Nicki Minaj drops her long awaited debut studio album Pink Friday, featuring special guest performers Eminem, Drake, Kanye West, will.i.am, even Natasha Bedingfield among others!
Featuring production by Swizz Beatz, Bangladesh, J.R. Rotem, will.i.am, Drew Money, Alex Da Kid, Kane Beatz and many more this is for sure one upbeat Female Hip-Hop/Pop/R&B mash up of 2010 that you’re NOT going to want to miss.
It’s been a long wait, but has it been worth it? Nicki says, “now the whole album cracked – you ain’t gotta skip a track” – well, how much of that is true?
Read on to check out a track-by-track (including bonus tracks) reviews with a rating system for each and every track along with producers – so you can go find a new favorite track of yours that you might have missed out on otherwise!
01. I’m The Best [RATING: 5 out of 5] (Produced by Kane Beatz): An upbeat Hip-Pop/Rap Electro with synthesizers and hard drum kicks that accompanies Nicki’s rapping style with her shout to the girls on this one, very singable hook. “All the girls would commend, as long as they understand – that I’m fightin’ for the girls, that never thought they could win – because before they could begin, you told ’em it was the end, but I am here to reverse the curse that they live in, got two bones to pick – that’s Brooklyn and Dallas and I’m a only choose one – it might get addressed on the second album – which means you can breathe, til I motherf-ckin’ say so – to all my bad b-tches I can see your halos…“
Nicki Minaj / I’m The Best
02. Roman’s Revenge (featuring Eminem) [RATING: 5 out of 5] (Produced by Swizz Beatz): Wow, where do you start. This is Nicki in “monster mode” obviously targeted to rapper Lil’ Kim after she had dissed Nicki. Nicki minaj goes hard in this track, can’t get enough “hang it up – Flatscreen – Plasma.. hey Nicki hey Nicki – asthma..” “You outta work, but enough is enough..” Eminem and Minaj both switch off verses, which both are equally impressive qualities of their talent and increasingly grow as the track proceeds on.. Ooh this is a good one.
Nicki Minaj feat. Eminem – Roman’s Revenge
“(I-I-I-I-Is) Is this the thanks that I get for putting you bitches on?
is it my fault that all of you bitches gone?
shoulda sent a thank you note, you little ho
now I’ma wrap your coffin with a bow
“N-N-N-Nicki, she’s just mad ’cause you took the spot”
word, that bitch mad ’cause I took the spot?
Well, bitch, if you ain’t sh-tting, then get off the pot
Got some n-ggas out in Brooklyn that’ll off your top
I-I-I-I hear them mumbling, I hear the cackling
I got ‘em scared, shook, panicking
overseas, church, Vatican
you at a stand, still, mannequin
you wanna sleep on me? Overnight?
I’m the motherf-cking boss, overwrite
and when I pull up, vroom, motorbike
now all my n-ggas gettin’ bucked, overbite..”
(Check out the entire Nicki Minaj – Roman’s Revenge Lyrics feat. Eminem)
03. Did It On’em [RATING: 5 out of 5] (prod. by Bangladesh): Real infectious beat from Mr. “A Milli”-Bangladesh and this is incredibly addictive. A little weak, if not so “out there” infectious on her first and second verses – but believe me, you’ll be saying them. The hook and beat is where this track stands out. “Sh-tted on ’em.. man I just sh-tted on’em.. put your number two’s in the air if you just Did It On’em”
Nicki Minaj / Did It On’em
04. Right Thru Me [RATING: 5 out of 5] (prod. by Drew Money): Second released single from the album, really “goes there” with Nicki in the music video – and the track is undeniably a hit and definitely can’t get it out of your head. “You can see right thru me, how do you do that sh-t, how do you that…”
Nicki Minaj / “Right Thru Me” Music Video
05. Fly (featuring Rihanna) [RATING: 3 out of 5] (prod. by J.R. Rotem; Kevin Hissink): A bit of a disappointment for a track, regardless having “Rihanna” featured it seems like “Girls Fall Like Dominoes” seems like a better selection for a track than this very forgettable Rihanna and Nicki duet.
