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Pink Friday 2
Standard edition cover
Studio album by
Nicki Minaj
ReleasedDecember 8, 2023
Recorded2019–2023
StudioHarbor Studios (Malibu)
Genre
Length70:14
LabelRepublic
Producer
Nicki Minaj chronology
Queen Radio: Volume 1
(2022) 		Pink Friday 2
(2023)
Singles from Pink Friday 2
  1. "Super Freaky Girl"
    Released: August 12, 2022
  2. "Red Ruby da Sleeze"
    Released: March 3, 2023
  3. "Last Time I Saw You"
    Released: September 1, 2023
  4. "Everybody"
    Released: January 9, 2024
  5. "FTCU"
    Released: January 10, 2024

Pink Friday 2 is the fifth studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj, released on December 8, 2023 through Republic Records. A sequel to Minaj's debut album Pink Friday (2010), it fuses sounds from various genres with hip hop, R&B and pop. Its lyrical topics include grief, mental health, self-doubt, self-confidence, achievements, motherhood, and other contemporary reflections. The album includes collaborations with J. Cole, Drake, Lil Wayne, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, 50 Cent, Monica, and Keyshia Cole.

Pink Friday 2 debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, making Minaj the first female rapper in history to have three number-one albums. It earned over 228,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, with 92,000 coming from pure album sales. Internationally, it peaked in the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Minaj's consistency and innovation but criticized the sampling. It includes samples from tracks by Billie Eilish, Biggie, Cyndi Lauper, Rick James, and others.

Pink Friday 2 was supported by five singles: "Super Freaky Girl", "Red Ruby da Sleeze", "Last Time I Saw You", "Everybody" featuring Lil Uzi Vert, and "FTCU". The lead single "Super Freaky Girl" is certified double platinum in the US, and marked Minaj's first solo number-one on the Billboard Hot 100, while all the other singles peaked within the top 25. Pink Friday 2 was certified platinum in March 2024. Two extended editions of the album were released. In March 2024, Minaj embarked on the Pink Friday 2 World Tour, which became the fourth-highest-grossing concert tour by a hip hop artist in history and the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper. Pink Friday 2 is the first album by a solo woman to win the BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year.

Background and development

[edit]

In June 2019, Minaj mentioned on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that she had begun work on a new album with no official release date at the time and stated that she had not titled it yet.[1] In September, Minaj announced her retirement from hip hop;[2] however, she later withdrew her statement and apologized for her false announcement.[3] In an interview with Elle that month, Minaj stated that the album would be, "fierce, fun, and unapologetic" and spoke about the project's ultimate sound.

It's probably the most excited I've been about an album release in a really long time. I'm happy that we're not making my fans wait for another album like I've done in the past. This one incorporates all the things people love about Nicki, but it also just has a way bigger sound, so it goes perfectly with the collection.[4]

On June 29, 2020, Minaj tweeted, "PF2" and "MEMORIES" which went on to be revealed as the initials of the album and a song.[5] In May 2023, she teased that the album "is the best thing that will come out of 2023 & will raise the bar to new & unreachable heights", and that its accompanying tour "will be hailed as 'genius.' That's it & that's all."[6]

Release

[edit]

On June 5, 2023, Minaj initially announced the release date of the album would be October 20.[7] On June 29, she officially announced that the album would be titled Pink Friday 2, and that the release date would be pushed back to November 17.[8][9][10] In September, she debuted an unreleased track from the album titled "Big Difference" during her performance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.[11] On October 25, Minaj announced that the album's release date was postponed to her birthday, December 8.[12]

In November, as part of weekly surprises leading up to the album release, Minaj teased a surprise that she and her fans alike were awaiting for a long time, making her fans trend "#TellUsNicki" number one on Twitter before teasing the surprise any further.[13] The following day, it was revealed that she was the cover feature for the December 2023 issue of US Vogue, in which she spoke about recording her new album which "was written from the vantage point of a woman who has gotten so many of the things she dreamed about".[14] With that, Minaj became the first rapper on the cover of US Vogue.[15]

Pink Friday 2 was released on December 8, 2023, through Republic Records,[16] and made available for digital download and streaming as a 22-track album.[17] The album was also available in several physical versions, which consisted of four vinyl editions (three retailer-exclusive versions each with different covers) and two CD variants (standard and signed).[17] The physical versions only included 10 tracks, which was theorized to be because the remainder were not finished in time for pressing and release.[17] On December 14, 2023, an extended edition, titled Gag City Deluxe, was released through Minaj's webstore and made available to streaming platforms a day later.[18][19] On January 13, 2024, another extended version, labeled the Gag City Pluto Edition, was also released.[20] In August 2024, Minaj announced a deluxe version of the album, titled Gag City Reloaded, would be released on September 13;[21] she performed music from the deluxe during the second US leg of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour.[22][23] However, on September 15, she announced that she scrapped the deluxe in favor of working on her next album.[24]

Title and artwork

[edit]

The album's title was described as a callback to Minaj's Pink Friday (2010) with Minaj also confirming it as a sequel.[25] Minaj first shared one of two official cover arts for the album in September 2023, depicting the rapper in an all-white Vetements ensemble traveling on a roofless metropolitan subway floating above pink clouds.[26][27] On October 6, she shared the second album cover, which depicted her in an all-pink gown revealing her midriff and surrounded by a billowing pink satin sheet in front of a black background.[28] In the remaining weeks leading up to the release, Minaj shared four additional album cover variations for vinyl and digital release, all of which were shot by British photographer Charlotte Rutherford.[29]

Musical style and lyrics

[edit]

Pink Friday 2 comprises a variety of sounds fused primarily with hip hop, R&B and pop.[30][31][32][33] Lyrical topics include grief, mental health, self-doubt, self-confidence, achievements, motherhood, and other present-day reflections.[34][35] The album opens with "Are You Gone Already" which samples Billie Eilish's "When the Party's Over".[36] On the song, Minaj raps about her father's death and "love, loss, guilt, and fear".[36] This is followed by "Barbie Dangerous" which was an interpolation of the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Notorious Thugs".[36] Billboard described the song as a "lyrical exercise for the rap legend as she breezes through the Hollywood Cole production".[36] "FTCU" samples "Fuck the Club Up" by Waka Flocka Flame and was called a standout on the album.[36][37] This is followed with "Beep Beep" and "Fallin 4 U" which are both "powered by a catchy chorus".[33] "Let Me Calm Down" featuring J.Cole spoke on Minaj's "grievances against her lover" and "explores the complexity of adult relationships".[36] Cole's rap echoes Minaj's where he "relates to Minaj's struggle, he takes a jab at the critics and references one of [his] most chaotic public relationship fall-outs".[36]

"RNB" saw Minaj reuniting with her mentee, Lil Wayne, and singer Tate Kobang.[36] The R&B song was an acronym for "Real Nigga Bitch".[36] "Pink Birthday" was described as a "new birthday anthem" while "Needle" featuring Drake was called an anthem "oozing with island vibes".[36] Minaj revealed that the song was originally intended for Drake's album For All the Dogs.[38] This was followed by pop-inspired songs, "Cowgirl" featuring Lourdiz and "Everybody" featuring Lil Uzi Vert.[36] The latter sampled "Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior.[39] "Big Difference" and "Red Ruby da Sleeze" were both released prior to the album's release and saw Minaj boasting of her legacy and impact on the music industry.[40] "Forward from Trini" saw Minaj showcasing her "Caribbean pride while connecting to her Trinidadian roots".[36] Both the next songs, "Pink Friday Girls" and "Super Freaky Girl" sampled high-profile songs including "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper and "Super Freak" by Rick James.[36] This was followed with "Bahm Bahm", "My Life" and "Nicki Hendrix" featuring Future with the second song sampling "Heart of Glass" by Blondie.[36]

