Nicki Minaj – "Pink Friday 2: The Hiatus"

[wavey.]

Jul 25, 2018 9:23:07 GMT -5 JenkseyArt said:

FEFE is a hit, but when I hear it all I can do is rap Nicki's verse from Gucci Mane “Slumber Party”.

That's classic.

http://instagram.com/p/BlqZHUggj7h

[Zinc.]

Nicki Minaj's 'Queen' Rollout Reeks Of Desperation And Hypocrisy

Nicki Minaj needs a big win right now. The Young Money rapper is just two-and-a-half weeks out from the release of her fourth studio album, Queen, and she’s clearly feeling the pressure of entering a rap landscape that looks drastically different than when she dropped her last album, The Pinkprint, in 2014. For one, Minaj is no longer the industry’s token female rapper: She now has to contend with the younger, more vibrant and pop-savvy Cardi B, who’s already scored two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits off her debut album, Invasion of Privacy.

Much of the genre now belongs to younger artists whose aggressive, minimalist punk-rap hybrid sounds totally at odds with Minaj’s pop-rap crossover bids. (The rest of it belongs solely to Drake, who so thoroughly dominates charts and streaming services that he might as well be his own subgenre.) If Minaj wants to reclaim her place among the pantheon of hip-hop elites, then Queen needs to be an all-killer, no-filler collection of dizzying bars, pummeling beats and razor-sharp hooks designed to earn her plenty of streams and radio play.

Her album rollout suggests she’s about to deliver the complete opposite.

Minaj’s Queen campaign got off to a promising start in April when she released back-to-back singles “Barbie Tingz” and “Chun-Li.” Both tracks boasted lean, no-nonsense production and sharp, percussive flows from the MC who stole Kanye West’s thunder with her jaw-dropping “Monster” verse way back in 2010. More importantly, “Chun-Li” gave Minaj her first solo Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in four years. After her trio of 2017 singles—“Changed It,” “No Frauds” and “Regret in Your Tears”—failed to make a notable splash on the Hot 100, Minaj proved she was still capable of scoring a respectable chart hit. If she could graze the Top 10 with the workmanlike “Chun-Li,” then perhaps she could restore her former glory with a more eccentric track that displayed her wicked sense of humor, like 2014’s No. 2-peaking “Anaconda.”

Three months later and Minaj is still chasing the success of “Chun-Li.” Her proper follow-up single, the Ariana Grande-assisted “Bed,” stalled at No. 43 on the Hot 100 despite a sultry vocal hook and tropical dance beat that seemed destined to dominate airwaves. Minaj reciprocated the favor by sleepwalking through Grande’s “The Light Is Coming,” a curious electro-pop number that only reached No. 95 on the Hot 100. But neither of these unremarkable tracks could prepare listeners for Minaj’s latest move: “FEFE,” her abominable collaboration with 22-year-old Brooklyn rapper 6ix9ine.

The most—actually, only—impressive part of “FEFE” is that the typically high-octane 6ix9ine manages to go three minutes without shouting incomprehensibly, instead delivering marble-mouthed raps and a limply sung refrain over a paint-by-numbers trap beat. He cedes the second half of the song to Minaj, who fills the space with pedestrian bars and inanities such as “colorful hair, don’t care.” The video fares even worse, as both rappers nauseatingly share an ice cream cone and parade through a landscape of Day-Glo vomit that equally recalls Super Mario 64 and Willy Wonka.

The only possible explanation for the existence of “FEFE” is that Minaj, now 35, made a shameless attempt to stay relevant. Based on early numbers, it seems to be working: The song sits at No. 2 on Spotify’s United States Top 50 chart and is expected to debut in the Top 10 of the Hot 100, and the video has accumulated more than 30 million views since Sunday. But it’s embarrassing and revolting to watch Minaj squander her talents alongside a one-note rapper who pled guilty to the use of a child in a sexual performance. The Minaj gallivanting alongside a life-size Skittle with face tattoos in the “FEFE” video is a far cry from the Minaj who tweeted in 2012 that “people who abuse children should be stoned to death in public.”