06. Save Me [RATING: 4 out of 5] (prod. by Warren “OAK” Felder, Andrew “Pop” Wansel): Slow R&B joint where Nicki really brings out her soul with more vocal abilities – really impressive with Minaj on this one. “This time won’t you save me.. baby I can feel myself givin up..”
07. Movement 4 Life (featuring Drake) [RATING: 4 out of 5] (prod by. T-Minus): 90s rap meets 00s beat = this track. Nicki Minaj brings in her “brooklyn” style rapping and of course it doesn’t hurt Young Money heart-throb Drake is featured on it. Nicki sings the mediocre hook at best.
08. Check It Out (with will.i.am) [RATING: 4 out of 5] (prod. by will.i.am): “Ohh.. ohh..” This unforgetable and very infectious will.i.am and Nicki Minaj duet has definitely been a favorite of most of ours since the moment we heard it. It is undeniably Nicki in her ut-most “Barbie” form and definitely is fun to dance and party too.. come on…”Check it out.. check it out.. check it out”
09. Blazin’ (featuring Kanye West) [RATING: 3 out of 5] (prod. by Drew Money): Some nice transitions and word play an okay stereo bumper, but don’t expect anything of electronic pop melodies to sooth the radio friendly person in you. Definitely forgetful in the end, taking too long to get to a disappointing West verse – the entire track seems too long for it’s own good too.
10. Here I Am [RATING: 5 out of 5] (prod. by Swizz Beatz): WOW!! Where’s Lil’ Kim?? Where’s Foxy Brown?? WHO?? Nicki is a beast, she brings this real “female” rap mentality that too many people say nowadays are missing. Nicki’s bringing it – take notes “Here I Am”, average hook but incredibly strong verses – NICE! “No longer need your attention – at ease.”
11. Dear Old Nicki [RATING: 4 out of 5] (prod. by Kane Beatz): “OLD” Nicki?? Really, don’t know why you guys need to act like Ms. Minaj has changed but apparently so – Dear Old Nicki is one for all of you out there that miss the “old Nicki”. An alright R&B/pop slow jam at best, with almost a bit too much electronic synths going on to my liking (and I do like many electronic synths if I do say so myself..) “But there’s some things inside of me, that I needed to show – so I just deaded you, left you in all black -but dear old nicki, please call back..”
12. Your Love [RATING: 5 out of 5] (prod. by Oak, Papa Justifi): The SAMPLE – THE SAMPLE!! It’s what won us all over as this being one unforgetable track and music video. Not much more to say besides this #1 smash first single was definitely a memorable moment where she shines and mixes her unique styles of rapping and singing the unforgettable hook.
Nicki Minaj / “Your Love” Music Video
13. Last Chance (featuring Natasha Bedingfield) [RATING: 4 out of 5] (prod. by Drew Money): Seeing “Natasha Bedingfield” I was predicting something very unforgetable however.. this track is one “Last Chance” the two will probably see together after making a medicore passable album filler. Some nice wordplay by Nicki and an above average hook for Ms. Bedingfield.. it’s upbeat – fun and bubbly not much more.
BONUS TRACKS
14. Super Bass (featuring Ester Dean) [RATING: 3 out of 5] (Prod. by Kane Beatz): After hearing some of Ester Dean’s #1 this probably could’ve been more if these two get the chance to work together again. This track has a very misleading title with it’s average “Super Bass” which seems could’ve been definitely better banger and understandable as a bonus track. Yeah, sure it makes you bump, but seems like it’s missing something.
15. Blow Ya Mind [RATING: 5 out of 5] (Prod. by The BlackOut Movement): Even after previously leaking before the album was out, this is still a personal favorite of mine from this ‘era’. Male vocals are put out for the Hook/Chorus but Nicki definitely shines with her verses and wordplay that we all know and love her for. You’ll be lipping this in no time!
16. Muny [RATING: 5 out of 5] (Prod. by Oak; Papa Justifi): WOW!!! This is definitely my FAVORITE track out of the entire bunch here!! Track starts off sounding like an 80s rocker with a guitar.. but when the synthesizers kick and the hook goes with Nicki “The Muny the Yen and the Pesos…”
All bets are off that you won’t be repeating this seventeen-hundred more times! What’s better the first half or the second?? Them together!! This entire track is so addictive with it’s bumpy rap hip-hop style the hook just makes it all better. Who doesn’t love “Money” well, I mean “Muny” WHO CARES HOW IT’S SPELT!! BEST TRACK OF THE ALBUM!!