"Blessings" featuring Gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard was called a "palette cleanser from the dessert section" of Pink Friday 2 and saw Minaj rapping about "giving up the glory to God".[36] "Last Time I Saw You" was compared to Minaj's 2018 song "Come See About Me".[36] The song has a "guitar-driven instrumental".[36] The standard album ends with "Just the Memories" which was called an "ethereal album closer" and saw Minaj rapping about the dark hurdles of her childhood, her come-up, and her subsequent legacy.[36]

The Gag City Deluxe edition of the album features a remix of "Beep Beep" with 50 Cent and a new track titled "Love Me Enough" with Monica and Keyshia Cole.[41] The latter song saw Minaj rapping about "self-love, building yourself back up after a bad relationship, and ultimately putting yourself first".[41] The Gag City Pluto edition of the album featured "Press Play" with Future.[42][43]

Promotion and tour

[edit]
Main article: Pink Friday 2 World Tour

With over $108 million in revenue, Minaj's Pink Friday 2 World Tour became the fourth-highest grossing tour by a rapper or hip-hop artist in history, the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper, and the first tour among female rappers to surpass US$100 million in revenue. It also made Minaj the fifth Black female artist in history to surpass the mark from a single tour.[44][45][46]

Gag City

[edit]

Prior to the album's release, Minaj's fans came together to begin an online marketing campaign and created an AI-generated city called "Gag City", which the rapper herself had previously coined and acknowledged on social media.[47][48][49] Yahoo! Finance described the concept as "the pink metropolis inhabited by stans and brands alike," whereas Forbes described it as a "hyper-futuristic, uber-pink digital town complete with the same pink, dreamlike aesthetic featured in the album's cover art."[50][51]

The campaign gained major traction and saw participation from a variety of celebrities including Tyla, Bia, and Tyga.[49][52] Additionally, multiple companies and brands also participated in the trend by announcing their arrival to "Gag City", including Spotify, Netflix, Bing, Converse, Genius, Amazon, Empire State Building, Chili's, Oreo, KFC, McDonald's, among others.[49] The campaign was dubbed a "viral win" for Minaj.[53]

Singles

[edit]

In July 2022, Minaj previewed on her social media a song from the album that was originally titled "Freaky Girl", with the clip going viral and garnering over 20 million views on Instagram in its first day.[54] The song was renamed "Super Freaky Girl", and was released as the album's lead single on August 12, 2022, a month after its preview.[55] Its music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, was uploaded onto Minaj's YouTube account on September 1.[56] The song debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart a month later, marking Minaj's third number-one song on the Hot 100.[57] The single proved to be Minaj's biggest solo hit, spending 11 weeks inside the top 10 of the Hot 100, 10 of which were consecutive.[58]

"Red Ruby da Sleeze" was initially released as a promotional single on March 3, 2023. Minaj called it her "street record" before her "next official single".[59][60][61] It was officially sent to rhythmic contemporary radio on March 14, 2023, becoming the album's second single.[62] Its music video, directed by Grizz and filmed in Trinidad and Tobago, was uploaded on YouTube on May 13.[63] The song peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100 and at number four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[64]

"Last Time I Saw You" was released as the album's third single on September 1, 2023.[65] The song peaked at number 23 on the Hot 100 and at number 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[66] Minaj performed the song at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.[67]

"Everybody", featuring Lil Uzi Vert, was sent to contemporary hit radio in the United States on January 9, 2024, serving as the album's fourth single.[68] The song debuted at number 26 on the Hot 100,[69] and later peaked at number 24.[70]

"FTCU" was released as the album's fifth and final single on January 10, 2024, with an EP of various versions of the song also made available for streaming and digital download.[71] The song impacted rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on January 30, 2024.[72] It debuted at number 42 on the Hot 100,[69] and later peaked at number 15.[70] A remix, subtitled the "Sleeze Mix", featuring Travis Scott, Chris Brown, and Sexyy Red was released on April 19, 2024.[73]

While not released as a single, on March 3, 2024, Minaj released an extended version of the song "Let Me Calm Down" featuring J. Cole.[74]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.6/10[75]
Metacritic70/100[76]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[77]
And It Don't StopA−[78]
Clash8/10[79]
Evening StandardStarStarStarStar[80]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[35]
The IndependentStarStarStar[81]
MusicOMHStarStarStar[82]
NMEStarStarStarStar[32]
Pitchfork6.5/10[33]
PopMatters7/10[83]

Pink Friday 2 was met with generally favorable reviews by music critics. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the album a score of 70 out of 100, based on twelve reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[76] Fred Thomas of AllMusic deemed most songs "exhilarating and fun" but said the album "lacks the cohesion and self-editing that would make it a rightful follow-up to her 2010 mainstream arrival".[77] NME's Nick Levine wrote that while it is "probably too long, [...] Minaj paces it sharply", and it "feels like a consolidation and refinement of everything Minaj can do".[32] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian highlighted Minaj's thematic variety, "lyrical muscles" and "considerable skills on the microphone" and praised the production and "moody atmospherics".[35]

The Evening Standard's David Smyth described Pink Friday 2 as "an expansion of what she can do rather than a complete about turn."[80] Nadine Smith of The Independent criticized Minaj's use of samples and felt that the album "shows flashes of the inventive brilliance that made Nicki such an undeniable superstar, but like so many legacy sequels, it mostly just makes you wish you were listening to the original".[81] PopMatters' Nick Malone characterized it as "heavy on raps but finally delivering rewarding and memorable melodies when singing comes into the mix", commending its "punchier and more versatile production" and Minaj finding "new homes for her effortlessly versatile voice."[83] Robin Murray of Clash called Pink Friday 2 an ambitious record that "mirror[s] fan-pleasing tendencies with actual artistic growth" and a "demonstration of her breadth", regarding it as "riveting in its entertainment, and gripping in its musicality."[79]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Pink Friday 2 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, earning 228,000 album-equivalent units in its first week of which 92,000 came from pure album sales, and became the largest week in overall units as well as in pure sales for a female rap album in the 2020s and a female R&B/hip-hop album in 2023.[18]

Upon the album's release, Minaj broke several records. The album became Minaj's third number-one album in the country after Pink Friday (2010) and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), and broke her tie with Foxy Brown for the female rap artist with the most number-one albums in the country. Minaj also achieved her seventh top-ten album overall. It also sold 25,000 vinyl copies, earning the largest vinyl sales week for a female rap album in history.[18] The album dropped one place to number two in its second week, earning an additional 100,000 album-equivalent units but being beaten by Taylor Swift's 1989 (Taylor's Version).[84] It spent 7 weeks in the top-ten region of the Billboard 200.[85] The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for moving a million units in the US, on March 19, 2024.[86] Pink Friday 2 was the best selling female rap album of 2023 and 2024 in the US.[87][88]

The album's songs achieved 90.8 million streams in its first three days.[89] In its first week, Pink Friday 2 received a total of 170 million streams, marking the highest streaming week of her career, for a female rap album in the 2020s, and for a female R&B/hip-hop album in 2023.[90] Upon its release, 14 songs from the album debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, of which two entered the top 40: "Everybody" and "Needle".[69]

