The Pinkprint: Difference between revisions
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{{about|the |
{{about|the album|the fragrance|Nicki Minaj#Fragrances}} |
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| artist = [[Nicki Minaj]] |
| artist = [[Nicki Minaj]] |
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| cover = Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint (Official Album Cover).png |
| cover = Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint (Official Album Cover).png |
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| caption = Standard edition cover. Deluxe edition features a white background. |
| caption = Standard edition cover. Deluxe edition features a white background, while the 2024 10th anniversary re-release features a pink background. |
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| released = {{Start date|2014|12| |
| released = {{Start date|2014|12|15}} |
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| recorded = 2013–2014 |
| recorded = 2013–2014 |
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| studio = {{hlist|[[Jungle City Studios|Jungle City]] ([[New York City]])|Evdon ([[Toronto]])|Glenwood ([[Burbank, California|Burbank]])|Luke's In The Boo ([[Malibu, California]])|[[Record Plant]] ([[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]])|[[Conway Recording Studios|Conway]]|Eightysevenfourteen ([[Los Angeles]])}} |
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| studio = |
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| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]] |
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]<!-- cited in Music and lyrics section--> |
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| length = {{Duration|m=66|s=51}} |
| length = {{Duration|m=66|s=51}} |
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| single6 = [[The Night Is Still Young (Nicki Minaj song)|The Night Is Still Young]] |
| single6 = [[The Night Is Still Young (Nicki Minaj song)|The Night Is Still Young]] |
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| single6date = April 12, 2015 |
| single6date = April 12, 2015 |
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| single7 = Trini Dem Girls |
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| single7date = September 1, 2015<ref name="FMQB">{{Cite magazine|date=September 1, 2015|title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!|url=https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691|magazine=[[FMQB]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820094850/https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691|archive-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref> |
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'''''The Pinkprint''''' is the third studio album by rapper [[Nicki Minaj]] |
'''''The Pinkprint''''' is the third studio album by Trinidadian rapper [[Nicki Minaj]]. It was released on December 15, 2014, by [[Young Money Entertainment]], [[Cash Money Records]] and [[Republic Records]]. Departing from the [[dance-pop]] elements of her previous album, ''[[Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded]]'' (2012), ''The Pinkprint'' is driven by Minaj's traditional [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] roots. Minaj co-executive-produced the album alongside [[Birdman (rapper)|Birdman]], [[Lil Wayne]] and [[Ronald "Slim" Williams|Ronald Williams]]. |
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''The Pinkprint'' received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many complimenting its production and personal lyrics. It was included in several publications' year-end and decade-end lists. In 2016, it received a [[58th Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy]] nomination for [[Best Rap Album]]. The album peaked at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] with 244,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s in its first week, of which 198,000 were pure sales. It also charted within the top ten in Canada, Norway, and Sweden, and the top twenty in Australia, Croatia, Finland, and Greece. As of December 2015, it has sold 682,000 pure copies in the US, and has since been certified 2× Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). |
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''The Pinkprint'' spawned six singles; "[[Pills n Potions]]", "[[Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)|Anaconda]]", "[[Only (Nicki Minaj song)|Only]]", "[[Bed of Lies (song)|Bed of Lies]]", "[[Truffle Butter]]", and "[[The Night Is Still Young (Nicki Minaj song)|The Night Is Still Young]]". "Anaconda" peaked at number two on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], becoming Minaj's highest-charting single at the time, while four other singles peaked within the top 40. To |
''The Pinkprint'' spawned six singles; "[[Pills n Potions]]", "[[Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)|Anaconda]]", "[[Only (Nicki Minaj song)|Only]]", "[[Bed of Lies (song)|Bed of Lies]]", "[[Truffle Butter]]", and "[[The Night Is Still Young (Nicki Minaj song)|The Night Is Still Young]]". "Anaconda" peaked at number two on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], becoming Minaj's highest-charting single at the time, while four other singles peaked within the top 40. To promote the album, Minaj embarked on her third concert tour, titled [[The Pinkprint Tour]], from March to August 2015, spanning more than fifty shows over the five-month period. |
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==Background and production== |
==Background and production== |
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[[File:Jungle City Studios.jpeg|thumbnail|left|Parts of the album were recorded at [[Jungle City Studios]] (pictured).]] |
[[File:Jungle City Studios.jpeg|thumbnail|left|Parts of the album were recorded at [[Jungle City Studios]] (pictured).]] |
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In 2013, Minaj stated that she would begin writing material for her third album later that year, after production was completed for her supporting role in her first feature film ''[[The Other Woman (2014 film)|The Other Woman]]'' (2014). |
In 2013, Minaj stated that she would begin writing material for her third album later that year, after production was completed for her supporting role in her first feature film ''[[The Other Woman (2014 film)|The Other Woman]]'' (2014). She noted that there were currently no featured artists on the record, and commented that she was "just enjoying [the] creative process".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designntrend.com/articles/17701/20140806/nicki-minaj-will-guest-features-pink-print-details.htm|title=Nicki Minaj Says There Will Be No Guest Features On 'The Pink Print'|last=Conte|first=Richard|publisher=Design & Trend|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> Recording sessions for the album took place at [[Jungle City Studios]] [[New York, NY]]; Evdon Studios, [[Toronto]], Canada; Glenwood Recording Studios, [[Burbank, CA]]; Luke's In The Boo, [[Malibu, CA]]; [[Record Plant]], [[Hollywood, CA]], [[Conway Recording Studios]], [[Los Angeles, CA]]; and Eightysevenfourteen Studios, Los Angeles, CA.<ref name="credits">{{cite AV media notes|others=[[Nicki Minaj]]|title=The Pinkprint|year=2014|type=booklet|publisher=[[Young Money Entertainment]], [[Cash Money Records]], [[Republic Records]]|id=00602547163844}}</ref> In November 2013, Minaj described the project as "next level", "very different from anything I've done", adding that she had explored [[pop music]] but never had the intention to continue with the genre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/nicki-minaj/73637#dtuOuy1guawSH32b.99|title=Nicki Minaj prepares 'next level' new album for 2014 release|work=NME|date=November 5, 2013|access-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> |
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During the recording process Minaj recorded two songs that were inspired by Irish [[Celtic music|Celtic]] singer-songwriter [[Enya]]; Minaj stated that the songs contain "airiness and the whimsicalness" that reminded her of Enya. In 2014, singer-songwriter [[Skylar Grey]] wrote and recorded a [[Demo (music)|demo]] version of a song entitled "[[Bed of Lies]]" and the song was later sent to Minaj who wrote and recorded verses of her own to the song.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6312335/skylar-grey-on-nicki-minaj-collaboration-bed-of-lies-its-a-nice|title=Skylar Grey|magazine=Billboard|date=November 11, 2014}}</ref> In August 2014, Minaj's manager informed her that [[Beyoncé]] wanted to make a remix of "[[Flawless (Beyoncé song)|Flawless]]" with her and in return she would feature on ''The Pinkprint''. Minaj said that she wrote her verse in New York and Beyoncé visited her in the studio and encouraged her.<ref>{{cite web|title=16 Things We Learned About The Pinkprint From Nicki Minaj's Twitter Q&A|website=[[MTV]]|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2013551/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-facts-what-we-learned/|access-date=August 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Erika|last=Ramirez|title=Nicki Minaj Explains How Beyonce's 'Flawless' Remix Came to Be|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6206968/nicki-minaj-explains-beyonce-flawless-remix|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 4, 2014|access-date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> During the album's production, Minaj worked with a variety of people including [[Dr. Luke]], [[Ester Dean]], [[Boi-1da]] and [[Detail (record producer)|Detail]]. Minaj also hoped to have guest features from [[Rihanna]] and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7529631/nicki-minaj-fader-magazine-pink-print-hip-hop-mixtapes-bet-awards-iggy-azalea-pics|title=Nicki Minaj Covers 'FADER' Magazine, Talks 'The Pink Print', Mixtape Days & BET Awards Speech: 6 Pics|work= |
During the recording process Minaj recorded two songs that were inspired by Irish [[Celtic music|Celtic]] singer-songwriter [[Enya]]; Minaj stated that the songs contain "airiness and the whimsicalness" that reminded her of Enya. In 2014, singer-songwriter [[Skylar Grey]] wrote and recorded a [[Demo (music)|demo]] version of a song entitled "[[Bed of Lies]]" and the song was later sent to Minaj who wrote and recorded verses of her own to the song.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6312335/skylar-grey-on-nicki-minaj-collaboration-bed-of-lies-its-a-nice|title=Skylar Grey|magazine=Billboard|date=November 11, 2014}}</ref> In August 2014, Minaj's manager informed her that [[Beyoncé]] wanted to make a remix of "[[Flawless (Beyoncé song)|Flawless]]" with her and in return she would feature on ''The Pinkprint''. Minaj said that she wrote her verse in New York and Beyoncé visited her in the studio and encouraged her.<ref>{{cite web|title=16 Things We Learned About The Pinkprint From Nicki Minaj's Twitter Q&A|website=[[MTV]]|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2013551/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-facts-what-we-learned/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141203131539/http://www.mtv.com/news/2013551/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-facts-what-we-learned/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2014|access-date=August 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Erika|last=Ramirez|title=Nicki Minaj Explains How Beyonce's 'Flawless' Remix Came to Be|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6206968/nicki-minaj-explains-beyonce-flawless-remix|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 4, 2014|access-date=August 5, 2014}}</ref> During the album's production, Minaj worked with a variety of people including [[Dr. Luke]], [[Ester Dean]], [[Boi-1da]] and [[Detail (record producer)|Detail]]. Minaj also hoped to have guest features from [[Rihanna]] and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7529631/nicki-minaj-fader-magazine-pink-print-hip-hop-mixtapes-bet-awards-iggy-azalea-pics|title=Nicki Minaj Covers 'FADER' Magazine, Talks 'The Pink Print', Mixtape Days & BET Awards Speech: 6 Pics|work=Idolator.com|date=August 5, 2014 }}</ref> While Rihanna did not appear on the album, Drake was featured on two songs from the album, along with fellow [[Young Money]] labelmate [[Lil Wayne]], on "[[Only (Nicki Minaj song)|Only]]" and "[[Truffle Butter]]", with the latter appearing exclusively on the deluxe edition of the album.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj|url=https://genius.com/albums/Nicki-minaj/The-pinkprint|access-date=April 2, 2021|website=Genius|language=en}}</ref> |
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In September, Minaj stated that "it was her best album to date" saying she had grown as a writer and was able to speak about topics that she had felt uncomfortable sharing two years ago.<ref name="Rolling Stone Preview">{{cite magazine|title=Fall Music Preview 2014: 25 Must-Hear Albums|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/fall-music-preview-2014-25-must-hear-albums-20140924/nicki-minaj-the-pink-print-11-24-20140924|magazine=[[ |
In September, Minaj stated that "it was her best album to date" saying she had grown as a writer and was able to speak about topics that she had felt uncomfortable sharing two years ago.<ref name="Rolling Stone Preview">{{cite magazine|title=Fall Music Preview 2014: 25 Must-Hear Albums|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/fall-music-preview-2014-25-must-hear-albums-20140924/nicki-minaj-the-pink-print-11-24-20140924|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=September 25, 2014|archive-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912234453/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/fall-music-preview-2014-25-must-hear-albums-20140924/nicki-minaj-the-pink-print-11-24-20140924|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later that month, Minaj characterized the album as consisting of "raw talent, emotion, hard spitting and everything that people have come to love about Nicki Minaj".<ref name="soundcloud.com">{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/james-boyz56/nicki-minajs-interwiew-on-nrj-lebanon|title=Nicki Minaj's interwiew on NRJ Lebanon|work=SoundCloud}}</ref> In November 2014, Minaj revealed she had recorded 25 songs for the album, stating she would find a song that "sits" with her and then mold that track for a while until she was satisfied; she continued to say her biggest problem during the recording process was cutting songs from the final track listing as each track was "special" to her.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj recorded 25 songs for "The Pinkprint"|date=November 7, 2014|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31330/title.nicki-minaj-says-she-recorded-only-25-songs-for-the-pinkprint-}}</ref> In November 2014, Minaj described the record as "personal" and an "emotional rollercoaster" to [[MTV News]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/nicki-minaj/videos/nicki-minaj-talks-being-the-emas-best-ever-host-and-her-upcoming-album-the-pinkprint?utm=share_twitter#!/play/nicki-minaj/videos/nicki-minaj-on-new-personal-album-the-pinkprint-mtv-news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109221519/http://www.mtv.co.uk/nicki-minaj/videos/nicki-minaj-talks-being-the-emas-best-ever-host-and-her-upcoming-album-the-pinkprint?utm=share_twitter#!/play/nicki-minaj/videos/nicki-minaj-on-new-personal-album-the-pinkprint-mtv-news|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|title=Nicki Minaj Talks Being The EMAs Best Ever Host And Her Upcoming Album 'The Pinkprint'|work=MTV UK}}</ref> |
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The album's title was inspired by ''[[The Blueprint]]'' (2001) by [[Jay-Z]], with Minaj stating that "He did such a great job of creating this ''Blueprint'' brand for male rappers and I wanted to do that [for] female rappers to be able to pattern themselves with what I've done one day".<ref name="Blueprint">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Is 'Obsessed' With Jay Z, That's Why She Named Her Album Pink Print|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1829120/nicki-minaj-jay-z-pink-print/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523194852/http://www.mtv.com/news/1829120/nicki-minaj-jay-z-pink-print/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 23, 2014|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=May 30, 2014}}</ref> In an interview, Minaj was asked what similarities there were with Jay Z's album, to which she replied: |
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{{cquote|I have no idea what he was doing before ''The Blueprint'' dropped. It's not that literal. People keep asking me about Jay's ''The Blueprint'' and they think I'm doing something like that. I made reference to ''The Blueprint'' because Jay is the biggest rapper of our time. The name of the album was inspired by Jay but not the body of work. I do think that it's going to create new rules, though, in [the way] that [''The Blueprint'' did].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj – Complex Cover Story|url=http://uk.complex.com/covers/nicki-minaj-interview-2014-cover-story/}}</ref>}} |
