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Pink Friday

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Untitled

Pink Friday is the upcoming debut studio album by American rapper Nicki Minaj, set to be released in the United States November 23, 2010 on Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Motown. The album was preceded by the release of the lead single "Massive Attack", released on April 13, 2010, and its follow-up "Your Love", released on June 1, 2010.

Background

After a major record label war bid, Young Money Entertainment announced on August 31, 2009 that Minaj had signed a 360-deal with the label in which she retains and owns all of her 360 rights – including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, touring and publishing.[1]

Sessions for the album began in 2009 with a tentative release in the second quarter of 2010. Nicki Minaj stated in an MTV interview that "Married In The Club" was set to be the lead single from the album and was slated for a November 2009 release.[2] Plans for the single were cancelled and Minaj explained in a February 2010 interview with MTV that she had scrapped the previous material and began recording again from scratch. Minaj explained, "I have songs that where I am now, they aren't a great representation of me to where I'm at musically. I wanna start from scratch but I do have my single and it'll be out." Minaj had also confirmed the lead single to be "Massive Attack", but Minaj stated via Ustream that the single will not be featured on the album and that the only song on her album that people have heard is "Your Love".[3]

In an interview with V103’s Greg Street, Minaj stated the great importance of the album to her and all females in hip-hop. She stated; “They won’t look to sign other female rappers because they’ll say, ‘Her buzz was so crazy and if she couldn’t do it, then no one can do it.’ And I don’t want that to happen, so I’m doing this as well for all the girls. I hope that with the success of the album—because I know it will be successful, I believe it will be successful—I hope that this opens doors for all of the girls everywhere. Even as far as I’ve come right now, it’s a testament in my mind,” she said. “So I hope the female rappers will understand how big it is, just for our culture, that the album does well.”[4]

Concept

On August 3, 2010 Minaj revealed on a Ustream.tv channel for her fans that the albums name would be Pink Friday. She discussed her choice stating “To carry on a great tradition of Black Friday, we are going to switch it up this year in honor of the Nicki Minaj album and call that day Pink Friday, and call my album Pink Friday,!”[5] A deluxe edition of the album has also been confirmed.[6] Minaj discussed with MTV how the album cover for her debut will shape up and only revealed that it will be "very fetch." Minaj remained quiet on the details, but she did speak about what makes an eye-catching cover:

"A good album cover is something that tells your own personal truth," said Minaj, citing Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready to Die cover as one of her favorites. "Something that's not just trying to catch someone's attention, but rather ... kind of feels like a part of your soul, a part of your creative expression."[7]

Recording and production

On July 8, 2010, hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz confirmed his collaboration with Minaj for the album. According to Beatz, he and Minaj had recorded at least three songs during their sessions.[8] In an interview with Hot 93.7, Nicki Minaj confirmed that the song "Catch Me", produced by Beatz, will appear on the album and described the song as "moody" and "mellow futuristic".[9]

Minaj also confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that Black Eyed Peas member and record producer will.i.am contributed production to the album. In the same interview, Minaj described the album as emotional. Minaj said, “The album is much more emotional than you anticipate, which is a great thing. And I know women are gonna connect to the album so much. I felt like for so many years I was the girl who did the catchy little raps, and it’s time for me now to tell my story, and in telling my story, I’m really telling every girl’s story. We all go through the same thing. So the album is gonna feel very personal to every female.”[10]

Hip-hop rap artist and producer Kanye West is also confirmed for the album.[11] In an interview with Interview Minaj stated that she would be toning down her sex appeal on the album, stating: “I made a conscious decision to try to tone down the sexiness,” she tells Interview magazine. “I want people—especially young girls—to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sex appeal. You’ve got to have something else to go with that.”[12] Minaj has also stated that she likes to work with unknown talent. Minaj and her team set up an e-mail account for aspiring producers to submit their demos to, and post announcements via twitter. It is unknown if submissions will make the final album.[13]