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for Pink Friday 2
Organization Year Category Result Ref.
BET Awards 2024 Album of the Year Nominated [91]
BET Hip Hop Awards 2024 Album of the Year Won [92]
Billboard Music Awards 2024 Top Rap Album Nominated [93]
[94]
People's Choice Awards 2024 Album of the Year Nominated [95]
XXL Awards 2024 Album of the Year Nominated [96]

Track listing

[edit]
Pink Friday 2 – Digital edition track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Are You Gone Already"
Finneas4:30
2."Barbie Dangerous"
2:12
3."FTCU"
ATL Jacob2:52
4."Beep Beep"
1:35
5."Fallin 4 U"
  • Maraj
  • Canady
  • Darryon Bunton
  • ATL Jacob
  • DB!
3:50
6."Let Me Calm Down" (featuring J. Cole)
  • ATL Jacob
  • Hendrix Smoke
  • Kuji
4:04
7."RNB" (featuring Lil Wayne and Tate Kobang)
  • Kobang
  • YG! Beats
  • Dystinkt Beats
3:04
8."Pink Birthday"
2:08
9."Needle" (featuring Drake)
  • Boi-1da
  • YogiTheProducer
3:55
10."Cowgirl" (featuring Lourdiz)
Dr. Luke3:36
11."Everybody" (featuring Lil Uzi Vert)
  • DJ Smallz 732
  • Kobang[c]
3:00
12."Big Difference"
  • FnZ
  • Keanu Beats
  • BoogzDaBeast
  • Slade Da Monsta
3:11
13."Red Ruby da Sleeze"
  • Go Grizzly
  • Cheeze Beatz
3:34
14."Forward from Trini" (featuring Skillibeng and Skeng)
  • Maraj
  • Emwah Warmington
  • Kevon Douglas
  • Sebastian Loers
  • Emelio Lynch
  • Rowan Melhado
  • Dave Kelly
  • Basbeats
  • Melio Sounds[a]
2:33
15."Pink Friday Girls"
J Reid2:46
16."Super Freaky Girl"
  • Dr. Luke
  • Malibu Babie
  • Oliver
  • Joseph
2:50
17."Bahm Bahm"
  • Maraj
  • Goods
  • Jessica Carpenter
  • Kobang
  • Jess Carp
2:21
18."My Life"
  • Cannon
  • Momberger
2:44
19."Nicki Hendrix" (featuring Future)
  • B Ham
  • Vincent "Life" Shaw
4:24
20."Blessings" (featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)
3:34
21."Last Time I Saw You"
3:36
22."Just the Memories"
  • Bone Collector
  • Defoundoux
3:55
Total length:70:14
Pink Friday 2 – Gag City digital deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
23."Beep Beep" (featuring 50 Cent)
  • Maraj
  • Jackson
  • Lindstrom
  • Valencia
  • Murda Beatz
  • Finessey
2:27
24."Love Me Enough" (featuring Monica and Keyshia Cole)
  • Maraj
  • Milano
  • L'Étranger
  • Tranter
  • Vojtesak
  • Lindstrom
  • Monét
  • Murda Beatz
  • Charlie Handsome
  • L'Étranger
3:50
Total length:76:31
Pink Friday 2 Gag City digital Pluto edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
25."Press Play" (featuring Future)
  • Maraj
  • Canady
  • Wilburn
  • ATL Jacob
3:21
Total length:79:52
Pink Friday 2 – Physical edition track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Just the Memories"
  • Maraj
  • Olivier
  • Defoundoux
  • Davis
  • Marshall
  • York
  • Bristol
  • Butler
  • J. Dean
  • Glover
  • Bone Collector
  • Defoundoux
3:55
2."Big Difference"
  • Maraj
  • Mulé
  • De Boni
  • Torres
  • Gwin
  • Slade
  • Gray
  • FnZ
  • Keanu Beats
  • BoogzDaBeast
  • Slade Da Monsta
3:11
3."Red Ruby da Sleeze"
  • Maraj
  • Go Grizzly
  • Cheeze Beatz
  • Tate Kobang
  • Lumidee Cedeño
  • Kirsten Allyssa Spencer
  • Teddy Mendez
  • Steven Marsden
  • Josiah Nasir Muhammad
  • Irvin Winslow
  • Edwin Perez
  • Go Grizzly
  • Cheeze Beatz
  • Kobang
3:34
4."My Life"
  • Maraj
  • Cannon
  • Momberger
  • Goods
  • Harry
  • Stein
  • Cannon
  • Momberger
2:44
5."RNB" (featuring Lil Wayne and Tate Kobang)
  • Maraj
  • Carter
  • Goods
  • Taylor
  • Ratešić
  • Kobang
  • YG! Beats
  • Dystinkt Beats
3:04
6."Fallin 4 U"
  • Maraj
  • Canady
  • Bunton
  • ATL Jacob
  • DB!
3:50
7."Last Time I Saw You"
  • Maraj
  • Jacob Canady
  • Alex Bak
  • Colin Franken
  • Derrick Miller
  • Lesidney Ragland
  • ATL Jacob
  • TooDope!
  • Hendrix Smoke
  • Bak
  • Frankie Bash
3:36
8."Everybody"
  • Maraj
  • Woods
  • Henry
  • Goods
  • Mortensen
  • DJ Smallz 732
  • Kobang[c]
2:05
9."Super Freaky Girl"
  • Maraj
  • Gamal Lewis
  • James
  • Miller
  • Gottwald
  • Joseph
  • Miller
  • Oliver
  • Dr. Luke
  • Malibu Babie
  • Oliver
  • Joseph
2:50
10."Bahm Bahm"
  • Maraj
  • Goods
  • Carpenter
  • Kobang
  • Jess Carp
2:21
Total length:31:10

Notes

  • ^[c] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer

Sample credits

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

  • Nicki Minaj – vocals
  • Finneas – programming (track 1)
  • Hollywood Cole – programming (track 2)
  • YG! Beats – programming (track 2)
  • Tate Kobang – programming (track 2)
  • Waka Flocka Flame – background vocals (track 3)
  • Southside – background vocals (track 3)
  • ATL Jacob – programming (tracks 3, 6)
  • OJ Finnessey – programming (track 4)
  • Murda Beatz – programming (track 4)
  • Kuji – programming (track 6)
  • Hendrix Smoke – programming (tracks 6, 21)
  • J. Cole – vocals (track 6)
  • Lourdiz – background vocals (tracks 7, 15), vocals (10)
  • Boi-1da – programming (tracks 8, 9), drum programming (8)
  • Apollo Parker – programming (track 8)
  • Fierce – programming (track 8)
  • 116 – programming (track 8)
  • Nana Fofie – background vocals (track 9)
  • Yogi – programming (track 9)
  • Drake – vocals (track 9)
  • Rahiem Hurlock – voice (track 9)
  • Dr. Luke – programming (tracks 10, 16)
  • DJ Smallz 732 – programming (track 11)
  • Tate Kobang – programming (track 11)
  • Lil Uzi Vert – vocals (track 11)
  • FnZ – programming (track 13)
  • BoogzDaBeast – programming (track 13)
  • Keanu Beats – programming (track 13)
  • Slade Da Monsta – programming (track 13)
  • Basbeats – programming (track 14)
  • Melio Sounds – programming (track 14)
  • Skillibeng – vocals (track 14)
  • Skeng – vocals (track 14)
  • J Reid – programming (track 15)
  • Malibu Babie – programming (track 16)
  • Aaron Joseph – programming (track 16)
  • Vaughn Oliver – programming (track 16)
  • B Ham – programming (track 19)
  • Vincent Shaw – programming (track 19)
  • Future – vocals (tracks 19, 25)
  • Beau Nox – background vocals, programming (track 20)
  • Bnyx – programming (track 20)
  • Sad Pony – programming (track 20)
  • Tasha Cobbs Leonard – vocals (track 20)
  • Alex Bak – programming (track 21)
  • Frankie Bash – programming (track 21)
  • TooDope – programming (track 21)
  • Keisha Renee – background vocals (track 22)
  • Bone Collector – programming (track 22)
  • Habib Defoundoux – programming (track 22)
  • 50 Cent – vocals (track 23)
  • Monica – vocals (track 24)
  • Keyshia Cole – vocals (track 24)