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==Music and lyrics== |
==Music and lyrics== |
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Speaking on the album's musical style, Minaj stated that the album would "focus on [[Rapping|rap]]" and "feed the core rap fan", whereas ''[[Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded]]'' explored more prominent elements of [[dance music]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nicki Minaj Will 'Focus On Rap' For Upcoming Album|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1565003/nicki-minaj-will-focus-on-rap-for-upcoming-album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> In April 2014, Minaj told ''[[MTV News]]'' "the tracks on [my next album] are back to my [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] roots. And I don't think it's something that I'm necessarily trying to do [but] as soon as I started working on my new album, that's just the songs that I've been writing". Minaj stated the album's lyrics touch upon themes of her family, loss, death and her struggle with guilt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Complex Cover Story|url=http://uk.complex.com/covers/nicki-minaj-interview-2014-cover-story/}}</ref> ''The Pinkprint'' opens with the autobiographical song, "[[All Things Go]]", which was described as a sequel to Minaj's song "Autobiography" off her ''[[Sucka Free (mixtape)|Sucka Free]]'' mixtape in 2008.<ref name="Music&Lyrics"/> A mid-tempo [[ballad]],<ref name="Complex">Mistry, Anupa (December 16, 2014). [http://www.complex.com/music/2014/12/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-review Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint']. ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]''. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227011652/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/12/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-review |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Archived }}</ref> which slowly unfolds and contains "heavy beats and heavy [[Bass (sound)|bass]]" along with "subtle [[synths]]".<ref name=Music&Lyrics>{{cite magazine|last1=Lockett|first1=Dee|title=Nicki Minaj's The Pinkprint: A Track-by-Track Breakdown|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/12/12/nicki_minaj_s_the_pinkprint_leaked_here_s_a_track_by_track_breakdown_of.html|magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> The lyrics discuss a wide range of personal issues Minaj has faced, from reflecting on fame and the speed in which her life has moved, to strained relationships with her family including the murder of her cousin Nicholas Telemaque, to her relationship with her mother and her own child which references an [[abortion]].<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "I Lied" is a [[Ballad (music)|ballad]] that contains a torpid production that does not change tempo. Lyrically, the song revolves around a "complicated regret" in which Minaj admits she denied her love for a man in order to stop him from breaking her heart.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "The Crying Game" features initially uncredited vocals from British musician [[Jessie Ware]], before being officially credited at a later date. The song mixes "sombre balladry with downbeat guitar loops" and is described as one of the album's most emotional songs. During the song, Minaj alternates between "devastating verses and pensive crooning" whilst Ware adds "haunting" and "[[Soul music|soulful]]" vocals to the chorus.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> During an interview for Malcolm Music, Ware revealed how the collaboration came about, saying that she wrote the song with [[Pop Wansel]] for her own album ''[[Tough Love (Jessie Ware album)|Tough Love]]'' (2014) but ultimately felt that it didn't fit the album. Wansel subsequently sent the song to Minaj who recorded her own vocals to turn the song into a collaboration between Ware and Minaj. Initial pressings of the album did not list Ware as being featured; something Ware added was a mistake and later corrected.<ref name="YouTube Interview">{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdaa8W-uN4o|title=Jessie Ware about Nicki Minaj not crediting her, racism in R&B/soul, work with Miguel, MalcolmMusic|work=MalcolmMusic|publisher= YouTube|last=Ohanwe|first=Malcolm|date=July 3, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} – starts around 4:00 minutes.</ref> |
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[[File:Katy Perry at Madison Square Garden (36757800584).jpg|thumb|left|150px|"[[Get on Your Knees (Nicki Minaj song)|Get on Your Knees]]" co-written by [[Katy Perry]].]] |
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"Get on Your Knees" features vocals from American singer [[Ariana Grande]]. Minaj raps in a "trance-like" style as she demands things from her male partner, which hints at [[oral sex]], and is described as a "fetish obsession with seeing their man on all fours".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "[[Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj song)|Feeling Myself]]" features singer-songwriter Beyoncé, and is built over a [[West Coast hip hop|West Coast]] synth, driving bass and drums along with bells and whistles incorporated into the production.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Only" is a hip-hop song that features guest appearances from Drake, Lil Wayne, and [[Chris Brown]] who sings the chorus of the song. The song contains an "icy" production that sits "ominously" underneath dirty lyrical metaphors.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Want Some More" (with uncredited vocals from [[Jeremih]]) features lyrics that see Minaj stroking her own ego and check anyone who dares to doubt her worth. During the song, Minaj makes references to [[Eminem]], [[Kanye West]] and Lil Wayne and states she is her "only competition".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Four Door Aventador" has humming and low-key production with lyrics revolving around mafia imagery. The song is compared to the work of [[the Notorious B.I.G.]]<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> |
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''The Pinkprint'' is primarily a hip hop album.<ref name="Pitchfork"/> Speaking on the album's musical style, Minaj stated that the album would "focus on [[Rapping|rap]]" and "feed the core rap fan", whereas ''[[Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded]]'' explored more prominent elements of [[dance music]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nicki Minaj Will 'Focus On Rap' For Upcoming Album|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1565003/nicki-minaj-will-focus-on-rap-for-upcoming-album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> In April 2014, Minaj told ''[[MTV News]]'' "the tracks on [my next album] are back to my [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] roots. And I don't think it's something that I'm necessarily trying to do [but] as soon as I started working on my new album, that's just the songs that I've been writing". Minaj stated the album's lyrics touch upon themes of her family, loss, death and her struggle with guilt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Complex Cover Story|url=http://uk.complex.com/covers/nicki-minaj-interview-2014-cover-story/}}</ref> ''The Pinkprint'' opens with the autobiographical song, "[[All Things Go]]", which was described as a sequel to Minaj's song "Autobiography" off her ''[[Sucka Free (mixtape)|Sucka Free]]'' mixtape in 2008.<ref name="Music&Lyrics"/> A mid-tempo [[ballad]],<ref name="Complex">Mistry, Anupa (December 16, 2014). [http://www.complex.com/music/2014/12/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-review Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint']. ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]''. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227011652/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/12/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-review |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Archived }}</ref> which slowly unfolds and contains "heavy beats and heavy [[Bass (sound)|bass]]" along with "subtle [[synths]]".<ref name=Music&Lyrics>{{cite magazine|last1=Lockett|first1=Dee|title=Nicki Minaj's The Pinkprint: A Track-by-Track Breakdown|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/12/12/nicki_minaj_s_the_pinkprint_leaked_here_s_a_track_by_track_breakdown_of.html|magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> The lyrics discuss a wide range of personal issues Minaj has faced, from reflecting on fame and the speed in which her life has moved, to strained relationships with her family including the murder of her cousin Nicholas Telemaque, to her relationship with her mother and her own child which references an [[abortion]].<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "I Lied" is a [[Ballad (music)|ballad]] that contains a torpid production that does not change tempo. Lyrically, the song revolves around a "complicated regret" in which Minaj admits she denied her love for a man in order to stop him from breaking her heart.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "The Crying Game" features initially uncredited vocals from British musician [[Jessie Ware]], before being officially credited at a later date. The song mixes "sombre balladry with downbeat guitar loops" and is described as one of the album's most emotional songs. During the song, Minaj alternates between "devastating verses and pensive crooning" whilst Ware adds "haunting" and "[[Soul music|soulful]]" vocals to the chorus.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> During an interview for Malcolm Music, Ware revealed how the collaboration came about, saying that she wrote the song with [[Pop Wansel]] for her own album ''[[Tough Love (Jessie Ware album)|Tough Love]]'' (2014) but ultimately felt that it didn't fit the album. Wansel subsequently sent the song to Minaj who recorded her own vocals to turn the song into a collaboration between Ware and Minaj. Initial pressings of the album did not list Ware as being featured; something Ware added was a mistake and later corrected.<ref name="YouTube Interview">{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdaa8W-uN4o|title=Jessie Ware about Nicki Minaj not crediting her, racism in R&B/soul, work with Miguel, MalcolmMusic|work=MalcolmMusic|publisher= YouTube|last=Ohanwe|first=Malcolm|date=July 3, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} – starts around 4:00 minutes.</ref> |
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"[[Get on Your Knees (Nicki Minaj song)|Get on Your Knees]]" features vocals from American singer [[Ariana Grande]]. Minaj raps in a "trance-like" style as she demands things from her male partner, which hints at [[oral sex]], and is described as a "fetish obsession with seeing their man on all fours".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "[[Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj song)|Feeling Myself]]" features singer-songwriter Beyoncé, and is built over a [[West Coast hip hop|West Coast]] synth, driving bass and drums along with bells and whistles incorporated into the production.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Only" is a hip-hop song that features guest appearances from Drake, Lil Wayne, and [[Chris Brown]] who sings the chorus of the song. The song contains an "icy" production that sits "ominously" underneath dirty lyrical metaphors.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Want Some More" (with uncredited vocals from [[Jeremih]]) features lyrics that see Minaj stroking her own ego and check anyone who dares to doubt her worth. During the song, Minaj makes references to [[Eminem]], [[Kanye West]] and Lil Wayne and states she is her "only competition".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Four Door Aventador" has humming and low-key production with lyrics revolving around mafia imagery. The song is compared to the work of [[the Notorious B.I.G.]]<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> |
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"Favorite" features American R&B singer Jeremih and is a return to a "romantic narrative" following the four previous songs which features Minaj bragging. The song is lyrically sexually explicit and sees Jeremih singing about wanting to be Nicki's favorite. Minaj raps about wanting to be the "primary role in a man's life".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Buy a Heart" features rapper [[Meek Mill]], who sings the hook of the song.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Trini Dem Girls" is a [[dancehall]] track that features a guest appearance from rapper [[LunchMoney Lewis]]. The song contains echoing handclaps and a "[[Diwali Riddim]]" with a "blaring" chorus.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "[[Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)|Anaconda]]" is a hip-hop and [[pop-rap]] song<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=December 15, 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/arts/music/review-nicki-minajs-the-pinkprint.html?_r=0|title=Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint'|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> that heavily samples "[[Baby Got Back]]" by [[Sir Mix-a-Lot]]. The song's lyrical content is described as "raunchy" and noted for containing a "heavy dose of 2014 sex lingo".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "[[The Night Is Still Young (Nicki Minaj song)|The Night Is Still Young]]" is a pop song with verses revolving around a routine night out at a club.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> |
"Favorite" features American R&B singer Jeremih and is a return to a "romantic narrative" following the four previous songs which features Minaj bragging. The song is lyrically sexually explicit and sees Jeremih singing about wanting to be Nicki's favorite. Minaj raps about wanting to be the "primary role in a man's life".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Buy a Heart" features rapper [[Meek Mill]], who sings the hook of the song.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "Trini Dem Girls" is a [[dancehall]] track that features a guest appearance from rapper [[LunchMoney Lewis]]. The song contains echoing handclaps and a "[[Diwali Riddim]]" with a "blaring" chorus.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "[[Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song)|Anaconda]]" is a hip-hop and [[pop-rap]] song<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=December 15, 2014|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/16/arts/music/review-nicki-minajs-the-pinkprint.html?_r=0|title=Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint'|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> that heavily samples "[[Baby Got Back]]" by [[Sir Mix-a-Lot]]. The song's lyrical content is described as "raunchy" and noted for containing a "heavy dose of 2014 sex lingo".<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> "[[The Night Is Still Young (Nicki Minaj song)|The Night Is Still Young]]" is a pop song with verses revolving around a routine night out at a club.<ref name=Music&Lyrics/> |
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==Singles== |
==Singles== |
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"Pills n Potions" was released as the lead single from the album on May 21, 2014. Minaj announced the release at the [[2014 Billboard Music Awards|2014 ''Billboard'' Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nicki Minaj Reveals New Single Title at 2014 Billboard Music Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/bbma-2014/6092077/nicki-minaj-single-title-pinkprint-pills-potions-new-album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 19, 2014 |
"Pills n Potions" was released as the lead single from the album on May 21, 2014. Minaj announced the release at the [[2014 Billboard Music Awards|2014 ''Billboard'' Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nicki Minaj Reveals New Single Title at 2014 Billboard Music Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/bbma-2014/6092077/nicki-minaj-single-title-pinkprint-pills-potions-new-album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 19, 2014|access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref> The song peaked at number 24 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="BillboardChartHistory">{{cite magazine|title=Nicki Minaj Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Nicki Minaj|chart=Hot 100}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref> |
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"Anaconda" was released as the second single from the album on August 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lars|title=Nicki Minaj Previews Steamy 'Anaconda' Video, Unleashes Full Track|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6206907/nicki-minaj-previews-steamy-anaconda-video-unleashes-full-track|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 4, 2014 |