This isn’t Minaj’s first hypocritical act during her Queen rollout. She (perhaps inadvertently) shamed sex workers in an Elle profile last month despite blatantly selling sex appeal in her own music and imagery, and she doubled down on her statements after critics called her out on Twitter. The New York Times reported earlier this month that Minaj personally attacked culture writer and professed fan Wanna Thompson after she tweeted a mostly benign criticism of the rapper. She subsequently emboldened her superfans (or “stans”) to harass Thompson incessantly and has made no public effort to quell the hate. The same artist who tearfully told Zane Lowe that Cardi B “really, really, really hurt [her] feelings” by not thanking her for her “Motorsport” feature, went out of her way to mock and insult a stranger on the internet for mildly critiquing her work. Minaj likes to tout feminist ideals and play the victim when it fits her narrative, but she resorts to petty bullying tactics upon receiving the slightest criticism.

All of these blunders distract from what should be Minaj’s main focus right now: her music. Nobody expects her to tone down her outsize personality or colorful language, nor should they want that. But it’s perfectly reasonable to expect her to show her fans a modicum of decency, not collaborate (and tour) with admitted abusers and, oh, release some good music in the meantime. Minaj’s Queen rollout reeks of desperation and hypocrisy , and her recent output isn’t nearly good enough to distract from her actions, let alone justify them. If she doesn’t chart a corrective course of action soon, she may release Queen only to find her crown still missing.

[Caviar]

Lol

[ILLUSION]

*yawn* Whoever wrote that article should be embarrassed about where they stand as a journalist lol why don't you write a real article or something.

SO ready for this album to drop so everyone can STFU. It was bound to happen though, can't stay on top forever...

[wavey.]

A shameless attempt to stay relevant. Bitch, she didn't release no album a year ago and was STILL relevant, negative or positive🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

The part about the private dm I'll agree with.

That journalist tried it to the max. But we'll see what happens with the album drop.

Jesus. I'm glad she's being silent against all the s**t.

[stunnedout]

Jul 25, 2018 11:32:15 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Why should Nicki be responsible for supporting female mc's? Cardi is about to go on a STADIUM tour w/ Bruno (co-headlining) and so far hasn't invited anybody. The expectations people on Nicki is unfair.

LOL what are u talking about? Cardi is just now blowing up and is a "special guest" on the last leg of Bruno's already successful tour. It's the XXIVk Magic finale tour and they are performing in arenas not stadiums. Nicki has been in her position for YEARS and hasn't opened the door for anyone. At the end of the day Nicki would rather bring a pedophile than support a legit female artist.

[Caviar]

Fine. Nicki didn't shower Cardi with support yet she blew up on her own. Other female MC's should put in the work like Cardi did. And according to that tabloid article Zinc posted Nicki isn't in any position to help anyone else if she can't help herself.

[wavey.]

Wait, she brought Dej Loaf out, Right?

Now, Nicki can't direct Dej's career, but she sure did bring her on tour.

[Caviar]

Jul 25, 2018 17:05:03 GMT -5 wavey. said:

Wait, she brought Dej Loaf out, Right?

Now, Nicki can't direct Dej's career, but she sure did bring her on tour.

Nicki is supposed to be the saviour of all music, with zero features, relatable but not opinionated, make urban hits that cross over to pop, is NOT supposed to make 'pop' music but still must sell on iTunes, be a streaming monster, name drop/support all female emcees while kissing Lil' Kim's ass, but not too much since she's her own artist, stay away from drug dealing/rapist rappers, although male rappers are given a pass, stay relevant with no features even though she's been in the game 10+ years. I mean ANYONE can do that.

[stunnedout]

Jul 25, 2018 17:00:31 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Fine. Nicki didn't shower Cardi with support yet she blew up on her own. Other female MC's should put in the work like Cardi did. And according to that tabloid article Zinc posted Nicki isn't in any position to help anyone else if she can't help herself.

I honestly wasn't even referencing Cardi at all. That convo is so old now. I think it would be great to see someone like Kash Doll, Young MA, Lizzo touring with Nicki. I feel like there are a lot of females on the cusp of blowing up and it would really show Nicki in a great light that she is cheering on another woman and giving them an opportunity. Women in hip hop are marginalized and they have to all support each other if they are ever going to thrive in the industry the way men do. Nicki is having a rough moment now, but she is really the queen of this era and nothing adds to legacy like supporting someone else. That's all.