Technical

  • Chris Athens – mastering
  • Rob Kinelski – mixing (tracks 1, 8, 20)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (tracks 2–7, 10–16, 18, 19, 21, 22)
  • Noel Cadastre – mixing, engineering (track 9)
  • Noah Shebib – mixing (track 9)
  • Aubrey Delaine – mixing (track 17), engineering (all tracks), immersive mix engineering (1–12, 14, 15, 20, 22)
  • Kuldeep Chudasama – engineering (track 6)
  • Clint Gibbs – engineering (track 16)
  • Kalani Thompson – engineering (track 16)
  • Tyler Sheppard – engineering (track 16)
  • John Hanes – immersive mix engineering (tracks 13, 16, 21)
  • Cristal Viramontes – vocal engineering (track 7)
  • Daniel Sheehy – vocal engineering (track 7)
  • Manny Galvez – vocal engineering (track 7)
  • Eli Heisler – mixing assistance (tracks 1, 8, 20)
  • Ruby Smith – mixing assistance (tracks 1, 8, 20)
  • Bryce Bordone – mixing assistance (tracks 2–7, 10–16, 18, 19, 21, 22)
  • Jack Letchinger – engineering assistance (tracks 1–3, 6–10, 14, 18, 20)
  • Alexx Nielsen – engineering assistance (tracks 1–3, 6, 8–10, 14, 15, 20)
  • Nico Fabito – engineering assistance (tracks 1–3, 6, 8–10, 14, 15, 20)
  • Cory Williams – engineering assistance (track 12)
  • Grant Horton – engineering assistance (track 16)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Pink Friday 2
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[131] Gold 20,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[132] Gold 7,500‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[133] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[134] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Pink Friday 2
Region Date Format(s) Edition Label Ref.
Various December 8, 2023
Standard Republic [135]
United States December 11, 2023 Digital download D2C Version 1 [136]
December 13, 2023 D2C Version 2 [137]
December 14, 2023 Gag City Deluxe [138]
Various December 15, 2023 Streaming [139]
January 13, 2024
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Gag City Pluto [140]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pink Friday 2

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Pink Friday 2 is the fifth studio album by American rapper and singer . It was released on December 8, 2023, by , , and . The 22-track project serves as a sequel to Minaj's debut studio album, (2010), and incorporates elements of hip hop, pop, and R&B, with Minaj heavily involved in songwriting and production. It features guest appearances from artists including Drake, , , , , and . The album's release was preceded by the lead single "Super Freaky Girl" in August 2022, which became Minaj's first solo number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent promotional singles included "Red Ruby Da Sleeze" in March 2023 and "Last Time I Saw You" in September 2023, both of which charted on the Hot 100. After the album's release, "Everybody" and "FTCU" were issued as the fourth and fifth singles in January 2024, with "FTCU" peaking at number 75 on the chart. Pink Friday 2 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, earning 228,000 album-equivalent units in its first week and marking the biggest debut week for a female rap album by a solo artist since 2019. By January 2024, it had accumulated over one million units in the , and was certified platinum by the (RIAA) in March 2024. The album received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who praised Minaj's versatility and energy but criticized its length and inconsistency. To promote the album, Minaj embarked on the , which began on March 1, 2024, in , and concluded on October 11, 2024, in . The tour grossed over $108 million from 70 shows, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour by a female rapper in history and ranking among the top 10 highest-grossing rap tours of 2024.

Background and recording

Development

Following the release of her fourth studio album Queen in 2018, Nicki Minaj entered a period of hiatus to reflect on her career trajectory and prioritize personal milestones, laying the conceptual groundwork for what would become . This phase was marked by introspection on her evolution as an artist, particularly after the mixed reception to Queen, which prompted her to revisit the playful yet assertive energy of her debut (2010) as a blueprint for a sequel project. Minaj's transition into motherhood significantly shaped the album's origins, as she gave birth to her son in October 2020 and grappled with anxiety, "mom guilt," and the fear that family life might end her music career. She later revealed that these experiences fueled her determination to balance both worlds, using the project as a means to reclaim her creative voice amid emotional challenges, including the death of her father in 2021, which inspired reflective elements in the work. Initial songwriting sessions commenced in late 2021, as Minaj emerged from and recommitted to her rap foundations, aiming to infuse the album with the optimism and authenticity of her early era rather than the more commercial leanings of later releases. She described reverting to an "old game plan" that emphasized personal storytelling and high-energy flows to reconnect with her core audience. Pre-production involved discussions with producers to craft a sound bridging nostalgia and innovation, though the process extended over years due to Minaj's deliberate approach to ensuring the sequel honored her debut's legacy. On , 2023, Minaj formally announced the project as Pink Friday 2, confirming its status as a direct follow-up to Pink Friday and setting an initial release date for November 17.

Recording sessions

Recording for Pink Friday 2 took place from 2019 to 2023, primarily at Harbor Studios in , which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire in January 2025. The sessions coincided with the development of "Super Freaky Girl," which was recorded during this period and released on August 12, 2022, as the album's first official preview. Key producers included , who contributed to several tracks; for instance, handled beats for "Pink Birthday" and "Needle." Other notable collaborators encompassed (on "FTCU," "Fallin 4 U," and "Let Me Calm Down"), ("Cowgirl" and "Super Freaky Girl"), and J. Reid ("Pink Friday Girls"). The album's 22 tracks were assembled through a collaborative emphasizing hip-hop and pop elements, with Minaj overseeing much of the creative direction. Guest features included contributions from on "Let Me Calm Down" and on "RNB." These sessions highlighted the album's emphasis on high-profile collaborations. Final mixing was primarily handled by , with additional mixing by engineers such as Noel Cadastre and , polishing the project for its December 8 release and ensuring sonic cohesion across the diverse production styles.