"Anaconda" was released as the second single from the album on August 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lars|title=Nicki Minaj Previews Steamy 'Anaconda' Video, Unleashes Full Track|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6206907/nicki-minaj-previews-steamy-anaconda-video-unleashes-full-track|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 4, 2014|access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> The song samples Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back" and peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest-charting single in the US at the time.<ref name="BillboardChartHistory"/> It topped both the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] and the [[Hot Rap Songs]] charts for six weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|title=Billboard Year in Music 2014: Nicki Minaj on Getting Sir Mix-A-Lot's Blessing for 'Anaconda'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2014/6405581/nicki-minaj-anaconda-number-one-charts-2014|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 12, 2014|access-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Additionally, the song peaked within the top ten in countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. |
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"Only", which features Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, was released as the third single from the album on October 28, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=iTunes – Music – Only (feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown) – Single by Nicki Minaj|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/only-feat.-drake-lil-wayne/id934621980|publisher=[[iTunes]] Store|access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref> The song peaked at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.<ref name="BillboardChartHistory"/> |
"Only", which features Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, was released as the third single from the album on October 28, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=iTunes – Music – Only (feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown) – Single by Nicki Minaj|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/only-feat.-drake-lil-wayne/id934621980|publisher=[[iTunes]] Store|access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref> The song peaked at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.<ref name="BillboardChartHistory"/> |
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"Bed of Lies" featuring Skylar Grey was released as the fourth single from the album on November 16, 2014. Minaj debuted the song at the [[2014 MTV Europe Music Awards]]. The song peaked at number 62 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="BillboardChartHistory"/> " |
"Bed of Lies" featuring Skylar Grey was released as the fourth single from the album on November 16, 2014. Minaj debuted the song at the [[2014 MTV Europe Music Awards]]. The song peaked at number 62 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="BillboardChartHistory"/> " |
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"Truffle Butter" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne was released separately from the album to [[iTunes]] and [[Spotify]] on January 23, 2015, after initially being an iTunes exclusive bonus track, and was serviced to US radio on March 3, 2015 as the fifth single from the album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cantor|first=Brian|title=Truffle Butter Now Set As Nicki Minaj's New Pop Single|date=February 2015|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2015/01/31/truffle-butter-now-set-nicki-minajs-new-pop-single/}}</ref> The song peaked at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="BillboardChartHistory"/> |
"Truffle Butter" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne was released separately from the album to [[iTunes]] and [[Spotify]] on January 23, 2015, after initially being an iTunes exclusive bonus track, and was serviced to US radio on March 3, 2015, as the fifth single from the album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cantor|first=Brian|title=Truffle Butter Now Set As Nicki Minaj's New Pop Single|date=February 2015|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2015/01/31/truffle-butter-now-set-nicki-minajs-new-pop-single/}}</ref> The song peaked at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="BillboardChartHistory"/> |
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"The Night Is Still Young" was officially released in the UK on April 12, 2015 and later in the US on April 28, 2015, as the sixth single from the album, and has peaked at number 31 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Confirms New Single 'The Night Is Still Young' UK Release Date|website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]]|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/nicki-minaj-confirms-new-single-the-night-is-still-young-uk-release-date__8723/}}</ref> |
"The Night Is Still Young" was officially released in the UK on April 12, 2015, and later in the US on April 28, 2015, as the sixth single from the album, and has peaked at number 31 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Confirms New Single 'The Night Is Still Young' UK Release Date|website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]]|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/nicki-minaj-confirms-new-single-the-night-is-still-young-uk-release-date__8723/}}</ref> |
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According to ''[[FMQB]]'' and [[Republic Records]], "Trini Dem Girls", featuring LunchMoney Lewis, impacted US radio stations on September 1, 2015.<ref name="FMQB">{{Cite magazine|date=September 1, 2015|title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!|url=https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691|magazine=[[FMQB]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820094850/https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691|archive-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ref">{{Cite news|url=http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/nicki-minaj-trini-dem-girls-ft-lunchmoney-lewis/|title=Trini Dem Girls|work=Republic Playbook |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829222952/http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/nicki-minaj-trini-dem-girls-ft-lunchmoney-lewis/ |archive-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref> |
According to ''[[FMQB]]'' and [[Republic Records]], "Trini Dem Girls", featuring LunchMoney Lewis, impacted US radio stations on September 1, 2015.<ref name="FMQB">{{Cite magazine|date=September 1, 2015|title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!|url=https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691|magazine=[[FMQB]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820094850/https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691|archive-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ref">{{Cite news|url=http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/nicki-minaj-trini-dem-girls-ft-lunchmoney-lewis/|title=Trini Dem Girls|work=Republic Playbook |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829222952/http://www.republicplaybook.com/track/nicki-minaj-trini-dem-girls-ft-lunchmoney-lewis/ |archive-date=August 29, 2015}}</ref> |
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== |
==Release and promotion== |
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{{See also|The Pinkprint Tour}} |
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The album was officially announced to be titled ''The Pinkprint'' with the premiere of the track "[[Lookin Ass]]" along with its [[Nabil Elderkin]]-directed music video on February 12, 2014.<ref name="WorldStarHipHop">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhCBBlBm0S8jCdjaY9|title=Nicki Minaj – Lookin Ass Nigga|publisher=WorldStarHipHop|date=February 12, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> Its title reportedly references ''[[The Blueprint]]'' (2001) by [[Jay-Z]], to which Minaj replied that "I think everybody knows how obsessed I am with Jay-Z. He's always been my favorite rapper", also adding that, "He did such a great job of creating this ''Blueprint'' brand for male rappers and I wanted to do that [for] female rappers to be able to pattern themselves with what I've done one day".<ref name="Blueprint">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Is 'Obsessed' With Jay Z, That's Why She Named Her Album Pink Print|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1829120/nicki-minaj-jay-z-pink-print/|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=May 30, 2014}}</ref> During an interview with ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' magazine, Minaj was asked if Jay-Z's ''The Blueprint'' inspired the title to ''The Pinkprint'' and what similarities there were, which Minaj replied saying; |
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The album's title was announced as well as the premiere of the track "[[Lookin Ass]]" and its [[Nabil Elderkin]]-directed music video on February 12, 2014.<ref name="WorldStarHipHop">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhCBBlBm0S8jCdjaY9|title=Nicki Minaj – Lookin Ass Nigga|publisher=WorldStarHipHop|date=February 12, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> In August 2014, Minaj confirmed that the album would be released in the fourth quarter of the year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleischer|first=Adam|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1889870/nicki-minaj-the-pink-print-release-date/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808234832/http://www.mtv.com/news/1889870/nicki-minaj-the-pink-print-release-date/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2014|title=Nicki Minaj Gives The Pink Print A Release Date — Kind Of|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> In September 2014, Minaj announced through her [[Twitter]] account that the album would be released on November 24, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramirez|first=Erika|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6244194/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-release-date|title=Nicki Minaj Reveals 'The Pinkprint' Album Release Date|date=September 10, 2014|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref> In late October, her management announced that the album had been rescheduled for release on December 15.<ref name="billboard_delay_dec">{{cite magazine|last=Stutz|first=Colin|title=Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Release Date Pushed Back to December|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6296848/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-release-date-pushed-back-december|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=October 29, 2014}}</ref> On November 2, 2014, Minaj released the album's artwork, which was created by Joe Perez's design studio, who works for Kanye West's creative team [[Donda (company)|Donda]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/11/02/album-cover-nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint/|title=Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – 'The Pinkprint'|work=Rap-Up}}</ref> It displays a "sandy" textured pink "splatter" with a thumbprint placed in the middle of a black background on the standard version and a white background for the deluxe version.<ref>{{cite web|title=Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint|url=http://www.youngmoney.com/post/9009/joe-perez-explains-inspiration-behind-pink-print-cover#.VIEyyaTF9w8|access-date=December 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209013830/http://www.youngmoney.com/post/9009/joe-perez-explains-inspiration-behind-pink-print-cover#.VIEyyaTF9w8|archive-date=December 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 1, 2014, the track listing was released to the public, and confirmed collaborations with Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Jeremih, Meek Mill, LunchMoney Lewis, Jessie Ware and Skylar Grey.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nicki Minaj Releases 'The Pinkprint' Track List|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6334685/nicki-minaj-pink-print-beyonce-tracklist|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 1, 2014}}</ref> |
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The album was made available for pre-order on iTunes on December 3, 2014, with the intro track "All Things Go" as an instant download. The standard version of ''The Pinkprint'' features sixteen songs,<ref name="StandardVersion">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Standard Edition|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-pinkprint/id947654872|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]. [[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> while the deluxe version is packaged with three additional tracks.<ref name="ItunesDeluxe">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Deluxe Edition|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-pinkprint-deluxe/id947648607|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]. [[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> American retailer [[Best Buy]] packaged the latter edition with a smaller version of Minaj's 2015 calendar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designntrend.com/articles/30736/20141215/nicki-minaj-itunes-album-pink-print.htm|title=Nicki Minaj Sits Atop iTunes Top 5 For New Album 'The Pink Print,' Plus Pics Of Her 2015 Calendar|last=Flemmon|first=Ej|publisher=Design & Trend|date=December 15, 2014|access-date=December 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104212530/http://www.designntrend.com/articles/30736/20141215/nicki-minaj-itunes-album-pink-print.htm|archive-date=January 4, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Truffle Butter" and "Wamables" are respectively included as the twentieth songs on the [[iTunes Store]] and Japanese pressings of the record.<ref name="ItunesDeluxe"/><ref name="JapaneseVersion">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Japanese Deluxe|website=CDJapan|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICU-1256|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> A fifth deluxe variant (distributed by American retailer [[Target Corporation|Target]] and the United Kingdom) lists "Mona Lisa" and "Put You in a Room" as the twentieth and twenty-first tracks, although most of the tracks on this version are abbreviated to fit the exclusive material.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint/release/6447934|title=Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint (CD, Album) at Discogs|publisher=Discogs|access-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref> During the first week of retail availability, it was discovered that physical deluxe versions of ''The Pinkprint'' were unintentionally shipped worldwide with an instrumental version of "Anaconda" instead of the original track.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rowley|first=Alison|title=Nicki Minaj Pinkprint Albums Sold Without 'Anaconda' After Production Error|date=December 12, 2014|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a616333/nicki-minaj-pinkprint-albums-sold-without-anaconda-after-error.html|publisher=Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation|access-date=December 20, 2014}}</ref> |
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{{cquote|I have no idea what he was doing before ''The Blueprint'' dropped. It's not that literal. People keep asking me about Jay's ''The Blueprint'' and they think I'm doing something like that. I made reference to ''The Blueprint'' because Jay is the biggest rapper of our time. The name of the album was inspired by Jay but not the body of work. I do think that it's going to create new rules, though, in [the way] that [''The Blueprint'' did].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj – Complex Cover Story|url=http://uk.complex.com/covers/nicki-minaj-interview-2014-cover-story/}}</ref>}} |
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In contrast to the vibrantly-colored wardrobe and hairpieces she had become associated with earlier in her career, Minaj embraced a more understated image during the first promotional runs for ''The Pinkprint''. She opined that "You can either continue doing costumes or you can just say, 'Hey guess what? This will shock them even more. Doing nothing will shock them even more'".<ref>{{cite web|last=Blake|first=Emily|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1726559/nicki-minaj-no-super-bass-on-pink-print/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501063632/http://www.mtv.com/news/1726559/nicki-minaj-no-super-bass-on-pink-print/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2014|title=Nicki Minaj Says 'Hell No' To Another 'Super Bass'|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> On August 24, 2014, Minaj performed “Anaconda” at the [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Awards]]. She also performed at that year's [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]] on September 19. On November 9, 2014, Minaj performed a medley of "[[Super Bass]]", "Anaconda", and "Bed of Lies" at the [[2014 MTV Europe Music Awards|MTV Europe Music Awards]], and also hosted the show. |
