Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint - Album Review

Looks like third time’s the charm. Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint is by far her best album yet. After releasing the catchy, but weird "Anaconda" and the oddly calm "Pills & Potions" this album is a breath of fresh air for fans wanting more from the big booty diva.

The album begins with the dreamy "All Things Go," where Nicki wastes no time opening up to her fans through her bars. She mentions her family members, discusses her emotions, and ultimately ends her last rhyme with “This is the Pinkprint” - a perfect way to let her fans see why she gave her third studio album the name. You really can’t listen to the song without saying “Aw” to be frank. We hear you Nicki.

After opening up with her fans about her family life and emotions, Nicki moves even further away from Roman and opens up her heart. Nicki makes her most sincere attempt at singing in "I Lied," an emotional ballad discussing her fears of having her heart broken. The dreamy beat and (somewhat) smooth vocals Minaj is.. nice.

She speeds it up a bit with "The Crying Game" with great beat and smooth vocals, although we can’t see exactly who it is singing on the track.. she’s sanging. Nicki’s raps paired with the anonymous songstress’ voice is a very nice follow-up to her two emotional projects at the first and second track. She sits back and opens up her heart initially then opens up her mouth and talks to directly to (someone) with the half-pop half-rap song.

Next is "Get on Your Knees" and I have two words (well, names) .. Ariana. Grande. Nicki has a clear position as the HBIC in this one, but Ariana makes it. In her sultry dominatrix-esque voice she captures the essence of a woman coming into form and Nicki is clearly a veteran in making men do as the song title suggests.

I have no words for "Feeling Myself." It’s Bey and Nicki Minaj. Think of everything you would want from the powerful duo and multiply 100x. Carry on *beyonce voice*. The current single, "Only" with Drake, Chris Brown, and Lil Wayne is as mesmerizing as its beat. All artists go in, but of course since it is Minaj's track I wanted more of her on the song.

"Want Some More" takes me back to the Mixtape Nicki Minaj. She’s claiming her spot at the top and letting everyone know she doesn’t plan to go anywhere any time soon, and I’m here for it. Punch lines and bars were fire. All hail the Queen of Rap, sorry Lil Kim.

Speaking of Lil Kim, think of her in her prime circa late 1990s, turn it up a few notches, and you have Nicki on "Four Door Aventador." With the smooth repetitive classic hip-hop beat all you have to listen to on the track is Nicki spit her bars, and they go incredibly hard. If there was any doubt to Nicki’s abilities in the midst of her get-ups and gaga mannerisms, this shuts it down.

Nicki steps back to love again with "Favorite." Jeremih is a pleasant surprise. Nicki is clearly looking for love. The musical duo does nice on the beat. Meek Mill adds a kick to her quest for love in "Buy A Heart." Again, not sure who or Nicki is looking for with her heart wide open like this, but it’s great to hear!

She then takes us to the island and snatches wigs in "Trini Dem Girls." The island reggae feel of the beat is so captivating I find myself listening to the beat more than trying to figure out the words she’s saying. This is very Minaj circa Beam Me Up Scotty, and it’s a pleasant addition to the album.

Anaconda.. is simply "Anaconda." You either love it or you don’t. Next she satisifes her Super Bass-loving fans with "The Night is Still Young." It’s a clear connection to her pop-rap style accompanied by a slow frilly chorus and fierce raps. Katy Perry almost could’ve been a feature, to be honest. But snaps to Nicki for singing it herself. "Pills & Potions" honestly was never a stand out. Eh.

After not having any idea who Skylar Gray was, I’m here for slow ballad she and Nicki bring on "Bed of Lies. "There’s just something about the slow choruses juxtaposed with NIcki’s raps that just works. Nicki surely appeals to her pop-loving fans with this one. "Grand Piano" is a little painful, can’t front. Sorry Nick. Love the lyrics, the vocals are just a little uncomfortable to hear at some points.

Meek Mill makes another, appreciated, appearance on "Big Daddy." I definitely could hear this one on Hip-Hop stations all over the place. It’s falls in line perfectly with the rap songs on radio today. Powerful beats, powerful voices, powerful duo. *Claps* Nicki is a woman of many talents.

I’d have to agree with Azealia Banks in that "Shanghai" is surely a standout. Nicki spits on a great oriental beat, and reminds us yet again, as if there was any way we could forget, that she is a rap icon. "Win Again" is right in line with her other tracks that has a little singing accompanied with raps, I think it’s a great addition to the album. She’s talks about her growth so we know that although she’s changed over time, she’s not going anywhere. And I sure hope she doesn’t.

She lets us know she “ain’t worried about a he” in "Mona Lisa," the very smooth spacey linear track that shows Nicki’s independence. As the 20th song on the album it really could’ve been an interlude, and I treat it as such.

The urban track "Put You in A Room" sounds like something I would hear from Ciara or another artist in that somewhat nonexistent category, but I think I welcome it. Nicki has such a great balance of songs that could work for all of her fans this is another example of that. "Truffle Butter" is another great addition to the deluxe version of the album. Excellent classic hip-hop track with a great beat and cypher between Nicki Drake and Weezy.

Overall, the album is a great for Nicki. She opens up her heart while also appealing to the fans she’s gained over the years in her career. If you’re looking for the pop Nicki, she’s here. Hard Rap Nicki? She’s Here. Singing Nicki? although I can’t see why, but She’s here as well. Nicki is a very multi-faceted human being and the album reflects that. Claps for her.

Rating: 4 out of 5