Music and themes

Musical style

Pink Friday 2 establishes a strong foundation in hip-hop and rap, characterized by trap-influenced beats that dominate much of the album's sonic landscape. Producers incorporate booming 808 basslines and sharp hi-hats, creating an aggressive, street-oriented energy evident in tracks like "FTCU," which samples Waka Flocka's "Hard in da Paint" from 2010 to amplify its trap core. Auto-Tune is frequently employed on Minaj's melodic hooks and ad-libs, blending her rapid-fire rap delivery with a polished, contemporary edge, as seen in the layered vocal arrangements that add depth to verses and choruses. The album draws heavily from samples and interpolations of 1980s and 1990s hits, including Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (1983) on "Pink Birthday," The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Notorious Thugs" (1997) on "Barbie Dangerous," and Billie Eilish's "when the party's over" (2018) on "Are You Gone Already," infusing nostalgic elements into the hip-hop framework. Beyond its rap-centric base, the album weaves in dance-pop, R&B, and house influences, expanding its versatility across 22 tracks. Songs like "Everybody" integrate and house rhythms through an of Junior Senior's "Move Your Feet" (), delivering upbeat, dancefloor-ready production with pulsating synths and quickened percussion. Similarly, "FTCU" merges trap with pop sensibilities via its anthemic chorus structure, while R&B elements surface in smoother, mid-tempo cuts featuring emotive, auto-tuned . Production techniques emphasize heavy basslines that drive the low end, contrasted by layered vocals that create a multi-dimensional texture, allowing Minaj's flows to shift seamlessly between aggressive bars and melodic interludes. Tempo variations span from slower, introspective paces around 80 BPM in balladic moments to high-energy peaks nearing 140 BPM in club-oriented tracks, maintaining dynamic momentum throughout the runtime. Compared to its predecessor Pink Friday (2010), which leaned into playful pop-rap confections with whimsical beats and lighter cadences, Pink Friday 2 adopts a more matured and assertive delivery. While the original album's style was marked by bubbly, genre-blending exuberance, this sequel intensifies the hip-hop aggression with denser trap production and bolder vocal layering, reflecting an evolution in Minaj's sonic palette without abandoning the foundational rap-pop hybrid.

Lyrics and songwriting

The lyrics of Pink Friday 2 predominantly explore themes of resilience in the face of personal and adversity, as seen in tracks like "Are You Gone Already," where Minaj reflects on over her father's death and with lines such as "One day, you’ll have to forgive Mommy" addressed to her son. emerges as a core motif, celebrating and female empowerment through confident declarations like "love your curves, and love your non-curves," while romance infuses vulnerability in songs examining marital dynamics and past heartaches, such as "Just the Memories," a hushed pondering relational regrets. Industry critique punctuates the narrative, with Minaj asserting her dominance over rivals in boastful disses, exemplified in "Big Difference," where she contrasts her dedication against "less committed" peers in rap. These elements blend braggadocio—evident in "Beep Beep," with its assertive taunts like "If I don't even know you exist, is that ?"—and emotional openness in "Love Me Enough," where she admits, "I used to think had to hurt / So I'd do shit to make it worse," highlighting growth toward self-empowerment. Minaj employs intricate wordplay and pop culture allusions throughout, drawing on samples like Billie Eilish in "Are You Gone Already" and Junior Senior’s "Move Your Feet" in "Everybody" to layer nostalgic references with sharp punchlines, such as body-themed quips in the latter. Her alter ego Roman Zolanski is teased in promotion as a potential surprise element for unfiltered bravado. Ongoing competitive tensions from Minaj's career, including past rivalries like her collaboration with Cardi B on "MotorSport," provide broader context to her boastful style without overt aggression in this album. In the songwriting process, Minaj served as the primary writer across most tracks, credited as Onika Maraj on songs like "Are You Gone Already" (co-written with ) and "Barbie Dangerous" (with Hollywood Cole and others), emphasizing her hands-on role in crafting full compositions. She reverted to an "old game plan" of authentic, optimistic , focusing on precision and emotional clarity, as in her meticulous revisions to ensure every rap lands sharply. Co-credits appear with guest artists on features, such as on "RNB," but Minaj's freestyling technique—honed in promotional appearances like her table-beat remix of "FTCU" on The Late Show—informs the spontaneous, battle-ready verses that define her style. The deluxe edition's "Love Me Enough," featuring Monica and , extends romantic themes with collaborative introspection on self-love, adding depth to the album's emotional arc without altering its core structure.

Release and artwork

Announcement and title

Nicki Minaj first teased Pink Friday 2 on in June 2020, posting "PF2" on , which fans interpreted as a reference to a sequel to her debut album . The project originated from plans dating back to 2020, but faced significant delays due to the and Minaj's pregnancy and maternity leave following the birth of her son in September 2020. On June 29, 2023, Minaj officially announced the album's title as via , confirming an initial release date of November 17, 2023. The title was chosen as a direct sequel to her 2010 breakthrough , symbolizing a full-circle moment in her career 13 years later and a return to the playful, bold aesthetic that launched her stardom. Subsequent delays pushed the release from an earlier targeted date of October 20, 2023, to November 17, and finally to December 8, 2023—Minaj's 41st birthday—primarily due to manufacturing issues with vinyl production and anticipation of additional announcements. Pre-orders for the album were available ahead of release, with tour dates revealed in November 2023.

Cover art and packaging

The standard cover art for Pink Friday 2 features adorned in a flowing, all-pink gown that reveals her midriff, topped with an elaborate crown and surrounded by billowing pink satin sheets against a stark black background, emphasizing a regal and ethereal aesthetic. This design choice draws on the bubblegum pink motif from Minaj's 2010 debut album , symbolizing nostalgia, empowerment, and her enduring "Queen of Rap" persona while nodding to the Barbz fanbase's Barbie-inspired imagery. Minaj has described the look as one of her most significant, representing her evolution through various career eras and an embrace of her authentic self. An alternate cover art, revealed earlier, depicts Minaj in an all-white Vetements ensemble gripping a pink pole inside a roofless, futuristic subway train elevated above a pink-tinted New York City skyline, evoking a sense of journey and transcendence. Photographed by Charlotte Rutherford, this sci-fi-inspired visual ties directly into the album's conceptual "Gag City"—a fictional utopian Minaj invented to represent a vibrant, pink-hued world of fan camaraderie and bold self-expression. The duality of the covers highlights themes of legacy and innovation, with the pink palette reinforcing motifs of playfulness and dominance central to Minaj's brand. The physical packaging for the CD edition comes in a standard jewel case, including a lyric booklet with song credits, production notes, and additional photography extending the album's pink aesthetic. Vinyl releases offer multiple limited-edition variants, such as pink marble, white swirl, and electric blue pressings, each housed in gatefold sleeves with the alternate train artwork and inner lyric inserts for collectors. These formats prioritize visual cohesion, with the pink marble edition particularly evoking the album's thematic vibrancy. The digital deluxe version expands on this with high-resolution extended artwork, including bonus images of Minaj in empowering poses that amplify the Barbz symbolism. Fan reactions to the reveals in and 2023 were overwhelmingly positive, with enthusiasts lauding the nostalgic gown for its elegance and the train imagery for its imaginative tie-in to "Gag City," which later inspired widespread AI-generated depicting a sprawling metropolis. This community-driven creativity underscored the artwork's role in fostering a sense of shared empowerment and excitement around the album's release.

Promotion

Singles

The lead single from the promotional cycle for Pink Friday 2 was "", released on August 12, 2022, through . The track prominently samples ' 1981 funk hit "", reinterpreting its iconic bassline and chorus into a high-energy hip-hop anthem. It debuted at No. 1 on the , becoming Minaj's first chart-topper as a lead artist and her second overall number-one entry after a featured appearance on Doja Cat's "" in 2020. The follow-up single, "", arrived on March 3, 2023, sampling Lumidee's 2003 track "What It Do" and incorporating diss track elements directed at rivals including , with lines referencing industry feuds and personal attacks. The song debuted and peaked at No. 13 on the , driven by strong digital sales and streaming performance. Its release strategy emphasized teasers and surprise drops, building anticipation for the album. "" was released on September 1, 2023, as the third promotional single from the . The R&B-influenced track debuted and peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. On October 13, 2023, Minaj surprise-released "Bahm Bahm" as a promotional single to celebrate " the 13th." The track, a scrapped from the sessions, was made available exclusively through her website. Following the album's December 8, 2023, release, post-album singles extended its promotional reach. A of "Everybody" featuring was issued on January 9, 2024, and sent to rhythmic radio, where it topped the Rhythmic Airplay and Rap Airplay charts, marking Minaj's first No. 1 on the former. The collaboration amplified the track's club appeal through added verses and production tweaks. "FTCU", released as the fifth official single in February 2024 with an impact on rhythmic radio, received an official directed by Ian Pons Jewell and a high-profile "Sleeze Mix" on April 19, 2024, featuring , , and to boost crossover appeal. Promotion for the singles centered on targeted radio via rhythmic and urban formats, strategic streaming pushes on platforms like and , and grassroots campaigns by Minaj's dedicated fanbase, the Barbz, who organized streaming parties and drives to elevate chart positions and viral metrics. These efforts helped sustain momentum, with the Barbz credited by Minaj for contributing to record-breaking longevity on streaming charts.

