Music

Nicki Minajs Queen is a good album but the negativity around her overshadows it

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Nicki released Queen last Friday (Picture: Cash Money)

Nicki Minaj promised to come back with fire and, boy, did she bring the heat.

The Super Bass rapper released her long-awaited fourth album, Queen, last Friday to great expectations and pressure. It has been four years since weve heard a Nicki album and many of her recent string of singles, aside from Fefe, havent favoured as well on the charts compared to her previous successes.

Given the enormity of Nickis character, it was expected that her return to music would be felt, but what happened next was, somewhat, unprecedented.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock (9726158ay) Nicki Minaj BET Awards, Show, Los Angeles, USA - 24 Jun 2018
Nicki has made quite a dramatic return after four years (Picture: Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock)

Nicki, 35, disappeared for much of 2017, even taking a break from social media to ferociously work on her anticipated record. Her prime focus was clearly the music.

However Queens release week, unfortunately, couldnt have been less about the music.

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Much of the attention surrounding Nicki has been simply negative.

An explosive set of Twitter feuds between Nicki and Safaree, Nicki and DJ Self, Nicki and Mariah Lynn and Nicki and Dream Doll (sigh) kept everyone scrolling through their timelines this week.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock (9202169y) Nicki Minaj CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Gala, Arrivals, New York, USA - 06 Nov 2017
Nicki came to Twitter blows with her ex Safaree this week (Picture: Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock)

The whole drama seemingly came out of nowhere but, needless to say, it completely overshadowed any talk about the actual content of Queen.

The Twitter drama started after Nicki refused to record a drop for DJ Selfs Power 105.1 radio show. Rather than quietly decline and keep her promo tour moving, Nicki aired the issue on Twitter without any prompt.

Yes, it seems she aired her own dirty laundry for us all to see.

Then, things took a bizarre turn.

Somehow, her ex-boyfriend Safaree Samuels got involved with the row and the whole situation escalated.

Tensions were high that day after Nicki said in an interview with Hot 97: You dont know the fucked up shit he did to me.

That statement was like opening Pandoras Box because after that, Nicki accused Safaree of stealing her credit cards, hiring prostitutes with her money and, worst of all, she appeared to out him.

No, not his sexuality, the fact he had cosmetic surgery on his hairline. Oh, and not just Safarees hairline. Nicki exposed rapper Tyga for having the same procedure too.

Safaree Samuels and Nicki Minaj
Nicki and Safaree were together for around 10 years (Picture: Mike Pont/FilmMagic)

It wasnt just Nicki dishing out the dirt – Safaree escalated the beef by accusing his former girlfriend of 10 years of cutting him during an argument.

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This is the kind of drama youd expect from the stars of Love & Hip Hop, not a respected rap superstar and a… Oh wait, Safaree is a star of Love & Hip Hop. So perhaps this would be expected of him – but it shouldnt be of Nicki.

No, Nicki has achieved too much to allow her big release week to be overshadowed by feuds.

So why, when presented with the perfect opportunity to really reclaim her throne and prove just why shes the Queen of rap, did Nicki choose this moment to make her private issues public?

Nicki and Safaree split four years ago so its difficult to fathom why were only hearing the most private details of their relationship only now. You might argue that Nicki has everything to gain as, all publicity is good publicity, apparently.

But, does she have everything to lose too?

Safaree Samuels tweets allegations against Nicki Minaj
Safaree alleged Nicki attacked him so severely he nearly died (Picture: Twitter)

Its no secret that Nickis position at the top of rap, in her absence, has been challenged by the ascent of another female rapper. Cardi B rose in the dark of night to win us over with her humble attitude and hilariously infectious personality.

The extent of Cardi Bs drama pretty much reaches her clapping back at haters on social media and, even when there are tabloid reports on her marriage to Offset, the couple rarely take their personal problems to social media.

When you have the un-messiness of Cardi B, the messiness surrounding Nicki this week is difficult to swallow.

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While Nicki has played down rumours of a beef between herself and Cardi, fans think otherwise.

Many are convinced that Ganja Burn, the opening track of Queen, is littered with shade aimed at Cardi.

Lyrics such as: You cant wear a Nicki wig and then be Nicki, and, Unlike a lot of these hoes whether wack or lit / At least I can say I wrote every rap I spit, do little to suggest otherwise.

Ultimately, the negativity just isnt necessary…

More: Nicki Minaj

Everyone knows that when Nicki goes hard and delivers a Monster-style verse, she is rap perfection.

A little more of this Nicki and a little less of the drama weve seen this week, would be a lot more valuable to her career.

Be a true Queen, Nicki, and let your talent speak for itself.

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MORE: Nicki Minaj reveals there was almost a Drake collaboration on her new album Queen

MORE: Nicki Minajs ex Safaree Samuels accuses her of cutting him in assault

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