Take Cover: Nicki Minaj’s ‘Beez in the Trap’
Rolling Stone's Jenny Eliscu grades the YouTube stars covering today's hot songs
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Matthew Stueber (and His Mom)
YouTube Channel: MatthewStueber444
Stueber has only done one other cover (another Minaj tune), but went viral with his rendition of "Bees in the Trap" thanks to the guest appearance by his mom, whose expressionless delivery of lines like "a hundred motherfuckers can't tell me nothing" is strangely captivating. Plus, Matthew does a better job with the verses than most folks who've tackled it on YouTube and he obviously has real love for Minaj and the tune.
Presentation: C+
Performance: B
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Cameron J
YouTube Channel: RandomStructureTV
Singer-songwriter, poet, vlogger and all-around likeable dude Cameron J sets the otherwise repetitive track to a creamy R&B melody that brings out his own sense of humor in Minaj's already LOL-worthy lyrics. He keeps the refreshingly brief rendition PG-rated – "I'm dippin on your whole life" instead of, you know – and gets bonus points for shooting in such a simple, clean setting.
Presentation: B
Performance: B+
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Blyrikal
YouTube Channel: 1officialbebe
Blyrikal, a 21 year-old Chicago native who bills herself as "America's Next Female Rapper" and shoots most of her videos in her car, is the rare YouTuber with real potential as an artist. Her covers are actually just her original verses – some freestyled, others featuring lyrics she saves on her cell phone – over tracks from Lil Wayne, Usher, Kanye West and, here, Minaj. Her rhyme on top of "Bees in the Trap" is well-written, and delivered with the confidence of a rapper who has practiced enough to trust her flow.
Presentation: C
Performance: A