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On November 2, 2014, Minaj released the album's artwork, which was created by Joe Perez's design studio, who works for Kanye West's creative team [[Donda (company)|Donda]], who had previously designed artwork for Lil Wayne and [[2 Chainz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/11/02/album-cover-nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint/|title=Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – 'The Pinkprint'|work=Rap-Up}}</ref> It displays a "sandy" textured pink "splatter" with a thumbprint placed in the middle of a black background on the standard version and a white background for the deluxe version.<ref>{{cite web|title=Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint|url=http://www.youngmoney.com/post/9009/joe-perez-explains-inspiration-behind-pink-print-cover#.VIEyyaTF9w8|access-date=December 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209013830/http://www.youngmoney.com/post/9009/joe-perez-explains-inspiration-behind-pink-print-cover#.VIEyyaTF9w8|archive-date=December 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 1, 2014, the track listing was released to the public, and confirmed collaborations with Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Jeremih, Meek Mill, LunchMoney Lewis, Jessie Ware and Skylar Grey.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nicki Minaj Releases 'The Pinkprint' Track List|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6334685/nicki-minaj-pink-print-beyonce-tracklist|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 1, 2014}}</ref> |
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On November 23, 2014, Minaj performed "Bed of Lies" at the [[2014 American Music Awards|American Music Awards]]. On December 6, 2014, Minaj appeared as a musical guest on an episode of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' alongside host [[James Franco]]. She performed three songs from the album: "Bed of Lies", "Only" and "All Things Go". She also participated in a few skits.<ref>{{cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan|title=Nicki Minaj Performs 'Only', 'All Things Go', and 'Bed of Lies', Appears as Beyonce on SNL|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/57733-nicki-minaj-performs-only-all-things-go-and-bed-of-lies-appears-as-beyonce-on-snl/|website=Pitchfork|date=December 7, 2014|access-date=December 8, 2014}}</ref> During album release week, Minaj visited a few talk shows in promotion for the album. On December 15, Minaj appeared on ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' for an interview and also performed "Bed of Lies".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj performs 'Bed of Lies' on Ellen|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/15/nicki-minaj-performs-bed-of-lies-on-ellen/|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> On December 16, Minaj appeared on ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|The Today Show]]'' for an interview and another performance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj performs 'Bed of Lies' on The Today Show|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/16/nicki-minaj-performs-bed-of-lies-on-today/|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> That same night, she appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'' for an interview.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj visits The Tonight Show|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/16/video-nicki-minaj-visits-tonight-show-jimmy-fallon/|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> On December 18, Minaj appeared on ''[[106 & Park]]'' as the show's final guest artist to discuss the album and the show's legacy.<ref>{{cite web|title=BET's 106 & Park Airs Final Episode|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/20/106-park-airs-final-episode/|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> On December 19, Minaj appeared on ''[[The Real (TV series)|The Real]]'' for an interview.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Dishes On Beyoncé, Aiana Grande's 'Inner Freak' On 'The Real'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/19/nicki-minaj-dishes-on-beyonce-ariana-grandes-inner-freak-on-the-real/|access-date=December 19, 2014}}</ref> On January 18, 2015, [[MTV]] aired ''My Time Again'', a documentary filmed during the final stages of the making of ''The Pinkprint'', which featured behind the scenes clips of Minaj in the studio and in rehearsals, and interviews with Minaj and footage of her with her family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/01/nicki-minaj-my-time-again-documentary|title=Watch Nicki Minaj's"My Time Again" Documentary|website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref> In May 2015, she performed "The Night Is Still Young" and "[[Hey Mama (David Guetta song)|Hey Mama]]" at the [[2015 Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]]. Minaj also opened the [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards]] with a performance of "Trini Dem Girls", then "The Night Is Still Young" and "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift Song)|Bad Blood]]" with [[Taylor Swift]]. |
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==Release and promotion== |
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{{See also|The Pinkprint Tour}} |
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In August 2014, Minaj confirmed that the album would be released in the fourth quarter of the year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleischer|first=Adam|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1889870/nicki-minaj-the-pink-print-release-date/|title=Nicki Minaj Gives The Pink Print A Release Date — Kind Of|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> In September 2014, Minaj announced through her [[Twitter]] account that the album would be released on November 24, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramirez|first=Erika|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6244194/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-release-date|title=Nicki Minaj Reveals 'The Pinkprint' Album Release Date|date=September 10, 2014|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref> In late October, her management announced that the album had been rescheduled for release on December 15.<ref name="billboard_delay_dec">{{cite magazine|last=Stutz|first=Colin|title=Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Release Date Pushed Back to December|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6296848/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-release-date-pushed-back-december|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=October 29, 2014}}</ref> The album was made available for pre-order on iTunes on December 3, 2014 with the intro track "All Things Go" as an instant download. |
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The standard version of ''The Pinkprint'' features sixteen songs,<ref name="StandardVersion">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Standard Edition|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-pinkprint/id947654872|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]. [[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> while the deluxe version is packaged with three additional tracks.<ref name="ItunesDeluxe">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Deluxe Edition|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-pinkprint-deluxe/id947648607|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]. [[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> American retailer [[Best Buy]] packaged the latter edition with a smaller version of Minaj's 2015 calendar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designntrend.com/articles/30736/20141215/nicki-minaj-itunes-album-pink-print.htm|title=Nicki Minaj Sits Atop iTunes Top 5 For New Album 'The Pink Print,' Plus Pics Of Her 2015 Calendar|last=Flemmon|first=Ej|publisher=Design & Trend|date=December 15, 2014|access-date=December 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104212530/http://www.designntrend.com/articles/30736/20141215/nicki-minaj-itunes-album-pink-print.htm|archive-date=January 4, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Truffle Butter" and "Wamables" are respectively included as the twentieth songs on the [[iTunes Store]] and Japanese pressings of the record.<ref name="ItunesDeluxe"/><ref name="JapaneseVersion">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Japanese Deluxe|website=CDJapan|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICU-1256|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> A fifth deluxe variant (distributed by American retailer [[Target Corporation|Target]] and the United Kingdom) lists "Mona Lisa" and "Put You in a Room" as the twentieth and twenty-first tracks, although most of the tracks on this version are abbreviated to fit the exclusive material.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint/release/6447934|title=Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint (CD, Album) at Discogs|publisher=Discogs|access-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref> During the first week of retail availability, it was discovered that physical deluxe versions of ''The Pinkprint'' were unintentionally shipped worldwide with an instrumental version of "Anaconda" instead of the original track.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rowley|first=Alison|title=Nicki Minaj Pinkprint Albums Sold Without 'Anaconda' After Production Error|date=December 12, 2014|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a616333/nicki-minaj-pinkprint-albums-sold-without-anaconda-after-error.html|publisher=Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation|access-date=December 20, 2014}}</ref> |
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Minaj supported the album with a 17-date European tour which commenced on March 16, 2015, in [[Stockholm]], Sweden and stopped off in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands before ending on April 12, 2015, in [[Glasgow]], Scotland. [[Trey Songz]] was the opening act.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj announces 'The Pinkprint' European Tour|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/08/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-european-tour-trey-songz/|access-date=December 9, 2014}}</ref> |
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In contrast to the vibrantly-colored wardrobe and hairpieces she had become associated with earlier in her career, Minaj embraced a more understated image during the first promotional runs for ''The Pinkprint''. She opined that "You can either continue doing costumes or you can just say, 'Hey guess what? This will shock them even more. Doing nothing will shock them even more'".<ref>{{cite web|last=Blake|first=Emily|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1726559/nicki-minaj-no-super-bass-on-pink-print/|title=Nicki Minaj Says 'Hell No' To Another 'Super Bass'|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> On August 24, 2014, Minaj performed “Anaconda” at the [[2014 MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Awards]]. She also performed at that year's [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]] on September 19. On November 9, 2014, Minaj performed a medley of "[[Super Bass]]", "Anaconda", and "Bed of Lies" at the [[2014 MTV Europe Music Awards|MTV Europe Music Awards]], and also hosted the show. On November 23, 2014, Minaj performed "Bed of Lies" at the [[2014 American Music Awards|American Music Awards]]. On December 6, 2014, Minaj appeared as a musical guest on an episode of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' alongside host [[James Franco]]. She performed three songs from the album: "Bed of Lies", "Only" and "All Things Go". She also participated in a few skits.<ref>{{cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan|title=Nicki Minaj Performs 'Only', 'All Things Go', and 'Bed of Lies', Appears as Beyonce on SNL|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/57733-nicki-minaj-performs-only-all-things-go-and-bed-of-lies-appears-as-beyonce-on-snl/|website=Pitchfork|date=December 7, 2014|access-date=December 8, 2014}}</ref> During album release week, Minaj visited a few talk shows in promotion for the album. On December 15, Minaj appeared on ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' for an interview and also performed "Bed of Lies".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj performs 'Bed of Lies' on Ellen|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/15/nicki-minaj-performs-bed-of-lies-on-ellen/|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> On December 16, Minaj appeared on ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|The Today Show]]'' for an interview and another performance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj performs 'Bed of Lies' on The Today Show|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/16/nicki-minaj-performs-bed-of-lies-on-today/|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> That same night, she appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'' for an interview.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj visits The Tonight Show|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/16/video-nicki-minaj-visits-tonight-show-jimmy-fallon/|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> On December 18, Minaj appeared on ''[[106 & Park]]'' as the show's final guest artist to discuss the album and the show's legacy.<ref>{{cite web|title=BET's 106 & Park Airs Final Episode|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/20/106-park-airs-final-episode/|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref> On December 19, Minaj appeared on ''[[The Real (TV series)|The Real]]'' for an interview.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj Dishes On Beyoncé, Aiana Grande's 'Inner Freak' On 'The Real'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/12/19/nicki-minaj-dishes-on-beyonce-ariana-grandes-inner-freak-on-the-real/|access-date=December 19, 2014}}</ref> On January 18, 2015, [[MTV]] aired ''My Time Again'', a documentary filmed during the final stages of the making of ''The Pinkprint'', which featured behind the scenes clips of Minaj in the studio and in rehearsals, and interviews with Minaj and footage of her with her family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/01/nicki-minaj-my-time-again-documentary|title=Watch Nicki Minaj's"My Time Again" Documentary|website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref> In May 2015, she performed "The Night Is Still Young" and "[[Hey Mama (David Guetta song)|Hey Mama]]" at the [[2015 Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]]. Minaj also opened the [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards]] with a performance of "Trini Dem Girls", then "The Night Is Still Young" and "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift Song)|Bad Blood]]" with [[Taylor Swift]]. |
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On October 13, 2024, Minaj announced that ''The Pinkprint'' would be available to purchase on vinyl on November 22 for the album's tenth anniversary.<ref name="TargetVinyl">{{cite web|title=Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint (Target Exclusive, Vinyl)|url=https://www.target.com/p/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-target-exclusive-vinyl/-/A-93898314#lnk=sametab|publisher=[[Target Corporation|Target]]|access-date=October 25, 2024}}</ref> |
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==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
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{{Music ratings |
{{Music ratings |
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|ADM = 6.6/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6908/Nicki-Minaj-The-Pink-Print.aspx|title=The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj reviews|publisher= |
|ADM = 6.6/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6908/Nicki-Minaj-The-Pink-Print.aspx|title=The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=January 14, 2017}}</ref> |
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|MC = 70/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-pinkprint/nicki-minaj|title=Reviews for The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> |
|MC = 70/100<ref name="mc">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-pinkprint/nicki-minaj|title=Reviews for The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> |
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|rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
