Nicki Minaj has always done what she wanted. Despite criticism from rap-heads accusing her of "going pop" with "Starships", Minaj split her time evenly between hard-spitting bangers and well-executed EDM on her sophomore album Roman Reloaded, just about drawing a solid line through the centre of the album.
We've definitely heard more of Nicki's rap side on her most recent tracks, and it seems like that persona will have a larger presence on her upcoming album, The Pink Print, though she won't be pinning herself down either, according to Cash Money head Birdman.
"For the new album, she's doing what she feels like doing and we're supporting her," said the YMCMB mogul. "You hear a lot of growth in her music. She's coming confident and hard. We expect for this to be one of the biggest [albums] from her. It's more rap. This album is going to have a little bit of everything but more rap. I am sure some of the team will be on it. She's still doing her thing, then getting features on it. She's definitely coming this year. She hasn't picked a date yet. What she did for Young Money is totally different then what she's doing for her album. She's more girly-er. Tha Carter V will definitely come before Nicki's [album]."
Birdman then told the story of how he initially signed Nicki, which was a decision made after watching one of her street DVDs.
"We were in LA and Wayne came into my room and played me a DVD that she was on," he said. "He was so hyped about it. We were just in awe of her delivery, her swag and her confidence. He flew her in the next day to meet us. When we first saw her, we knew she'd be the female rapper of Young Money. Wayne had been looking for a female rapper to be a part of the team and when he'd seen that it was a wrap. It was how she was saying what she was saying. It inspired me."
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