Nicki Minaj / Muny [MUST LISTEN!!]
17. Girls Fall Like Dominoes [RATING: 4 out of 5] (Prod. by J.R. Rotem): It’s an alright sampled “hook”, I’m not sure from where but I personally could’ve done without the man, maybe it’s to show diversity with the vocals. Eitherway, Nicki definitely shines on this J.R. Rotem banger that we’d all expect. I personally love the Verse2/Bridge right before they play the Hook/Chorus for the first time. But then she over does it with the female-star-name-drops – but who cares? It’ll have you saying all of their names from “Beyonce, Rihanna, Madonna, etc” because we all love them anyway, right? Point taken. “These girls Fall Like Dominoes…”
Nicki Minaj / Girls Fall Like Dominoes
18. Wave Ya Hand [RATING: 4 out of 5] (Prod. by Swizz Beatz): With lots of featured Swizz Beatz produced tracks on Pink Friday, it’s a toss up between “Wave Ya Hand” and “Catch Me”. Both are upbeat however I more prefer the musical styles of “Wave Ya Hand” it’s fun and brings in styles of what you might have heard in Sean Kingston’s “Dutty Love” with the featured Nicki Minaj’s verse.
19. Catch Me [RATING: 4 out of 5] (Prod. by Swizz Beatz): An outspace “sounding” upbeat track with some lazers and some futuristic “from another planet” sounding track, could be a put off to some and some might like it. It’s about average to my musical pallet, with it’s “out there” beat.
THE CONCLUSION
Pink Friday is DEFINITELY one album that you need to check out if you are a fan of female rappers in particular, from Hip-Hop to Pop and R&B music all fused into one great album. This album shines the best of Nicki Minaj from her hardest raps to the most bubbly “barbie” verses that will have you sparking conversation and laughs with everybody who also loves Nicki.
THE HYPE FACTOR: 5 OUT OF 5 [GET THIS!!]
BUY Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: / Amazon
+Deluxe Edtion: / Amazon
Some of the tracks might not be your favorite, but they might be the favorites of others and they might eventually ALL grow on you – but for the most part I could listen to this from start to finish over and over and never get sick and tired of it all. I might only be disappointed a little to not hear “Massive Attack” on my retail version of Pink Friday. But, besides that’s what iPod’s are for right? Here, check out my review of Massive Attack below if you are that “hardcore” of a fan of Nicki’s that I am!
20. Massive Attack (featuring Sean Garrett) [RATING: 5 out of 5] (Prod. by Alex Da Kid): This street single set abuzz the internet when it was first released. The visual video features an army of Nicki’s own barbie’s and a massive attack of sand as Minaj whips her hair around seductively in the “shoulda-been-a-hood” classic if only the hook would’ve been more hard “street”.. maybe by someone really hood.. like – not “S. Garrett”. Let’s all agree to disagree that this should’ve been included on the album as “We got tom tom’s over here bigger than a monster.. Bla bla bla bla bla“ would’ve been insanely more popular if it had been released after Nicki’s-beast-mode “Monster” verse – right??
[…] Read The Hype Factor’s Nicki Minaj “Pink Friday” Track by Track – Album Revi… […]
dat shyt go hard azz fawk man she so exclusive rite now it dnt make no sence but she doin her thang u cant blame her fu shyt she do she got dat money rite i kno dat
@pooh bear – just because you listen to rap, does not mean you need to sound like an idiot on the internet .___.
@HANAloveee i agree with that statement.
@sammantha AGREED!
Hey people sound like retards on the internet all the time! Y r yall messin with people u dont even know!
i agree emily
[…] Friday‘ dropped on Tuesday, Nov. 23, selling 375,000 copies in its first week – read The Hype Factor’s track-by-track review here! AKPC_IDS += "13932,"; If you enjoyed this, Subscribe to the RSS Feed or Subscribe via E-Mail to […]
This is my NICKI MINAJ hey girl!!!! :0
il love this some much