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|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last=Jeffries|first=David|title=The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-pinkprint-mw0002780345|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 22, 2014}}</ref> |
|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|last=Jeffries|first=David|title=The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-pinkprint-mw0002780345|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 22, 2014}}</ref> |
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|rev2 = ''[[ |
|rev2 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' |
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|rev2score = B<ref name="AVclub"/> |
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|rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|last=McGloster|first=Niki|date=December 15, 2014|title=Nicki Minaj, 'The Pinkprint': Track-by-Track Review|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6406343/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-track-by-track-review|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|location=New York|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> |
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|rev3 = ''[[ |
|rev3 = ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' |
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|rev3score = |
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|last=McGloster|first=Niki|date=December 15, 2014|title=Nicki Minaj, 'The Pinkprint': Track-by-Track Review|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6406343/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-track-by-track-review|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|location=New York|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> |
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|rev4 = ''[[Cuepoint]]'' ([[Robert Christgau#Consumer Guide|Expert Witness]]) |
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|rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' |
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|rev4score = |
|rev4score = A−<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=December 26, 2014|url=https://medium.com/cuepoint/robert-christgau-expert-witness-c691650fc17b|title=Robert Christgau: Expert Witness|work=[[Cuepoint]]|access-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226140835/https://medium.com/cuepoint/robert-christgau-expert-witness-c691650fc17b|archive-date=December 26, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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|rev5 = ''[[ |
|rev5 = ''[[Exclaim!]]'' |
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|rev5score = {{rating| |
|rev5score = {{rating|8|10}}<ref name="Exclaim">{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Samantha|date=December 11, 2014|title=Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/nicki_minaj-pinkprint|work=[[Exclaim!]]|access-date=November 22, 2024}}</ref> |
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|rev6 = ''[[ |
|rev6 = ''[[HipHopDX]]'' |
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|rev6score = 5 |
|rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dowling|first=Marcus|date=December 15, 2014|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2397/title.nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint|title=Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint|magazine=[[HipHopDX]]|access-date=November 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216002039/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2397/title.nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint|archive-date=December 16, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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|rev7 = ''[[ |
|rev7 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' |
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|rev7score = |
|rev7score = {{rating|3|4}}<ref name="LATimes">{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Randall|date=December 15, 2014|title=Review: The many moods of Nicki Minaj on 'The Pinkprint'|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-nicki-minaj-20141215-column.html|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=December 15, 2014}}</ref> |
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|rev8 = ''[[ |
|rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' |
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|rev8score = |
|rev8score = 7.5/10<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|last=Garvey|first=Meaghan|date=December 16, 2014|title=Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20058-the-pinkprint/|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> |
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|rev9 = ''[[ |
|rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |
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|rev9score = |
|rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Rolling Stone Review">{{cite magazine|last=Dolan|first=Jon|date=December 17, 2014|title=The Pinkprint|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-pinkprint-113239/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|location=New York|access-date=December 17, 2014|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218004337/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint-20141217|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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|rev10 = ''[[ |
|rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' |
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|rev10score = |
|rev10score = 7/10<ref name="SPIN">{{cite magazine|last=Carley|first=Brennan|date=December 16, 2014|title=Review: Nicki Minaj Gets Uncomfortably Personal on 'The Pinkprint'|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/12/review-nicki-minaj-gets-uncomfortably-personal-on-the-pinkprint/|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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''The Pinkprint'' received generally positive reviews from critics with many praising the production and her personal lyrics. |
''The Pinkprint'' received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the production and her personal lyrics.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2018|first=Joe|last=Echevarria|title=Nicki Minaj Drops 'The Pinkprint' Album – Today in Hip-Hop |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/nicki-minaj-drops-the-pinkprint-album-today-in-hip-hop/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=XXL Mag}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last1=Spanos|first1=Brittany |date=2015-12-22|title=How Nicki Minaj Courted Controversy, Expanded Empire in 2015|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/how-nicki-minaj-courted-controversy-expanded-empire-in-2015-39015/|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2021-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nicki Minaj releases the music video for latest song Bed featuring Ariana Grande|url=https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/nicki-minaj-releases-the-music-video-for-latest-song-bed-featuring-ariana-grande/37090097.html|access-date=2022-02-14|website=[[Irish Independent]]|date=July 7, 2018}}</ref> [[Metacritic]], which uses a [[weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]], assigned the album a score of 70 out of 100, based on 25 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="mc"/> |
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''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine's Niki McGloster called it "her best album to date. Minaj was finally able to out-rap herself and purge issues she's struggled with in private in her most exposed fashion yet".<ref name="Billboard" /> |
''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine's Niki McGloster called it "her best album to date. Minaj was finally able to out-rap herself and purge issues she's struggled with in private in her most exposed fashion yet".<ref name="Billboard" /> In ''[[Cuepoint]]'', [[Robert Christgau]] commended the "narrative arc" of her vulnerable songs, but felt the album is defined more so by the bonus tracks, as "Minaj returns to her triumphalist mode prepared to embrace the role of a 32-year-old woman ready for love"<ref name="Christgau" /> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' editor Meaghan Garvey said the album finale comprises "a thrilling, confounding six-song set that elevates ''The Pinkprint'' from an occasionally transcendent break-up album to something far more intriguing," adding that "the album presented Minaj in her most unexpected role yet: a human being."<ref name="Pitchfork" /> |
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''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''{{'}}s Brennan Carley felt the more emotionally vulnerable songs were counterintuitive, with Minaj "muting her own strengths and songwriting abilities in favor of excising her emotional demons", although "her rapping is so on-point that even in confessional mode, [she] lets the public finally buy her heart."<ref name="SPIN"/> [[Jon Caramanica]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' found the album to be "full of compromises and half-successes" as Minaj is "capable of grand technical feats, rapid cadence switching and complex rhyme patterns, but generally she puts those fireworks to the side when diving deep into her feelings."<ref name="Caramanica"/> Kyle Anderson of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' criticized the ballads as "ponderous".<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|date=December 17, 2014|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/01/07/pinkprint/|title=The Pinkprint|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|location=New York|access-date=December 26, 2014|archive-date=December 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218021653/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20883950,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'}}s Sheldon Pearce praised her honest songwriting and concluded that ''The Pinkprint'' is "the closest Minaj has ever gotten to balancing her tendencies".<ref name="AVclub">{{cite news|last=Pearce|first=Sheldon|date=December 16, 2014|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/nicki-minaj-unwittingly-defends-poptimism-raw-outb-213000|title=Review: Nicki Minaj unwittingly defends poptimism with raw outbursts of feeling|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|location=Chicago|access-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Randall Roberts from the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' stated that throughout the album, Minaj is "intent on channeling her talent to explore and document her many moods. The combination is often, if not always, intoxicating".<ref name="LATimes" /> |
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==Accolades== |
==Accolades== |
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| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yearendlists.com/2014/12/complex-50-best-albums-of-2014/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2014|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=December 31, 2014}}</ref><ref> |
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yearendlists.com/2014/12/complex-50-best-albums-of-2014/|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2014|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=December 31, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/12/best-albums-2014/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint |title=14. Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint |website=[[Complex Networks]] |access-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006115649/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/12/best-albums-2014/nicki-minaj-the-pinkprint |url-status=dead }}</ref>}} |
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| ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |
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| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-2010s/|title=The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s|author=Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|access-date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>}} |
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-2010s/|title=The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s|author=Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>}} |
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| ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |
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| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qvg5j3/the-100-best-albums-of-the-2010s|title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]}}</ref>}} |
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qvg5j3/the-100-best-albums-of-the-2010s|title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=November 6, 2019 }}</ref>}} |
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==Commercial performance== |
==Commercial performance== |
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''The Pinkprint'' debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with 244,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s (with 198,000 coming from pure sales and 46,000 combined track-equivalent units and [[Streaming media|streams]]) in its first week behind Taylor Swift's ''[[1989 (Taylor Swift album)|1989]]'' which was spending its sixth week at number one.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Taylor Swift Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Nicki Minaj Debuts at No. 2|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6415137/taylor-swift-billboard-200-nicki-minaj|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard |
''The Pinkprint'' debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with 244,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s (with 198,000 coming from pure sales and 46,000 combined track-equivalent units and [[Streaming media|streams]]) in its first week, behind Taylor Swift's ''[[1989 (Taylor Swift album)|1989]]'' which was spending its sixth week at number one.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Taylor Swift Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Nicki Minaj Debuts at No. 2|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6415137/taylor-swift-billboard-200-nicki-minaj|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 24, 2014|access-date=May 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mendizabal|first=Amaya|title=Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6422239/nicki-minaj-pinkprint-debuts-no-1-top-rbhip-hop-albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 26, 2014|access-date=October 27, 2015}}</ref> The album was streamed 16.8 million times across all on-demand streaming services in the United States during its first week.<ref name="Balfour">{{cite magazine|last=Balfour|first=Jay|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, D'Angelo|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31870/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minaj-j-cole-dangelo|magazine=[[HipHopDX]]|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226131729/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31870/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minaj-j-cole-dangelo|archive-date=December 26, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mendizabal|first=Amaya|title=Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/6422247/nicki-minajs-the-pinkprint-debuts-at-no-1-on-top-rbhip-hop-albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> In its second week on the chart, it stayed at number two moving an additional 156,000 units, which included 105,000 pure sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/taylor-swifts-album-is-1-for-the-seventh-week-106762172171.html|title=Taylor Swift's Album is No. 1 for the Seventh Week|date=January 1, 2015|work=yahoo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Balfour|first1=Jay|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Rae Sremmurd|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.32210/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minaj-j-cole-rae-sremmurd|website=[[HipHopDX]]|access-date=January 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503210243/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.32210/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minaj-j-cole-rae-sremmurd|archive-date=May 3, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>''The Pinkprint'' held the number two position for three weeks before falling to number three on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.32113/title.hip-hop-album-sales-nicki-minaj-j-cole-iggy-azalea-2|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj, J. Cole & Iggy Azalea|author=HipHopDX|date=January 14, 2015|work=HipHopDX}}</ref> As of December 2015, the album has sold 682,000 copies in the United States.<ref name=us_sales>{{cite magazine|last=Needleman|first=David|title=Nicki Minaj Fronts Billboard No. 1s Year-End Cover in Raw, Revealing Interview: 'Fans Know My Struggle. I Was Ruthless'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/cover-story/6804540/nicki-minaj-on-no-1-success-meek-mill-hillary-clinton-jay-z-beyonce-advice|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2015}}</ref> In February 2016, the [[RIAA]] certified the album double platinum, for combined album sales, on-demand audio, video streams, and track sales equivalent of two million album-equivalent units. |
