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Nicki Minaj Releases Fifth Studio Album
One of the most frowned upon actions an artist can take is delaying the release of a studio album. Not only is this false hope, but it keeps music fanatics like myself in constant anticipation. So, when I saw the release of Nicki Minaj’s fifth studio album, “Pink Friday 2,” I was overcome with surprise due to its previously canceled releases several times. Arriving on December 8, 2023, “Pink Friday 2” comes five years after Minaj’s previous album. Regarding such news, I will conduct a full album review where I will provide my true thoughts and opinions on all 22 “Pink Friday 2” songs.
1. Are You Gone Already
Regarding music, there is a fine line between sampling another artist’s work and overusing it. Within this song, Minaj uses samples of Billie Eilish’s “when the party’s over” consistently throughout the song’s duration. While I am not a Billie Eilish fan, I listened to this song with open ears and an open mind. After listening, I will permanently close my ears and mind as it was a confusing and underwhelming listening experience. I find it wholesome that Minaj included voice notes of her and her son. However, they did not match the song’s aesthetic. Cute and youthful notes do not align with an emotional and moody beat. As for Minaj’s contribution, I felt it was powerful yet scattered and random.
2. Barbie Dangerous
Playing this song after “Are You Gone Already” might be the greatest audible refresher I have ever experienced. Not only did it improve my mood, but it filled me with high levels of nostalgia circa the 2010s. As “Pink Friday 2” is the prequel to Minaj’s 2010 debut album “Pink Friday,” I find it natural that songs will encompass similar auras and rhythms. “Barbie Dangerous” takes influence from the vocals and tone of Minaj’s 2018 album “Queen,” while presenting similar lyrics to her 2010 promotional single “Roman’s Revenge.”
3. FTCU
I do not appreciate repetitive introductions in any way, shape or form. However, this song earns a gold-star exception. For the intro, the lyrics go “F*ck this club up” repeatedly, which I found very appealing. I love the voice of whoever said them as they unlock something inside me. I can connect with the careless energy it radiates. Once again, these verses sound like a combination of Minaj’s albums “Pink Friday” and “Queen,” allowing me to enjoy the old and the new altogether.
4. Beep Beep
As the album’s shortest track, “Beep Beep” can be classified as overachieving. At first, I thought this song would be a ‘filler song’ and would not hold any lyrical value. However, after countless listens, I can confidently say it is nothing of the sort. Already, a common theme has been established throughout the album, that being musical nostalgia. One song “Beep Beep” shares numerous similarities with “Want Some More” from Minaj’s 2014 album, “The Pinkprint.” Filled with reputable double-entendres and an intriguing beat, “Beep Beep” deserves a spot next to this album’s top songs.
5. Fallin 4 U
Including “Falling 4 U” on this album confirms my belief that every quality album must have at least one love-focused track. For nostalgia’s sake, this song is a revamped collaboration of Minaj’s work from “Pink Friday.” Specifically, I feel like “Moment 4 Life,” “Save Me” and “Your Love” are the song’s core influences. Each part of the song falls under a different sphere of influence, such as the first verse, the chorus and the second verse. Honestly, I love the chorus because of its genuine feel, it sounds as though it comes straight from Minaj’s heart.
6. Let Me Calm Down (feat. J. Cole)
Sharing no resemblance to any of Minaj’s previous works, this song has no sense of nostalgia. Looking past the song’s resemblance, it has a slower and relaxed beat like “Are You Gone Already.” However, its execution was at a higher level and unlike “Are You Gone Already,” it was enjoyable. Once again, this was a classic performance from Minaj and J. Cole, seeing them match each other’s energy and lyrics.
7. RNB (feat. Lil Wayne and Tate Kobang)
If I had to choose between stubbing my toe and fully listening to this song again, I would make the rapid decision to stub my toe. While I hold nothing negative against this song, I find it boring and that it has absolutely no impact or influence on my mental state, which is rare for a song. After listening to “RNB,” which I consider the epitome of average, I noticed my mind was the least interactive it has ever been. As well as this, I was anticipating more due to the iconic performances that have occurred when Minaj and Lil Wayne are on a song together.
