“And through all of this, Onika stood on her own. They say you will know when the Phoenix rises by the glory of its wings and the energy emanating from the resurgence. The Phoenix is Onika, the woman behind the persona of Nicki Minaj.” - @KaraBrazey20
There are only a few people in this world who have been able to strike gold from the same object twice, and we can now add Nicki Minaj to that list. Minaj’s long awaited 5th studio album, “Pink Friday 2” arrived on 12.08.23 and took the music industry by storm. “Pink Friday 2” has not only met the standard of its predecessor, “Pink Friday” released in 2010, but it has cemented Minaj as a musical thespian and artistic visionary.
Never allowing herself to be confined to the ideological industry views of female rappers; Minaj blazed a trail of her own. Setting in place precedents that will never be replicated, and a level of authenticity that can’t be manufactured. We are witnessing the revival of female rap with an awakening of the inextinguishable fire the Phoenix is made of, as its wings are spread for the world to marvel and admire.
Minaj, unlike so many other female rappers, has never relied on the “gimmick package” or hid behind trap beats to mask the lack of talent. That is why “Pink Friday 2” represents a wave of calmness and clarity in the current turmoil of hip-hop/rap. It provides the culture and genre with what has been missing from music, dynamic artistry and credibility. An album based on individuality, storytelling, vulnerability, and genre defying versatility. Only Nicki Minaj could set the bar higher for Nicki Minaj.
Before we dive into the body of work that is “Pink Friday 2,” let’s give props to some of the dope as fck producers of this amazing album; Tate Kobang, ATL Jacob, Finneas, Murda Beatz and so many more. Musically, Minaj never fit into the “female rapper” mold; she has always been able to use her sound in the most creative and reflective ways that are true to her. That’s what makes the music producers of “Pink Friday 2” absolute gems.
They were able to emanate Minaj’s sound with instrumentals, so none of the 22 tracks on this album sound the same. A musical dessert that gets richer and more delicate with each listen, thanks to Minaj herself and an outstanding team of producers as well as her very own engineer, Big Juice.
With all the underhanded tactics and deeds employed by the music industry and their media allies, Minaj’s competition and only formidable opponent came from within herself. Legendary. IcoNIC. Absolute.
Aptly titled “Pink Friday 2,” Minaj’s 5th studio album is homage to not only her debut album “Pink Friday,” it also presents itself as a testament to the longevity of her catalog. Minaj is able to bridge her beginning and present to create a body of work that is thoughtful, vulnerable, reflective, and stripped to the basics centered completely around the music. She re-walked the path that made us fall in love with her and reminded the culture why she is not only needed but an invaluable figure to the genre. Minaj displays a type of artistic growth and substance in “Pink Friday 2” that is a result of maturity and self-awareness. Picking up the baton from “Pink Friday,” the album is proof that Minaj is still at the helm of female rap.
Billie Eilish’s 'When the Party’s Over' Returns to Charts Thanks to Nicki Minaj Samplehttps://t.co/kouxeIJCLY
— billboard (@billboard) December 21, 2023
What is most endearing about PF2, is that it’s intended to be a listening experience; to become engulfed in the lyrics, production, and the headspace of Nicki Minaj. You can feel her raw emotions as Billie Eilish sings in “Are You Gone Already.” As the opening track, “Are You Gone Already” finds Minaj at her most vulnerable and stripped, a common theme for the larger than life icon in this album that was written as a letter, to be listened to in sequence.
The outro “Just The Memories” pairs well with “Are You Gone Already,” as both are raw and portray Minaj’s sensitivity and relatability, something urban media often tries to strip her of. Minaj uses this to start and close her storytelling journey over the 22 tracks. I’m highlighting these two tracks early on for a reason as they both serve as a direct reflection of the musical growth and inward maturity of Minaj. The Alpha and the Omega, she is taking us through the journey, so let’s ride with her. Like its predecessor “Pink Friday,” PF2 is just as versatile and genre bending. Minaj has not only grown lyrically, but her singing has become stronger and more refined. A true talented Queen.
