Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday, a review



Nicki Minaj is coming...

She's already featured on chart successes by Christina Aguilera, Trey Songz, Jay Sean, Ludacris and Lil' Wayne, and on Kanye West's "Monster" she proudly boasts "$50k for a verse? No album out?"

But the time has come for hip hop's hottest new commodity to make her debut.

Her style is interesting - both sexy and frightening, she dabbles in alter egos and this shows in her music. Switching from sweet-as-pie Harajuku Barbie to the intimidating Roman Zolanski quicker than you say Slim Shady, her image has been executed perfectly.

So what of the music?

Pink Friday begins with "I'm The Best", a high-rolling proclamation of confidence and the perfect kick-off to a career. A cute synth hook persists, whilst Minaj declares "I just woke up, out the door; all the girls will applaud". The track is followed with single 'Roman's Revenge', providing back-up in the unknown form of Eminem. Performing as their alter egos, aggression and animal-like energy give this a sinister tone, with lyrics about tying up women and pissing on them making this just slightly un-PC.



'Did It On'em' follows, with nothing really of note to write about; it's directionless and expendable. 'Right Thru Me', by contrast, is signature Minaj. Juxtaposing sweet tunes with her caustic delivery, the track is one of Pink Friday's more personal tinges.

Further star-power is thrown in with Rihanna's appearance on 'Fly', and the production of pop's current omnipresent J.R.Rotem. Irregular drumbeats, rapid verses and a sublime chorus give the track soaring potential, but it lacks punch - in a way, the chorus almost drags the song behind. 'Save Me' by comparison has presence, but no real progress, despite valiant attempts at throwing in some dubstep.

'Moment 4 Life', I'm told, features a big name in Drake (a slight setback being I've no idea who he is, or what he's done to deserve such status) - but Minaj's presence here is not exactly understated. Further boasts to her newfound fame are made ('shout-out to my haters, sorry that you couldn't faze me'), but a lack of chorus and Drake's bland appearance continue to disappoint.

'Check It Out' is one of the first tracks to commit the cardinal sin of sampling an already over-exposed song: 'Video Killed the Radio Star', and the culprit is immediately obvious. Will.I.Am. And Cheryl Cole. Autotune and lazy beats make this everything I hate with music today.



By contrast, 'Blazing' samples Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)" 'hey! hey! hey!' chants to an almost unrecognisable effect - but it's Minaj, and guest Kanye West, that make this separate the wheat from the chaff. Her delivery is loud and slick, and Kanye's appearance even more so. 'Here I Am' throws everything in the bag - piano twinkles, car rev-like synths, but a lack of imagination and creativity is again a setback.

'Dear Old Nicki' however capitalises on a better tune, and she sounds like a female Kanye with the lyrical themes dealt with ('fuck the media'). 'Your Love' was one of her first singles, sampling Annie Lennox's "No More I Love Yous" to great success - providing something for the KISS channel to go all moist over. I'd usually write it off, but there's something that makes this more than just a sample - her raps are quickfire, and the laidback vibe is more enticing than snoozing.



'Last Chance' finishes the proceedings with probably the least predictable guest appearance ever in Natasha Bedingfield. A sweet guitar lick-based tune makes the album go out with on a high rather than a fizzle.

There is an air of confusion in trying to deduce Minaj - is she hip-hop's next big thing, or is she the next popstar to fizzle out after 5 years? Her music is as schizophrenic as her personality - and whilst it caters to two audiences, it confuses them too. She hasn't really established any kind of new territory, or even an identity, and those hoping to invest their time in a new popstar are going to have to wait a little bit longer - for her media appearances, at least.

Rating: 6/10
Highlights - Roman's Revenge, Blazing, Fly, Dear Old Nicki, I'm The Best
Avoid - Check It Out, Save Me

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