa in his room in his rocking chair. Hours later I got the call about the accident. I just knew he'd pull through. But the next call that followed changed my world forever." The song starts off with audio of Minaj talking to Papa, where she encourages him to say "Hi." In verse one, Minaj takes us through the emotional roller coaster of her father's hospitalization following the hit-and-run that eventually claimed his life. The second verse delves into the lasting effects of her challenging childhood with her dad, shedding light on how it influences her role as a mom. She reaches out to Papa, seeking forgiveness for her failings. Billie Eilish's sped-up vocals from her 2018 track "When The Party's Over" are sprinkled throughout "Are You Gone Already," including on the chorus. Its emotional production also samples Eilish's brother Finneas' soundscape from the same song. Today, it's 12/3/23 "Are You Gone Already" is the opening track of Minaj's fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2. She says it was the most challenging track on the record for her to write. "The first song on my album took me months. Months," she explained. "Closer to a year. I ran from it. Couldn't stop crying. You'll hear me say the date that I wrote the second verse of the song." The completed song must have been a last-minute addition, as Pink Friday 2 was released five days later. The Pink Friday 2 track "Last Time I Saw You" is also believed to be about Minaj's father.

What you doing, Papa?
Hi
No, uh-uh
Say, "Hi" (hi)

Don't you know I'm no good for you?
I've learned to lose you, can't afford to
Tore my shirt to stop you bleedin'
But nothin' ever stops you leavin'
Quiet when I'm coming home and I'm on my own

You never got to meet Papa (I could lie, say I like it like that)
He sweet proper, he keep mama (like it like that)
On my toes, I needed help (I could lie, say I like it like that)
You booked a flight in three days (like it like that)
You'd meet Papa (mh)
The waiting, the gazing
The painting, the raging
The raving, the pacing
The praying, the shaking
I must admit I was breaking
I must admit I was taking
I must admit my heart was racing
Telephone ring, didn't make it (he didn't make it)
I just believed you'd awaken
A memory in the makin'
Call me
Won't you call me? (Call)
No, you gone

Are you gone already? (Don't you know too much already?)
I'll only hurt you if you let me
Call me friend, but keep me closer (call me back)
And I'll call you when the party's over
Quiet when I'm coming home and I'm on my own

So deal, 'Nika, yes, real, 'Nika (I could lie, say I like it like that)
Don't stress, Onika, so blessed, Onika (like it like that)
Today it's 12/3/23 (I could lie, say I like it like that)
Your baby's three, he's the best, Onika (like it like that)
Set me, set me, set me free (set me free)
Why didn't you come back to get me? (To get me)
Let me, let me, let me be (let me be)
Why would anyone want to love me? (To love me)
Rich, yes, but are you happy? (Rich, yes, but are you happy?)
All this guilt you carry is heavy (all of this guilt is heavy)
You already made your peace with me
One day you'll have to forgive, mommy
But she knows you know too much already

Don't you know too much already?
I'll only hurt you if you let me
Call me friend, but keep me closer (call me back)
And I'll call you when the party's over
Quiet when I'm coming home and I'm on my own
And I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that
I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

Nothin' is better sometimes
Once we've both said our goodbyes
Let's just let it go
Let me let you go

Quiet when I'm coming home and I'm on my own
I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that
I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that