It's been almost two years since Nicki Minaj dropped a new album. Yes, that seems hard to believe, but it's true: The Pinkprint, her third studio release, came out on December 12, 2014. It's easy to understand the long wait since Nicki has been busy with a variety of other projects – including touring, recording guest verses, and taking on a few acting roles – but it doesn't change the fact that TWO YEARS is pretty long time to go without some fresh bars from The Pink One.
Thankfully, we know our national Nicki-less nightmare will come to an end sometime soon, as she's been hard at work putting together her next solo project. Other than the fact that it's NOT called Pick My Fruit Out (despite Nicki's noble attempt to make us believe otherwise), there's not much other information about to get excited about. That means that until we get a single, or a title, or even a little bit of artwork, the best anyone can do is just imagine what greatness Nicki's got brewing in that beautiful pink brain of hers. She'll probably end up exceeding everyone's expectations, of course, but hey, it can't hurt to dream.
Another unforgettable collaboration with Beyoncé
Nicki and the Queen are good friends, and they've worked together to put out a couple of dope tracks – "Flawless" and "Feeling Myself." Both songs are great in their own right, but you know what's better than two memorable collaborations? THREE (or more if they've got the time) memorable collaborations.
Can you imagine all the goodies that would come from getting those two in the same studio again? Bey is currently at the top of her creative game, as evidenced by the masterpiece known as Lemonade that she released earlier this year. Nicki, on the other hand, has kept her skills sharp by dropping verses for Ariana Grande and DJ Khaled. Once she rides that hot streak into the production of this new project, then we may have to consider making room for Nicki in the list of the top five greatest rappers of all time. Sorry, Dylan.
ALL. OF. THE. CLAP. BACKS.
Nicki Minaj is a lot of things, but one thing she's not is someone who holds her tongue. In the time since The Pinkprint was released, Nicki has engaged in several public spats with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Sharon Osbourne, and a few others. After all, what else do you really expect her to do? If someone's trying to start beef, sometimes you just have to give them what they want – albeit well done, and with a little sauce on top.
Nicki has defended the various aspects of her heavily scrutinized personality in her music before, so it wouldn't be surprising if we got more of the same in her new music. In fact, I think it's always rather thrilling to hear an artist be so confident and comfortable about themselves and their abilities within their art. It's also just a lot of fun to hear someone get clapped back on (whether subtly or not so) for all to hear and see. It's like sipping a glass of the sweetest tea ever brewed.
A duet with Meek Mill
Whenever two of the biggest names in music start dating each other, you can count that a collaboration between the two will hit the airwaves at some point after things start to heat up. We've seen it with Jay and Bey, Ariana Grande and Mac Miller, Drake and Rihanna (???), and many more.
Nicki and whatever remains of Meek Mill after Drake sent him to the Shadow Realm have been seeing each other for a while, yet they haven't done much work together in the studio. Not that they have to, of course, but it would be nice to hear how their vastly different musical styles and idiosyncrasies mesh in one track. Then again, there's always a chance that the couple may not compliment each other as well we'd think – which would be tragic, but still kind of fun to hear.
Some of the sharpest verses that she's ever written
Nicki told Nylon Magazine that she would take some time to reflect upon the strengths and weaknesses of The Pinkprint before releasing a new album. That's great to hear, because almost any time a musician takes an extended break from their work to think, it tends to bring out the best in them creatively.
Example: remember when Kanye dropped from the face of the earth after the whole Taylor Swift/VMAs debacle back in 2008? Once he re-emerged from his self-exile, he recorded and released My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – which is arguably his masterpiece. Or how about Kendrick visited Nelson Mandela's former jail cell on Robben Island while on tour? We got To Pimp A Butterfly as a result.
No one knows how long it'll be before she puts the finishing touches on the new album, but one thing is for certain: a well-rested and re-focused Nicki is the Nicki you always want to hear. This album has the potential to be the best she's ever released. Will it live up to the hype? Maybe. We'll see.
A Lauryn Hill cameo
Nicki recently called the folks at The Breakfast Club to discuss her experience meeting Ms. Lauryn Hill for the first time in her life. Nicki has described Hill as her idol, and was so star-struck, that she bowed down at the feet of the former Fugees member. Now, it's been a long time since we've heard some new good-good from Hill. A REALLY long time. If Nicki and Lauryn were to join forces in any way shape or form, the results could be earth-shattering.
Seriously, the cosmos would align, lightning will strike more than twice, Meek Mill would rise from the dead – the possibilities are endless. It's kind of hard to picture what that recording session would actually be like, since both ladies have distinctively different styles and approaches to their craft, but if they were to work something out, we could assume that it would have a little bit of everything. Some soul, some funk, some pop, some R&B, but most importantly, it'd have a lot of BITE.
It's an unlikely collaboration, but it could happen. Ultimately, we'll have to wait and see what happens as time passes.