Tour and events

The , also known as the Gag City World Tour, was announced by on December 11, 2023, in support of her fifth studio album. The tour commenced on March 1, 2024, at the in , and featured over 70 dates across and , marking Minaj's most extensive concert outing to date. It concluded on October 11, 2024, at in , after a second leg subtitled Gag City Reloaded that began in September 2024. Special guest Monica served as the opening act for most North American shows. Central to the tour's promotion was the Gag City concept, a fictional pink-hued metropolis inspired by the album's aesthetic, which extended to immersive fan experiences through VIP packages. These packages, available from the tour's presale starting December 12, 2023, included access to the Gag City Headquarters—a dedicated VIP lounge with pop-up activations, exclusive pink-themed merchandise, and meet-and-greet opportunities at select venues. Minaj also launched a virtual 3D shopping experience tied to Gag City on December 12, 2023, allowing fans to explore and purchase limited-edition items in an interactive online environment. While no standalone event occurred in in December 2023, the concept was brought to life during tour stops, including a March 8, 2024, performance at , where immersive stage visuals transformed arenas into elements of the pink cityscape. Performances featured a dynamic setlist of more than 20 tracks, heavily drawing from Pink Friday 2 with live debuts of songs like "Barbie Dangerous," "FTCU," and "Everybody," alongside classics such as "Anaconda" and "." Minaj incorporated over six costume changes per show, showcasing bold designs like a pink ensemble and a blonde-wigged ripped look, often coordinated with elaborate stage production including and aerial elements. Guest appearances added variety, with surprise onstage collaborations including and during the Newark stop on March 28, 2024. Preceding the album's December 8, 2023, release, fan-organized listening parties took place in November 2023 to build anticipation for the initially planned November 17 drop. Events included gatherings in on November 16 at Pa Beauty School and in on November 17 at The Point, where attendees previewed tracks and celebrated with themed decorations. Similar parties occurred in on November 17 at Twist Social Club, featuring custom cocktails and album-themed playlists. For the holiday season, Minaj tied promotions to the album's release with limited-edition gift sets, including the Pink Friday 2.0 Eau de Parfum in multi-piece bundles launched on November 29, 2023, available exclusively through retailers like JCPenney.

Critical reception

Initial reviews

Upon its release in December 2023, Pink Friday 2 garnered generally favorable reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic score of 70 out of 100 based on 12 aggregated reviews, reflecting a mix of praise for its energetic tracks and critiques of uneven execution. Reviewers often highlighted the album's replay value through Minaj's dynamic delivery and fun, exhilarating moments, while pointing to some forgettable filler tracks and awkward placements that occasionally disrupted the flow. Positive responses emphasized Minaj's commanding presence and artistic range. Rolling Stone applauded her star power and nimble rhyming skills that showcased charisma across rap and singing. Similarly, Pitchfork assigned a 6.5 out of 10, commending her rap versatility in mastering quick shifts between genres like drill, pop, dancehall, and trap, evoking her early mixtape energy on tracks such as "Beep Beep" and "Barbie Dangerous." Criticisms focused on structural issues amid the album's ambitious 22-track length. The Guardian gave it 4 out of 5 stars, praising Minaj's mature command as a rapper on fierce hip-hop cuts but noting occasional indulgences that veered into self-referential excess. NME also awarded 4 out of 5 stars, acknowledging the sharp pacing in its first half but critiquing the overlong runtime that made the project feel bloated despite its refinements of Minaj's signature style. In mid-December 2023, Minaj addressed the reception on , expressing gratitude to supporters while alleging in chart tracking that undermined the album's visibility.

Retrospective analysis

In the years following its release, Pink Friday 2 has garnered reassessments that highlight its enduring commercial and cultural significance within hip-hop. ranked it as the top female rap album on its 2024 year-end chart at number 30 overall, underscoring its sustained sales performance despite launching in late 2023. This placement reflects a broader reevaluation of the album's role in revitalizing Minaj's catalog amid a competitive landscape for women in rap. While initial reviews varied—with an aggregate score of 70 indicating generally favorable reception—later discussions have praised its blend of vulnerability and spectacle as a mature evolution of Minaj's artistry. Debates surrounding Minaj's legacy have intensified comparisons to contemporaries like , particularly as Pink Friday 2 demonstrated her longevity into her 40s with consistent chart dominance and fan engagement. Critics and commentators have lauded this sustained relevance, noting how the album's introspective tracks on motherhood and loss contrast with more aggressive peer outputs, affirming Minaj's versatility beyond early-career highs. Such discussions often highlight her over-a-decade-long career arc as a benchmark for endurance in rap. The divide between fans and critics has been evident in the Barbz's fervent online defenses, which have spawned viral moments like the AI-generated "Gag City" trend promoting the album's aesthetic and themes. These campaigns have amplified Pink Friday 2's visibility, countering detractors by emphasizing its and live appeal. The supporting , which concluded in October 2024 after grossing over $108 million, further bolstered reception through performances that reignited acclaim for the album's high-energy tracks and Minaj's stage command. In , the album's omission from Grammy nominations despite its commercial success sparked additional discussions on industry recognition for female rappers.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

Pink Friday 2 debuted at number one on the US chart dated December 23, 2023, with 228,000 album-equivalent units, marking Nicki Minaj's third chart-topping album and the largest debut week for a female rapper that year. The album spent a total of over 52 weeks on the as of October 2025 and ranked number 30 on the year-end chart for 2024, the highest position achieved by any female rap that year. Internationally, Pink Friday 2 achieved strong chart success, peaking at number one in the United States and , and entering the top ten in seven additional countries, including number three on both the and the Australian Albums Chart, number six in , number seven in the , number nine in Ireland, and number ten in . The album's global reach was further evidenced by its performance on streaming platforms, reaching one billion streams on by January , making it the fastest album by a female rapper to achieve that milestone. The album's singles also performed notably on the charts. "Super Freaky Girl," released as the ahead of the album, topped the for one week in September 2022, becoming Minaj's first number-one hit as a lead artist. From the album itself, "FTCU" peaked at number 15 on the Hot 100 in January 2024, marking Minaj's twenty-third top-20 entry on the chart and spending at least 20 weeks in total as of May 2024. Additionally, the track "My Life" debuted at number one on the Rap Digital Song Sales chart in January 2026, securing Minaj's record-breaking 26th number-one hit on that chart and surpassing Drake's 25 for sole possession of the record. It also peaked at number five on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart.

