“They gotta move around when the Queen is Queenin” and by move around, she means completely out of her way. Nicki Minaj dropped her surprise compilation album Queen Radio: Volume 1, on August 26, 2022, to the delight of her unexpecting fans. The 28-track album features some of Minaj’s biggest hits of her discography, including a remix of Skeng’s “Likkle Miss”. Also included in this latest project is her chart topping solo single “Super Freaky Girl”, “Do We Have A Problem”, “We Go Up”, “Seeing Green” as well as her iconic and classic hits “Super Bass”, “Truffle Butter”, “Anaconda”, “High School” and more.
Queen Radio: Volume1, a compilation of Nicki’s greatest hits debuted at #10 on Billboard 200 with 32k units sold. Congratulations Nicki! When we say “hoes gotta move when the Queen is Queenin”, this is what we mean. Let me provide some context for this achievement. Acompilation album of previously released music going as far back as 10-11 years, that was already accessible on every streaming platform. There was no label push or media campaigns to get this album anywhere within the 200 spots of BB200. If fans didn’t push it as if it was a new project, how did it go top 10? The core fanbase understood the importance of it and moved accordingly. Shout out to #nickistreamteam -the hard work you all put in isn’t recognized enough. Thank you.
Let’s look a little further at those numbers. Now y’all know I ain’t messy but I do like to tip around certain things lol. Nicki Minaj surprised dropped the compilation album in the wee hours of the morning. There was no Good Morning America performance, Revolt TV sit down, fake album leaks, arguing with the label or social media shenanigans. No internet outrage or the drying tears of people who robotically conjure up tears of sympathy. Just Nicki’s greatest hits CONTINUALY selling themselves. I hope this answers Missy Elliott’s “classic or hits” question. I’m sure she will move the goal post.
Having sold 32k, “Queen Radio: Volume 1”, sold half of the 63k units Megan Thee Stallion’s 2nd/3rd (depending on who you ask) studio album sold. That is a problem. Re-packaged songs peaked as much interest as the “hottest female rapper out” album. If you don’t see what’s wrong with that, then you are a fool. Rap/hip-hop has ushered in these female rappers off the suppression of Nicki and nobody asked, what happens if Nicki can’t be taken down. Now we have Nicki solidified in her own lane and a crowded field of overzealous female rap acts with minimal talent trying to separate themselves from the herd. But that is a story for another day…sorry for the rant lol.
It shouldn’t be lost on anyone, Nicki would drop a greatest hits album on the eve of her receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. I guess the only question is what took so long. Nicki’s discography is a music listener’s dream. She not only delivers in terms of the art and skill of rap such as “LLC”, “Fractions” and “Hard White” but she also has the vocal prowess and vulnerability to pull the listener in with ballads such as “Grand Piano”, “Nip Tuck”, “Regret In Your Tears” and her featured vocals on Lil Wayne’s “Dark Side of The Moon”. Even while bodying the rap and R&B genres, Nicki became a huge pop crossover success. Working alongside the likes of David Guetta and Calvin Harris, Nicki gave us global pop classics, “Turn me On”, “Starships” and “The Night Is Still Young”. Nicki Minaj is a musical thespian who over the course of her storied career, has topped every Billboard chart.
The release and success of Queen Radio: Volume 1, proves why Nicki Minaj is the reigning champ that can’tbe dethroned. She is a musical sportsman. Tom Brady will undoubtedly, go down as the best Quarterback in the history of the NFL. You can’t debate a player whose only asset is sheer talent and physical prowess. While Tom Brady uses his body and mind as the instrument; Nicki Minaj uses her voice and mind in conjunction, with herinnate creative genius to breathe life and color into her music. She is the instrument. Please refer to “Whole Lotta Choppas Remix” if you are unclear on how lethal and charismatic Nicki’s tongue is.
Having titled this compilation “Volume 1”, we can assume there will be more. Not going to lie, it will be interesting to see how she compiles her future releases (if any). Nicki’s discography is so vast, she could quite literally do an all R&B or pop volume of music. And that is what makes this so exciting. Seeing where Nicki takes her music and how she maximizes her past catalog will be a treat. Not only for fans but for up and coming rappers. Her longevity, continued success and appeal is what makes legends, legends.