'Nicki Minaj Releases Video For 'Pills N Potions' '. : CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. As of December 2014, the song has sold 622,000 copies in the United States. It went on to peak at number 24 on the chart. In the United States, 'Pills n Potions' debuted at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending Jit sold 84,000 copies and amassed 709,000 domestic streams within its first four days of release. As of December 2021, the video has more than 238 million views. American rapper The Game makes a cameo appearance. The music video for 'Pills n Potions' was released on Jon YouTube. XXL featured the song on their mid-year list of 25 Best Songs of 2014 (So Far), commenting that 'despite the slow tempo of the song, Nicki was still able to supply her classic witty lines with a hard undertone'. Although Marc Hogan of Spin found the song's message confusing, but praised Minaj's rapping and said: 'when we hear that Rihanna-like 'I still lo-uh-uh-ve' hook blasting out of car windows this summer? We'll probably still lo-uh-uh-ve it.' Kory Grow of Rolling Stone noted that 'Pills n Potions' was the 'diametric opposite' of Minaj's previous single, ' Lookin Ass'. Gil Kaufman of MTV News wrote that the song was 'actually a huge move back into the pop game, setting Minaj up for what could be her biggest cross-over hit to date'. Chris Payne of Billboard felt Minaj was sincere in her delivery of the song's personal lyrics, and went on to call it a 'crowd pleaser' with something for every listener to enjoy. Zach Frydenlund of Complex called 'Pills n Potions' a 'monster of a song', and explained, 'Nicki shows-once again-how she can delicately balance pop and hip-hop, while spitting true to her 'real rap' promise to fans'. During the verses Minaj raps with a sense of urgency, however, the first verse is kept restrained as she raps about someone who wronged her, 'They could never make me hate you/Even though what you was doin' wasn't tasteful/Even though you out here looking so ungrateful/I'mma keep it movin' be classy and graceful.' She later says that she'll 'forgive and forget', but knows that they're jealous of her success: 'But I spin off in a Benzie/I see the envy when I'm causin' a frenzy'. As the pre-chorus repeats, an echo effect is added to her vocals, and 'blooming' chants of 'I still love, I still love, I still lu-uh-uhhhv' are sung to create the song's chorus. The song opens with a sparse, haunting drum beat, while Minaj sings the pre-chorus in a feather-like near-whisper, 'Pills 'n potions, we're overdosin'/I'm angry but I still love you'. Kory Grow of Rolling Stone opined that the song shows Minaj 'sublimely (and maturely) rising above her detractors, even singing that she still loves them.' Chris Payne of Billboard said the song coupled a chorus 'reminiscent of a Rihanna ballad' with rapped verses.

'Pills n Potions' is a pop and hip hop piano ballad 'framed in the druggy imagery of mixtape rap'. Problems playing this file? See media help. She promoted the single by means of several radio interviews throughout the United States, including Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club, KIIS-FM's On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Hot 97's morning show, Z100 with Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and a sit down interview for Power 106's The Big Boy's Neighborhood Morning Show. On May 24, 2014, Minaj premiered 'Pills n Potions' on SoundCloud, with song being available for purchase on iTunes later that day. It sounds like – *gasp!*' On May 19, 2014, Minaj revealed the single's cover art on Instagram. Speaking to Billboard, she explained: 'It sounds like urgency, It sounds like betrayal. In an interview for Rap-Up, she stated that 'Pills n Potions' was 'uplifting' and 'very soulful'. She revealed the title of the song at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards and afterwards hosted a Q&A on Twitter where she revealed information regarding the single. She stated that the single would be released in two weeks. Minaj first mentioned the song in her promo single, ' Yasss Bish' which features Soulja Boy.

Minaj describing the concept behind 'Pills n Potions'. I don't feel like there's ever been somebody that I loved that I no longer love, I just may not be able to live with you or have you in my life, and that's really what the song is about.' 'What that felt like to me was forgiveness, you know, and just understanding that everybody gets mad, but when you love somebody, I feel like you'll always love them.

Pills and potions instrumental