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The Pinkprint is the third studio album by Nicki Minaj. The album was released on December 15, 2014. The buzz single, "Lookin Ass" was released on February 12, and two street singles were released: "Chi-Raq" featuring Lil Herb on April 7, and "Yasss Bish" featuring Soulja Boy on May 3. The lead single, "Pills N Potions" was released on May 21. The second single, "Anaconda" was released on August 4. The third single, "Only", featuring Lil Wayne, Drake, and Chris Brown, was released on October 28. The fourth single, "Bed of Lies", featuring Skylar Grey, was released on November 16. The first promo single, "All Things Go", was released as the first and only promo single on December 3 as an Instant Gratification track if you preordered the album. "Truffle Butter" and "The Night Is Still Young" were released as the fifth and sixth singles, respectively.

Background

Minaj firstly mentioned her third studio album in December 2012, when she nicknamed it "The Pinkprint"[1] but later, in April 2013 at an interview with MTV News, she regretted it because she wanted to start a "new era."[2] On May 28, 2013 in an interview with Peter Rosenberg, she said that she was going to "feed the core hip-hop fan" with her next project, and her desire to get back to her essence, returning to the place where she was before her debut album.[3]

Minaj yield more information about the album in September in various interviews where she reiterated her intention of not "rushing things up" because she wanted the album to be "perfect,"[4] and that she begun writing that month.[5] On November 3 in an interview at the Power 105.1 Powerhouse, she said she was not "putting a limit" to the album, and was unsure of how many songs she wanted to record which was something new for her. She also said that she wouldn't forget the pop fans, and that everyone will love the album for the "feel good sounds and lyrics".[6]

On January 14, 2014, Minaj revealed that her favorite song has the initials "GP". In addition to this, she said that she already had a name for the album.[7] Minaj called her album "The Pink Print" on February 14 at an interview with Angie Martinez of Hot 97 and she has been calling the album like that since then. She also mentioned that it won't have a release date until is finished; she said she will "see how it goes."[8] On April 22, at the premiere of her acting-debut film The Other Woman, Minaj carried out multiple interviews where she disclosed information respecting her third album. At an interview with MTV News, she said that she will "just do what her heart tells her to do" and that she is not mandatorily trying to do hip-hop tracks, she's just doing it.[9] With Access Hollywood, she confirmed that the album will be "very personal", which her new natural look reflect that.[10]

Recording

In an interview with MTV on February 28, 2013, Minaj told them that she would start recording the new album when she'll finish shooting her single "High School": "I'm about to shoot another single off The Re-Up. And then [I'll] start working on that follow-up album. I'll be doing it here in L.A. while I'm shooting 'Idol,'", said Minaj.[11] However on the American Idol season 12 finale, on May 16, Minaj confirmed that she will start recording her third album in July.[12] During the summer, Minaj was in New York City meeting with producers for the album, in addition to planning and observing for inspiration where she did not write any material.[4] She begun writing the album as of September.[5] In November 2013, she locked down in the studio for two more months to really focus on the project.[13] Recording last for roughly another year, with Ariana Grande putting her vocals on Get On Your Knees 2 weeks before release.

Composition

The musical style will be something she has never done before[6] with a blend of her debut album, Pink Friday, and her reissue album, The Re-Up.[14][15][11] Lyrically speaking, she wants "to get back to her essence" before her debut[3], she wants to go back to her "hip-hop roots." Additionally, Minaj mentioned that she, as soon as she started composing, has just been writing hip-hop songs.[9]

Minaj said that she has a lot "to talk about" in the tracks: she has "experienced so much in the last year-and-a-half" that she will explore other themes which she did not do in her features songs.[13] The album as a whole will be "very personal"[10] (an explanation of her "journey" since 2012)[16] and more "girly-er".[17]

Artwork

On October 31, 2014, Nicki announced on Twitter that she would release the album cover on Monday morning (November 3) with the specific time to be revealed that Sunday night. However, on November 2 that Sunday night, she decided to release the cover a few hours early. She posted the deluxe cover on Instagram, and said the standard cover would come at a later date. The standard cover, the same as the deluxe but with a black background instead of white, was revealed in December on all the websites where the album was sold.

The covers were designed by DONDA, Kanye West's creative team: Joe Perez (art director and designer), Jenna Marsh (shot/photographed), and Bryan Rivera (cover titling).

Nicki did a 2015 calendar with 12 photos (one for each month). A smaller version of the calendar was included in the Best Buy exclusive edition, and a bigger size version was available to purchase on her website. Minaj said the calendar was actually made for "the dudes locked away".