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==Track listing== |
==Track listing== |
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*[[Oak Felder]]}} |
*[[Oak Felder]]}} |
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| length3 = 4:25 |
| length3 = 4:25 |
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| title4 = [[Get |
| title4 = [[Get on Your Knees (Nicki Minaj song)|Get on Your Knees]] |
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| note4 = featuring [[Ariana Grande]] |
| note4 = featuring [[Ariana Grande]] |
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| writer4 = {{flat list| |
| writer4 = {{flat list| |
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{{Track listing |
{{Track listing |
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| all_writing = |
| all_writing = |
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| headline = ''The Pinkprint''{{nobold| — Deluxe edition (bonus |
| headline = ''The Pinkprint''{{nobold| — Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)}}<ref name="ItunesDeluxe"/> |
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| extra_column = Producer(s) |
| extra_column = Producer(s) |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Track listing |
{{Track listing |
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| headline = ''The Pinkprint''{{nobold| — Japanese edition (bonus |
| headline = ''The Pinkprint''{{nobold| — Japanese edition (bonus track)}}<ref name="JapaneseVersion"/> |
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| total_length = 81:12 |
| total_length = 81:12 |
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| extra_column = Producer(s) |
| extra_column = Producer(s) |
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{{Track listing |
{{Track listing |
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| all_writing = |
| all_writing = |
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| headline = ''The Pinkprint''{{nobold| — 2017 digital deluxe |
| headline = ''The Pinkprint''{{nobold| — 2017 digital deluxe reissue (bonus tracks)}}<ref name="ItunesDeluxe"/> |
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| total_length = 91:00 |
| total_length = 91:00 |
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| extra_column = Producer(s) |
| extra_column = Producer(s) |
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*Coles}} |
*Coles}} |
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| extra20 = Nineteen85 |
| extra20 = Nineteen85 |
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| length20 = |
| length20 = 3:39 |
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| title21 = Mona Lisa |
| title21 = Mona Lisa |
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*Detail{{ref|a|[a]}}}} |
*Detail{{ref|a|[a]}}}} |
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| length23 = 3:13 |
| length23 = 3:13 |
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}} |
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{{Track listing |
|||
| headline = ''The Pinkprint''{{nobold| — 2024 tenth anniversary edition (bonus tracks)}} |
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| total_length = |
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| extra_column = Producer(s) |
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| title24 = Turn Yo Cap Back (Cap Backwards) |
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| note24 = featuring [[Swae Lee]] |
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| writer24 = {{flat list| |
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*Maraj |
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*[[Khalif Brown]] |
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*Bach Hoang Nguyentran |
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*Jagvir Aujla}} |
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| extra24 = {{flat list| |
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*Jaegen |
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*FrancisGotHeat}} |
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| length24 = 3:01 |
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| title25 = If It's Okay |
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| note25 = featuring [[David Guetta]] and [[Davido]] |
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| writer25 = {{flat list| |
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*Maraj |
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*Boaz De Jong |
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*[[Starrah|Brittany Talia Hazzard]] |
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*[[David Adeleke]] |
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*David Guetta |
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*[[Giorgio Tuinfort]] |
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*Oliver Jessy Eze}} |
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| extra25 = {{flat list| |
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*Guetta |
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*Tuinfort |
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*Boaz van de Beatz}} |
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| length25 = 3:44 |
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| title26 = Arctic Tundra |
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| note26 = featuring [[Juice Wrld]] |
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| writer26 = {{flat list| |
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*Maraj |
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*[[Bryan Simmons]] |
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*Dylan Cleary-Krell |
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*Filip Gezin |
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*[[Jarad Higgins]] |
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*Max Lord}} |
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| extra26 = {{flat list| |
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*Dez Wright |
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*Gezin |
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*[[TM88]]}} |
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| length26 = 4:29 |
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| title27 = Remember Me |
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| note27 = featuring [[Parker Ighile]] |
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| writer27 = {{flat list| |
|||
*Maraj |
|||
*Dion Wardle |
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*Ighile}} |
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| extra27 = {{flat list| |
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*Parker}} |
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| length27 = 2:56 |
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}} |
}} |
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Line 667: | Line 728: | ||
* "Truffle Butter" contains a sample of "What They Say" performed by [[Maya Jane Coles]]. |
* "Truffle Butter" contains a sample of "What They Say" performed by [[Maya Jane Coles]]. |
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* Some initial physical copies of the album did not include [[Jessie Ware]]'s feature on "The Crying Game" due to a printing mistake.<ref name="YouTube Interview"/> |
* Some initial physical copies of the album did not include [[Jessie Ware]]'s feature on "The Crying Game" due to a printing mistake.<ref name="YouTube Interview"/> |
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* In order to fit all tracks on the disc, the physical copies of the Japanese and international deluxe editions feature many tracks edited shorter.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/6408124-Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint</ref><ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/6900964-Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint</ref> |
* In order to fit all tracks on the disc, the physical copies of the Japanese and international deluxe editions feature many tracks edited shorter.<ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/6408124-Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref>https://www.discogs.com/release/6900964-Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> |
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==Personnel== |
==Personnel== |
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*Irene Richter – production coordination |
*Irene Richter – production coordination |
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*Allen Ritter – instrumentation |
*Allen Ritter – instrumentation |
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*Ramon Rivas – recording assistant |
*[[Lifeof9000|Ramon Rivas]] – recording assistant |
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*Tim Roberts – mixing assistant |
*Tim Roberts – mixing assistant |
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*Phil Seaford – mixing assistant |
*Phil Seaford – mixing assistant |
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==Certifications== |
==Certifications== |
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<!-- To clarify: Worldwide certifications DON'T exist; inflated sales figures should not be added. Only include amounts from reliable sources (Billboard, IFPI) --> |
<!-- To clarify: Worldwide certifications DON'T exist; inflated sales figures should not be added. Only include amounts from reliable sources (Billboard, IFPI) --> |
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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''The |
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''The PinkPrint''}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|refname=ariacert|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|access-date=March 21, 2024}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2014|certyear=2022|access-date=February 2, 2022}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2014|certyear=2022|access-date=February 2, 2022}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|award= |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|id=14048|access-date=June 28, 2024}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|award=Gold|certyear=2015|certmonth=12|relyear=2014|access-date=December 16, 2015}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|award=Gold|certyear=2015|certmonth=12|relyear=2014|access-date=December 16, 2015}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|award=Gold|certyear=2015|relyear=2014|certweek=24|position=46|access-date=November 7, 2020}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|artist=Nicki Minaj|title=The Pinkprint|award=Gold|certyear=2015|relyear=2014|certweek=24|position=46|access-date=November 7, 2020}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=The Pinkprint|artist=Nicki Minaj|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2024|id=13281-2374-2|access-date=August 2, 2024}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=The Pinkprint|artist=Nicki Minaj|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|salesamount=682,000|salesref=<ref name=us_sales>{{cite magazine|last=Needleman|first=David|title=Nicki Minaj Fronts Billboard No. 1s Year-End Cover in Raw, Revealing Interview: 'Fans Know My Struggle. I Was Ruthless'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/cover-story/6804540/nicki-minaj-on-no-1-success-meek-mill-hillary-clinton-jay-z-beyonce-advice|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2015}}</ref>}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=The Pinkprint|artist=Nicki Minaj|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2014|salesamount=<!--Pure Sales, Don't put the 2 million equivalent units-->2,000,000|salesref=<ref name=us_sales>{{cite magazine|last=Needleman|first=David|title=Nicki Minaj Fronts Billboard No. 1s Year-End Cover in Raw, Revealing Interview: 'Fans Know My Struggle. I Was Ruthless'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/cover-story/6804540/nicki-minaj-on-no-1-success-meek-mill-hillary-clinton-jay-z-beyonce-advice|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2015}}</ref>}} |
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{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true }} |
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true }} |
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*[[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]] |
*[[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]] |
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*[[Republic Records|Republic]]}} |
*[[Republic Records|Republic]]}} |
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| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universal-music.de/nicki-minaj/diskografie/detail/product:229108/the-pinkprint|title=NICKI MINAJ – The Pinkprint – Diskografie|work=www.universal-music.de|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> |
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universal-music.de/nicki-minaj/diskografie/detail/product:229108/the-pinkprint|title=NICKI MINAJ – The Pinkprint – Diskografie|work=www.universal-music.de|access-date=May 17, 2015|archive-date=February 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225055918/http://www.universal-music.de/nicki-minaj/diskografie/detail/product:229108/the-pinkprint|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row"| United Kingdom |
! scope="row"| United Kingdom |
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| CD |
| CD |
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| [[Universal Music Group|Universal Music Japan]] |
| [[Universal Music Group|Universal Music Japan]] |
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| align=center| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.universal-music.co.jp/nicki-minaj/products/uicu-1256/|title=ザ・ピンクプリント[CD] – ニッキー・ミナージュ|publisher=Universal Music Japan|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> |
| align=center| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.universal-music.co.jp/nicki-minaj/products/uicu-1256/|title=ザ・ピンクプリント[CD] – ニッキー・ミナージュ|publisher=Universal Music Japan|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> |
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|- |
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! scope="row"| Various |
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| November 22, 2024 |
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| LP |
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| Republic |
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| align=center| <ref name="TargetVinyl"/> |
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|} |
|} |
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Latest revision as of 18:12, 3 December 2024
The Pinkprint | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | December 15, 2014 | |||
Recorded | 2013–2014 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 66:51 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Nicki Minaj chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The Pinkprint | ||||
|
The Pinkprint is the third studio album by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on December 15, 2014, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. Departing from the dance-pop elements of her previous album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), The Pinkprint is driven by Minaj's traditional hip hop roots. Minaj co-executive-produced the album alongside Birdman, Lil Wayne and Ronald Williams.
The Pinkprint received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many complimenting its production and personal lyrics. It was included in several publications' year-end and decade-end lists. In 2016, it received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. The album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 244,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, of which 198,000 were pure sales. It also charted within the top ten in Canada, Norway, and Sweden, and the top twenty in Australia, Croatia, Finland, and Greece. As of December 2015, it has sold 682,000 pure copies in the US, and has since been certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The Pinkprint spawned six singles; "Pills n Potions", "Anaconda", "Only", "Bed of Lies", "Truffle Butter", and "The Night Is Still Young". "Anaconda" peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest-charting single at the time, while four other singles peaked within the top 40. To promote the album, Minaj embarked on her third concert tour, titled The Pinkprint Tour, from March to August 2015, spanning more than fifty shows over the five-month period.
