Pressure, can Nicki Minaj create the same level of material and excitement she brings to her features on her own full length album? Was the doubt that surrounded the release of Nicki’s debut Pink Friday. With an army of barbie’s around her drafted from her mixtapes and guest appearances Nicki had to raise to high expectations and prove that she could hold her own. The Young Money front woman expands herself from her most recognisable aggressive style of delivery and a host of characters. Nicki shows her otherwise hidden reflective side in tracks Save Me and Old Nicki were she sings about the tribulations of balancing her new found fame. Trying to maintain her personal growth while keeping hold of what made her fans love her when her was underground when she is growing into the main stream artist that she has the potential to be.
“Did I chase the gilts and glamour money fame and power, then if so that will go down forever as my lamest hour” – Old Nicki
“I drove for miles to find you, to find self. Feels like I’ve been driving for miles I still cant seem to silence the voices in my head. Please won’t you save me?” – Save Me
‘But you was underground I was main stream, now I live the life that we would day dream” – Old Nicki
Nicki shows her lyrical skills in tracks; I’m The Best, Did it On’Em, Here I Am and Eminem assisted track Romans Revenge. Where Nicki takes shots at Lil’Kim who publicly hasn’t taken a liking to Nick’s success
“So fuck I look like getting back to a has-been yeah, I said it, has-been”
“is it my fault that all of you bitches gone? shoulda sent a thank you note, you little ho now I’ma wrap your coffin with a bow N-N-N-Nicki, she’s just mad ’cause you took the spot word, that bitch mad ’cause I took the spot?” Ouch
While tracks like Check It Out and Your Love (which Nicki herself admits she isn’t a fan of) seem to limit her as the lyricist she has proven herself to gain pop success.
Pink Friday has tried to cover all bases from underground hard core hip-hop heads to main stream pop radio listeners. Has Nicki tried to stretch herself to thin in this album being a jack of all genres but a master of none? This LP will be a regular on the playlists but struggle to gain long term recondition of the not easily impressed hip-hop heads.
This LP leaves the gate open to curiosity in what Nicki has in store for her next album. It’s evident that Pink Friday has only scratched the surface of Miss. Minaj
The Vinyl Box Rating: ***
Predicted first week sales for Pink Friday:
385,000 units (US)
