Pink Friday:Roman Reloaded Review

Artist:Nicki Minaj

Album:Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

Release Date:April 3

Label:Universal Republic Records/Young Money Entertainment

Grade:D

Nicki Minaj was recently named "the most influential female rapper of all-time" by The New York Times. Her new album was expected to be among 2012's finest, but what the public received on Tuesday was the exact opposite.

Given more creative freedom on her sophomore attempt after her popularity skyrocketed from 2010's Pink Friday, Minaj released her sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded after several delays.

Roman Reloadedis split into two parts. The first nine tracks showcase Roman, one of Minaj's bad-tempered alter egos, while the second half is more pop-oriented. Unfortunately, the lackluster first half gives way to a messy, abysmal second half.

Minaj raps with the conviction she's known for on the opening track, "Roman Holiday." However, her lyrics are an insane conglomeration of rhyming words.

"Quack, quack to a duck and a chicken too/Put the hyena in a freakin' zoo," Minaj raps.

Minaj's emphasis on absurdity backfires. On "I Am Your Leader" featuring Rick Ross and Cam'ron, she boasts lyrics that could easily be mistaken for daily conversation by an average teenager.

"Hit up Hot Topic, Nicki Minaj hoodies/I'm a brand b**** I'm a brand," Minaj raps.

The second half of the album progresses into generic Top 40 sounds. Basic synthesizer and drumbeats echo throughout tracks like "Starships," a track that sounds similar to a Katy Perry single.

The lone highlight of the section is "Right By My Side," featuring Chris Brown, which showcases honest Minaj lyrics mixed with Brown's smooth vocals. But this standout doesn't make up for all the album's nonsense.

Roman's Revenge truly reaches its low point in "Stupid Hoe." The lackluster hook, "you a stupid hoe," has no lyrical significance and serves as an annoying background track for the brain.

Ultimately, Minaj made an attempt to please both sets of her fans with this 22-track record. This attempt at diversity was logical, but she will need to master the art of balance for her third album.

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