Nicki Minaj may be the most divisive artist in music right now. People seem to love her or hate her. Some see her as an opposition to feminism, others herald her as the savior of rap. As for me, I think she's pretty awesome. Musically I've always liked her more melodic and pop numbers, not as a big a fan of her hardcore rap work - though certainly not a hater of it. Sometimes with big pop artists, particularly women, the image takes over and the music is overlooked. On this album, Nicki Minaj attempts to put the music back to the forefront.
Let's not forget that Nicki Minaj is the world's most successful female rapper. This is a male dominated field, and it proves how amazing she is, that's she been able to rise to the top. Now her albums have been a little all over the place in the past. A bit pop, a bit dance, a bit hardcore hip-hop. With this album, she finally manages to tie it all together with her most solid work to date.
This is essentially a pop/hip-hop album that's the work of an emotional adult that both loves and hates her fame. There is a lot of balladry on this album, and that excites me. It shows that Minaj is evolving as a performer and it gives her a chance to showcase her emotional side. The album is slickly produced, with Dr Luke, in particular, doing some amazing work. There's also some great guest work, but it is Minaj who shines on this great record.
Let's talk singles, and amazingly there has already been four before the album came out. First single, "Pills n Potions" is a gem. Sure it didn't set the charts a light, but it was a perfect intro to the album. A triumphant piano track about loving a lover who's wronged you. This is one of my favourite tracks of the year, and Minaj's singing shines here.
Second single "Anaconda" is a pop music phenomenon. I was teaching drama to children this year and they were obsessed with the song. I also saw endless Facebook posts complaining about the song. Congratulations whingers, you fell into Minaj's trap. This is her highest charting song of all time. Is it any good? It's fun, it's rude, it's easy to sing along with. By no means is it the best song on the album, but it didn't need to be. It was Minaj's return to her hip-hop roots and proved she is a complete pop icon. And that film clip, I love it. It will be spoken about for years to come.
This where it gets strange, she released two singles very close together, the hip-hop heavy, "Only", featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and the wanker Chris Brown, and the piano driven, almost folk sounding, "Bed of Lies", featuring Skylar Grey. Such very different songs, I guess "Only" is going to be bigger in the states, while "Bed of Lies" is a commercial friendly tune for the rest of the world (it's currently top ten here in Australia). Lyrically I'm a fan of "Only", it's probably just a little too hip-hop for me. However, "Bed of Lies" is a bloody good song. Another honest track from Minaj, unafraid to show her vulnerable side. And the chorus is amazing.
The remaining 12 tracks are also a great mixed bag. There's a few stand outs. My favourite non-single belongs to "The Crying Game", a soulful pop ballad with a stunning chorus featuring amazing British songstress Jessie Ware. "All Things Go" is an emotive and political ballad about the price of fame, the loss of a child in her teens and her cousin's murder. It's hard hitting and haunting. Party anthem, "The Night Is Still Young" should be the next single. This is a perfect EDM dance track that will be popular in clubs. "Grand Piano" is a stunning piano ballad that showcases not only Minaj's rap, but her beautiful singing voice. I also loved the reggae track, Trini Dem Girls" and the Jeremiah featured, "Favourite".
It's interesting that possibly the weakest song on the album is the one with the most pedigree. Katy Perry was a co-writer on "Get On Your Knees" and Ariana Grande lends guest vocals. It should be better than it is.
But in all, this is a fantastic album, and Nicki Minaj's strongest to date. It's certainly taken me from a casual to a full time fan! Enjoy your reign Nicki Minaj, you deserve it!
So what's your favourite Nicki Minaj song? She's certainly released some great songs, and featured on some other great tunes. I could cheat and pick Madonna's "Give Me All Your Lovin'" but I think it's only fair to pick a song that's hers. I adore "Pills n Potions" and "Bed of Lies", "Super Bass" and "Starships" were great dance inspired hits and "Va Va Voom" was a great pop ballad, but I have a definite favourite. "Moment 4 Life", featuring Drake is such a great song, very inspirational, "Cause everyone dies but not everyone lives". If you haven't listened, please do - it's a solid track.
What's your favourite Nicki Minaj song? Tell me in the comments section below.
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