8. Pink Birthday
After the lackluster and mentally draining tracks above, it was vital for Minaj to step out with angelic and moving vocals, reminding everyone she could do it all. As the title denotes, “Pink Birthday” contains lyrics that are relevant to celebrating a birthday and in this scenario, possibly her husband’s. I say this because the singular verse displays a plethora of sexual innuendos and measures Minaj would take to please her husband. Minaj uses a fast-paced flow in this song, making it fit for almost any mood.
9. Needle (feat. Drake)
When Minaj and Drake collaborate on a song, this is what the media calls a ‘Dricki’ song. These collaborations have typically been historic if one were to look at their performance on streaming services. However, “Needle” has cast embarrassment onto the ‘Dricki’ discography and its producers need to be permanently held in contempt. I am unsure who approved these lyrics for public consumption, but I will forever doubt their judgment. A key reason why I have a disdain for “Needle” is because Minaj consistently uses a Trinidadian accent and I have never been a fan of when she does so. In contrast, Drake also used the same accent and I found myself enjoying it. While that is confusing, so is this dumpster fire of a song.
10. Cowgirl (feat. Lourdiz)
If this was released in 2009, “Cowgirl” would undoubtedly be the theme song of Jennifer from “Jennifer’s Body.” Emitting light, airy and feminine energy, this song has all the potential to become a new social media trend. Excluding that, this song has nothing else going for it besides a chorus that sounds straight out of a sorority.
11. Everybody (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
I cannot even count how many flashbacks to “Are You Gone Already” I had while listening to this song. Whoever told Minaj she could sample a song to this extent needs to be incarcerated for treason. While “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior is considered a classic by all 2000s children, myself included, Minaj over-sampled it and turned my love into hatred. Throughout verses one, two and three, every line ends with a sample of “Move Your Feet,” specifically, the lyric “Body.” I believe that background vocals play a huge role in the success of a song and in the case of “Everybody,” they were its demise. Not even the powers of Minaj and Lil Uzi Vert could revert their self-inflicted damage.
12. Big Difference
Since Minaj’s performance of the song at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, I have been impatiently waiting for the release of “Big Difference.” Since most songs differ from live performances compared to studio recordings, I was expecting a change. What I was not expecting was the entire loss of energy and this unseasoned version of the song. While I consider the studio version of “Big Difference” to be watered down, its careless energy and feisty first-verse lyrics still hit the mark. Although I feel the second verse is mediocre, I love Minaj’s choice of using a different rhythm. Nevertheless, I would consider the first verse and the chorus some of the best lyrical content on the album. In addition, the song induced me with heavy nostalgia from Minaj’s track “Fractions,” as well as her verse on Migos’ “Motorsport.”
13. Red Ruby Da Sleeze
I have nothing besides pure, wholesome and unconditional love for this song. If I could get married to any song from this album, I would be at the altar with “Red Ruby Da Sleeze.” When diving into Minaj’s personality and history, it becomes known that she uses alter-egos within her music. As the title suggests, the alter-ego used within “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” is Red Ruby Da Sleeze, one of my favorites. Once again, this song is a sampled song. However, this time, its execution was at a level that “Are You Gone Already” and “Everybody” could never amount to. “Never Leave You” by Lumidee is the song Minaj samples within the song, pairing it exceptionally well with her flow and lyrics.
14. Forward From Trini (feat. Skillibeng and Skeng)
In my free time, I like to imagine what words would be if they were real-life objects, such as songs. While I listened to “Forward From Trini,” I thought about how the word ‘unintelligible’ is synonymous with this song. Between Minaj, Skillibeng and Skeng, the use of the Trinidadian accent annoyed me heavily. Genuinely, I could not understand an overwhelming amount of the song, which ruined it. Positively speaking, I did enjoy the second half of Minaj’s verse, where she spent several lines giving a geographical lesson by listing Caribbean nations. All in all, this was a begrudging listen and a wreck of a song.
