Nicki Minaj – Pills N Potions. Lyrics Meaning: Choosing Love Over Hate, Even When It Hurts

Ever been so furious with someone you could scream, but at the exact same moment, you’re hit with a wave of memories of all the good times? It’s that messy, confusing, and deeply human space where intense anger and genuine affection somehow live side-by-side. You can’t stand what they did, but a part of you can’t help but still love the person they are, or at least the person they were to you. This emotional tug-of-war is the perfect backdrop for one of Nicki Minaj’s most vulnerable and introspective tracks. Get ready, because we’re about to unpack the beautiful, heartbreaking story behind “Pills N Potions,” and it might just hit closer to home than you think.

Unpacking the Addictive Love in Nicki Minaj’s “Pills N Potions”

Right from the jump, the title and chorus of this song lay it all out on the table. Nicki isn’t just talking about a simple disagreement; she’s describing a love that feels like a powerful, intoxicating substance. It’s a chemical reaction she can’t control.

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The metaphor is brilliant, isn’t it? Love and hurt are the “pills and potions,” and the relationship is the “overdose.” It’s that feeling of being consumed by emotions so strong they feel unhealthy, almost dangerous. She’s acknowledging the toxicity of the situation—the anger, the pain—but the underlying love is a current that’s just too powerful to escape. It’s a confession of vulnerability that we hadn’t seen from the often fierce and fiery rapper at the time.

More Than Just a Love Song: Betrayal and Grace

While the chorus paints a picture of a romantic struggle, the verses zoom out to reveal a wider story of betrayal, loyalty, and the music industry’s harsh realities. Nicki gets specific, and that’s where the track finds its sharpest teeth.

Classy and Graceful in the Face of Disloyalty

In the first verse, she addresses someone—or maybe a whole group of people—who has wronged her. The betrayal was real and “wasn’t tasteful,” yet her response is one of shocking maturity. Instead of lashing out, she chooses a different path.

Ayo they could never make me hate you
Even though what you was doing wasn’t tasteful
Even though you out here looking so ungrateful
I’mma keep it moving, be classy and graceful

This is a power move. She’s essentially saying, “Your actions don’t get to define my reactions. I won’t let your negativity turn me into someone I’m not.” She even warns them about burning bridges, a classic piece of advice that many people learn the hard way. It’s a masterclass in taking the high road without letting the other person off the hook entirely. She sees the disloyalty, but she refuses to let it poison her spirit.

When They See You Winning…

The second verse pivots to the classic theme of fair-weather friends and the envy that comes with success. It’s a story as old as time, but Nicki tells it with such raw honesty. She nails the feeling of people only supporting you when it benefits them and then watching them turn bitter when you succeed without them.

Niggas be sick when they remember all the bad they wished you

You can almost picture the scene: Nicki speeding off in a luxury car, literally and figuratively leaving the envy in her rearview mirror. The line “I see the envy when I’m causing a frenzy” is so visual. It’s her way of saying she’s aware of the hate, but she’s using it as fuel to go even harder, to “cop cribs in the hills on ’em.” It’s a quiet, confident flex born from surviving betrayal.

The Haunting Echo of Unconditional Forgiveness

Beneath the verses about industry snakes and backstabbers, the heart of the song always returns to that simple, devastating refrain: “I still love you.” It’s repeated over and over, becoming a kind of mantra. It’s not a happy chant, but a somber, almost painful admission. Then comes the bridge, which ties the whole addiction metaphor together beautifully.

I get high off your memory
In due time, we’ll be fine

That’s the hook, right there. Even when the person is gone, the memory of them is a drug she can’t quit. It’s a bittersweet nostalgia that offers both comfort and pain. But the final lines offer a glimmer of hope. “In due time, we’ll be fine” is a quiet promise to herself and perhaps to the person she’s singing about. It suggests that healing is possible, even if it’s not happening right now.

The ultimate message of “Pills N Potions” is one of profound emotional strength. It teaches us that forgiveness isn’t about letting someone else win or saying what they did was okay. Instead, it’s about freeing yourself from the burden of hatred. Choosing to “still love” someone—whether it’s an ex, a former friend, or a family member—can be an act of radical self-preservation. It’s about acknowledging the whole, complicated history you shared and deciding to focus on the good, even if you have to do it from a distance.

Ultimately, this song is a layered and beautiful exploration of the human heart’s ability to hold conflicting emotions. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is to love, even when it’s the hardest. What do you think? Does this song resonate with a specific experience in your life? I’d love to hear your interpretation of it in the comments below!