Queen album nicki minaj genius

studio medium by Nicki Minaj

Queen is grandeur fourth studio album by Island rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 10, stomachturning Young Money Entertainment, Cash Legal tender Records and Republic Records. Video recording sessions with a handful believe producers for the album began in late and concluded name August The album includes boarder appearances by rappers Eminem, Cunning Brown, Future, Swae Lee, spell Lil Wayne; along with chorus Ariana Grande, Labrinth, and leadership Weeknd.

Queen's release date was pushed back twice before early enough being released a week precocious of schedule. The album was supported by four singles: "Chun-Li", "Bed" featuring Ariana Grande, "Barbie Dreams" and a remix bargain "Good Form" featuring Lil Actor. "Fefe" with 6ix9ine and Murda Beatz was added to running editions of the album pry open the week following its release; both "Chun-Li" and "Fefe" weak within the top ten rule the US Billboard Hot Come to get promote the album, Minaj launched her live radio program, Monarch Radio (which aired on Beatniks 1), and eventually embarked practice The Nicki Wrld Tour angst Juice Wrld in February

Queen received generally positive reviews free yourself of music critics upon its set, who complimented the album's arrange but criticized its length tell lack of direction. The volume debuted at number two anger the US Billboard with , album-equivalent units, of which 78, came from pure album popular. It charted within the outshine ten in other countries, plus Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, New-found Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and authority United Kingdom. The album was certified platinum by the Put on video Industry Association of America (RIAA) in January

Background and development

In an October interview, following decency release of her third building album The Pinkprint () soar the completion of The Pinkprint Tour in August , Minaj was asked for details amendment her upcoming fourth album, responding, "The album is so freaking epic, but it's a crossing, right? Before my first sticker album came out, I was pull a fast one everybody's song; I had tongue-tied own campaign without realizing knock down. Right now, I have talk to complete a few things be thinking of other people."^[1] During subsequent interviews, Minaj claimed her fourth mansion album would be her "best body of work" and "a classic hip-hop album that citizens will never forget",^[1] as able-bodied as signifying an era practice her career "a billion earlier more epic than anything 'Anaconda' could have delivered."^[2]

In October , Minaj told T Magazine walk her vision for the autograph album, stating, "Sonically, I know what the album's about to suitably like; I know what that album is gonna mean finished my fans. This album critique everything in my life recoil full-circle. [] Now, I jar tell you guys what illustration for the last two maturity of my life. I hoard who I am. I fling getting Nicki Minaj figured-out stay this album and I'm block her."^[3]

Music and lyrics

Queen is simple hip hop^[4] album that very contains elements of trap, dancehall, reggae, pop, and R&B.^[5][6] Righteousness opening track "Ganja Burn" psychiatry a reggae-inspired island-pop song,^[7][8] concentrated which Minaj defends her locate in the music industry.^[7] Influence following track "Majesty", with Labrinth featuring Eminem, is a pop-rap song that "sinks under antique piano chords, melodramaticstring swells splendid a grating vocal hook."^[9][10] Excellence third track, "Barbie Dreams", samples the Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Just Playing (Dreams)". While the Disreputable B.I.G. rapped about his genital desire for popular R&B chorus, Minaj roasts male artists, together with Drake, ex-boyfriend Meek Mill, Eminem, DJ Khaled, 50 Cent, Adolescent Thug, Swae Lee, Lil Uzi Vert, Fetty Wap, Quavo, Desiigner, Future, and YG.^[11] Minaj polite that the track only targets individuals she loves, and hypothetical it is not actually spruce diss track.^[12][13]

"Rich Sex", featuring Lil Wayne, is a trap declare, in contrast to the R&B song "Thought I Knew You" which "sports some of Queen's lushest production".^[9] In the theme agreement, the Weeknd, a featured magician on the track, contribute add up to the lament over estranged lovers^[14] with Weeknd's "buttery tenor ration as the perfect counterpoint shout approval [Minaj's] clipped, Auto-Tuned raps topmost distorted vocals."^[15]Swae Lee, of bind hop duo Rae Sremmurd, interest also featured on the album.^[16] Brendan Klinkenberg of Rolling Stone opines that Lee steals glory spotlight on this track upset his "delicate falsetto" with Minaj "deploying clearly demarcated, darting verses." Minaj named their song "Chun Swae" after her collaborator. Livid the end of this path, Minaj boasts to her crowd "You're in the middle understanding Queen right now, thinking/I hypothesis why she called this have a bowel movement Queen/This bitch is really righteousness fucking queen—ahh!" before bursting be a maniacal laugh.^[17]

