The Pinkprint
Standard edition cover. Deluxe edition features a white background.
Studio album by
Nicki Minaj
ReleasedDecember 12, 2014 (2014-12-12)
Recorded2013–2014
GenreHip hop
Length66:51
Label
Producer
Nicki Minaj chronology
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up
(2012)		 The Pinkprint
(2014)		 Queen
(2018)
Singles from The Pinkprint
  1. "Pills n Potions"
    Released: May 21, 2014
  2. "Anaconda"
    Released: August 4, 2014
  3. "Only"
    Released: October 28, 2014
  4. "Bed of Lies"
    Released: November 16, 2014
  5. "Truffle Butter"
    Released: January 23, 2015
  6. "The Night Is Still Young"
    Released: April 12, 2015

The Pinkprint is the third studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj, released on December 12, 2014, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. Minaj co-executive-produced the album alongside Birdman, Lil Wayne and Ronald Williams, with a variety of producers who produced the album's sound. Looking to depart from the dance-pop elements of her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), The Pinkprint is a follow-up record influenced by her traditional hip hop beginnings.

Upon its release, The Pinkprint received positive reviews from music critics, with many of them complimenting its production and personal lyrics. Among best of the decade lists, it landed at 166 on Pitchfork and 60 on Rolling Stone. The album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 244,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, of which 198,000 were pure sales. In the United Kingdom, The Pinkprint debuted at number 22 on the UK Albums Chart. As of December 2015, the record has sold 682,000 pure copies in the United States, and has since been certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) by adding streaming and track sales equivalent. The Pinkprint received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album in 2016.

The Pinkprint spawned six singles; "Pills n Potions", "Anaconda", "Only", "Bed of Lies", "Truffle Butter", and "The Night Is Still Young". "Anaconda" peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest-charting single at the time, while four other singles peaked within the top 40. To further promote the album, Minaj embarked on her third concert tour, titled The Pinkprint Tour, which commenced in March 2015 and ended in August 2015, spanning more than fifty shows over the five month period.

Background and production

Parts of the album were recorded at Jungle City Studios (pictured).

In 2013, Minaj stated that she would begin writing material for her third album later that year, after production was completed for her supporting role in her first feature film The Other Woman (2014). Minaj noted that there were currently no featured artists on the record, and commented that she was "just enjoying [the] creative process".[1] Recording sessions for the album took place at Jungle City Studios New York, NY; Evdon Studios, Toronto, Canada; Glenwood Recording Studios, Burbank, CA; Luke's In The Boo, Malibu, CA; Record Plant, Hollywood, CA, Conway Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA; and Eightysevenfourteen Studios, Los Angeles, CA.[2] In November 2013, Minaj described the project as "next level", "very different from anything I've done", and made clear that she just experimented with pop music but never had the intention to continue with the genre. She also stated that she is still "hungry" and just because she's had a successful career that wouldn't stop her from giving the fans what they wanted.[3]

During the recording process Minaj recorded two songs that were inspired by Irish Celtic singer-songwriter Enya; Minaj stated that the songs contain "airiness and the whimsicalness" that reminded her of Enya. In 2014, singer-songwriter Skylar Grey wrote and recorded a demo version of a song entitled "Bed of Lies" and the song was later sent to Minaj who wrote and recorded verses of her own to the song.[4] In August 2014, Minaj's manager informed her that Beyoncé wanted to make a remix of "Flawless" with her and in return she would feature on The Pinkprint. Minaj said that she wrote her verse in New York and Beyoncé visited her in the studio and encouraged her.[5][6] During the album's production, Minaj worked with a variety of people including Dr. Luke, Ester Dean, Boi-1da and Detail. Minaj also hoped to have guest features from Rihanna and Drake.[7] While Rihanna did not appear on the album, Drake was featured on two songs from the album, along with fellow Young Money labelmate Lil Wayne, on "Only" and "Truffle Butter", with the latter appearing exclusively on the deluxe edition of the album.[8]

In September, Minaj stated that "it was her best album to date" saying she had grown as a writer and was able to speak about topics that she had felt uncomfortable sharing two years ago.[9] Later that month, Minaj characterized the album as consisting of "raw talent, emotion, hard spitting and everything that people have come to love about Nicki Minaj".[10] In November 2014, Minaj revealed she had recorded 25 songs for the album, stating she would find a song that "sits" with her and then mold that track for a while until she was satisfied; she continued to say her biggest problem during the recording process was cutting songs from the final track listing as each track was "special" to her.[11] In November 2014, Minaj described the record as "personal" and an "emotional rollercoaster" to MTV News.[12]

