It's a good 'Friday' for Nicki Minaj
In this CD cover image released by Cash Money Records, the latest by Nicki Minaj "Pink Friday," is shown. (AP Photo/Cash Money Records) Credit: AP Photo/
Everything about 26-year-old singer-rapper Nicki Minaj's debut "Pink Friday" (Cash Money) screams, "I have arrived!"
The album carries a pink-gold heft: Its cover depicts a fairy-winged, fluorescent-haired Barbie Nicki with long, shapely, human legs, and Minaj has an impeccable pedigree as a Lil Wayne protege who has guest-starred with Mariah Carey, Ludacris and Usher, drawing cameos here from Eminem (angry), Rihanna (beautiful), Will.i.am (funky), Drake (sexy) and Kanye West (just plain good).
A fine singer, Minaj shows off two basic rapping voices, a Missy Elliott-style cut-up who ends the Dungeons & Dragons-referencing "Roman's Revenge" in a loony British accent, and a profane, Lil' Kim-style gangsta who spits dirty words on "Did It On'em."
But a third persona emerges, full of vulnerability, contemplating antidepressants in the soaring "Here I Am" and declaring, on "Save Me": "Yes, I'm a beast, and I feast when I conquer / But I'm alone on my throne."
Minaj goes to the braggy gangsta well too often, obscuring her lyrical skills and distinctive talents - her manifesto "Last Chance" doesn't come until the end - but strong dance beats paper over her shortcomings.
GRADE B+
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