This one is for all the BARBZ out there. “Pink Friday 2” is a musical buffet that consists of all things feminine, expressive, fun and most importantly, pink. Nicki Minaj, the self-proclaimed Black Barbie herself, has dropped the sequel to her hit 2010 debut album, “Pink Friday.” Minaj has been in the rap game for more than a decade. Within this time, her individuality, work ethic and female empowerment connected with women in the industry, inspiring future generations of female rappers. From her overly risqué lyrics, she liberates women from the standards of ‘acceptable’ or ‘classy’ behavior; instead, Minaj reminds them that, like male rappers, women are allowed to take pride in their sexuality without shame. Her hyper-feminine self-expression in a male-dominated career has broken stereotypes and paved the way for other female artists to redefine their femininity as a tool, rather than an obstacle.
“A lot of people look up to her,” Kendyl Fleming (12) said. “She sets a standard in the industry, especially for female rappers. The female rap game was changed when she was introduced.”
In 2010, Minaj released the original “Pink Friday,” her first album, which featured her global hits, “Fly” and “Super Bass”. According to many rap fans, “Pink Friday” can be described as the turning point for the rap game. This album introduced what Minaj had to offer to the music industry and can be attributed to the status she holds in the industry today. Leading up to the release of “Pink Friday 2,” fans expected it to be a reimagined, refreshed “Pink Friday”. However, Minaj was quick to correct people and let them know that she planned to make “Pink Friday 2” its own entity entirely. While “Pink Friday” embodied the many personas curated by Minaj, “Pink Friday 2” exposes the person underneath the wigs. The album shows Minaj’s character and her journey through life, while also giving fans more insight into her life. Many listeners of the album believe that “Pink Friday 2” is yet another work of Minaj’s that sets her apart from others in the rap game. The album demonstrates her genre versatility and ability to navigate emotions. The album features her signature hard-hitting rap style in songs like “Barbie Dangerous” and “Super Freaky Girl”. While in other songs, she blends genres that don’t fit her image she has created for career such as gospel in “Blessings,” which features gospel musician Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Not only did Minaj mix genres, but also took listeners on a roller-coaster of emotions while listening to “Pink Friday 2”. Most described what they heard as upbeat and ideal music for parties. Some listeners found themselves being shown a much more vulnerable, personal side of Minaj not yet discovered in her other work. In the opening track, “Are You Gone Already,” Minaj discusses the death of her father and her journey of grief. She exposes her anxiousness, fear and sadness to her fans during this time. This introspective element of the album left many fans feeling more connected with Minaj.
“It was a little more emotional than I expected,” Kailyn Card (10) said. “There weren’t as many of her typical ‘party songs’ that I was expecting to hear. I felt like her fans were seeing another side of Nicki. A more emotional, personal side that just showed that she relates to us more than we think. She was super vulnerable and it made me feel really connected to her.”
Throughout her career, Minaj has not only inspired other female artists but also her listeners. Many listeners have credited Minaj with the development of their self-confidence. Her ability to remain herself in an industry where she was told she was ‘too much’ has led others to strive to be themselves as well. Minaj’s attitude is a constant reminder to others to remain their unapologetic selves. Fan or not, many have been able to agree that Minaj is a large influence in the world. From memes to personal revelations, Minaj has inspired fans for over a decade.
“Nicki has led me to embrace the strong, hyper-femme aesthetic,” Card said. “She’s influenced me to be the type of woman who is super strong-willed; to be myself and not care what other people think of me or what they think of my actions.”