Music and lyrics

Speaking on the album's musical style, Minaj stated that the album would "focus on rap" and "feed the core rap fan", whereas Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded explored more prominent elements of dance music.[13] In April 2014, Minaj told MTV News "the tracks on [my next album] are back to my hip-hop roots. And I don't think it's something that I'm necessarily trying to do [but] as soon as I started working on my new album, that's just the songs that I've been writing". Minaj stated the album's lyrics touch upon themes of her family, loss, death and her struggle with guilt.[14] The Pinkprint opens with the autobiographical song, "All Things Go", which was described as a sequel to Minaj's song "Autobiography" off her Sucka Free mixtape in 2008.[15] A mid-tempo ballad,[16] which slowly unfolds and contains "heavy beats and heavy bass" along with "subtle synths".[15] The lyrics discuss a wide range of personal issues Minaj has faced, from reflecting on fame and the speed in which her life has moved, to strained relationships with her family including the murder of her cousin Nicholas Telemaque, to her relationship with her mother and her own child which references an abortion.[15] "I Lied" is a ballad that contains a torpid production that does not change tempo. Lyrically, the song revolves around a "complicated regret" in which Minaj admits she denied her love for a man in order to stop him from breaking her heart.[15] "The Crying Game" features initially uncredited vocals from British musician Jessie Ware, before being officially credited at a later date. The song mixes "sombre balladry with downbeat guitar loops" and is described as one of the album's most emotional songs. During the song, Minaj alternates between "devastating verses and pensive crooning" whilst Ware adds "haunting" and "soulful" vocals to the chorus.[15] During an interview for Malcolm Music, Ware revealed how the collaboration came about, saying that she wrote the song with Pop Wansel for her own album Tough Love (2014) but ultimately felt that it didn't fit the album. Wansel subsequently sent the song to Minaj who recorded her own vocals to turn the song into a collaboration between Ware and Minaj. Initial pressings of the album did not list Ware as being featured; something Ware added was a mistake and later corrected.[17]

"Get on Your Knees" features vocals from American singer Ariana Grande. Minaj raps in a "trance-like" style as she demands things from her male partner, which hints at oral sex, and is described as a "fetish obsession with seeing their man on all fours".[15] "Feeling Myself" features singer-songwriter Beyoncé, and is built over a West Coast synth, driving bass and drums along with bells and whistles incorporated into the production.[15] "Only" is a hip-hop song that features guest appearances from Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown who sings the chorus of the song. The song contains an "icy" production that sits "ominously" underneath dirty lyrical metaphors.[15] "Want Some More" (with uncredited vocals from Jeremih) features lyrics that see Minaj stroking her own ego and check anyone who dares to doubt her worth. During the song, Minaj makes references to Eminem, Kanye West and Lil Wayne and states she is her "only competition".[15] "Four Door Aventador" has humming and low-key production with lyrics revolving around mafia imagery. The song is compared to the work of the Notorious B.I.G.[15]

"Favorite" features American R&B singer Jeremih and is a return to a "romantic narrative" following the four previous songs which features Minaj bragging. The song is lyrically sexually explicit and sees Jeremih singing about wanting to be Nicki's favorite. Minaj raps about wanting to be the "primary role in a man's life".[15] "Buy a Heart" features rapper Meek Mill, who sings the hook of the song.[15] "Trini Dem Girls" is a dancehall track that features a guest appearance from rapper LunchMoney Lewis. The song contains echoing handclaps and a "Diwali Riddim" with a "blaring" chorus.[15] "Anaconda" is a hip-hop and pop-rap song[18] that heavily samples "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot. The song's lyrical content is described as "raunchy" and noted for containing a "heavy dose of 2014 sex lingo".[15] "The Night Is Still Young" is a pop song with verses revolving around a routine night out at a club.[15]

The lead single, "Pills n Potions" is a slow-burning piano ballad that contains prominent elements of hip hop, R&B and pop.[15] The song opens with a sparse, haunting drum beat, while Minaj sings the pre-chorus in a feather-like near-whisper. As the song's pre-chorus repeats, an echo effect is added to her vocals, and "blooming" chants are sung to create the song's chorus. The song's lyrics revolve around someone who has wronged her but she still loves.[15] "Bed of Lies" features guest vocals from singer-songwriter Skylar Grey and is a slow-tempo song built over triumphant production, pianos, rolling drums and booming bass. The song opens with Grey's chorus and a restrained keyboard set before Minaj begins to rap about an ex-lover.[15] "Grand Piano" is the final song on the album's standard version and is the only song on the album that is not a hip hop song; it features no rapping from Minaj nor drums are played in the song. The song is a ballad that contains pianos and violins, with lyrics revolving around Minaj "feeling stupid" and feeling "played" by a former lover.[15]

