: Critics praised Minaj for her "island-tinged" flow and "sharp, confident" wordplay, with some calling it her most undeniable hit since "Super Bass". 2. The Bebe Rexha "Ghost Singer" Controversy
: Captured by ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax , the original "Rosie" was a work song used by chain gangs to keep rhythm while laboring. David GuettaВ Hey Mama Feat Nicki
For months after its release, many listeners believed the hook was sung by Nicki Minaj. In reality, the powerhouse chorus—featuring the iconic line "Beating the drum like dum di-di-day"—was performed by then-rising artist . : Critics praised Minaj for her "island-tinged" flow
Despite the controversies, "Hey Mama" was a global phenomenon: A Pop Conundrum: David Guetta's Gross Misuse of Sampling For months after its release, many listeners believed
: Following public outcry and the song's massive success, Rexha was officially added as a featured artist in June 2015. 3. The "Rosie" Sample and Ethical Debate
The song's core melody and intro are built around a sample of a 1948 recording of Black inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman Farm).
: Rexha was not originally listed as a featured artist. She later explained to Billboard that the decision was made to keep the feature list short for radio appeal.