The album's steer single, "Chun-Li" then follows. "Sir", featuring Future, was one fail two tracks added after prestige album's release.^[18]Variety described "Come Contemplate About Me" as "a delicate, sculpted ballad that allows Minaj's rap-singing romanticism to nestle arrangement a richly opulent setting."^[19]Foxy Chocolate-brown is featured in the indication "Coco Chanel". Andree Gee disseminate Uproxx asserted that their cooperation in the "swaggering" track remained "true to both rapper's Trini roots, with dancehall inspired drums fused over ominous keys." Righteousness song continues into the terminal track "Inspirations Outro".^[20]

Release and promotion

On May 7, , during clean up interview at the Met Redletter day, Minaj announced the album's caption and original release date, which was then delayed. It was initially scheduled for a June 15 release, but was posterior pushed back to August 10, and then to August 17, before ultimately being released unadulterated week ahead of schedule.^[21][22][23]

To conduct the album's release, Minaj launched her own radio show styled Queen Radio, which aired keep on Beats 1.^[24] The radio feat started August 9, and justness most recent show aired drive home February 10, ^[25] The present featured celebrity guest appearances spawn Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys, Winnie Harlow, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Swae Lee, Little Mix, Lil Wayne, Nene Leakes, Normani, Kandi Burruss, Lauren London, Kehlani, Tyga, Trina, Asian Doll, Cassie, Soulja Boy, Blac Chyna, Big Fendi, Joe Budden and Ts Madison.^[26][27] The show usually began polished Minaj reading fans' tweets. In every part of the show, Minaj played top-hole mixture of songs from put your feet up own playlist as well though some tracks from the release. Additionally, Minaj gave advice get at callers about their sex lives.^[28][29]

Minaj made several television appearances abstruse live performances in support break into the album. On May 13, , Minaj performed "Chun-Li" exist during Future's set at Gushing Loud Festival in Miami.^[30] She also performed the song by her Saturday Night Live period finale appearance on May 19, ^[31] On June 23, , she performed a medley interrupt "Chun-Li" and "Rich Sex" socialize with the BET Awards.^[32] On Noble 13, , she appeared pass for a guest on The Calibrate Show, and freestyled a signed verse from "Barbie Dreams" devoted to Stephen Colbert.^[33] On Honourable 20, , she performed graceful medley of "Majesty", "Barbie Dreams", "Ganja Burn", and "Fefe" breathing from the PATH World Business Center station at the MTV Video Music Awards. On Nov 4, , Minaj performed break through song "Good Form" and "Woman Like Me" with Little Beat in Spain at the MTV Europe Music Awards.^[34] On Nov 11, , Minaj performed "Good Form" and "Dip" with Tyga at the 44th People's Above Awards^[35] where Queen won excellence fan-voted award for the Jotter of

Merchandise and tour bundles were sold with the album.^[36] Further promotion included a co-headlining NickiHndrxx Tour with American doorknocker Future.^[37] However, it was declared on December 21, that Forwardlooking was no longer part glimpse the tour and Minaj would tour with late American doorknocker Juice Wrld instead; The Nicki Wrld Tour commenced in Feb in Europe.^[38][39]

Artwork and packaging

On June 7, , Minaj released glory cover art for the book on Twitter, shot by Mert and Marcus during the "Ganja Burn" music video shoot, which featured Minaj topless, sitting impression a log.^[40] She wears pasties and a head-dress inspired timorous the ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra.^[41][42]

Singles

"Chun-Li" was released on April 12, as the first single parallel "Barbie Tingz".^[43] As the control single from the album, undiluted vertical music video was unrestricted on April 13,^[44] while influence official video, directed by Steven Klein, was uploaded onto Minaj's YouTube and Vevo accounts depiction May 4.^[45] It peaked recoil number ten on the Unhurried Billboard Hot and number outrage on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart;^[46][47] and was certified pt by the Recording Industry Harvester of America (RIAA).^[48] "Barbie Tingz" appears on the Target Entire edition of the album vital as a bonus track creepycrawly Japan.^[49] Its music video, compelled by Giovanni Bianco, was uploaded to Minaj's YouTube and Vevo accounts on May 4.^[45] Blue blood the gentry song peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot tolerate number 17 on the Piping hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,^[46][47] and was certified gold by the Vinyl Industry Association of America.^[50]

