Everything We Know About Nicki Minaj’s ‘Queen’
Nicki Minaj fans have been extremely patient since the release of The Pinkprint, now four years ago. Even after what happened last year when Minaj deluded fans with a false start album rollout with three songs (released at the apex of her beef with Remy Ma) including “No Frauds.”
But just a few months ago, Nicki Minaj clobbered her hiatus by dropping two searing singles, “Chun-Li” and “Barbie Tingz“, which not-so-subtly reminded fans that Nicki is still one of the best in the business, and continues to up her game. While “Barbie Tingz” is just now slowly fizzling out, “Chun-Li” has become one of Nicki’s biggest solo hits in years, peaking at No. 10 and holding on inside the Top 40.
At first, Nicki Minaj announced her new album Queen would arrive June 15th. But unfortunately, Minaj had to push the album release back to August 10th. Minaj told fans in an Instagram Live: “Trust me, it’s the better choice. I’m so excited. This album is so f**king incredible and it’s because I can’t give ya’ll half-ass. I refuse to. This is my best album. Everyone that’s heard this album has said it’s my best album.”
Minaj has yet to release a tracklist, though presumably “Barbie Tingz” and “Chun Li”—in addition to the recently released “Rich Sex” (feat. Lil’ Wayne) and “Bed” (feat. Ariana Grande)—will be on the record. Otherwise, Minaj appears to be holding things close to the vest.
During a recent Zane Lowe interview, Minaj said she began working on the album in earnest in December 2017, though some songs were written as far back as a year and a half ago. Minaj also told Lowe that there will be a documentary about the making of Queen, set to be released by Apple Music.
#Queen 8|10|18 ???~ ? by the legendary #MertAndMarcus. My greatest work to date. Thank you for your patience & love. Pre-Order next week ?? pic.twitter.com/kxxtACc1da
— Chun-Li (@NICKIMINAJ) June 7, 2018
On the heels of Nicki Minaj’s recent release of “Rich Sex” feat. Lil Wayne, the Queens-MC announced the NICKIHNDRXX Tour with Future. The 28-city trek in North America will include stops in Brooklyn, Miami, Dallas, and Los Angeles, before concluding in Las Vegas Nov. 24. Then, the duo will continue the NICKIHNDRXX Tour in Europe.
Since the pre-order of Nicki Minaj’s Queen began, fans were able to see that her upcoming LP would span 19 tracks, of which “Bed”, “Rich Sex”, and “Chun-Li” definitely seem to be apart of. In terms of direction, when Minaj spoke to the New York Times Style Magazine, she said that her upcoming LP needed to be a “classic” rap album.
“The Pink Print was almost like my diary, closing the chapter on certain things and not knowing if I was happy or sad about beginning new chapters. I was really writing about feeling unsure. Now, I can tell you guys what happened for the last two years of my life. I know who I am. I am getting Nicki Minaj figured out with this album and I’m loving her.”
Queen, out August 10th, will definitely be one of the most exciting album releases this Summer. Don’t forget to buy your NICKIHNDRXX Tour tickets soon, as they are certain to sell out fast.