I forgot she had Dej Loaf on her last tour. Hopefully, she adds a female this time too. I really wish it was Lizzo, but I know it wont be.

[Deleted]

Jul 25, 2018 17:10:54 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Jul 25, 2018 17:05:03 GMT -5 wavey. said:

Wait, she brought Dej Loaf out, Right?

Now, Nicki can't direct Dej's career, but she sure did bring her on tour.

Nicki is supposed to be the saviour of all music, with zero features, relatable but not opinionated, make urban hits that cross over to pop, is NOT supposed to make 'pop' music but still must sell on iTunes, be a streaming monster, name drop/support all female emcees while kissing Lil' Kim's ass, but not too much since she's her own artist, stay away from drug dealing/rapist rappers, although male rappers are given a pass, stay relevant with no features even though she's been in the game 10+ years. I mean ANYONE can do that.

I'll settle for just ONE #1 solo hit on the billboard hot 100! its been 10+ years!

[stunnedout]

Jul 25, 2018 17:37:33 GMT -5 @pma2015 said:

Jul 25, 2018 17:10:54 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Nicki is supposed to be the saviour of all music, with zero features, relatable but not opinionated, make urban hits that cross over to pop, is NOT supposed to make 'pop' music but still must sell on iTunes, be a streaming monster, name drop/support all female emcees while kissing Lil' Kim's ass, but not too much since she's her own artist, stay away from drug dealing/rapist rappers, although male rappers are given a pass, stay relevant with no features even though she's been in the game 10+ years. I mean ANYONE can do that.

I'll settle for just ONE #1 solo hit on the billboard hot 100! its been 10+ years!

That Tyra Sanchez gif cracks me up every time I see it. LOL

[SHOOTER]

Jul 25, 2018 17:21:07 GMT -5 stunnedout said:

Jul 25, 2018 17:00:31 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Fine. Nicki didn't shower Cardi with support yet she blew up on her own. Other female MC's should put in the work like Cardi did. And according to that tabloid article Zinc posted Nicki isn't in any position to help anyone else if she can't help herself.

I honestly wasn't even referencing Cardi at all. That convo is so old now. I think it would be great to see someone like Kash Doll, Young MA, Lizzo touring with Nicki. I feel like there are a lot of females on the cusp of blowing up and it would really show Nicki in a great light that she is cheering on another woman and giving them an opportunity. Women in hip hop are marginalized and they have to all support each other if they are ever going to thrive in the industry the way men do. Nicki is having a rough moment now, but she is really the queen of this era and nothing adds to legacy like supporting someone else. That's all.

I forgot she had Dej Loaf on her last tour. Hopefully, she adds a female this time too. I really wish it was Lizzo, but I know it wont be.

It's rumored Maliibu Miitch may be one of the 3 openers on her tour.

[Ivy Leegue™]

Isn't Bratz Doll also on her tour too?

[Relaxing Cup]

There's a rapper called 'Bratz Doll'?

[wavey.]

💀 I think he meant Asian or Kash Doll.

[Mayman]

The Pinkprint is her best album. Not very much of it sounds dated even today.

[Raccoon]

I would buy a ticket SO fast if Lizzo was on tour with her

[Zinc.]

Nicki Minaj, What’s… Going On?

If 2017 was the year of questioning Katy Perry, 2018 is the year of questioning Nicki Minaj. The rapper has returned after a nearly four-year musical hiatus (not including the occasional feature), and, in the short time she’s been back, has managed to stir up more controversy than ever before.

Let’s start with the most recent dust-up: the new 6ix9ine song featuring Minaj. Many—including primo critic of other female rappers, Azealia Banks—called Minaj out for collaborating with the rapper, who previously pleaded guilty to the Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance. Just prior to that, Queer Eye cast member Jonathan Van Ness expressed his disappointment with the rapper’s decision to appear on the cover of Russia's Harper’s Bazaar given how the country treats its LGBTQ+ citizens. He wrote on Twitter: “Russia has anti-LGBTQIA propaganda laws, Chechnya supported by Russia tortures its LGBTQIA citizens, and with you’re LGBTQ+ fans, you can’t even speak to this in this interview because it’s illegal in Russia.”