There has been a lot of talk on the overuse of sampling in hip-hop/rap, but Minaj doesn’t have that problem. She added her creativity and individualism to each song. “Are You Gone Already” samples Billie Eilish “When The Party Is Over” and Finneas (Billie’s brother) also produced the emotional ballad. “Barbie Dangerous” samples Biggie (RIP) and Bone Thugs-N- Harmony’s “Notorious Thugs” and she killed it!!! Rapping with that legendary Biggie flow was just straight fire!!! You know Minaj served when Bizzy Bone gave his stamp of approval.
Every morning since the release of “Pink Friday 2,” I have had a karaoke car ride to work with “Pink Friday Girls,” a sample of Cyndi Lauper’s classic “Girls just Want To Have Fun.” Nicki owned it with her twist while giving respect to the original. Cyndi has shown the sample lots of love since the release. Thank you Cyndi! “My Life” samples “Heart of Glass” by Blondie and is definitely my top 5 track from this album.
Lyrical Spitter
Songs like “Big Difference,” “My Life,” “Falling For You,” “FTCU,” and “Let Me Calm Down,” prove why Minaj isn’t the one you would want a lyrical battle with. Her razor-sharp wit, word play, entendres, and ability to effortlessly ride any beat proves why she is in a league of her own. I have said it two or three times already, but Nicki is fit to be King. Name another rap artist regardless of gender that checks all the boxes like her? I’ll wait.
That “Let Me Calm Down” record from #PinkFriday2 is 🤌🏾🔥. I hope they shoot a video. Nicki reflects on her relationship & marriage woes & then J Cole’s verse is basically some real talk from Cole to Nicki’s husband.
— B. Chordial (@BChordial) December 8, 2023
“I’m just the messenger, but God is who this message is from.”
“Let Me Calm Down” is a standout track because of the message and the messenger, J.Cole. His lyricism was impeccable and we respect a man being able to give wise words to Kenneth Petty without using his past as a jab against his wife, Of course, Nicki paid homage to her island roots with “Forward From Trini” featuring Skillibeng and Skeng. The use of the Socca beat is the chef's kiss and Skeng has an undeniable flow that, even if you don’t listen to dancehall on the regular, you can still vibe to him.
The 99-2000’s
I don’t know if this was intentional or not but “PF2” has a 2000 R&B feel with tracks like “RNB” featuring Lil Wayne (GOAT) and Tate Kobang. Lourdiz makes her debut to Barbz via “Cowgirl” and her vocals are as smooth as butter. “Nicki Hendrix” featuring Future and “Needle” featuring Drake all add to the nostalgia of “Pink Friday” by rekindling those sparks that has been missing from music.
“Blessings” featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard adds to that 90’s, late 2000’s RnB music feel. It is a vocal soothing of the soul and this is one of my favorites from the album. Tasha’s voice is heaven sent and Nicki has improved so much vocally. There used to be a time when RnB albums would have a gospel song on it, and I think Minaj is bringing that back.
Minaj has created a body of work that compliments not only who she is as an artist but where she is as a woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. We get a special glimpse into the world she holds so dearly. A 22 track album with only one big budget video, the #1 song “Super Freaky Girl” released last year, and somehow it all feels right, and needed. No IG gimmicks, sympathy campaigns, media manipulation or payola. Well done Nicki. Let them argue over the other 99 spots, you are the 1.
3 comments
This was an extremely well written article that covered every track and acknowledged everyone who contributed to what is undeniably Nicki’s BEST album to date. Well done my friend, well done.
Outstanding review and amazing breakdown of the album. I love that you took note of the gospel presence on the album and also the 90s/early 2000s RNB feel. It just felt nostalgic and joyous.
Salute for this review. Another job well done🥰🔥🔥🔥🔥💖💖💖