It feels like we went back in time to the 2010’s with fashion styles. Are we doing the same with music? Back in December of 2023, Nicki Minaj released her newest album, “Pink Friday 2” – a sequel to the original Pink Friday made in 2010. It is her first album in five years (her last album, Queen, was released in 2018).
Nicki Minaj was born on Dec. 8, 1982, in Trinidad and Tobago. She moved out of Trinidad, going to America, at age 5, living in South Jamaica, Queens. By the time of 12 years old Nicki Minaj pursued Music & Arts and performing arts.
She was also writing her first rap songs. She eventually started her rap career in a group called Hood$tars featuring 7even Up (Safaree Samuels). When the group dissolved, Nicki Minaj started on her solo career.
Nicki Minaj’s most popular album is “Pink Friday (2010)”. When first released, the album made number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and sold 378,000 copies in the first week.
Ms. Mccrossin, a staff member, liked Nicki Minaj as a teenager and one of her favorite songs is “Super Bass.” Ms. McCrossin also likes the “Barbie World” song, but she thinks Pink Friday 2 is a bit more explicit than the original Pink Friday (2010).
Over the years, Nicki Minaj has inspired many people with her music. Brentwood senior, Jade Williams, finds her music to be relatable to teen audiences. “Fallin for You” is a song she relates to because it reminds her of “falling in love with someone that you shouldn’t.”
According to Hanif Abdurraqib in his review “Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday’ sequel is pure spectacle,” he says that “The sequel serves mostly as a reminder that times have drastically changed. In the decade-plus since Minaj’s ascendance, a string of other women artists has found dominance on the rap charts and in the rap discourse—Cardi B, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion.”
As a teenager, Mr. Zelaya was a Nicki Minaj fan and has some family who are fans of Nicki Minaj. His favorite song on the “Pink Friday 2” album is “Barbie World featuring Ice Spice”
Mr. Conroy is a special education teacher, and one of his favorite songs in the album is “Last Time I Saw You” because he enjoys the message of the song, and it feels like it hits some meaningful emotions.
For the first time in four years, Nicki Minaj is going back on tour for her “Pink Friday 2” album. If you want to re-experience your 2010’s era, get your tickets now before it is too late. Nicki Minaj will start touring from March 1 through May. It is a world tour, and the prices are usually around $120-190 depending on the type of seating.
If you like listening to Nick Minaj, you should also consider listening to Ice Spice. She’s a new rapper who’s inspired by Nicki Minaj and has been a fan of hers since she was a child. Ice Spice made 2 songs with Nicki Minaj, Princess Diana” and “Barbie World (with Aqua).” You can listen to her latest album “Like…?” while she works on her next one, called “Y2k.”