Both of these offenses, while unforgivable to some, are not exclusive to Minaj. Many male rappers have collaborated with 6ix9ine, yet Minaj is the only one who caught flak for it. As for the Harper’s Bazaar incident, both Rihanna and Kim Kardashian have appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, a region that has some of the worst LGBTQIA+ rights in the world. But, alas, that’s not where the Minaj drama ends.

Back in June, Minaj got heat for an interview with Elle in which she said that she was surprised at “how many girls were modern-day prostitutes,” essentially shaming sex workers and policing the sexuality of women, which many found ironic coming from a rapper who made a career out of being sex-positive and preaching women's empowerment. Perhaps most concerning as of late though is the way Minaj responds to anyone who dares have an opinion with which she doesn’t agree. After one Twitter user, Jerome Trammel, pointed out the hypocrisy between her Elle interview and the music she puts out, Minaj attempted to clear things up, but not before telling him to suck her dick, calling him an asshole, and telling him to “pop my dick outcho mouf.” She then proceeded to tell her barbz (aka her stanbase, and, hi to the barbz who will inevitably find this story) to “beat” Trammel “like he stole smthn.”

Another troubling incident happened earlier this month when freelance writer Wannan Thompson tweeted out her own criticism of Minaj. “You know how dope it would be if Nicki put out mature content?” she wrote on Twitter. “Not silly shit. Just reflecting on past relationships, being a boss, hardships, etc. She’s touching 40 soon, a new direction is needed.” The rapper wasn’t tagged in the post, nor was her full stage name even used, yet she caught wind of the tweet anyway and proceeded to slide into Thompson’s DMs with a wildly childish message. It reads:

When ya ugly ass was 24 u were pushing 30? I’m 34. I’m touching 40 ? lol. And what does that have to do with my music? Eat a dick u hating ass hoe. Got the nerve to have a Trini flag on ur page. You must not have heard the Pinkprint. Or pills n potions, bed of lies, save me, my recent feature with Alicia keys, Tasha Cobbs. Just say u jealous I’m rich, famous intelligent, pretty and go! But wait! Leave my balls! Tired of you sucking them.

After realizing she got her own age wrong, Minaj returned with a correction:

I dropped my album almost 4 years ago. My bad I’m 35. So at 31. How about you GET LIKE ME? Why don’t you ask me to help you get RICH!? Been on top & I ain’t going NOWHERE HOOOOOO.

Both Thompson and Trammel said that they received multiple death threats from Minaj’s fans after their exchanges. Clapping back at haters and trolls is normal celebrity behavior. Rihanna and Lana Del Rey have practically turned the act into an art, but still, it feels different with Minaj, like she has taken things a bit too far. Her responses to Thompson or Trammel seemed designed for the purpose of riling up her fans, knowing they would do exactly what they did: attack. It feels like a conscious abuse of her significant amount of power, an example of punching down. And that's troubling.

Minaj’s talent is indisputable. The Pinkprint helped her become the most awarded female rapper ever, and she’s amassed a following rivaling those of Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. She has 20 million followers on Twitter and another 89 million on Instagram. Minaj has managed to achieve commercial fame in one of the most misogynistic industries out there, and that should be applauded, but it’s 2018, and people aren’t as willing to put up with childish insults and cyberbullying. They’re not willing to put up with inauthenticity (just look at Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus). You’re going to get called out for working with a controversial artist because, well, a person with influence like Minaj should know better and hold herself to hire standards than others.

With Queen coming out in a couple of weeks, it’s hard to tell if Minaj’s recent string of antics is part of her comeback tour, just mere promotion—the perfect way to stir up sales is to stir up drama, after all. And she does need to stir up something: According to The New York Times, her two singles “Chun-Li” and “Barbie Tingz” haven’t reached higher than No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100. But, her song with 6ix9ine has reportedly reached number one spot on Apple Music, TIDAL, and YouTube. And, despite the backlash, just this week, it was announced that 6ix9ine was added to Minaj and Future’s upcoming tour. It's hard to imagine that Minaj will change her behavior then, seeing as how well it's working for her. Which means that the question on our lips has become: “Is this your Queen?!” It’s getting harder and harder to tell.