15. Pink Friday Girls
As another sampled song shows up on the “Pink Friday 2” tracklist, I lose more dopamine. Original songs and concepts were what I wished for, not work sourced from iconic songs. Although I do not like that this is a sample song, I will credit Minaj for her choice of “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper. I feel that Minaj used the song samples just enough in “Pink Friday Girls” so that it added energy yet was not overpowering. Once again, I have been taken on a trip down memory lane as “Pink Friday Girls” reminds me of the hyper-feminine energy of Minaj’s sophomore album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.”
16. Super Freaky Girl
Song titles tend to foreshadow a song’s contents and the title “Super Freaky Girl” let me know what I was getting into. Full of sexual innuendos and lyrics describing nefarious activities, “Super Freaky Girl” is a song meant for the Summer months. As the first of three singles off of “Pink Friday 2,” I am ecstatic to see the inclusion of this song on the album.
17. Bahm Bahm
“Bahm Bahm” might be more addictive than the illicit substances sold in “Narcos.” According to the original plans, “Bahm Bahm” was to stay unreleased after Minaj had teased it on her Instagram on October 10, 2023. After hearing the full version of “Bahm Bahm,” I thank Minaj and the gods of the music industry for blessing “Pink Friday 2” with this treasure. Within the verses, Minaj performs her best work and delivers audible perfection with a good beat and vicious lyrics. When looking past the verses, one can find the song’s prized possession: the chorus. I urge all with internet access to listen to this song as it was the closest thing to perfection.
18.My Life
I know I have been critical of Minaj and her song-sampling choices, however, this choice is something I can get behind. Sampling Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass,” Minaj reverbs the samples to make them slower and possess more melancholy. With these samples, Minaj spends the song’s duration explaining how she unapologetically lives her life, making for a moody yet relatable song.
19. Nicki Hendrix (feat. Future)
Seeing this song on the tracklist gave me hope for the album as Minaj and Future have had successful projects together, such as “You Da Baddest” and “Transformer.” For more nostalgia, “Nicki Hendrix” reminds me of Minaj’s 2014 album, “The Pinkprint,” as well as Future’s “WAIT FOR YOU.” Detailing a troubling love, Minaj and Future take turns pouring their hearts out on the track, leaving no uplifting lyrics in sight. After these last three songs, I can confidently say that Minaj saved her best songs for last.
20. Blessing (feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard)
Letting out a different energy, Minaj acknowledges her love for God and how he has changed her life in “Blessing.” Adding to this, Minaj thanks God and counts her blessings within the song. As for the song’s feature, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, her voice was comparable to an angel’s presence. Full of righteous lyrics and unwavering love for God, this song deserves to be on the Sunday service program.
21. Last Time I Saw You
I do not care what anyone says; this is the new heartbreak anthem of the decade. As the third single from “Pink Friday 2,” I am thankful that Minaj blessed her album with this masterpiece. In the chorus, Minaj sings about her wishes for love and how she would re-do her parting ways with her significant other. My favorite part, the second verse, is riddled with hard truths and missteps in her relationship. Although I never shed a tear while listening, I was close to bawling my eyes.
22. Just The Memories
When I die, I will formally request this song to be on my funeral playlist. Presenting as a rap song, a memoir and a love ballad, “Just The Memories” is perfect for anytime and any place. I feel so emotionally attached to this song that it is not even comical. Ending the album with a song like “Just The Memories” allows for a final feeling of nostalgia because it emits the exact energy of Minaj’s “Pills N Potions” and “All Things Go.” Standing as the top song on the album, “Just The Memories” should be an example of what artists should strive for their songs to sound like. As well as this, “Just The Memories” is a lengthy three-verse song, which I love.
How Does “Pink Friday 2” Stack up?
As I return from countless hours of music analysis and deliberation, I have brought myself to a steady decision regarding this album. I find this album not Minaj’s best work, but above-par regarding the music industry. Regarding this, I feel that a rating of 7.5/10 is accurate for “Pink Friday 2.”
