Nicki Minaj ‘s fifth album, Pink Friday 2, released as a sequel to her 2010 debut ‘Pink Friday’, has been met with acclaim. The album, standing on its own despite the title connection, boasts sample-heavy and emotionally charged material that lives up to the hype.
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Minaj demonstrates her evolving style, incorporating diverse samples like Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” in Pink Friday Girls and Blondie’s ‘Heart Of Glass’ in ‘My Life’. These choices showcase her transformation from an industrious upstart to a major player in the music industry.
The album features ferocious brag tracks, solidifying Minaj’s status as the “queen of rap.” Clever and dismissive references, such as “I don’t mess with horses since Christopher Reeves” on ‘Red Ruby Da Sleeze’, add a layer of sophistication to her lyrical prowess.
Beyond the bravado, ‘Pink Friday 2’ unveils vulnerable moments in tracks like ‘Last Time I Saw You,’ where Minaj grapples with her father’s death, and ‘Just the Memories,’ a reggae-flecked album closer reflecting on her journey and setbacks.
Collaborations with notable artists like Drake, Lil Wayne, Future, J.Cole, and SZA add depth to the album. Billie Eilish makes an appearance, and Minaj creatively weaves a sample from Eilish’s “When The Party’s Over” into “Are You Gone Already?”
Despite comprising 22 tracks over 70 minutes, the album’s pacing is sharp, oscillating between hip-hop tracks, midtempos, and pop-rap cuts in a testament to Minaj’s versatility.
‘Pink Friday 2’ is a consolidation and refinement of Minaj’s abilities, showcasing her mastery in dropping unique pop culture references and evolving without losing the element of surprise.
In conclusion, 13 years after Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj continues to captivate with her talent and ability to push boundaries.