Sales and certifications

In the United States, Pink Friday 2 amassed 228,000 album-equivalent units in its debut week ending December 14, 2023, comprising 92,000 pure , 169.87 million on-demand official , and track equivalent units. Of the pure , vinyl copies accounted for 25,000 units, representing the largest first-week vinyl for any rap by a female artist since Luminate began electronically tracking in 1991. The 's initial commercial performance was bolstered by merchandise bundles, which contributed significantly to the pure figure and helped propel later weeks, such as a 150% increase in pure purchases during the chart week ending March 2, 2024. By March 29, 2024, Pink Friday 2 was certified platinum by the (RIAA) for exceeding 1,000,000 album-equivalent units, marking Nicki Minaj's fifth platinum-certified studio album and making her one of only two female rappers, alongside , with at least five such certifications. As of late 2024, the album remained the best-selling female rap project of the year by total units in the U.S., with over 1.9 million units as of September 2025. Globally, Pink Friday 2 has shipped over 3.3 million units as of 2025, driven by robust digital streaming , including a debut week that generated 115,000 pure sales worldwide and sustained streams across platforms. On , the achieved over 800 million total streams by early 2025, underscoring its strong and contributing to equivalent unit conversions. Among its singles, "Super Freaky Girl" earned 2× platinum certification from the RIAA on May 9, 2023, for 2,000,000 units, highlighting the album's promotional tie-ins and their role in overall revenue generation through combined sales and streaming.

Track listing and credits

Standard edition

The standard edition of Pink Friday 2 features 22 tracks with a total runtime of 65:43. All tracks are written primarily by Nicki Minaj (Onika Maraj), with additional writers and producers as credited below.
No.TitleDurationWriter(s)Producer(s)
1"Are You Gone Already"4:30Onika Maraj, Finneas O'ConnellFINNEAS
2"Barbie Dangerous"2:12Onika Maraj, Kameron Cole, Kendall Taylor, Tate Kobang, Anthony Henderson, Bryon McCane, Christopher Wallace, Sean Combs, Steven Howse, Steven JordanHollywood Cole, YG! Beats, Tate Kobang
3"FTCU"2:52Onika Maraj, Juaquin Malphurs, Jacob Canady, Joshua LuellenATL Jacob
4"Beep Beep"1:35Onika Maraj, Gavin Valencia, Shane LindstromMurda Beatz, OJ Finessey
5"Fallin 4 U"3:50Onika Maraj, Darryon Bunton, Jacob CanadyATL Jacob, DB!
6"Let Me Calm Down" (featuring J. Cole)4:04Onika Maraj, Jermaine Cole, Jacob Canady, Derrick Miller, Ofer Shaul IshaiATL Jacob, Hendrix Smoke, Kuji
7"RNB" (featuring Lil Wayne and Tate Kobang)3:58Onika Maraj, Dwayne Carter, Tate Kobang, Kendall Taylor, Joshua Goods, Tomislav RatesicYG! Beats, Dystinkt Beats, Tate Kobang
8"Pink Birthday"3:05Onika Maraj, Jacques Webster, Chase Lieberman, Amir Sims, Matthew Samuels, Leland Wayne, Michael Dean, Peter Mellin, Sonny Uwaezuoke, Shubhkarman PruthiBoi-1da, Fierce, 116, Apollo Parker
9"Needle" (featuring Drake)3:28Onika Maraj, Aubrey Graham, Matthew Samuels, Rahiem Hurlock, Johann DetervilleBoi-1da, Yogi
10"Cowgirl" (featuring Lourdiz)3:07Onika Maraj, Alyssa Lourdiz Cantu, Rocco Valdes, Ryan Ogren, Łukasz GottwaldDr. Luke
11"Everybody" (featuring Lil Uzi Vert)2:47Onika Maraj, Symere Woods, Joshua Goods, Isaiah Henry, Jesper MortensenDJ Smallz 732, Tate Kobang
12"Big Difference"3:21Onika Maraj, Michael Mulé, Isaac De Boni, Jahmal Gwin, Keanu Torres, Marcus Slade, Derrick MilanoBoogzDaBeast, FNZ, Keanu Beats, Slade Da Monsta
13"Red Ruby da Sleeze"2:56Onika Maraj, Go Grizzly, Irvin Whitlow, Eddie Perez, Steven Marsden, Teddy Mendez, Darryl McCorkell, Kevin Andre Price, Kirsten Allyssa Spencer, Lumidee Cedeno, Josiah MuhammadGo Grizzly, Cheeze Beatz
14"Forward From Trini" (featuring Skillibeng and Skeng)4:15Onika Maraj, Emwah Warmington, Kevaun Douglas, Rowan Melhado, Dave Kelly, Emelio Lynch, Sebastian LoersBasbeats, Melio Sounds
15"Pink Friday Girls"3:01Onika Maraj, Alyssa Lourdiz Cantu, Jeremy Reid, Robert Hazard, Ryan OgrenJ. Reid
16"Super Freaky Girl"2:51Onika Maraj, Aaron Joseph, Vaughn Oliver, Gamal Lewis, Alonzo Miller, Malibu Babie, Rick James, Łukasz GottwaldDr. Luke, Aaron Joseph, Vaughn Oliver, Malibu Babie
17"Bahm Bahm"3:09Onika Maraj, Jessica Lynn Carpenter, Joshua GoodsJess Carp, Tate Kobang
18"My Life"3:38Onika Maraj, Tate Kobang, Chris Stein, Debbie Harry, Donald Cannon, Sean MombergerDon Cannon, Sean Momberger
19"Nicki Hendrix" (featuring Future)2:49Onika Maraj, Nayvadius Wilburn, Brandon Hamlin, Vincent ShawB HAM, Vincent "Life" Shaw
20"Blessings" (featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)2:36Onika Maraj, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Benjamin Saint Fort, Christian Beau Anastasiou Astrop, Jeremiah RaisenBNYX, SADPONY, Beau Nox
21"Last Time I Saw You"3:02Onika Maraj, Jacob Canady, Derrick Miller, Alex Bak, Colin Franken, Lesidney RaglandATL Jacob, TooDope, Hendrix Smoke, Alex Bak, Frankie Bash
22"Just the Memories"2:14Onika Maraj, Habib Defoundoux, Georges Konan, Colin York, James Dean, Jerry Butler, John Bristol, John Glover, Lyn Marshall, Moses DavisBone Collector, Habib Defoundoux

Deluxe edition

The deluxe edition, titled Pink Friday 2 (Gag City Deluxe), adds two bonus tracks to the standard edition, extending the runtime to approximately 70 minutes. The bonus tracks are:
  • "Beep Beep" (featuring ) (1:35)
  • "Love Me Enough" (featuring Monica and ) (3:00)

Gag City PLUTO Edition

The Gag City PLUTO Edition, released January 13, 2024, adds one further bonus track to the Gag City Deluxe edition.
  • "Press Play" (featuring ) (3:17) – Writers: Onika Maraj, Nayvadius Wilburn, Jacob Canady et al.; Producers: T-Minus

Personnel

provides lead vocals across all tracks on Pink Friday 2. The album features guest appearances from several artists, including on "Let Me Calm Down", and on "RNB", Drake on "Needle", Lourdiz on "Cowgirl", on "Everybody", Skillibeng and Skeng on "Forward From Trini", on "Nicki Hendrix", and providing vocals on "Blessings". The production team comprises a diverse group of contributors handling beats, programming, and instrumentation for individual tracks. Key producers include FINNEAS for "Are You Gone Already"; Hollywood Cole, Tate Kobang, and YG! Beats for "Barbie Dangerous"; ATL Jacob for "FTCU", "Fallin 4 U", and "Let Me Calm Down"; Dr. Luke for "Cowgirl" and "Super Freaky Girl"; and Boi-1da for "Pink Birthday" and "Needle". Additional production credits go to Murda Beatz and Tanisha Scott (co-production) for "Beep Beep", Go Grizzly and Cheeze Beatz for "Red Ruby Da Sleeze", Don Cannon for "My Life". Technical staff includes mixing engineers Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine, Șerban Ghenea, and Noel Cadastre, who handled various tracks. Mastering was performed by Chris Athens. Background vocals are provided by artists such as Alyssa Lourdiz Cantu on " Girls".

