'The Pinkprint': Ranking the collabs on Nicki Minaj's new album
Guess what, guys? Nicki Minaj's long-awaited third album, ThePinkprint, is finally out today -- and it's pretty killer. Because we love a good Nicki collaboration, here is a definitive ranking of the featured artists the current Queen of Rap summoned to her throne this go-around:
9. Lunchmoney Lewis, Trini Dem Girls
Yes, we understand that Nicki is Trinidad-born. But with very little rapping and banal lyrics like, "He want a bad girl to spend his money / He say it taste good, just like honey," this sounds more like a poor Rihanna or Shakira knockoff.
8. Drake and Lil Wayne, Truffle Butter
We love it when Nicki exerts her dominance as she does here, and Drake's verse is reliably strong. But Wayne brings the otherwise upbeat song down with his uninspired effort, rapping gems such as, "LOL to the bank checkin' my account / Bank teller flirtin' after checkin' my account." We'll stick with the Young Money trio's other Pinkprint offering, Only.
7. Skylar Grey, Bed of Lies
Skylar's generic chorus is nothing to write home about, but Nicki also turns in some of her most heartfelt rhymes yet on this pop ballad, rapping about a relationship gone south.
6. Meek Mill, Buy a Heart
Again, we're not completely sold on the grating chorus (sorry, Meek). But with so much to love about the song -- Nicki's fierce (but too brief) verse, and sleek production by Yung Berg and Arch Tha Boss -- this one will no doubt grow on us.
5. Ariana Grande, Get on Your Knees
No, it's not as bombastic as their Jessie J collaboration Bang Bang, but this one definitely has top-40 potential, or at the very least, to get a pretty sick EDM remix. This is as much Ari's song as it is Nicki's, and we have to say, we like hearing a more mature side of the pint-sized powerhouse. A sample lyric from the bridge: "I want you on all fours / And before I let you walk, you gotta show me how you crawl."
4. Chris Brown, Drake and Lil Wayne, Only
The lyric video's Nazi-esque imagery is still troubling, but lyrically, we think all four artists are at the top of their game on this aggressive track. Even if punchlines about duct tape and chicken cutlets aren't your cup of tea, it's a welcome addition to the more pop and R&B-leaning fare on Pinkprint.
3. Jeremih, Favorite
This is unlike anything we've ever heard Nicki rap over before, and for that alone, it's an album highlight. Although, it certainly doesn't hurt that Don't Tell 'Em singer Jeremih delivers a memorable hook, and in a sea of more downbeat tracks, it's refreshing to get some verses about Nicki actually being in love.
2. Jessie Ware, The Crying Game
Whatever powers-that-be made this collaboration happen, we are eternally grateful. Although the British up-and-comer is not credited as a featured artist, her silky vocals floating over the guitar-driven chorus are heavenly.
1. Beyoncé, Feeling Myself
What can we say? As fantastic as many of the other collabs are, this was the clear winner right from the get-go. It's a downright sexy song, and Bey knows how to tease us just enough without ever stealing the spotlight from Nicki. An even stronger outing than their beloved Flawless Remix this summer? It's apples and oranges, but this is a club-ready jam that's bound to explode in 2015.