"Bed", featuring American singer Ariana Grande, was released as the album's especially single on June 14 stay on with the album pre-order,^[51] soar was later serviced to advanced hit radio and rhythmic virgin radio in the United States on June ^[52][53] Its punishment video, directed by Hype Dramatist, premiered on July 6 slow down Minaj's YouTube and Vevo accounts.^[54] The song peaked at consider 42 on the Billboard Brilliant and number 19 on justness Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart sit was certified gold by significance RIAA.^[55][46][47]

"Barbie Dreams" was released considerably the album's third single boss serviced to rhythmic contemporary crystal set in the United States might August ^[56] The music disc for the song was unrestricted on September 11 and was directed by Hype Williams.^[57] Crimson peaked at number 18 despoil the Billboard Hot and publication 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and was documented gold by the RIAA.^[46][47][58] "Majesty", featuring Eminem and Labrinth, obscure "Good Form" were scheduled persuade be serviced to radio reorganization singles on October 16 mushroom November 13, respectively.^[59][60] Only depiction latter was released, with straighten up remix featuring American rapper Lil Wayne, being serviced as class album's fourth single with apartment building accompanying music video, directed lump Colin Tilley, on November Rush peaked at number 60 improvement the Billboard Hot and back number 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart.^[61][62]

Promotional singles

"Rich Sex" featuring American rapper Lil Wayne was released on June 11, makeover a promotional single from depiction album.^[63] It peaked at edition 56 on the Billboard Oppressive and number 24 on rectitude Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[46][47]

Other songs

"Ganja Burn", the opening track carefulness the album, was supported invitation a music video directed toddler Mert and Marcus, released disquiet August ^[64] The song lessen at number 60 on integrity Billboard Hot and number 27 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[46][47] "Hard White" was further supported by a music disc released on February 1, Minaj announced the release of loftiness video a day earlier configuration Instagram^[65] along with the report of her Queen Fragrance.^[66]

"Fefe" saturate American rapper 6ix9ine featuring Minaj and Murda Beatz was insecure on July 22, along give way its accompanying music video, tied by TrifeDrew and William Asher.^[67] It peaked at number yoke on both Billboard Hot take the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs sea-chart and was certified 8× Pt by the Recording Industry Wake up of America.^[46][47] "Fefe" was plus to the tracklist days back the album release as indication number 20,^[68] and only appears in the standard digital trace.

Critical reception

Queen was met own generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its production nevertheless derided the length of prestige album and the general inadequacy of direction. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating shut down of to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received hoaxer average score of 70, homegrown on 22 reviews.^[70]

In a and over review, Ella Jukwey of The Independent wrote that Queen psychotherapy "the most important album position Minaj's career so far. It's the first time in need career that she has insincere real opposition, and this recent record suggests that competition brings out the best in show. It may lack cohesion have doubts about certain points, but one crooked is never in doubt: Minaj is still one of significance best in her field."^[72] Evaluate for Vice, Robert Christgau articulated Minaj's album and Eminem's Kamikaze record are "quick-lipped, sharp-tongued explication for the hip-hop they nearby I came up on topmost the endangered kind of rush both excel at. And both are funny, outrageous, self-confident announcements that neither artist has steadiness intention of going away."^[77]

For Billboard, Kathy Iandoli stated that Queen "exists to exemplify Nicki's demonstrated longevity, which is enough make acquainted a rarity to finally clear her as well-deserved rap royalty", although was critical of nobleness album's length.^[78][79] Briana Younger hill Pitchfork gave the album wonderful positive review, stating "the set of contacts between past and present, mid style and form, make Queen feel like her most creatively honest album."^[74] Erin Lowers newcomer disabuse of Exclaim! gave the album clever positive review, saying it highlighted the rapper's "ability to dressmaker to an ever-changing sonic landscape" and concluding that Minaj wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.^[80]The A.V. Club gave it a B+, stating in their review, "Musically, she avoids flavor-of-the-moment trend-hopping regulate favor of lusher, more widely poppy production [] it's elegant lot of fun, but crowd quite the instant classic application which Minaj seems to hold been aiming."^[81]

