Pink Friday 2 is the fifth studio album by Nicki Minaj. It was released December 8, 2023. by Heavy On It, Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records. A sequel to Minaj's first two albums, Pink Friday (2010) and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), it is her first studio album in five years following the release of her fourth studio album Queen (2018). The album was supported by five singles, "Super Freaky Girl", "Red Ruby Da Sleeze", "Last Time I Saw You", "Everybody" and "FTCU".
Background[]
It was first referenced as "the fifth thing thing" in the song “Barbie Goin Bad" in February of 2019. In the record, Minaj talks about her label wanting her to release the lead single from her fifth album, and that the album has been recorded. Nicki revealed on the thirteenth episode of Queen Radio that she plans to go on the tour for Queen once NM5 is released, so she can do a joint album tour just like her friend Ariana Grande did with “Sweetener” and “Thank U, Next” in 2019. Nicki uncovered on the fourteenth episode of Queen Radio that the album might have her iconic ‘pink' in the title. The album was set for a possible release in late 2019, or early 2020. During a few interviews at Nicki's Fendi Prints On Event, Nicki revealed that she was still contemplating whether to release NM5.
Minaj has described the album as her best work, a full circle moment, a payoff for fans from all eras, and a classic. She has tweeted the album contains her best rap she has ever written.
It was initially scheduled for a October 20 release, but was later pushed back to November 17, and then to December 8.She also stated that the album would be "well worth the wait", and followed up by a concert tour in 2024. On September 4, Minaj shared one of two official cover arts for the album, depicting the rapper in an all-white ensemble traveling on a roofless subway floating above pink clouds. On October 6, she shared the second album cover, depicting her wearing an all-pink gown which reveals her midriff and surrounded by a billowing pink satin sheet in front of a black background. On December 3, she confirmed the return of her alter ego Roman through the song "Roman in Malibu".
Commercial Performance[]
In the US, Pink Friday 2 debuted at number one, moving 244,000 units (98,000) pure sales in its first week, making Minaj the first female rapper to have 3 number one albums on the Billboard 200. Pink Friday 2 also became the largest first week sales in the 2020s decade so far for a female rapper, as well as the largest pure album sales debut for an album by a female rapper. She also became the first female rapper to have a number one album in two consecutive decades (2010s and 2020s). Prior to it's release, the album sold over 500,000 units from pre orders alone. The album accumulated 90.8 million streams in its first three days. Pink Friday 2 accumulated 169.87 million first week streams, making the album the largest first week streams for a female rapper in the 2020s decade. Upon its release, the album debuted 14 of its 22 tracks on the Billboard Hot 100 (17 overall). In it's second week, the album dropped to number two with an additional 100,000 units. The album charted within the top 10 in eight countries upon its release. Pink Friday 2 was certified RIAA platinum in the United States on March 28, 2024 for selling over one million units in the US.
Promotion[]
"Super Freaky Girl" was released as the lead single from the album on August 12, 2022. Its music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, was uploaded onto Minaj's YouTube account on September 1. The song debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. With this, Minaj became the first solo female rapper to debut at the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 since Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in 1998 and the first female rapper to debut a solo song at number one in the 21st century.
On March 3, 2023, Minaj released the second single from the album "Red Ruby Da Sleeze", which she described as her "street record" before her "next official single." The song peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100 and at number four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Last Time I Saw You" was released as the album's third single on September 1, 2023. The song peaked at number 23 on the Hot 100 and at number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On September 12, Minaj performed "Last Time I Saw You" at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, where she also debuted a new track from the album entitled "Big Difference" as a surprise.
"Everybody" featuring Lil Uzi Vert was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio and contemporary hit radio in the United States on January 9, 2024, serving as the album's fourth single. "FTCU" was also sent to rhythmic contemporary radio the same day and released to digital platforms the next day as the album's fifth single.
Promotional singles[]
On October 13, 2023, in celebration of "Pink Friday the 13th", Minaj released the track "Bahm Bahm", the first and only promotional single from the album, exclusively on her website. It was the winning option of a poll made to fans of which songs they wanted to hear, which included options of unnamed collaborations with Juice Wrld and Future.
"Beep Beep", featuring 50 Cent was released on December 12, 2023 as a promotion for the Gag City deluxe edition.
"Press Play, featuring Future was released from the Gag City Pluto deluxe edition.