Singles

"Lookin Ass" was released as a buzz single for the album on February 12, 2014.[18][19] A music video was released the same day, and was shot on January 31, 2014, at Twentynine Palms, California code named "Back to Red"[20][21]. On April 7, she released a street single on Soundcloud called "Chi-Raq". On May 3, she released a second street single called "Yasss Bish".

During one of her lines in "Yasss Bish", she hinted at the lead single being released within two weeks (around May 17),[22] and she said that it will be released on Wednesday May 21.[23] She confirmed the name of the song to be "Pills N Potions" on May 18.[24] It was released on May 21. The music video was shot on May 13-14, and premiered on June 10. The second single, "Anaconda", was released on August 4. The music video was shot on July 21-22, and premiered on August 20. The third single, "Only", was released on October 28. The music video was shot for the song on November 2-3.

The fourth single, "Bed of Lies" was released on November 16. It was suppose to be sent to Pop radio on January 13, 2015. but was cancelled. The fifth single, "Truffle Butter", was released for digital download on January 23, 2015, and impacted Pop radio on March 3. The sixth single, "The Night Is Still Young" became a UK single on April 12, 2015, and impacted US Pop radio on April 28. "Trini Dem Girls" was released as a promo single from the album on September 1, 2015.

The Pinkprint Tour

Nicki has stated numerous times that a tour would soon follow the release of the album. In a Twitter Q&A on July 2, 2014, a Barb asked if she was going to start touring in Summer 2015 and she replied, "Sooner". She later revealed she would start touring overseas before coming to the US during the Summer. The European leg started in March, 2015 with the US following in the summer.

Tour Wiki

The Pinkprint Movie

On November 7, 2014, Republic Records confirmed on their website that The Pinkprint would include a downloadable short film with the iTunes digital copy. The 20-minute love story was to be told via the music and video clips, bringing everything into one cohesive vision. However, it was initially released on December 19 on her Youtube channel since she could not send it to iTunes in time. It was later uploaded to her VEVO account and available to purchase on iTunes on January 18, 2015 and January 21, 2015, respectively. It was cut to 16 minutes, using the songs "All Things Go", "The Crying Game", "I Lied", and "Grand Piano".

Nicki_Minaj_-_YMCMB_&_Beats_By_Dre_Presents_The_Pinkprint_Movie

Nicki Minaj - YMCMB & Beats By Dre Presents The Pinkprint Movie

Commercial Performance

The Pinkprint debuted #19 on the Australian Album Charts, at #22 on the UK Albums Chart, and #25 on the New Zealand Albums Chart, with a later peak of #21 on the latter chart. The album debuted at #2 on the US Billboard 200 chart with 244,000 units, and was streamed 16.8 million times in its first week. It was the 2nd highest first week sales by a female artist in 2014, as well as the 2nd highest first week sales by a rap artist. As of 2019, the album has been certified 2x Platinum.. It was also certified Gold in Brazil & Sweden with 20K units sold in both places. It has also been certified Silver in the UK with 60K units sold.