Singles

"Pills n Potions" was released as the lead single from the album on May 21, 2014. Minaj announced the release at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.[19] The song peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[20]

"Anaconda" was released as the second single from the album on August 4, 2014.[21] The song samples Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back" and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest-charting single in the US at the time.[20] It topped both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the Hot Rap Songs charts for six weeks.[22] Additionally, the song peaked within the top ten in countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

"Only", which features Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, was released as the third single from the album on October 28, 2014.[23] The song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[20]

"Bed of Lies" featuring Skylar Grey was released as the fourth single from the album on November 16, 2014. Minaj debuted the song at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards. The song peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100.[20] "

"Truffle Butter" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne was released separately from the album to iTunes and Spotify on January 23, 2015, after initially being an iTunes exclusive bonus track, and was serviced to US radio on March 3, 2015 as the fifth single from the album.[24] The song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.[20]

"The Night Is Still Young" was officially released in the UK on April 12, 2015 and later in the US on April 28, 2015, as the sixth single from the album, and has peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.[25]

Packaging and title

The album was officially announced to be titled The Pinkprint with the premiere of the track "Lookin Ass" along with its Nabil Elderkin-directed music video on February 12, 2014.[26] Its title reportedly references The Blueprint (2001) by Jay-Z, to which Minaj replied that "I think everybody knows how obsessed I am with Jay-Z. He's always been my favorite rapper", also adding that, "He did such a great job of creating this Blueprint brand for male rappers and I wanted to do that [for] female rappers to be able to pattern themselves with what I've done one day".[27] During an interview with Complex magazine, Minaj was asked if Jay-Z's The Blueprint inspired the title to The Pinkprint and what similarities there were, which Minaj replied saying;

I have no idea what he was doing before The Blueprint dropped. It's not that literal. People keep asking me about Jay's The Blueprint and they think I'm doing something like that. I made reference to The Blueprint because Jay is the biggest rapper of our time. The name of the album was inspired by Jay but not the body of work. I do think that it's going to create new rules, though, in [the way] that [The Blueprint did].[28]

On November 2, 2014, Minaj released the album's artwork, which was created by Joe Perez's design studio, who works for Kanye West's creative team Donda, who had previously designed artwork for Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz.[29] It displays a "sandy" textured pink "splatter" with a thumbprint placed in the middle of a black background on the standard version and a white background for the deluxe version.[30] On December 1, 2014, the track listing was released to the public, and confirmed collaborations with Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Jeremih, Meek Mill, LunchMoney Lewis, Jessie Ware and Skylar Grey.[31]

Release and promotion

In August 2014, Minaj confirmed that the album would be released in the fourth quarter of the year.[32] In September 2014, Minaj announced through her Twitter account that the album would be released on November 24, 2014.[33] In late October, her management announced that the album had been rescheduled for release on December 15.[34] The album was made available for pre-order on iTunes on December 3, 2014 with the intro track "All Things Go" as an instant download. The standard version of The Pinkprint features sixteen songs,[35] while the deluxe version is packaged with three additional tracks.[36] American retailer Best Buy packaged the latter edition with a smaller version of Minaj's 2015 calendar.[37] "Truffle Butter" and "Wamables" are respectively included as the twentieth songs on the iTunes Store and Japanese pressings of the record.[36][38] A fifth deluxe variant (distributed by American retailer Target and the United Kingdom) lists "Mona Lisa" and "Put You in a Room" as the twentieth and twenty-first tracks, although most of the tracks on this version are abbreviated to fit the exclusive material.[39] During the first week of retail availability, it was discovered that physical deluxe versions of The Pinkprint were unintentionally shipped worldwide with an instrumental version of "Anaconda" instead of the original track.[40]