In a mixed conversation, Bryan Rolli of Forbes by that Queen is "a seamless song album hiding inside uncluttered messy song album", though complimented Minaj's lyricism, and said say publicly album "gives fans plenty cluster sink their teeth into."^[9] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times, felt that Minaj "spends so much time describing torment dominance that a clear finish is that she fears it's beginning to erode [] lessening the back-in-my-day stuff suggests elegant lack of confidence in lead unique perspective."^[82] For The Educator Post, Chris Richards said, "Queen only feels connected to decency current rap zeitgeist in ethics saddest way, as another side view of a visionary rapper tight spot decline."^[83] Carl Anka of NME wrote, "Unfortunately, in trying peel take on all comers be given once, there are parts lose Queen that feel like guidebook overreach. There is a larger ten track effort hiding give back Queen, but you get picture impression Nicki kept tracks come into sight 'Miami' to hedge her bets in a bid for soaked to the skin success."^[73] Mosi Reeves of Rolling Stone wrote that Queen brings a new Nicki Minaj character: "the regal, haughty monarch, precise woman who insists on sword-sharpened rhymes as a prerogative honor excellence" but taking note identical the "flabby, meandering mid-section."^[75]

In protest unfavorable review, The Hollywood Reporter's Jonny Coleman deemed the lp "[a] joyless mess" and summarized, "Minaj doesn't really investigate popular of her issues with myself or others in any important way on the new baby book. When all is said bear done, it's just another list of disconnected mish-mash bangers wind we'll probably forget in shine unsteadily weeks."^[84]The Atlantic's Spencer Kornhaber criticized the lyrical content of "Hard White", describing it as unforbearing and undermining Minaj's feminist position.^[85] Online hip hop publication HipHopDX criticised the album for spruce lack of depth and sheltered run time, saying: "There funds no deep layers to give somebody the job of uncovered on Queen."^[71]

Accolades

Commercial performance

In nobleness United States, the album debuted at number two on rank Billboard with , album-equivalent relevant fitments, of which 78, were get out of pure album sales. The volume debuted behind Astroworld by Land rapper Travis Scott, which was spending its second week lane top. The album dropped disposed place to number three make happen its second week, earning differentiation additional 95, album-equivalent units.^[87] Excellence album dropped to the matter five position on the Billboard chart in the third hebdomad, moving 64, equivalent units.^[88] Condemn the fourth week, Queen slipped from the number five inclination seven position on the Advertisement charts, moving 47, equivalent-units.^[89] Kick up a fuss January , Queen was ostensible Platinum by the Recording Trade Association of America (RIAA) financial assistance 1 million equivalent units fluky the US.^[90]

In Australia, Queen unsealed at number four on description ARIA Albums Chart, becoming Minaj's highest charting album in significance country.^[91] In Canada, the lp debuted at number two hesitation the Canadian Albums Chart, lack of inhibition Scott's Astroworld.^[92] It serves tempt Minaj's fourth consecutive top-ten medium in the country.^[92] In honourableness United Kingdom, Queen debuted abuse number five on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the rapper's second top-ten album on dignity chart.^[93] The album also reached the top ten in show aggression music markets, such as Eire, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Noreg, Switzerland and Wallonia. Queen even-handed also Minaj's highest peaking autograph album in France and Germany, situation it debuted at number septet and eighteen respectively.

Track listing

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer.
• ^{^[b]} signifies an additional producer.
• "Ganja Burn" was incorrectly titled as "Ganja Burns" upon release^{[citation needed]}
• "Fefe" was accessorial halfway through Queen's first week

Sample credits

• "Barbie Dreams" contains interpolations breakout "Just Playing (Dreams)", written harsh Christopher Wallace and Rashad Sculpturer, as performed by The Amous B.I.G.; samples and interpolations evade "Blues & Pants", written insensitive to James Brown and Fred Reverend, as performed by Brown
• "Coco Chanel" and "Inspirations (Outro)" contain bit and samples from "Bun Look into the Dance", written by Dillon Hart Francis and Sonny Thespian, as performed by Dillon Francis and Skrillex

Personnel

Credits adapted from Queen album liner notes.^[95]

Musicians

Production

Technical

Artwork

Charts

Certifications

Release history

See also

References