Track listing

Standard edition

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "All Things Go"  Onika MarajMatthew SamuelsEster Dean • Anderson Hernandez • Allen RitterBoi-1da • Vinlyz • Ritter (co.) 4:53
2. "I Lied"  Maraj • Michael Williams • M. Bell • DeanMike Will Made It • Skooly (co.) 5:04
3. "The Crying Game"  Maraj • Jessie WareAndrew WanselWarren Felder • Steven MostynWansel • Felder 4:25
4. "Get on Your Knees" (featuring Ariana Grande)Maraj • Katy Perry • Chloe Angelides • Lukasz Gottwald • Sarah Hudson • Jacob Kasher Kindlin • Henry WalterDr. LukeCirkut 3:36
5. "Feeling Myself" (featuring Beyoncé)Maraj • Beyoncé Knowles • Solana Rowe • Chauncey HollisHit-Boy • Beyoncé (co.) 3:57
6. "Only" (featuring Lil Wayne, Drake and Chris Brown)Maraj • Aubrey GrahamDwayne Carter • Jeremy Coleman • Gottwald • Theron ThomasTimothy Thomas • WalterDr. Luke • Cirkut • JMIKE 5:12
7. "Want Some More"  Maraj • Jeremih FeltonXavier DotsonChristian Ward • Leland WayneZaytoven • Hitmaka • Metro Boomin • Nicki Minaj (co.) 3:49
8. "Four Door Aventador"  Maraj • Asabe Ighile • Parker IghileParker 3:02
9. "Favorite" (featuring Jeremih)Maraj • Robert Williams • Felton • Darhyl Camper, Jr. • Rob Holladay • WardDarhyl "Hey DJ" Camper, Jr. • Minaj (co.) • Holladay (co.) 4:02
10. "Buy a Heart" (featuring Meek Mill)Maraj • Williams • Ward • Armond RedmenArch Tha Boss • Hitmaka 4:15
11. "Trini Dem Girls" (featuring Lunchmoney Lewis)Maraj • Coleman • Gottwald • Hindlin • Gamal Lewis • Theron Thomas • Alexander Castillo Vasquez • WalterDr. Luke • Cirkut • A.C. • JMIKE 3:14
12. "Anaconda"  Maraj • Jamal Jones • Jonathan Solone-Myvett • Ernest ClarkMarcos Palacios • Anthony RayPolow da Don • Anonymous • Da Internz (co.) 4:20
13. "The Night Is Still Young"  Maraj • Dean • Gottwald • Theron Thomas • WalterDr. Luke • Cirkut 3:47
14. "Pills N Potions"  Maraj • Dean • Gottwald • WalterDr. Luke • Cirkut 4:27
15. "Bed of Lies" (featuring Skylar Grey)Maraj • Holly HafermannDaniel Johnson • Coleman • Breyan Stanley Isaac • Vinay Vyas • Justin Davey • Alexander GrantKane Beatz • JMIKE • Alex da Kid (co.) • Isaac (co.) • T.O.D.A.Y. (co.) 4:29
16. "Grand Piano"  Maraj • Johnson • Dean • William Adams • Keith Harris • Peter Lordwill.i.am • Harris • Kane Beatz • Minaj (co.) • T.O.D.A.Y. (co.) • The Mad Violinist (co.) 4:19


Deluxe Artworks

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) 19
Canadian Albums (Billboard) 6
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts) 32
French Albums (SNEP) 70
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 69
Irish Albums (IRMA) 31
Netherlands Albums 32
New Zealand Albums (Recorded Music NZ) 25
Russian Albums (Russian Music Charts) 8
Scottish Albums (Scottish Albums Charts) 27
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) 39
UK Albums Chart (OCC) 22
US Billboard 200 2
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 1
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard) 1

Certifications

Country Certifications
United States (RIAA) 2xPlatinum
United Kingdom (BPI) Silver
Brazil Gold
Sweden Gold

References

  1. Twitter: YUP! > RT @Quinton_Minaj @NICKIMINAJ will you name album #3 Pink Friday: The Pinkprint? #REUPNOV19 Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  2. Will Nicki Minaj Ditch 'Pink' In Her 'New Era'? Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Rap-Up.com: Nicki Minaj Buries Beef with Peter Rosenberg, Returns to Hip-Hop Roots on Third Album Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Nicki Minaj Sets Record Straight on Collaborating with Miley Cyrus - YouTube Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  5. 5.0 5.1 E! Online: Nicki Minaj Talks Miley Cyrus, American Idol and Acting With Cameron Diaz Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Nicki Minaj interview at The Breakfast Club Power 105.1 - YouTube Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  7. imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/542/0s7l.png Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  8. Nicki Minaj calls Angie Martinez about "The Angie Review" launch YouTube Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Nicki Minaj Says 'Hell No' To Another 'Super Bass' - MTV News. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Nicki Minaj's Makeunder - Is It Her New Look? - Access Hollywood. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Will Nicki Minaj Break Up With 'Idol' For New Album? Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  12. Nicki Minaj interview after 'American Idol' season 12 finale Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Nicki Minaj Says She's Excited About "New Sound" Of Next Solo Album HipHop DX Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  14. Twitter: REUP hands down> RT @Flawless_EhEhF1: @NICKIMINAJ Will your 3rd album be more like the ReUp or Reloaded? #REUPNOV19 Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  15. YouTube Nicki Minaj Plans for the Next Album Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  16. Nicki Minaj Talks Boyfriends, Role-playing, and New Album at 'The Other Woman' Premiere - YouTube. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  17. Birdman Says Nicki Minaj's "The Pink Print" Will Have "A Little Bit Of Everything, But More Rap" - Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  18. Video: Nicki Minaj - Lookin Ass N***a World Star Hip Hop Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  19. nickiminaj: Message Instagram. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  20. Twitter: Shootin Retrieved February 1, 2014.
  21. Casting African American Male Models For Nicki Minaj Music Video (Twentynine Palms , California) Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  22. Nicki Minaj – Yasss Bish!! Lyrics Rap Genius. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  23. Nicki Minaj’s Powerhouse Set: “Dropping My Single On Wednesday” Idolator. Retrieved May 19.
  24. Nicki Minaj Reveals New Single Title at 2014 Billboard Music Awards - Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2014.


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