In contrast to the vibrantly-colored wardrobe and hairpieces she had become associated with earlier in her career, Minaj embraced a more understated image during the first promotional runs for The Pinkprint. She opined that "You can either continue doing costumes or you can just say, 'Hey guess what? This will shock them even more. Doing nothing will shock them even more'".[41] On August 24, 2014, Minaj performed “Anaconda” at the MTV Video Music Awards. She also performed at that year's iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 19. On November 9, 2014, Minaj performed a medley of "Super Bass", "Anaconda", and "Bed of Lies" at the MTV Europe Music Awards, and also hosted the show. On November 23, 2014, Minaj performed "Bed of Lies" at the American Music Awards. On December 6, 2014, Minaj appeared as a musical guest on an episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live alongside host James Franco. She performed three songs from the album: "Bed of Lies", "Only" and "All Things Go". She also participated in a few skits.[42] During album release week, Minaj visited a few talk shows in promotion for the album. On December 15, Minaj appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for an interview and also performed "Bed of Lies".[43] On December 16, Minaj appeared on The Today Show for an interview and another performance.[44] That same night, she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for an interview.[45] On December 18, Minaj appeared on 106 & Park as the show's final guest artist to discuss the album and the show's legacy.[46] On December 19, Minaj appeared on The Real for an interview.[47] On January 18, 2015, MTV aired My Time Again, a documentary filmed during the final stages of the making of The Pinkprint, which featured behind the scenes clips of Minaj in the studio and in rehearsals, and interviews with Minaj and footage of her with her family.[48] In May 2015, she performed "The Night Is Still Young" and "Hey Mama" at the Billboard Music Awards. Minaj also opened the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance of "Trini Dem Girls", then "The Night Is Still Young" and "Bad Blood" with Taylor Swift.

Minaj supported the album with a 17-date European tour which commenced on March 16, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden and stopped off in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands before ending on April 12, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland. Trey Songz was the opening act.[49]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.6/10[50]
Metacritic70/100[51]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[52]
Billboard[53]
Cuepoint (Expert Witness)A−[54]
Entertainment WeeklyC[55]
Los Angeles Times[56]
NME5/10[57]
Pitchfork7.5/10[58]
Rolling Stone[59]
Spin7/10[60]
USA Today[61]

The Pinkprint received generally positive reviews from critics with many praising the production and her personal lyrics.[62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 70 based on 25 reviews, indicating "generally positive reviews."[51]

Billboard magazine's Niki McGloster called it "her best album to date. Minaj was finally able to out-rap herself and purge issues she's struggled with in private in her most exposed fashion yet".[53] Sheldon Pearce of The A.V. Club thought that The Pinkprint is "the closest Nicki Minaj has ever gotten to balancing her tendencies".[71] Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times wrote that throughout the album, "she's intent on channeling her talent to explore and document her many moods. The combination is often, if not always, intoxicating".[56] In Cuepoint, Robert Christgau commended most of her vulnerable ballads and their "narrative arc", but felt the album is defined more so by the bonus tracks, particularly "Shanghai" and "Win Again", where "Minaj returns to her triumphalist mode prepared to embrace the role of a 32-year-old woman ready for love—even, in both songs, the motherhood she reflects on as the record begins."[54] Pitchfork editor Meaghan Garvey said the last series of songs, including the bonus tracks, comprise "a thrilling, confounding six-song set that elevates The Pinkprint from an occasionally transcendent break-up album to something far more intriguing," and added "the album presented Minaj in her most unexpected role yet: a human being."[58]

In a less enthusiastic review, Spin magazine's Brennan Carley felt the more emotionally vulnerable songs were counterintuitive to the album's success: "Minaj forces herself into her own box, muting her own strengths and songwriting abilities in favor of excising her emotional demons."[60] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times, who found the album to be "full of compromises and half-successes", wrote that Minaj is a less impressive rapper on the more sincere songs where her flow is more measured and plain-spoken: "As a rapper, she's capable of grand technical feats, rapid cadence switching and complex rhyme patterns, but generally she puts those fireworks to the side when diving deep into her feelings."[18] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly was more critical and panned the ballads as "ponderous".[55]

Accolades

Critics' year-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
Complex The 50 Best Albums of 2014
14
Rolling Stone The 40 Best Rap Albums of 2014
3
Spin The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014
33
Critics' decade-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
Pitchfork The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s
166
Rolling Stone The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s
60
Vice The 100 Best Albums of the Decade
84
Awards
Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2015 American Music Awards Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album Won [79]
BET Hip Hop Awards Album of the Year Nominated [80]
Billboard Music Awards Top Rap Album Nominated [81]
2016 58th Annual Grammy Awards Best Rap Album Nominated [82]

Commercial performance

The Pinkprint debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 244,000 album-equivalent units (with 198,000 coming from pure sales and 46,000 combined track-equivalent units and streams) in its first week behind Taylor Swift's 1989 which was spending its sixth week at number one.[83][84] The album was streamed 16.8 million times across all on-demand streaming services in the United States during its first week.[85][86] In its second week on the chart, the album stayed at number two moving an additional 156,000 units, which included 105,000 pure sales.[87][88]The Pinkprint held the number two position for three weeks before falling to number three on the Billboard 200.[89] As of December 2015, the album has sold 682,000 copies in the United States.[90] In February 2016, the RIAA certified the album double platinum, for combined album sales, on-demand audio, video streams, and track sales equivalent of two million album-equivalent units.

