Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday 2 (Album Review)

Nicki Minaj showcases all of her bags in “Pink Friday 2.”

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TOP 5

Honorable Mention. Let Me Calm Down (Ft. J. Cole)

J. Cole and Nicki Minaj make a better tandem than I thought.

Before this track, I didn’t see much common ground between Nicki Minaj and J. Cole as rappers. I still don’t, but they demonstrate their ability to collaborate effectively for the purpose of creating a good track. In “Let Me Calm Down,” the two rappers express their feelings about remaining true to a woman and allowing women the space to let their emotions unfold. Although the song, which features a beat that is both gentle and hard-hitting, leans towards the sentimental side, I appreciate how Cole and Nicki infuse it with their most aggressive styles, almost striving to make the beat feel bad for how it’s been treating its girlfriend. One thing I would alter about this track, though: I wish Nicki allowed the hook to stew a bit more (it feels a bit incomplete).

5. Needle (Ft. Drake)

I want to hear this s**t at brunch tomorrow.

The last time we had a song where Drake exclusively handled the chorus was certainly before the onset of COVID. That’s essentially the setup in this track. “Needle” showcases a silky chorus by the 6 God that will make you gingerly shake your ass. As for Nicki Minaj, she effortlessly transitions between her Trini and Queens personas, seamlessly blending singing and rapping while asserting her dominance. I don’t think this song is great, but I absolutely f**k with its vibes.

Give me Brunch Drake any day of the week!

4. Fallin For U

This might be the most complete track on this album (I’m always looking for these).

“Fallin For U” exudes a sense of heartfelt authenticity, blending grittiness with defiance. In this song, Nicki Minaj unleashes her fiercest raps and most vulnerable vocals, asserting her readiness to face any challenge while embracing her true self. While there’s a slight disconnection between the hook and her verses—where the hook leans towards a more affectionate vibe while the verses embrace a competitive spirit—the amalgamation of these elements results in a comprehensive and compelling record.

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3. Cowgirl (Ft. Lourdiz)

“Cowgirl” is the type of pop-rap track that will resonate through white people bars for generations.

While I f**k with it when Nicki Minaj is on her rappity rap s**t, I genuinely believe her most successful and impactful moments come when she seamlessly combines hard-hitting raps with a pop-infused hook (Iggy Azalea took this formula and ran faster than Sonic The Hedgehog with that s**t). While some might dismissively raise an eyebrow at the simpleton hook delivered by featured guest Lourdiz, it’s undeniably catchy and has the power to lift your spirits. Although listeners might not retain every detail from Nicki Minaj’s verses, there’s an undeniable synergy between her gritty, frenetic rapping style and the upbeat, enjoyable pop beat. I have a feeling many people will inadvertently find themselves vibing with this song.

2. Barbie Dangerous

Who said that Nicki Minaj couldn’t do that whole fast rapping thing that all you other rappers do?

OK, jits, just to let you know, “Barbie Dangerous” heavily samples Biggie’s classic track with Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony, “Notorious Thugs” (sharing a similar beat and flows reminiscent of the original). What sets this song apart is Nicki’s ability not only to replicate the style but also to infuse it with her distinctive swagger, asserting her dominance over the track. Her lyrical approach, while still assertive, takes a different angle from her typical ‘b*tches are my sons’ style, leaning more towards demanding recognition for her hard work and accomplishments.

1. Red Ruby Da Sleeze

Uh ohhhhhhh!

Nicki Minaj kicks ass early and often in “Red Ruby Da Sleeze.” Backed by a slightly altered version of Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh Oh)” beat, she calls out her doppelgangers and brags about her cars, her guns, and her man. While the biggest thing that will stand out to you about this track is how ready for smoke the “Super Freak” creator sounds, please do not sleep on her highly intoxicating hook.

When Nicki raps like this, she’s top 10, dead or alive.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Are You Gone Already (3.5/5)

2. Barbie Dangerous (4.5/5)

3. FTCU (4/5)

4. Beep Beep (3.5/5)

5. Fallin 4 U (4/5)

6. Let Me Calm You Down (Ft. J. Cole) (4/5)

7. RNB (Ft. Lil Wayne & Tate Kobang) (4/5)

8. Pink Birthday (3/5)

9. Needle (Ft. Drake) (4/5)

10. Cowgirl (Ft. Lourdiz) (4/5)

11. Everybody (Ft. Lil Uzi Vert) (3/5)

12. Big Difference (4/5)

13. Red Ruby Da Sleeze (4.5/5)

14. Forward From Trini (Ft. Skillbeng & Skeng) (3.5/)

15. Pink Friday Girls (4/5)

16. Super Freaky Girls (4/5)

17. Bahm Bahm (3/5)

18. My Life (4/5)

19. Nicki Hendrix (Ft. Future) (3/5)

20. Blessings (Ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard) (4/5)

21. Last Time I Saw You (4/5)

22. Just The Memories (3.5/5)

RGM RATING

(C+)

You know what irks me? When people label rappers who achieve mainstream success as pop stars. Folks, Nicki Minaj isn’t a pop artist; she’s a rapper who occasionally ventures into pop territory. In Pink Friday 2, she emphatically ensures that we don’t mistake her for a pop artist at all.

What strikes me is the remarkable versatility of this album. Each song stands out distinctly from the others. Some exude a traditional rap essence, others lean towards a more pop-oriented vibe, and there are even tracks with Caribbean influences. Nicki is clearly one of the only artists who understands the customer is always right, so she tries to give us every type of sound that she thinks we would like. That’s what’s up.

You know what I appreciate? Nicki Minaj’s undeniable comfort in her own skin throughout this album. In moments of reflection, she exudes pride in who she is now. When she asserts her dominance over competitors, it’s more of a playful tease, acknowledging that she’s already beaten them years ago. Oh yeah, and best of all, she doesn’t waste many bars talking about how great her vagina is or having crazy sex; she comes across as a married woman who rather keep what she does behind closed doors. Believe it or not, we get a very mature Nicki on this album.

I commend Nicki Minaj for keeping the features on this album to a minimum, which pleasantly surprised me. While her Young Money comrades, Lil Wayne and Drake, make their contributions, she also offers a platform for lesser-known singers like Lourdiz and Tasha Cobbs Leonard to shine. That said, I wasn’t particularly fond of Lil Wayne, Lil Uzi Vert, or Future’s features, but thoroughly enjoyed Drake, J. Cole, and Tasha’s contributions.

One aspect that didn’t resonate with me was the inconsistency between Nicki’s choruses and the content of her verses. Many hooks convey themes of love, while the verses delve into dominating the competition and self-confidence. The verses almost feel like freestyles, standing somewhat disconnected, yet they manage to hold their own.

I’m still not sold on Nicki Minaj as a singer. Despite appreciating the passion she injects into her singing, especially in tracks like “Just The Memories” and “Last Time I Saw You,” the melodies seem basic, and her vocals fall short (almost as if she’s holding back, acknowledging her voice may not be ideal for singing). I believe some of these songs, if performed by professional singers, could potentially become certified hits.

A few days ago, I compiled a list of my top 5 Nicki Minaj albums. What struck me as particularly noteworthy while delving into her catalog is the extent of her experimentation, the willingness to discard certain styles, and the evident growth in her musical journey. Pink Friday 2, in my view, represents a body of work that is refined, devoid of unnecessary embellishments. While I may not be a fan of every track on the album, each one feels authentic and devoid of gimmicks, staying true to her artistic identity. Once again, I want to emphasize how refreshing it sounds to hear someone who is comfortable in their own skin make music.

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