Legacy and accolades

Cultural impact

The release of Pink Friday 2 revitalized the Barbz fandom, Nicki Minaj's dedicated fanbase, through innovative campaigns that amplified the album's promotional narrative. Fans created a fictional digital called "Gag City," a hyper-futuristic, pink-hued world inspired by the album's themes, using AI-generated imagery shared across platforms like and to build anticipation and community engagement. This fan-driven initiative transformed the album rollout into a cultural phenomenon, with brands and celebrities adopting the "Gag City" , underscoring the Barbz's role in pioneering stan culture within hip-hop. The album's aesthetic further influenced fashion trends, particularly in streetwear, by reinforcing Minaj's signature pink motifs as a symbol of bold femininity and empowerment. Tour outfits and album visuals popularized vibrant pink ensembles, blending high-fashion elements like corsets and sheer fabrics with urban staples such as cargo pants and layered accessories, inspiring fans to recreate these looks at concerts and on social media. This extension of Minaj's Barbie persona—rooted in her 2011 custom Mattel doll collaboration tied to the original Pink Friday—continued through tracks like "Barbie Dangerous," encouraging tie-ins that merged music with doll-inspired glamour in contemporary style. Pink Friday 2 contributed to greater visibility for female rappers by exemplifying Minaj's enduring mentorship and collaborative spirit, as seen in features with emerging artists like , whose career trajectory echoes Minaj's influence from the debut . Ice Spice has credited the original with transforming her approach to rap, and the sequel's success highlighted a renewed wave of women dominating charts and tours, fostering a more inclusive landscape for female lyricists. In 2025, following the *, snippets from Minaj's forthcoming documentary series began surfacing, offering insights into her legacy and the album's role in her artistic evolution amid industry challenges. The project, confirmed for release that year, explores her path from to icon status, with early previews emphasizing the cultural resonance of Pink Friday 2 in sustaining her influence on global pop culture.

Awards and nominations

Upon its release, Pink Friday 2 garnered several nominations across major music awards ceremonies, reflecting its commercial success and cultural resonance in hip-hop. The album secured its most notable accolade at the 2024 , marking a historic milestone for as a solo female artist.
OrganizationYearCategoryResultRef.
2024Album of the YearNominated
2024Album of the YearWon
2024Top Rap AlbumNominated
2025Best Rap AlbumNot nominated
Despite submissions in multiple categories, including Best Rap Album, Pink Friday 2 did not receive any nominations at the 67th Annual . The album also earned no nods at the 2025 or the 2024 .

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
VariousDecember 8, 2023Digital download, streaming,
December 8, 2023CD, ,
VariousDecember 8, 2023LP (various colors, limited editions), ,
Subsequent deluxe editions, including Gag City (December 15, 2023), Gag City Reloaded (September 13, 2024), and The Hiatus (December 13, 2024), were released digitally.

References

  1. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/nicki-minaj-releases-pink-friday-2-13-years-original-rcna128727
  2. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-2-number-one-debut-billboard-200-albums-chart-1235560607/
  3. https://music.apple.com/us/album/pink-friday-2/1720307257
  4. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2024-01-15/348131/nicki-minaj-reacts-after-pink-friday-2-reportedly-sells-a-million-units
  5. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Nicki+Minaj&ti=Pink+Friday+2&format=Album&type=
  6. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-2/
  7. https://ubsarena.com/event/nicki-minaj-presents-pink-friday-2-world-tour/
  8. https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-rap-tours-2024/
  9. https://www.vogue.com/article/nicki-minaj-december-cover-2023-interview
  10. https://www.etonline.com/nicki-minaj-opens-up-about-anxiety-mom-guilt-and-using-old-game-plan-for-pink-friday-2-214576
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  12. https://hiphopdx.com/news/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-2-creative-process/
  13. https://www.xxlmag.com/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-2-album-release-date/
  14. https://www.billboard.com/pro/palisades-fire-burns-down-studio-nicki-minaj-doja-cat-recorded/
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  23. https://hiphopdx.com/news/nicki-minaj-stephen-colbert-freestyle/
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  29. https://hiphopdx.com/news/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-2-alternate-cover
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  31. https://rhymejunkie.com/posts/nicki-minajs-pink-friday-journey-fame-motherhood-iconic-collaborations-hiphop-news
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  33. https://americansongwriter.com/nicki-minaj-unveils-the-cover-art-for-pink-friday-2/
  34. https://pixelframe.design/art-design-examined-nicki-minaq-pink-friday-2/
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4S-FbNGC60
  36. https://www.discogs.com/master/3330079-Nicki-Minaj-Pink-Friday-2
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  38. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-12-08/nicki-minaj-fans-create-ai-generated-gag-city-pink-friday-2
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  40. https://pitchfork.com/news/nicki-minaj-shares-rick-james-sampling-new-song-super-freaky-girl-listen/
  41. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/nicki-minaj-super-freaky-girl-five-burning-questions-1235129795/
  42. https://consequence.net/2023/03/nicki-minaj-megan-thee-stallion-red-ruby-da-sleeze-stream/
  43. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-03-14/279929/nicki-minajs-red-ruby-da-sleeze-debuts-on-billboard-charts
  44. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/nicki-minaj-last-time-i-saw-you-stream-1235404780/
  45. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/724307-nicki-minaj-bahm-bahm-single
  46. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/nicki-minaj-lil-uzi-vert-everybody-number-1-rhythmic-rap-radio-charts-1235607376/
  47. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/nicki-minaj-chris-brown-travis-scott-sexyy-red-ftcu-remix-sleeze-mix-announcement-1235659810/
  48. https://hiphopdx.com/news/nicki-minaj-barbz-pink-friday-2-milestone/
  49. https://www.nme.com/news/music/nicki-minaj-announces-pink-friday-2-2024-tour-3557359
  50. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-2024-tour-dates-1234923459/
  51. https://www.nj.com/live-entertainment/2024/09/nicki-minaj-tour-2024-how-to-get-last-minute-pink-friday-2-world-tour-tickets-for-under-100.html
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  53. https://www.iconvsicon.com/2023/12/11/nicki-minaj-unveils-first-details-on-her-pink-friday-2-world-tour/
  54. https://www.targetcenter.com/news/detail/just-announced-nicki-minaj
  55. https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/nicki-minaj-announces-immersive-3d-shopping-experience-nicki-minajs-gag-city
  56. https://www.ktnv.com/vegas-things-to-do/nicki-minaj-bringing-pink-friday-2-world-tour-to-las-vegas
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  58. https://www.vibe.com/gallery/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-2-world-tour-opening-night-costumes-outfits-ranked-1234857003/
  59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go2KQCInwx8
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  61. https://happeningnext.com/event/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-2-album-listening-party-eid3a0asi4ji6
  62. https://www.twistsocialclub.com/events/pink-friday-2
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  64. https://www.metacritic.com/music/pink-friday-2/nicki-minaj
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