Track listing

The Pinkprint — Standard edition[35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."All Things Go"
4:53
2."I Lied"
5:04
3."The Crying Game" (featuring Jessie Ware)
4:25
4."Get On Your Knees" (featuring Ariana Grande)
3:36
5."Feeling Myself" (featuring Beyoncé)
3:57
6."Only" (featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown)
  • Dr. Luke
  • Cirkut
  • JMIKE
5:12
7."Want Some More" (featuring Jeremih)
3:49
8."Four Door Aventador"
Parker3:02
9."Favorite" (featuring Jeremih)
4:02
10."Buy a Heart" (featuring Meek Mill)
  • Maraj
  • R. Williams
  • Graham
  • Ward
  • Alicia Keys
  • Armond Redmen
  • Arch Tha Boss
  • Hitmaka
4:15
11."Trini Dem Girls" (featuring LunchMoney Lewis)
  • Maraj
  • Coleman
  • Gottwald
  • Hindlin
  • Gamal Lewis
  • Theron Thomas
  • Alexander Castillo Vasquez
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Cirkut
  • A.C
  • JMIKE
3:14
12."Anaconda"
4:20
13."The Night Is Still Young"
  • Maraj
  • Dean
  • Gottwald
  • Theron Thomas
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Cirkut
3:47
14."Pills n Potions"
  • Maraj
  • Dean
  • Gottwald
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Cirkut
4:27
15."Bed of Lies" (featuring Skylar Grey)
4:29
16."Grand Piano"
4:19
Total length:66:51
The Pinkprint — iTunes Store edition (bonus track)[91]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Truffle Butter" (featuring Drake and Lil Wayne)
Nineteen853:39
Total length:70:30
The Pinkprint — Deluxe edition (bonus track)[36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Big Daddy" (featuring Meek Mill)
  • Maraj
  • R. Williams
  • Ronald LaTour
  • Johnny Juliano
  • Daveon Jackson
  • Brock Korsan
3:25
18."Shanghai"
  • Maraj
  • Robert V Sample
  • Steven Nathaniel Pugh
  • Irvin Whitlow
  • Deshawn Kennedy
  • Ward
  • Chinza//Fly
  • Minaj[a]
3:39
19."Win Again"
  • Maraj
  • Shama "Sak Pase" Joseph
  • Lasanna Harris
Joseph4:10
Total length:77:59
The Pinkprint — Japanese edition (bonus tracks)[38]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."Wamables"
  • Maraj
  • Proctor
  • Diaz
  • Soko
  • Fisher
  • Francisco Ramirez
  • The Order
  • Detail[a]
3:13
Total length:81:12
The Pinkprint — 2015 iTunes Store deluxe edition (bonus content)[92]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."Truffle Butter" (featuring Drake and Lil Wayne)
  • Maraj
  • Graham
  • Carter, Jr.
  • Jefferies
  • Coles
Nineteen853:39
21."YMCMB & Beats By Dre Presents: The Pinkprint Movie"  16:14
Total length:97:52
The Pinkprint — Target and international deluxe edition (bonus tracks)[93][94][95][96]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."Mona Lisa"
Detail3:28
21."Put You in a Room"
  • The Order
  • Detail[a]
2:59
Total length:79:18
The Pinkprint — 2017 digital deluxe edition (bonus tracks)[36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."Truffle Butter" (featuring Drake and Lil Wayne)
  • Maraj
  • Graham
  • Carter, Jr.
  • Jefferies
  • Coles
Nineteen853:39
21."Mona Lisa"
  • Maraj
  • Noel Fisher
  • Andre Proctor
Detail3:28
22."Put You in a Room"
  • Maraj
  • Proctor
  • Rasool Diaz
  • Brian Soko
  • Fisher
  • The Order
  • Detail[a]
2:59
23."Wamables"
  • Maraj
  • Proctor
  • Diaz
  • Soko
  • Fisher
  • Ramirez
  • The Order
  • Detail[a]
3:13
Total length:91:00

Notes[2]

