"Somebody Else" is a song recorded by American R&B singer-songwriter Mario, featuring guest vocals from Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj. The song was released in the United States as a digital download on May 21, 2013, on RCA Records.

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"Somebody Else"
Single by Mario featuring Nicki Minaj
Released	May 21, 2013
Recorded	2012
Genre	R&B pop
Length	4:09
Label	3rd Street RCA
Songwriter(s)	Jamal Jones William Tyler Jeremiah Bethea Onika Tanya Maraj Marvin E. Smith Mario Barrett Cory McWilliams [1]
Producer(s)	Polow Da Don Anomaly
Mario singles chronology
"Ms. Chocolate" (2009) "Somebody Else" (2013) "I Need More" (2016)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"High School" (2013) "Somebody Else" (2013) "I'm Out" (2013)
Music video
"Somebody Else" on YouTube

It was intended to be the lead single for his then-upcoming fifth studio album, but would only be a standalone single due to Mario scrapping the whole album and departing from the label.[2][3]

The record heavily samples the 1975 song "Remember the Rain", by American R&B group 21st Century.[4]

Background

Through his official Twitter page, on May 17, 2013, he confirmed that he has been working with Polow Da Don, for the track "Somebody Else" featuring rapper Nicki Minaj.[5][6] R&B singer-songwriter Frank Ocean recorded a demo of the song[7] as did Chris Brown who considered the song for his album Fortune.[8]

Composition

"Somebody Else" was written by Mario and Nicki Minaj, and it was produced by Polow da Don.[9] The song is an upbeat tempo track featuring thumbing percussion, with hip-hop influences and sampled vocals in the hook.[10]

Critical reception

"Somebody Else" was praised by R&B music critics, many of them adored Minaj's verse. Critics also commented that people may love or hate this song, because of the meaning of it: "getting dumped and watching the man or woman you love run straight into the arms of 'Somebody Else'."[10][11] RnB Magazine called it "hot music" and a summer hit.[11] ThisisRnB.com acclaimed Minaj's verse and Polow Da Don's production, calling those "impressive" and "infectious", respectively.[12]

Music video

The video was filmed on May 25, 2013 and directed by Alexandre Moors.[13] The video premiered on July 8, 2013 on MTV Jams and it was premiered on July 10, 2013 on BET's 106 & Park.[14] The video chronicles the dramatic ending of a relationship as Mario and Nicki square off in the video.

Track listing

• Digital download[15]

1. "Somebody Else" (featuring Nicki Minaj) - 4:09

Chart performance

Release history

References