While discussing the progress of her debut album with MTV, Minaj discussed a song she described as a "standout" in the entire album.[14] The song "Right Through Me" is confirmed for the album with Minaj stating, "It's not gonna come right now. It'll come closer to when the album drops, but it's a really, really pretty song. Everyone's gonna like it. It's just really insightful but in a very conversational kind of way."[14]

Producer Bangladesh also contributed to the album.[15]

Promotion

On her Twitter Minaj stated that if she reached one-million followers she would dedicate a Ustream to her fans. On August 3, Minaj went on Ustream to call fans who emailed her their phone numbers and to reveal the albums title.[5] On June 17, 2010, promotional photos for the album were leaked online, depicting Minaj in a neon-orange wig dressed as a ninja.[16] It is unknown if the photoshoot will be included in the final album artwork. On July 8, 2010, Minaj announced via Twitter that the album will be released on November 23, 2010.[17]

Singles

"Massive Attack" was released as the album's lead single on April 13, 2010 through digital distribution. It charted at number 75 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was a distinct change in Minaj's previous work on mixtapes and features, thus receiving mixed to positive reviews from critics, commending lyrical content and distinctiveness, and critiquing that it did not fit her "Barbie" persona well. The song bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100 at 22, and peaked at 65 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

"Your Love" was released as the album's second US single on June 1, 2010 and as the first single in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2010. Initially, the song had never been planned for release, but due to abounding airplay it was mastered and used as the follow up to Massive Attack. The song has so far peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, 5 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and topped the Rap Songs chart for six consecutive weeks. Minaj became the first female artist to top the Rap Songs chart unaccompanied since 2002. It also charted in Canada and the UK.

"Check It Out", with will.i.am, was released as the third single on September 3, 2010 via digital download. It will be released to US radio stations on September 14.[18] It is a joint single. The song samples "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. The song was performed at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show alongside will.i.am.[19]

Right through me a new track off pink friday, nice track though girly

  1. ^ "XXcLusive: Nicki Minaj Signs With Young Money/Universal". XXLmag.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  2. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-10-15). "Nicki Minaj Says Her Debut Single Will Drop Next Month – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  3. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2010-02-24). "Nicki Minaj Isn't 'Rushing' Her Debut Album – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  4. ^ "Nicki Minaj Says 'Pink Friday' Is Crucial for Female Rap's Future". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  5. ^ a b "Nicki Minaj Announces Album Title". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  6. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (August 6, 2010). "Nicki Minaj Finishing Next Single, Says Young Money 'Keeps Me Grounded'". Billboard. Nielsen Media Research. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
  7. ^ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-05-08). "Nicki Minaj Says Pink Friday Is 'Progressing Miraculously' – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  8. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2010-07-08). "Swizz Beatz Is Making 'Musical Moments' For Nicki Minaj's Debut – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  9. ^ Harper, Rosario (2010-07-09). "Swizz Beatz Sheds Light On Nicki Minaj's Debut, "She's Doing Some Amazing Things On The Choruses"". Sohh.Com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  10. ^ Pastorek, Whitney (2010-07-23). "Nicki Minaj drops new hints about her debut album (will.i.am!), needs someone to make her an Annie Lennox mixtape | EW.com". Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  11. ^ "Nicki Minaj Looks to Kanye West, Swizz Beatz for Debut Album". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  12. ^ "Nicki Minaj Tones Down the Sexiness". Rap-Up.com. 2010-06-23. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  13. ^ 08:32 (2010-07-29). "Nicki Minaj – Album Due out November 23rd | Hip Hop At Lunch – The Latest Hip Hop News And Emerging Artists". Hip Hop At Lunch. Retrieved 2010-08-05. {{cite web}}: |author= has numeric name (help)
  14. ^ a b Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-08-04). "Nicki Minaj Says Pink Friday Is 'Progressing Miraculously' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  15. ^ Phillips, Rashad (2010-09-09). "Bangladesh Ends Cash Money Feud, Talks Future Projects | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  16. ^ "Nicki Minaj's Hot New Promo Photos!". Rap-Up.com. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  17. ^ "Nicki Minaj Announces Album Release Date – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  18. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  19. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2010-09-12). "Nicki Minaj Makes Colorful Entrance On VMA Pre-Show". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
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