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies an additional vocal producer
  • "Want Some More" contains additional vocals by Jeremih.
  • "Shanghai" contains additional vocals by Yung Berg.
  • "Buy a Heart" contains excerpts of "Stay" performed by Henry Krinkle and "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" performed by Alicia Keys.
  • "Anaconda" contains a sample of "Baby Got Back" performed by Sir Mix-a-Lot.
  • "Grand Piano" contains interpolations from "Rush Rush", written by Peter Lord and performed by Paula Abdul.
  • "Truffle Butter" contains a sample of "What They Say" performed by Maya Jane Coles.
  • Some initial physical copies of the album did not include Jessie Ware's feature on "The Crying Game" due to a printing mistake.[17]
  • In order to fit all tracks on the disc, the physical copies of the Japanese and international deluxe editions feature many tracks edited shorter.[97][98]

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[99]

Performance

Production

Technical

  • A.C. – instrumentation, programming
  • John Armstrong – recording assistant
  • Chris Athens – mastering
  • Todd Bergman – engineer, recording assistant
  • Boi-1da – instrumentation
  • Noel Cadastre – engineer
  • Cirkut – instrumentation, programming
  • John Cranfield – recording assistant
  • Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine – engineer, mixing
  • Dr. Luke – instrumentation, programming
  • Rachael Findlen – engineer, recording assistant
  • Ashanti "The Mad Violinist" Floyd – strings
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Clint Gibbs – engineer
  • John Hanes – engineer, mixing
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing
  • JMIKE – instrumentation, programming
  • Dustin Kapulong – recording assistant
  • Ryan Kaul – mixing assistant
  • Caleb Laven – vocal editing
  • Omar Loya – engineer
  • Fabian Marasciullo – mixing
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing
  • Cameron Montgomery – recording assistant
  • Irene Richter – production coordination
  • Allen Ritter – instrumentation
  • Ramon Rivas – recording assistant
  • Tim Roberts – mixing assistant
  • Phil Seaford – mixing assistant
  • Ben Sedano – recording assistant
  • Brandon Mr. B Speed – engineer
  • Brian Springer – engineer
  • Chris Tabron – engineer
  • Vinylz – instrumentation
  • Stuart White – engineer
  • Daniel Zaidenstadt – engineer

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for The Pinkprint
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[133] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[134] Gold 10,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[135] Gold 10,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[136] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[137] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[138] 2× Platinum 682,000[90]

