The best B in the league

Nicki Minaj's album is not quite what I expected. I kinda thought she'd be all "I'm tha bad beeyotch!" and go with the sexualised lyrics that she came out with a year or two ago. Instead, Pink Friday has toned that right down and goes more for the thoughtful and even syrupy songs. It's definitely a good move. I think it might have something to do with the advice Lil Wayne (her boss) gave Drake a while back. Weezy told Drake never to get tattoos, never to get involved with stupid criminal stuff. Because that's what's holding him back from getting a bigger stake in the corporate world. Wayne is covered in tattoos and just spent about a year in jail. Soulja Boy said the same thing in an interview with XXL recently. He looked at what was holding back Lil Wayne, T.I., Gucci Mane and others from continuing their career upwards. It was all legal problems. All three of those rappers released their most popular albums within 18 months of going to prison. It's tough to capitalise on a successful album when you're locked up.

So Nicki Minaj has tried to go mainstream. The beats are quite poppy, with a few recognisable samples and guest spots from Drake, Eminem, Kanye and Will.i.am. They are all fairly poppy and light - except for the Eminem track. Em does NOT HOLD BACK on his verse. And Nicki didn't hold back on hers either, really. Their collaboration, Roman's Revenge, is the only "hood" song on the album.

My favourite song at the moment is Blazin', with Kanye. I love Kanye's verse. It just rolls and flows really well.

This is the moment grab your Kodak while I'm flying with a flow that is the greatest throwback since that Nolan Ryan
And the days been crazy and the nights even wilder
And the lights even brighter, baby stand next to my fire
Only higher is Messiah or notes from Mariah
'Rari six hundred horses, that's my chariot of fire?

It's catchy. And I like "I'm The Best", the opening track.

So fair play, Nicki. Will be interesting to see if you can turn that talent into a hit single that could break through here in Australia and around the world. I think it's possible.