Nicki Minaj is Back

5.11.21

@nickiminaj

We last heard new music from Nicki Minaj last November where she featured on NBA Youngboy and Mike Will Made It’s What That Speed Bout. In the music video for the track, she was pretty far along in her pregnancy with her baby son. It has been about seven months since the baby has been born, and since we have last heard new music from Nicki. Her time overall on social media and the limelight has been rather dim, but as of last night, she is back with a message. Posting a new image on Instagram that is simply titled F R I D A Y, it does feel like the possibility for new music is strong.

It certainly makes sense to take some time with your family, especially after having your first new born. But what will Nicki’s comeback look like today. Prior to the baby, we were seeing less of a consistency of Nicki Minaj, and more of a consistency from new female rappers popping up everywhere we turn. Last year, Nicki did the Teskahi song, she did the Whole Lotta Choppas Remix, and What That Speed Bout. A few others from the top of 2020, but these were all features, many with interesting choices of artists. Nicki’s last studio album Queen in 2018 was certified platinum, but one of her slowest projects to date. Four years later, it will be interesting to see what we get from Nicki.

I do not think it will be an album right away, though it could be a way to take back the crown, since it did take Cardi B nine months to back out with just a single. At the same time, typically when there is a feature involved, we get a bit more information or context from the images that are shared as a snippet. Would Nicki Minaj really just drop a solo single as her first song back? After only doing big features for so long? It would have to be one crazy single.

The fact that Nicki Minaj is making her way back into the music industry, will also be a bit different of a ballgame for her. During her time coming up, she was the only female in the industry at the time. Clearly, there was some intense beefs years later when Cardi B stepped into the scene. Now, there are dozens of female artists in the hip-hop industry that are truly doing great things. Nicki has in the past worked with Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat. According to some brief nods in interviews, the beef between Nicki and Cardi may be over. However, there has been a recent beef started between Nicki and Stefflon Don.

I personally would love to see something where Nicki takes all of the top ladies right now and does something big with them. Whether they be on a track, featured in the music video, or go on a Summer Tour together pending the safety. It even began trending this week that Rihanna and Nicki Minaj had just followed each other on Instagram. I am not sure who was keeping tabs on this timeline, or why they would not have been following each other prior, but this lead many to believe it could be a RiRi collab. And boy, the world has been waiting for new Rihanna for even longer. Of course would also love to see some good old Cash Money. Lil Wayne just signed his new deal, and Drake is tip-toeing around dropping Certified Lover Boy. Maybe the dynamic trio was just waiting for everyone to be ready, and now is the time.

Well, thankfully Friday is just around the corner. Now we have J. Cole’s new album, and something from Nicki Minaj on the way. Going to be a heavy New Music Friday.