Background and production
[edit]In 2013, Minaj stated that she would begin writing material for her third album later that year, after production was completed for her supporting role in her first feature film The Other Woman (2014). She noted that there were currently no featured artists on the record, and commented that she was "just enjoying [the] creative process".[1] Recording sessions for the album took place at Jungle City Studios New York, NY; Evdon Studios, Toronto, Canada; Glenwood Recording Studios, Burbank, CA; Luke's In The Boo, Malibu, CA; Record Plant, Hollywood, CA, Conway Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA; and Eightysevenfourteen Studios, Los Angeles, CA.[2] In November 2013, Minaj described the project as "next level", "very different from anything I've done", adding that she had explored pop music but never had the intention to continue with the genre.[3]
During the recording process Minaj recorded two songs that were inspired by Irish Celtic singer-songwriter Enya; Minaj stated that the songs contain "airiness and the whimsicalness" that reminded her of Enya. In 2014, singer-songwriter Skylar Grey wrote and recorded a demo version of a song entitled "Bed of Lies" and the song was later sent to Minaj who wrote and recorded verses of her own to the song.[4] In August 2014, Minaj's manager informed her that Beyoncé wanted to make a remix of "Flawless" with her and in return she would feature on The Pinkprint. Minaj said that she wrote her verse in New York and Beyoncé visited her in the studio and encouraged her.[5][6] During the album's production, Minaj worked with a variety of people including Dr. Luke, Ester Dean, Boi-1da and Detail. Minaj also hoped to have guest features from Rihanna and Drake.[7] While Rihanna did not appear on the album, Drake was featured on two songs from the album, along with fellow Young Money labelmate Lil Wayne, on "Only" and "Truffle Butter", with the latter appearing exclusively on the deluxe edition of the album.[8]
In September, Minaj stated that "it was her best album to date" saying she had grown as a writer and was able to speak about topics that she had felt uncomfortable sharing two years ago.[9] Later that month, Minaj characterized the album as consisting of "raw talent, emotion, hard spitting and everything that people have come to love about Nicki Minaj".[10] In November 2014, Minaj revealed she had recorded 25 songs for the album, stating she would find a song that "sits" with her and then mold that track for a while until she was satisfied; she continued to say her biggest problem during the recording process was cutting songs from the final track listing as each track was "special" to her.[11] In November 2014, Minaj described the record as "personal" and an "emotional rollercoaster" to MTV News.[12]
The album's title was inspired by The Blueprint (2001) by Jay-Z, with Minaj stating that "He did such a great job of creating this Blueprint brand for male rappers and I wanted to do that [for] female rappers to be able to pattern themselves with what I've done one day".[13] In an interview, Minaj was asked what similarities there were with Jay Z's album, to which she replied:
I have no idea what he was doing before The Blueprint dropped. It's not that literal. People keep asking me about Jay's The Blueprint and they think I'm doing something like that. I made reference to The Blueprint because Jay is the biggest rapper of our time. The name of the album was inspired by Jay but not the body of work. I do think that it's going to create new rules, though, in [the way] that [The Blueprint did].[14]
Music and lyrics
[edit]The Pinkprint is primarily a hip hop album.[15] Speaking on the album's musical style, Minaj stated that the album would "focus on rap" and "feed the core rap fan", whereas Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded explored more prominent elements of dance music.[16] In April 2014, Minaj told MTV News "the tracks on [my next album] are back to my hip-hop roots. And I don't think it's something that I'm necessarily trying to do [but] as soon as I started working on my new album, that's just the songs that I've been writing". Minaj stated the album's lyrics touch upon themes of her family, loss, death and her struggle with guilt.[17] The Pinkprint opens with the autobiographical song, "All Things Go", which was described as a sequel to Minaj's song "Autobiography" off her Sucka Free mixtape in 2008.[18] A mid-tempo ballad,[19] which slowly unfolds and contains "heavy beats and heavy bass" along with "subtle synths".[18] The lyrics discuss a wide range of personal issues Minaj has faced, from reflecting on fame and the speed in which her life has moved, to strained relationships with her family including the murder of her cousin Nicholas Telemaque, to her relationship with her mother and her own child which references an abortion.[18] "I Lied" is a ballad that contains a torpid production that does not change tempo. Lyrically, the song revolves around a "complicated regret" in which Minaj admits she denied her love for a man in order to stop him from breaking her heart.[18] "The Crying Game" features initially uncredited vocals from British musician Jessie Ware, before being officially credited at a later date. The song mixes "sombre balladry with downbeat guitar loops" and is described as one of the album's most emotional songs. During the song, Minaj alternates between "devastating verses and pensive crooning" whilst Ware adds "haunting" and "soulful" vocals to the chorus.[18] During an interview for Malcolm Music, Ware revealed how the collaboration came about, saying that she wrote the song with Pop Wansel for her own album Tough Love (2014) but ultimately felt that it didn't fit the album. Wansel subsequently sent the song to Minaj who recorded her own vocals to turn the song into a collaboration between Ware and Minaj. Initial pressings of the album did not list Ware as being featured; something Ware added was a mistake and later corrected.[20]
"Get on Your Knees" features vocals from American singer Ariana Grande. Minaj raps in a "trance-like" style as she demands things from her male partner, which hints at oral sex, and is described as a "fetish obsession with seeing their man on all fours".[18] "Feeling Myself" features singer-songwriter Beyoncé, and is built over a West Coast synth, driving bass and drums along with bells and whistles incorporated into the production.[18] "Only" is a hip-hop song that features guest appearances from Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown who sings the chorus of the song. The song contains an "icy" production that sits "ominously" underneath dirty lyrical metaphors.[18] "Want Some More" (with uncredited vocals from Jeremih) features lyrics that see Minaj stroking her own ego and check anyone who dares to doubt her worth. During the song, Minaj makes references to Eminem, Kanye West and Lil Wayne and states she is her "only competition".[18] "Four Door Aventador" has humming and low-key production with lyrics revolving around mafia imagery. The song is compared to the work of the Notorious B.I.G.[18]
"Favorite" features American R&B singer Jeremih and is a return to a "romantic narrative" following the four previous songs which features Minaj bragging. The song is lyrically sexually explicit and sees Jeremih singing about wanting to be Nicki's favorite. Minaj raps about wanting to be the "primary role in a man's life".[18] "Buy a Heart" features rapper Meek Mill, who sings the hook of the song.[18] "Trini Dem Girls" is a dancehall track that features a guest appearance from rapper LunchMoney Lewis. The song contains echoing handclaps and a "Diwali Riddim" with a "blaring" chorus.[18] "Anaconda" is a hip-hop and pop-rap song[21] that heavily samples "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot. The song's lyrical content is described as "raunchy" and noted for containing a "heavy dose of 2014 sex lingo".[18] "The Night Is Still Young" is a pop song with verses revolving around a routine night out at a club.[18]
The lead single, "Pills n Potions" is a slow-burning piano ballad that contains prominent elements of hip hop, R&B and pop.[18] The song opens with a sparse, haunting drum beat, while Minaj sings the pre-chorus in a feather-like near-whisper. As the song's pre-chorus repeats, an echo effect is added to her vocals, and "blooming" chants are sung to create the song's chorus. The song's lyrics revolve around someone who has wronged her but she still loves.[18] "Bed of Lies" features guest vocals from singer-songwriter Skylar Grey and is a slow-tempo song built over triumphant production, pianos, rolling drums and booming bass. The song opens with Grey's chorus and a restrained keyboard set before Minaj begins to rap about an ex-lover.[18] "Grand Piano" is the final song on the album's standard version and is the only song on the album that is not a hip hop song; it features no rapping from Minaj nor drums are played in the song. The song is a ballad that contains pianos and violins, with lyrics revolving around Minaj "feeling stupid" and feeling "played" by a former lover.[18]
Singles
[edit]"Pills n Potions" was released as the lead single from the album on May 21, 2014. Minaj announced the release at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.[22] The song peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[23]
"Anaconda" was released as the second single from the album on August 4, 2014.[24] The song samples Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back" and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest-charting single in the US at the time.[23] It topped both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the Hot Rap Songs charts for six weeks.[25] Additionally, the song peaked within the top ten in countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
"Only", which features Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, was released as the third single from the album on October 28, 2014.[26] The song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[23]
"Bed of Lies" featuring Skylar Grey was released as the fourth single from the album on November 16, 2014. Minaj debuted the song at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards. The song peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100.[23] "
"Truffle Butter" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne was released separately from the album to iTunes and Spotify on January 23, 2015, after initially being an iTunes exclusive bonus track, and was serviced to US radio on March 3, 2015, as the fifth single from the album.[27] The song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.[23]
"The Night Is Still Young" was officially released in the UK on April 12, 2015, and later in the US on April 28, 2015, as the sixth single from the album, and has peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.[28]
According to FMQB and Republic Records, "Trini Dem Girls", featuring LunchMoney Lewis, impacted US radio stations on September 1, 2015.[29][30]
Release and promotion
[edit]The album's title was announced as well as the premiere of the track "Lookin Ass" and its Nabil Elderkin-directed music video on February 12, 2014.[31] In August 2014, Minaj confirmed that the album would be released in the fourth quarter of the year.[32] In September 2014, Minaj announced through her Twitter account that the album would be released on November 24, 2014.[33] In late October, her management announced that the album had been rescheduled for release on December 15.[34] On November 2, 2014, Minaj released the album's artwork, which was created by Joe Perez's design studio, who works for Kanye West's creative team Donda.[35] It displays a "sandy" textured pink "splatter" with a thumbprint placed in the middle of a black background on the standard version and a white background for the deluxe version.[36] On December 1, 2014, the track listing was released to the public, and confirmed collaborations with Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Jeremih, Meek Mill, LunchMoney Lewis, Jessie Ware and Skylar Grey.[37]
The album was made available for pre-order on iTunes on December 3, 2014, with the intro track "All Things Go" as an instant download. The standard version of The Pinkprint features sixteen songs,[38] while the deluxe version is packaged with three additional tracks.[39] American retailer Best Buy packaged the latter edition with a smaller version of Minaj's 2015 calendar.[40] "Truffle Butter" and "Wamables" are respectively included as the twentieth songs on the iTunes Store and Japanese pressings of the record.[39][41] A fifth deluxe variant (distributed by American retailer Target and the United Kingdom) lists "Mona Lisa" and "Put You in a Room" as the twentieth and twenty-first tracks, although most of the tracks on this version are abbreviated to fit the exclusive material.[42] During the first week of retail availability, it was discovered that physical deluxe versions of The Pinkprint were unintentionally shipped worldwide with an instrumental version of "Anaconda" instead of the original track.[43]
In contrast to the vibrantly-colored wardrobe and hairpieces she had become associated with earlier in her career, Minaj embraced a more understated image during the first promotional runs for The Pinkprint. She opined that "You can either continue doing costumes or you can just say, 'Hey guess what? This will shock them even more. Doing nothing will shock them even more'".[44] On August 24, 2014, Minaj performed “Anaconda” at the MTV Video Music Awards. She also performed at that year's iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 19. On November 9, 2014, Minaj performed a medley of "Super Bass", "Anaconda", and "Bed of Lies" at the MTV Europe Music Awards, and also hosted the show.
On November 23, 2014, Minaj performed "Bed of Lies" at the American Music Awards. On December 6, 2014, Minaj appeared as a musical guest on an episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live alongside host James Franco. She performed three songs from the album: "Bed of Lies", "Only" and "All Things Go". She also participated in a few skits.[45] During album release week, Minaj visited a few talk shows in promotion for the album. On December 15, Minaj appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for an interview and also performed "Bed of Lies".[46] On December 16, Minaj appeared on The Today Show for an interview and another performance.[47] That same night, she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for an interview.[48] On December 18, Minaj appeared on 106 & Park as the show's final guest artist to discuss the album and the show's legacy.[49] On December 19, Minaj appeared on The Real for an interview.[50] On January 18, 2015, MTV aired My Time Again, a documentary filmed during the final stages of the making of The Pinkprint, which featured behind the scenes clips of Minaj in the studio and in rehearsals, and interviews with Minaj and footage of her with her family.[51] In May 2015, she performed "The Night Is Still Young" and "Hey Mama" at the Billboard Music Awards. Minaj also opened the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance of "Trini Dem Girls", then "The Night Is Still Young" and "Bad Blood" with Taylor Swift.
Minaj supported the album with a 17-date European tour which commenced on March 16, 2015, in Stockholm, Sweden and stopped off in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands before ending on April 12, 2015, in Glasgow, Scotland. Trey Songz was the opening act.[52]
On October 13, 2024, Minaj announced that The Pinkprint would be available to purchase on vinyl on November 22 for the album's tenth anniversary.[53]
Critical reception
[edit]Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.6/10[54] |
Metacritic | 70/100[55] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [56] |
The A.V. Club | B[57] |
Billboard | [58] |
Cuepoint (Expert Witness) | A−[59] |
Exclaim! | [60] |
HipHopDX | [61] |
Los Angeles Times | [62] |
Pitchfork | 7.5/10[15] |
Rolling Stone | [63] |
Spin | 7/10[64] |
The Pinkprint received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the production and her personal lyrics.[65][66][67] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the album a score of 70 out of 100, based on 25 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[55]
Billboard magazine's Niki McGloster called it "her best album to date. Minaj was finally able to out-rap herself and purge issues she's struggled with in private in her most exposed fashion yet".[58] In Cuepoint, Robert Christgau commended the "narrative arc" of her vulnerable songs, but felt the album is defined more so by the bonus tracks, as "Minaj returns to her triumphalist mode prepared to embrace the role of a 32-year-old woman ready for love"[59] Pitchfork editor Meaghan Garvey said the album finale comprises "a thrilling, confounding six-song set that elevates The Pinkprint from an occasionally transcendent break-up album to something far more intriguing," adding that "the album presented Minaj in her most unexpected role yet: a human being."[15]
Spin's Brennan Carley felt the more emotionally vulnerable songs were counterintuitive, with Minaj "muting her own strengths and songwriting abilities in favor of excising her emotional demons", although "her rapping is so on-point that even in confessional mode, [she] lets the public finally buy her heart."[64] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times found the album to be "full of compromises and half-successes" as Minaj is "capable of grand technical feats, rapid cadence switching and complex rhyme patterns, but generally she puts those fireworks to the side when diving deep into her feelings."[21] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly criticized the ballads as "ponderous".[68] The A.V. Club's Sheldon Pearce praised her honest songwriting and concluded that The Pinkprint is "the closest Minaj has ever gotten to balancing her tendencies".[57] Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times stated that throughout the album, Minaj is "intent on channeling her talent to explore and document her many moods. The combination is often, if not always, intoxicating".[62]
Accolades
[edit]Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Complex | The 50 Best Albums of 2014 | 14
|
|
Rolling Stone | The 40 Best Rap Albums of 2014 | 3
|
|
Spin | The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014 | 33
|
Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Pitchfork | The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s | 166
|
|
Rolling Stone | The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s | 60
|
|
Vice | The 100 Best Albums of the Decade | 84
|
Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | American Music Awards | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album | Won | [76] |
BET Hip Hop Awards | Album of the Year | Nominated | [77] | |
Billboard Music Awards | Top Rap Album | Nominated | [78] | |
2016 | 58th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Rap Album | Nominated | [79] |
Commercial performance
[edit]The Pinkprint debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 244,000 album-equivalent units (with 198,000 coming from pure sales and 46,000 combined track-equivalent units and streams) in its first week, behind Taylor Swift's 1989 which was spending its sixth week at number one.[80][81] The album was streamed 16.8 million times across all on-demand streaming services in the United States during its first week.[82][83] In its second week on the chart, it stayed at number two moving an additional 156,000 units, which included 105,000 pure sales.[84][85]The Pinkprint held the number two position for three weeks before falling to number three on the Billboard 200.[86] As of December 2015, the album has sold 682,000 copies in the United States.[87] In February 2016, the RIAA certified the album double platinum, for combined album sales, on-demand audio, video streams, and track sales equivalent of two million album-equivalent units.
