Swizz Beatz Recruits Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross & 2 Chainz For “Hands Up”: Listen

Christina Lee | August 23, 2013 8:45 am

Producer Swizz Beatz demands a crowd’s attention in his new song, and for a pretty good reason. Premiered on hip-hop pioneer Funkmaster Flex‘s official site, “Hands Up” features Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and 2 Chainz in a rap battle of wits.

Weezy and Nicki devote their verses to demanding accolades for their Young Money mogul status (“Not Barnes but Noble,” Minaj raps). Meanwhile, the other featured rappers imagine themselves commanding a crowd’s attention. “Let me see you pat your weave if you ratchet,” 2 Chainz raps. Well, sure.

Swizz Beatz, “Hands Up” (ft. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz)

While the verses are fun, the production itself feels like a warmed-up version of what Swizz Beatz produced for wife Alicia Keys last year. The syncopated beat, the piano and female vocal at the chorus — all of this feels a little too reminiscent to “New Day,” the stand-out stadium anthem from Keys’ Girl On Fire, enough so that Swizz should consider recruiting Keys for the “Hands Up” remix.

Hear the song up top, then tell us your thoughts in the comments.