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Nicki Minaj is BACK with her brand new album 'Pink Friday 2'! It takes us on a whirlwind of emotions and includes legendary features. The album stands as a compelling reminder that when it comes to the rap game, no one does it quite like Nicki.
The album opens with a sample from 'When the Party’s Over' by Billie Eilish, Nicki then takes the reigns with the lyrics: “You never got to meet papa, he sweet proper, he keep mama” as if she is talking to her son about his late Grandfather. Straight away, we are taken in by Nicki’s vulnerability as she comes to terms with losing her father. The song takes us on a journey as Nicki processes her loss. The sample from Billie, along with Nicki’s storytelling creates the most beautiful tribute as well as a reflective letter to herself.
Further along in the album, we encounter another poignant track, widely believed to be a heartfelt tribute to Nicki's father, who tragically passed away in 2021. 'Last Time I Saw You' unveils the profound sentiments of yearning to have done more when the person you've lost was still with you, emphasizing the importance of cherishing every moment. As well as the sincere lyrics, this ballad truly portrays Nicki’s vocals portraying her versatility as an artist.
This album truly is a reflection of the struggles Nicki has been through during her career, from asserting herself as a formidable force in the Hip-Hop industry to navigating the complexities of her relationships, grappling with profound losses, and embracing motherhood. However, she makes it very clear that she is still THAT B*tch. 'Pink Friday 2' is not just a collection of tracks, but a profound self-reflection, where Nicki can process her emotions with a raw authenticity. My favourite reflective track on the album has to be 'Blessings'.
Although this album holds some emotional ballads, don’t get it twisted - it is still packed with Nicki’s signature upbeat rap freestyles and features that will make you want to turn up. ‘Needle’ is a fan favourite, which features Drake. Interestingly, it was initially supposed to be on Drake’s recent album, 'For All The Dogs'. Drake’s vocals and the sultry lyrics elevate this tune, making it a club anthem in the making. Other features include J.Cole, Skillibeng, Lil Wayne, Future, and more.
Unlike her previous albums, many of the songs on 'Pink Friday 2' feature a variety of samples. For example, Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ and ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie, which are definitely anthems for the girls! Furthermore, she samples both ‘I Just Wanna Rock’ by Lil Uzi Vert AND ‘Everybody’ by Junior Senior on the same song?!
'Pink Friday 2' has to be one of my favourite albums released this year, stream it on all platforms now and let us know what you think!