The collaboration was a commercial success, reaching #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. By February 2024, the track was recognized as having reached #14 on both Rap and Rhythmic Airplay charts. It has since been certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.
: His verses reflect on the pain of a failed relationship, specifically the feeling of wanting to let go while still being haunted by the past.
: Minaj provides a contrast. Her opening verse is characterized by braggadocio, asserting her longevity and status in the industry. However, her outro shifts back to the song’s emotional roots, where she softly croons about giving a "cold shoulder" to a former flame. Critical and Commercial Impact Lil Uzi Vert - The Way Life Goes Remix (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
The remix of "The Way Life Goes," featuring Nicki Minaj, represents a pivotal crossover in modern hip-hop, blending Lil Uzi Vert’s sensitive "emo rap" style with Minaj’s high-energy commercial dominance. Originally a standout track from Uzi’s debut studio album, Luv Is Rage 2 (2017), the song explores themes of resilience and moving forward after heartbreak. Origin and Collaboration
The track is notable for its melodic foundation, sampling the 2015 song "Landslide" by British indie-pop duo Oh Wonder. The remix adds Minaj’s signature stylistic flair, bookending Uzi’s verses with a boastful opening rap and a more vulnerable, melodic outro. Lyrical Themes and Meaning The collaboration was a commercial success, reaching #24
Critical reception was mixed but generally intrigued by the pairing. Some critics felt Minaj’s combative energy created a "symbolic dissonance" with Uzi’s sensitive tone. Others praised the synergy, viewing Minaj as a stabilizer who completed the track’s melodic appeal with a traditional rap verse. The music video, directed by DAPS and released in December 2017, further emphasized this contrast, featuring Minaj in a luxury cabin while Uzi remained bound to a tree in a dark forest.
The core of "The Way Life Goes" is an anthem for those enduring "hard times". : His verses reflect on the pain of
The remix came to fruition after Nicki Minaj publicly expressed her admiration for the original track on Instagram in August 2017, urging Uzi to send her the beat. Despite reported delays caused by Atlantic Records, the remix was officially released on November 3, 2017.