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for The Pinkprint
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Germany December 12, 2014
[139]
United Kingdom December 15, 2014 [140]
United States [34]
Japan December 24, 2014 CD Universal Music Japan [141]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Conte, Richard (August 6, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Says There Will Be No Guest Features On 'The Pink Print'". Design & Trend. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  2. 1 2 The Pinkprint (booklet). Nicki Minaj. Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, Republic Records. 2014. 00602547163844.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ↑ "Nicki Minaj prepares 'next level' new album for 2014 release". NME. IPC Media. November 5, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Skylar Grey". Billboard. November 11, 2014.
  5. ↑ "16 Things We Learned About The Pinkprint From Nicki Minaj's Twitter Q&A". MTV. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  6. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (August 4, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Explains How Beyonce's 'Flawless' Remix Came to Be". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Covers 'FADER' Magazine, Talks 'The Pink Print', Mixtape Days & BET Awards Speech: 6 Pics". Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com. August 5, 2014.
  8. ↑ "The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj". Genius. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Fall Music Preview 2014: 25 Must-Hear Albums". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Nicki Minaj's interwiew on NRJ Lebanon". SoundCloud.
  11. ↑ "Nicki Minaj recorded 25 songs for "The Pinkprint"". November 7, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Talks Being The EMAs Best Ever Host And Her Upcoming Album 'The Pinkprint'". MTV UK.
  13. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Will 'Focus On Rap' For Upcoming Album". Billboard.
  14. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Complex Cover Story".
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Lockett, Dee. "Nicki Minaj's The Pinkprint: A Track-by-Track Breakdown". Slate. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  16. ↑ Mistry, Anupa (December 16, 2014). Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint'. Complex. Archived at the Wayback Machine (archived February 27, 2015)
  17. 1 2 Ohanwe, Malcolm (July 3, 2016). "Jessie Ware about Nicki Minaj not crediting her, racism in R&B/soul, work with Miguel, MalcolmMusic". MalcolmMusic. YouTube. Retrieved July 3, 2016. – starts around 4:00 minutes.
  18. 1 2 Caramanica, Jon (December 15, 2014). "Review: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Reveals New Single Title at 2014 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nicki Minaj Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  21. ↑ Brandle, Lars (August 4, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Previews Steamy 'Anaconda' Video, Unleashes Full Track". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  22. ↑ Mitchell, Gail (December 12, 2014). "Billboard Year in Music 2014: Nicki Minaj on Getting Sir Mix-A-Lot's Blessing for 'Anaconda'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  23. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Only (feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown) – Single by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  24. ↑ Cantor, Brian (February 2015). "Truffle Butter Now Set As Nicki Minaj's New Pop Single".
  25. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Confirms New Single 'The Night Is Still Young' UK Release Date". Official Charts.
  26. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Lookin Ass Nigga". WorldStarHipHop. February 12, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Is 'Obsessed' With Jay Z, That's Why She Named Her Album Pink Print". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – Complex Cover Story".
  29. ↑ "Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – 'The Pinkprint'". Rap-Up.
  30. ↑ "Album Cover: Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Releases 'The Pinkprint' Track List". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  32. ↑ Fleischer, Adam. "Nicki Minaj Gives The Pink Print A Release Date — Kind Of". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  33. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (September 10, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Reveals 'The Pinkprint' Album Release Date". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  34. 1 2 Stutz, Colin. "Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Release Date Pushed Back to December". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  35. 1 2 "Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Standard Edition". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Deluxe Edition". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  37. ↑ Flemmon, Ej (December 15, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Sits Atop iTunes Top 5 For New Album 'The Pink Print,' Plus Pics Of Her 2015 Calendar". Design & Trend. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  38. 1 2 "Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint — Japanese Deluxe". CDJapan. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  40. ↑ Rowley, Alison (December 12, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Pinkprint Albums Sold Without 'Anaconda' After Production Error". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  41. ↑ Blake, Emily. "Nicki Minaj Says 'Hell No' To Another 'Super Bass'". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  42. ↑ Minsker, Evan (December 7, 2014). "Nicki Minaj Performs 'Only', 'All Things Go', and 'Bed of Lies', Appears as Beyonce on SNL". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Nicki Minaj performs 'Bed of Lies' on Ellen". Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Nicki Minaj performs 'Bed of Lies' on The Today Show". Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Nicki Minaj visits The Tonight Show". Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  46. ↑ "BET's 106 & Park Airs Final Episode". Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Dishes On Beyoncé, Aiana Grande's 'Inner Freak' On 'The Real'". Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Watch Nicki Minaj's"My Time Again" Documentary". Complex Networks.
  49. ↑ "Nicki Minaj announces 'The Pinkprint' European Tour". Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  50. ↑ "The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  51. 1 2 "Reviews for The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj". Metacritic. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  52. ↑ Jeffries, David. "The Pinkprint – Nicki Minaj". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  53. 1 2 McGloster, Niki (December 15, 2014). "Nicki Minaj, 'The Pinkprint': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard. New York. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  54. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (December 26, 2014). "Robert Christgau: Expert Witness". Cuepoint. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  55. 1 2 Anderson, Kyle (December 17, 2014). "The Pinkprint". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  56. 1 2 Roberts, Randall (December 15, 2014). "Review: The many moods of Nicki Minaj on 'The Pinkprint'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  57. ↑ Cottingham, Chris (December 15, 2014). "Nicki Minaj – 'The Pinkprint'". NME. London. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  58. 1 2 Garvey, Meaghan (December 16, 2014). "Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  59. ↑ Dolan, Jon (December 17, 2014). "The Pinkprint". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  60. 1 2 Carley, Brennan (December 16, 2014). "Review: Nicki Minaj Gets Uncomfortably Personal on 'The Pinkprint'". Spin. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  61. ↑ Gardner, Elysa (December 15, 2014). "Review: Minaj tough, tender, troubling on 'Pinkprint'". USA Today. McLean. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  62. ↑ Spanos, Brittany (December 22, 2015). "How Nicki Minaj Courted Controversy, Expanded Empire in 2015". