BET Awards 2024: 5 Epic Things to Know About Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday 2’ Album
Rap icon and trendsetter Nicki Minaj has secured a dominant position in the nominations at the upcoming BET Awards 2024, leading the pack alongside fellow powerhouse Drake with six noms each.
The New York native has been named a contender in several categories, including “Best Female Hip Hop Artist,” “Video of the Year,” and “BET Her.” The “Barbie World” emcee secured two nominations in the “Best Collaboration” category and an “Album of the Year” nomination for her fifth solo project, Pink Friday 2.
The 22-song project signaled the veteran’s return to the rap scene following a brief hiatus. PF2 spawned six singles, including the trap record “Super Freaky” and the viral smash hit “FTCU,” which features a sample of "Fuck the Club Up" by Waka Flocka Flame featuring Pastor Troy and Slim Dunkin.
Nicki delivered the long-awaited effort earlier this year to critical acclaim, and ahead of culture’s biggest night, we are celebrating the release that broke the internet with several essential things you should know. And don’t forget to tune into the BET Awards 2024, hosted by Golden Globe-winning actress Taraji P. Henson, when it airs on Sunday, June 30, at 8 p.m., live from Los Angeles, CA.
And let’s not forget the highly anticipated return of the BET Experience 2024, Presented by Walmart. The week-long celebration promises star-studded performances, comedy shows, thought-provoking panels, and hands-on workshops to immerse you in the heart of the cultural revolution. For BET Experience, Presented by Walmart tickets, click here.
Fans were eagerly awaiting its debut
Pink Friday 2 marked Nicki’s fifth studio album and her first solo project in five years following the release of Queen 2018.
Nicki’s fanbase, the Barbs, even created artificial intelligence to create their fictional city, creating and sharing images of metropolises with the same pink, dreamlike aesthetic featured in the album’s cover art leading up to the release. All aboard to Gag City!
Several industry legends made an appearance
Nicki pulled out all the stops for the release of her album. The emcee tapped several of her industry peers for the project, including J. Cole, Drake, Lil Wayne, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Skillibeng, Tasha Cobbs, Leonard, and more. The Gag City Deluxe edition added 50 Cent, Monica, and Keyshia Cole to the lineup.
There are tons of notable samples
Nicki did not shy away from crate diving for this album. Pink Friday 2 features several tracks that borrow significant elements from iconic songs. For instance, “Super Freaky Girl” samples Rick James' chart-topping 1981 hit, "Super Freak,'' while fans can hear Lumidee's 2003 hit "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" woven into "Red Ruby Da Sleaze.”
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Life and death were among the major themes throughout the project
The album reaches its most emotionally profound moments as Nicki Minaj grapples with the juxtaposition of her father's sudden death in a hit-and-run accident in February 2021 and the birth of her son, affectionately nicknamed Papa Bear, in September 2020.
These two pivotal events, coupled with the heartbreaking reality that her father never had the opportunity to meet his grandson, serve as the poignant focal point of the album.
Her skills are aging like fine wine
The veteran repeatedly uses the “Super Duper Flow,” coined after the Big Sean record. This technique is evident in lines such as "Peek under my dress — Marilyn Monroe," featured on a track titled "Cowgirl."
Tune in to the BET Awards 2024 on Sunday, June 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
