Nicki Minaj has undeniably established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment business. The rapper has not only made the transition from underground to mainstream music, but she has also established herself as a pop-cultural phenomenon. People are curious not just about the sound of her next hip-hop smash, but also about what she will wear next and what hard-hitting themes she will address in her next interview. Nicki Minaj is here to stay, and her voice is being heard in this generation, whether you like her or not.
However, some fans may pine for the “good old days” when the Jamaica, Queens native was still releasing mixtapes. She is, after all, always reinventing herself and her image. In fact, she alters things up so frequently that some newer Minaj fans may have no idea what her previous rap tracks were like.
So, what were the “good old days” like? Certainly, there were fewer gimmicks involved. There were fewer wig hair color changes and outlandish outfits. There were no “anacondas” to be found. There wasn’t quite as much misery and heartbreak as on her most recent album, The Pinkprint. But there was something there that hasn’t faded away: a knack for rhyming and grooving to the rhythm.
1. “Itty Bitty Piggy”
Minaj is obviously establishing her “Barbie” identity in this song, notably with her simulated girlie, the high-pitched accent in some portions.
2. “Click-Clack”
One of the most intriguing and surprising aspects of this song is that it does not appear to feature Minaj’s sexuality as prominently as some of her previous tracks.
3. “Playtime Is Over”
Despite its brief length, this song makes up for it with razor-sharp lyrics and a fast-paced tempo. Try not to put this song on your exercise playlist after listening to it.
4. “Warning”
This song, which digs into Minaj’s darker side, relates a story about a friend contacting her to inform her that Minaj’s lover had been seen with another woman.
5. “Dirty Money”
In a series of montages of the cityscape, the rapper pays respect to her homeland of New York City.