Tracklist[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Are You Gone Already" | Onika Maraj Finneas O'Connell | FINNEAS | 4:30 |
| 2. | "Barbie Dangerous" | Maraj Joshua Goods Kameron Cole Kendall Taylor Christopher Wallace Anthony Henderson Bryon McCane Steven Howse Sean Combs Steven Jordan | Tate Kobang Hollywood Cole YG! Beats |
2:12 |
| 3. | "FTCU" | Maraj Juaquin Malphurs Joshua Luellen Jacob Canady | ATL Jacob | 2:52 |
| 4. | "Beep Beep" | Maraj Shane Lindstrom Gavin Valencia | Murda Beatz OJ Finessey |
1:35 |
| 5. | "Fallin 4 U" | Maraj Canady Darryon Bunton | ATL Jacob DB! |
3:50 |
| 6. | "Let Me Calm Down (feat. J. Cole)" | Maraj Jermaine Cole Canady Derrick Miller Ofer Ishai | ATL Jacob Hendrix Smoke Kuji |
4:04 |
| 7. | "RNB (feat. Lil Wayne, Tate Kobang)" | Maraj Dwayne Carter Goods Taylor Tomislav Ratešić | Kobang YG! Beats Dystinkt Beats |
3:04 |
| 8. | "Pink Birthday" | Maraj Matthew Samuels Amir Sims Chase Lieberman Shubhkarman Pruthi Jacques Webster Leland Wayne Michael Dean Sonny Uwaezuoke Peter Mellin | Boi-1da Fierce Apollo Parker116 |
2:08 |
| 9. | "Needle (feat. Drake)" | Maraj Aubrey Graham Samuels Johann Deterville Rahiem Hurlock | Boi-1da YogiTheProducer |
3:55 |
| 10. | "Cowgirl (feat. Lourdiz)" | Maraj Alyssa Cantu Lukasz Gottwald Rocco Valdes Ryan Ogren | Dr. Luke | 3:36 |
| 11. | "Everybody (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)" | Maraj Symere Woods Isaiah Henry Goods Jesper Mortensen | DJ Smallz 732 Kobang |
3:00 |
| 12. | "Big Difference" | Mara jMichael Mulé Isaac De Boni Keanu Torres Jahmal Gwin Marcus Slade Derrick Gray | FnZ Keanu Beats BoogzDaBeast Slade Da Monsta |
3:11 |
| 13. | "Red Ruby Da Sleeze" | Maraj Kevin Price Darryl McCorkell Goods Kirsten Spencer Josiah Muhammad Irvin Winslow Lumidee Cedeño Teddy Mendez Edwin Perez Steven Marsden | Go Grizzly Cheeze Beatz |
3:34 |
| 14. | "Forward From Trini (feat. Skillibeng, Skeng)" | Maraj Emwah Warmington Kevon Douglas Sebastian Loers Emelio Lynch Rowan Melhado Dave Kelly | Basbeats Melio Sounds |
2:33 |
| 15. | "Pink Friday Girls" | Maraj Jeremy Reid Cantu Ogren Robert Hazard | J. Reid | 2:46 |
| 16. | "Super Freaky Girl" | Maraj Gottwald Lauren Miller Vaughn Oliver Aaron Joseph Gamal Lewis James Johnson Jr Alonzo Miller | Dr. Luke Malibu Babie OliverJoseph |
2:50 |
| 17. | "Bahm Bahm" | Maraj Goods Jessica Carpenter | Kobang Jess Carp |
2:21 |
| 18. | "My Life" | Maraj Donald Cannon Sean Momberger Goods Deborah Harry Christopher Stein | Don Cannon Momberger |
2:44 |
| 19. | "Nicki Hendrix (feat. Future)" | Maraj Nayvadius Wilburn Brandon Hamlin Vincent Shaw | B Ham Vincent "Life" Shaw |
4:24 |
| 20. | "Blessings (feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard)" | Maraj Natasha Leonard Benjamin Saint Fort Jeremiah Raisen Christian Astrop | Bnyx SadPony Beau Nox |
3:34 |
| 21. | "Last Time I Saw You" | Maraj Canady Lesidney Ragland Colin Franken Miller Alex Bak | ATL Jacob TooDope! Frankie Bash Hendrix Smoke Bak |
3:36 |
| 22. | "Just the Memories" | Maraj Georges Olivier Habib Defoundoux Moses Davis Lynford Marshall Colin York John Bristol Jerry Butler James Dean John Glover | Bone Collector Habib Defoundoux |
3:55 |
Gag City deluxe edition
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 23. | "Beep Beep (featuring 50 Cent)" | 2:27 |
| 24. | "Love Me Enough (featuring Monica and Keyshia Cole)" | 3:50 |
| 25. | "Press Play (featuring Future)" | 3:21 |
Photoshoot[]
.jpeg "Pink Friday 2 (Alt).jpeg (2.55 MB)")
Trivia[]
- Pink Friday 2 was Nicki's first album in 5 years, since Queen's release in 2018 - her longest break between albums in her career.
- Pink Friday 2 is Nicki's first album with a #1 US Billboard 100 song.
- The album was originally set to be released on October 20 & November 17, 2023.
- Several tracks on the album include a sample.
- Are You Gone Already samples "when the party's over" by Billie Eilish.
- Pink Birthday samples "Pornography" by Travis Scott.
- Everybody samples "Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior.
- Red Ruby Da Sleeze samples "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" by Lemidee.
- Pink Friday Girls samples "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.
- Super Freaky Girl samples "Super Freak" by Nick James.
- My Life samples "Heart of Glass" by Blondie.