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "All Things Go" | 4:53 | ||
2. | "I Lied" |
|
| 5:04 |
3. | "The Crying Game" (featuring Jessie Ware) |
| 4:25 | |
4. | "Get on Your Knees" (featuring Ariana Grande) |
| 3:36 | |
5. | "Feeling Myself" (featuring Beyoncé) | 3:57 | ||
6. | "Only" (featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown) |
|
| 5:12 |
7. | "Want Some More" (featuring Jeremih) |
| 3:49 | |
8. | "Four Door Aventador" |
| Parker | 3:02 |
9. | "Favorite" (featuring Jeremih) |
| 4:02 | |
10. | "Buy a Heart" (featuring Meek Mill) |
|
| 4:15 |
11. | "Trini Dem Girls" (featuring LunchMoney Lewis) |
|
| 3:14 |
12. | "Anaconda" |
|
| 4:20 |
13. | "The Night Is Still Young" |
|
| 3:47 |
14. | "Pills n Potions" |
|
| 4:27 |
15. | "Bed of Lies" (featuring Skylar Grey) |
|
| 4:29 |
16. | "Grand Piano" |
|
| 4:19 |
Total length: | 66:51 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
17. | "Truffle Butter" (featuring Drake and Lil Wayne) |
| Nineteen85 | 3:39 |
Total length: | 70:30 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
17. | "Big Daddy" (featuring Meek Mill) |
| 3:25 | |
18. | "Shanghai" |
|
| 3:39 |
19. | "Win Again" |
| Joseph | 4:10 |
Total length: | 77:59 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
20. | "Wamables" |
|
| 3:13 |
Total length: | 81:12 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
20. | "Truffle Butter" (featuring Drake and Lil Wayne) |
| Nineteen85 | 3:39 |
21. | "YMCMB & Beats By Dre Presents: The Pinkprint Movie" | 16:14 | ||
Total length: | 97:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
20. | "Mona Lisa" |
| Detail | 3:28 |
21. | "Put You in a Room" |
|
| 2:59 |
Total length: | 79:18 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
20. | "Truffle Butter" (featuring Drake and Lil Wayne) |
| Nineteen85 | 3:39 |
21. | "Mona Lisa" |
| Detail | 3:28 |
22. | "Put You in a Room" |
|
| 2:59 |
23. | "Wamables" |
|
| 3:13 |
Total length: | 91:00 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
24. | "Turn Yo Cap Back (Cap Backwards)" (featuring Swae Lee) |
|
| 3:01 |
25. | "If It's Okay" (featuring David Guetta and Davido) |
|
| 3:44 |
26. | "Arctic Tundra" (featuring Juice Wrld) |
|
| 4:29 |
27. | "Remember Me" (featuring Parker Ighile) |
|
| 2:56 |
Notes[2]
- ^[a] signifies a co-producer
- ^[b] signifies an additional vocal producer
- "Want Some More" contains additional vocals by Jeremih.
- "Shanghai" contains additional vocals by Yung Berg.
- "Buy a Heart" contains excerpts of "Stay" performed by Henry Krinkle and "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" performed by Alicia Keys.
- "Anaconda" contains a sample of "Baby Got Back" performed by Sir Mix-a-Lot.
- "Grand Piano" contains interpolations from "Rush Rush", written by Peter Lord and performed by Paula Abdul.
- "Truffle Butter" contains a sample of "What They Say" performed by Maya Jane Coles.
- Some initial physical copies of the album did not include Jessie Ware's feature on "The Crying Game" due to a printing mistake.[20]
- In order to fit all tracks on the disc, the physical copies of the Japanese and international deluxe editions feature many tracks edited shorter.[94][95]
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from AllMusic.[96]
Performance
[edit]- Nicki Minaj – primary artist
- Beyoncé – featured artist
- Chris Brown – featured artist
- Drake – featured artist
- Ariana Grande – featured artist
- Skylar Grey – featured artist
- Jeremih – featured artist
- LunchMoney Lewis – featured artist
- Lil Wayne – featured artist
- Meek Mill – featured artist
- Jessie Ware – featured artist
- Parker Ighile – featured artist (uncredited)
- Lukasz Gottwald – vocals
- Theron Thomas – vocals
- Henry Walter – vocals
- Ester Dean – vocals
- Candice Boyd – background vocals
- Katy Perry – background vocals
Production
[edit]- Dwayne Carter – executive producer
- Bryan "Birdman" Williams – executive producer
- Ronald "Slim" Williams – executive producer
- Nicki Minaj – co-executive producer
- A.C.
- Anonymous
- Arch tha Boss
- Boi-1da
- Darhyl "DJ" Camper Jr.
- Cirkut
- Da Internz
- DJ Spydr
- Dr. Luke
- Steve Mostyn
- Keith Harris
- Hit-Boy
- Hitmaka
- Rob Holladay
- Parker Ighile
- Breyan Stanley Isaac
- JMIKE
- Johnny Juliano
- Kane Beatz
- Alex da Kid
- The Mad Violinist
- Metro Boomin
- Mike Will Made-It
- Nineteen85
- Polow da Don
- Allen Ritter
- Sak Pase
- Skooly
- T.O.D.A.Y
- Vinylz
- Pop & Oak
- will.i.am
- Yung Exclusive
- Zaytoven
Technical
[edit]- A.C. – instrumentation, programming
- John Armstrong – recording assistant
- Chris Athens – mastering
- Todd Bergman – engineer, recording assistant
- Boi-1da – instrumentation
- Noel Cadastre – engineer
- Cirkut – instrumentation, programming
- John Cranfield – recording assistant
- Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine – engineer, mixing
- Dr. Luke – instrumentation, programming
- Rachael Findlen – engineer, recording assistant
- Ashanti "The Mad Violinist" Floyd – strings
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Clint Gibbs – engineer
- John Hanes – engineer, mixing
- Jaycen Joshua – mixing
- JMIKE – instrumentation, programming
- Dustin Kapulong – recording assistant
- Ryan Kaul – mixing assistant
- Caleb Laven – vocal editing
- Omar Loya – engineer
- Fabian Marasciullo – mixing
- Manny Marroquin – mixing
- Cameron Montgomery – recording assistant
- Irene Richter – production coordination
- Allen Ritter – instrumentation
- Ramon Rivas – recording assistant
- Tim Roberts – mixing assistant
- Phil Seaford – mixing assistant
- Ben Sedano – recording assistant
- Brandon Mr. B Speed – engineer
- Brian Springer – engineer
- Chris Tabron – engineer
- Vinylz – instrumentation
- Stuart White – engineer
- Daniel Zaidenstadt – engineer
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
Decade-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[130] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[131] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[132] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[133] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[134] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[135] | Platinum | 300,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[136] | 2× Platinum | 682,000[87] |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
[edit]Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Germany | December 12, 2014 | [137] | ||
United Kingdom | December 15, 2014 | [138] | ||
United States | [34] | |||
Japan | December 24, 2014 | CD | Universal Music Japan | [139] |
Various | November 22, 2024 | LP | Republic | [53] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Conte, Richard (August 6, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Says There Will Be No Guest Features On 'The Pink Print'". Design & Trend. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ a b The Pinkprint (booklet). Nicki Minaj. Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, Republic Records. 2014. 00602547163844.
{{cite AV media notes}}
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- ^ "Skylar Grey". Billboard. November 11, 2014.
- ^ "16 Things We Learned About The Pinkprint From Nicki Minaj's Twitter Q&A". MTV. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
- ^ Ramirez, Erika (August 4, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Explains How Beyonce's 'Flawless' Remix Came to Be". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Covers 'FADER' Magazine, Talks 'The Pink Print', Mixtape Days & BET Awards Speech: 6 Pics". Idolator.com. August 5, 2014.
- ^ "The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj". Genius. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Fall Music Preview 2014: 25 Must-Hear Albums". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj's interwiew on NRJ Lebanon". SoundCloud.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj recorded 25 songs for "The Pinkprint"". November 7, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Talks Being The EMAs Best Ever Host And Her Upcoming Album 'The Pinkprint'". MTV UK. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Is 'Obsessed' With Jay Z, That's Why She Named Her Album Pink Print". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj – Complex Cover Story".
- ^ a b c Garvey, Meaghan (December 16, 2014). "Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Will 'Focus On Rap' For Upcoming Album". Billboard.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Complex Cover Story".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Lockett, Dee. "Nicki Minaj's The Pinkprint: A Track-by-Track Breakdown". Slate. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
- ^ Mistry, Anupa (December 16, 2014). Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint'. Complex. Archived at the Wayback Machine (archived February 27, 2015)
- ^ a b Ohanwe, Malcolm (July 3, 2016). "Jessie Ware about Nicki Minaj not crediting her, racism in R&B/soul, work with Miguel, MalcolmMusic". MalcolmMusic. YouTube. Retrieved July 3, 2016. – starts around 4:00 minutes.
- ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (December 15, 2014). "Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Reveals New Single Title at 2014 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Nicki Minaj Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (August 4, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Previews Steamy 'Anaconda' Video, Unleashes Full Track". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (December 12, 2014). "Billboard Year in Music 2014: Nicki Minaj on Getting Sir Mix-A-Lot's Blessing for 'Anaconda'". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Only (feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown) – Single by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ Cantor, Brian (February 2015). "Truffle Butter Now Set As Nicki Minaj's New Pop Single".
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Confirms New Single 'The Night Is Still Young' UK Release Date". Official Charts.
- ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Trini Dem Girls". Republic Playbook. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj – Lookin Ass Nigga". WorldStarHipHop. February 12, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
- ^ Fleischer, Adam. "Nicki Minaj Gives The Pink Print A Release Date — Kind Of". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Ramirez, Erika (September 10, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Reveals 'The Pinkprint' Album Release Date". Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ^ a b Stutz, Colin. "Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Release Date Pushed Back to December". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
- ^ "Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – 'The Pinkprint'". Rap-Up.
- ^ "Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Releases 'The Pinkprint' Track List". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Standard Edition". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Deluxe Edition". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ Flemmon, Ej (December 15, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Sits Atop iTunes Top 5 For New Album 'The Pink Print,' Plus Pics Of Her 2015 Calendar". Design & Trend. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^ a b "Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Japanese Deluxe". CDJapan. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
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- ^ Rowley, Alison (December 12, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Pinkprint Albums Sold Without 'Anaconda' After Production Error". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
- ^ Blake, Emily. "Nicki Minaj Says 'Hell No' To Another 'Super Bass'". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 1, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (December 7, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Performs 'Only', 'All Things Go', and 'Bed of Lies', Appears as Beyonce on SNL". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
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- ^ "Nicki Minaj performs 'Bed of Lies' on The Today Show". Retrieved December 16, 2014.
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- ^ "BET's 106 & Park Airs Final Episode". Retrieved December 18, 2014.
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- ^ Jeffries, David. "The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
- ^ a b Pearce, Sheldon (December 16, 2014). "Review: Nicki Minaj unwittingly defends poptimism with raw outbursts of feeling". The A.V. Club. Chicago. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
- ^ a b McGloster, Niki (December 15, 2014). "Nicki Minaj, 'The Pinkprint': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard. New York. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
- ^ a b Christgau, Robert (December 26, 2014). "Robert Christgau: Expert Witness". Cuepoint. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
- ^ O'Connor, Samantha (December 11, 2014). "Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Dowling, Marcus (December 15, 2014). "Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ a b Roberts, Randall (December 15, 2014). "Review: The many moods of Nicki Minaj on 'The Pinkprint'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (December 17, 2014). "The Pinkprint". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
- ^ a b Carley, Brennan (December 16, 2014). "Review: Nicki Minaj Gets Uncomfortably Personal on 'The Pinkprint'". Spin. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
- ^ Echevarria, Joe (December 15, 2018). "Nicki Minaj Drops 'The Pinkprint' Album – Today in Hip-Hop". XXL Mag. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany (December 22, 2015). "How Nicki Minaj Courted Controversy, Expanded Empire in 2015". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj releases the music video for latest song Bed featuring Ariana Grande". Irish Independent. July 7, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Kyle (December 17, 2014). "The Pinkprint". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
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External links
[edit]- Official website
- The Pinkprint at Discogs (list of releases)
- 2014 albums
- Albums produced by Cardo
- Albums produced by Boi-1da
- Albums produced by Hit-Boy
- Albums produced by Cirkut
- Albums produced by Dr. Luke
- Albums produced by Polow da Don
- Cash Money Records albums
- Nicki Minaj albums
- Young Money Entertainment albums
- Albums produced by Zaytoven
- Albums produced by Vinylz
- Albums produced by Allen Ritter
- Albums produced by Beyoncé
- Albums produced by Da Internz
- Albums produced by Oak Felder