[wavey.]

Bruh. .keep it on the playground.

[Mayman]

Can't even take that article seriously when the information is completely wrong and shows that they didn't research very much.

[ILLUSION]

The negative press is expected. She's been on top for so long and now that another female rapper is doing very well and looks like she might have a more successful release than Nicki's, the media is jumping all over it because this is what they've been waiting for. As I've said, I hope Nicki ignores it and keeps putting out music that makes her fans happy.

[SHOOTER]

I just wish we had a dope single to focus on. Bed ain't doing enough.

[ILLUSION]

I just find it kinda crazy that people are "panicking" when we've literally only heard 3 songs off an album with 19 songs and it comes out in 2 weeks. How many songs did we hear off TPP before it came out? (at least) 4, right? Like, how are people gonna say this album is gonna be trash with what we've heard so far compared to what we had heard from TPP with Pills n Potions, Bed of Lies, Anaconda, and Only being released beforehand...and it came out to be (arguably) Nicki's best album. Like, ya'll need to chill tfo.

[wavey.]

Jul 26, 2018 16:49:43 GMT -5 ILLUSION said:

I just find it kinda crazy that people are "panicking" when we've literally only heard 3 songs off an album with 19 songs and it comes out in 2 weeks. How many songs did we hear off TPP before it came out? (at least) 4, right? Like, how are people gonna say this album is gonna be trash with what we've heard so far compared to what we had heard from TPP with Pills n Potions, Bed of Lies, Anaconda, and Only being released beforehand...and it came out to be (arguably) Nicki's best album.

Like, ya'll need to chill tfo.

For me, it's the lack of promotion for the 2nd single. She def had some good slots for Chun, but a good performance or two of Bed could've helped. Think about it: they teased it on social media, video was hella late(should be dropped right after Bed was released), and then just nothing but the Happar shoot, and silence(all of this before FeFe).

I'm still positive that things will turn out fine, but I need to see her a little more on some couches or a TV stage. Two more weeks. Hopefully something after FeFe drops.

ILLUSION, I think people are more upset of how the rollout is being handled. It's not poor at all, but it can be way better. Hell, at the same time, she could be working on the album still for all we know😂😂

[ILLUSION]

I agree, but I'm mainly responding to the comments I've seen about this album already being a "flop" or how the ticket bundle with the physical album is the only thing saving this era from a "flop", etc... Everything Nicki rolls out is a hot mess, we've seen that and it shouldn't really be a surprise. I'd like that to change but I've sorta accepted that it won't ever change. I personally think they are waiting until album promo week to really push Bed with performances and such but I also think they should be dropping a 2nd Urban single that can impact while Bed impacts Pop.

[wavey.]

This is the YT journalist who had so much to say:

http://instagram.com/p/Bltt1QplO8k

Hes a gdamn opener sis. YOU DONT HAVE TO WATCH HIM LORD HAVE MERCY WE KNOW THE MF IS PROBLEMATIC WHAT CAN WE DO.

[Deleted]

She asked for it like people have to understand when you speak the speak and label yourself a champion of women, a feminist then you're going to look like hypocrite when you work with a proven sexual deviant. It's that simple she isn't dumb. Nicki is very smart and I personally think she does these things to get a reaction .

From putting Malcolm X on the cover of "looking ass ***I'M RACIST***s " to antisemitic to plain ignorance it's not the first time.

Lots of people are rightfully against Tekashi and his disgusting ways and most of us wouldn't see or hear him unless it's being propelled to the mainstream by people like Nicki. I hadn't even seen what he looks like until I heard he was working with her.
She needs a new PR firm.

[Deleted]

On the surface I look like a Nicki Minaj hater but I actually respect her talents and I want black women to win in white spaces that exist in Hollywood /showbiz but I'm seriously just noticing WAY too much "fake shit" publicity stunts and shows like I did with Madonna on social media and it annoys me. I just want her to win and be authentic and original and just smarten up.

[wavey.]

She liked this tweet so maybe.