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  63. ↑ Echevarria, Joe (December 15, 2018). "Nicki Minaj Drops 'The Pinkprint' Album – Today in Hip-Hop - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  64. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Through the Years: From Rap Queen to Mom and Beyond". Us Weekly. December 8, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  65. ↑ Robertson, Iyana (February 23, 2015). "Want Some More: Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Hits A Sales Milestone". Vibe. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  66. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Might Release A Mixtape, But Her Desire To Set An Example For Female Rappers Is What's Truly Amazing". Bustle. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  67. ↑ "Album Review: Nicki Minaj Reasserts Her Dominance On 'Queen'". Idolator. August 10, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  68. ↑ "Nicki Minaj releases the music video for latest song Bed featuring Ariana Grande". Irish Independent. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  69. ↑ Fagen, Lucas (February 21, 2015). "Nicki Minaj's Greatest Hits, Hardcore Bangerz Edition". Hyperallergic. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  70. ↑ Geller, Wendy. "Nicki Minaj channels her inner Cleopatra on topless album cover". Yahoo! News. Retrieved February 16, 2022. "Queen will be released on Aug. 8 and marks Minaj’s first release since the critically acclaimed The Pinkprint in 2014."
  71. ↑ Pearce, Sheldon (December 16, 2014). "Review: Nicki Minaj unwittingly defends poptimism with raw outbursts of feeling". The A.V. Club. Chicago. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  72. ↑ "The 50 Best Albums of 2014". Complex. December 31, 2014.
  73. ↑ 14. Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint
  74. ↑ "The 40 Best Rap Albums of 2014". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  75. ↑ "The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014". Spin. December 12, 2014.
  76. ↑ Pitchfork. "The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  77. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s". Rolling Stone. December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  78. ↑ "The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s". Vice.
  79. ↑ "American Music Awards 2015: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. November 22, 2015.
  80. ↑ "BET Hip Hop Awards 2015: Nominations". Billboard.
  81. ↑ "Billboard Music Awards 2015: Full List of Nominees". Billboard.
  82. ↑ "Grammy Artist Page Nicki Minaj". December 15, 2020.
  83. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (December 24, 2014). "Taylor Swift Back at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Nicki Minaj Debuts at No. 2". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  84. ↑ Mendizabal, Amaya (December 26, 2014). "Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  85. ↑ Balfour, Jay. "Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, D'Angelo". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  86. ↑ Mendizabal, Amaya. "Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' Debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  87. ↑ "Taylor Swift's Album Is #1 for the Seventh Week". yahoo.com. January 1, 2015.
  88. ↑ Balfour, Jay. "Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Rae Sremmurd". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  89. ↑ HipHopDX (January 14, 2015). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Nicki Minaj, J. Cole & Iggy Azalea". HipHopDX.
  90. 1 2 Needleman, David. "Nicki Minaj Fronts Billboard No. 1s Year-End Cover in Raw, Revealing Interview: 'Fans Know My Struggle. I Was Ruthless'". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  91. ↑ "iTunes – Music – The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store (GB). December 15, 2014.
  92. ↑ "iTunes – Music – The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store (US). January 19, 2015.
  93. ↑ "Nicki Minaj — The Pinkprint (Deluxe Edition) — Target Exclusive". Target. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  94. ↑ "The Pinkprint — Deluxe Edition". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  95. ↑ "PINKPRINT, THE (DELUXE EDITION) – CD & DVD Music, Music Genres, Urban Grooves / Hip Hop : JB HI-FI". jbhifi.co.nz. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  96. ↑ Doğan Müzik Kitap Mağazacılık ve Pazarlama A.Ş. "The Pinkprint [Deluxe Edition]". Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  97. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/release/6408124-Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint
  98. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/release/6900964-Nicki-Minaj-The-Pinkprint
  99. ↑ "The Pinkprint — Nicki Minaj: Credits". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  100. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  101. ↑ "Top 40 Urban Chart – Australian Record Industry Association". Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  102. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  103. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  104. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  105. ↑ "Tjedan 1. 2015" (in Croatian). Hrvatska Diskografska Udruga. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  106. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  107. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  108. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  109. ↑ "Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  110. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  111. ↑ "Official IFPI ChartsTop-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 3/2015)" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  112. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 51, 2014". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  113. ↑ "Classifica Settimanale". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  114. ↑ "ニッキー・ミナージュ – ザ・ピンクプリント". Oricon. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  115. ↑ "Charts.nz – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  116. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  117. ↑ 27, 2014/40/ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  118. ↑ "2015년 01주차 Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  119. ↑ "Top Albums". Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  120. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  121. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  122. ↑ "Nicki Minaj | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  123. ↑ "UK R&B Albums Chart Archive – Week Ending: December 27, 2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  124. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  125. ↑ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  126. ↑ "Billboard Top Canadian Albums – Year-end Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  127. ↑ "Årslista Album – År 2015" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  128. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-end Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  129. ↑ "Digital Albums Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  130. ↑ "Top Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-end Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  131. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  132. ↑ "Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  133. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Music Canada. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  134. ↑ "Danish album certifications – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  135. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2015 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  136. ↑ "Veckolista Album, vecka 24, 2015 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 7, 2020. Scroll to position 46 to view certification.
  137. ↑ "British album certifications – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  138. ↑ "American album certifications – Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint". Recording Industry Association of America.
  139. ↑ "NICKI MINAJ – The Pinkprint – Diskografie". www.universal-music.de. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  140. ↑ "The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon UK.
  141. ↑ "ザ・ピンクプリント[CD] – ニッキー・ミナージュ". Universal Music Japan. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.