Certain artists really know how to hone in on their artistry. They know what brought them to the limelight in the first place. Pink Friday did just that for Nicki Minaj back in 2010 and it landed her an array of fans that you would never imagine, like me. Why? Because she’s personal, she throws in Pop and feel-good vibes through her storytelling. Oftentimes, with a lot of hip-hop/rap albums, you really have to listen to an EP or album from start to finish because it is a continuous story from track to track. Or, just like on Minaj’s latest project Pink Friday 2, the tracks flow so well together you feel like she put the puzzle pieces together on the first try.
Admittedly, when Nicki Minaj first burst onto the music scene I grouped her in with every other artist in her genre and swept her away with each of them. After really diving into music, I soon found a new appreciation for artists like her, J. Cole, (the king of speed, in my opinion) – Eminem, and Drake. I believe this to be attributed to their ability to craft their music to a retrospective outlook along with tinges of Pop or R&B/Soul elements.
Minaj knows how to best utilize her attitude to propel all of her music forward. She dominates the charts, because she knows how to stand firm in her artistry and personality overall. She never hides away from a setback (if she were to have one) and she kicks down the door in her way ten times harder. Conversely, Pink Friday 2 just has FUN, much like its predecessor.
The album is filled with 3-minute uplifting beats like, my personal favorite “Pink Friday Birthday,” “Super Freaky Girl,” “Barbie Dangerous,” and “Pink Friday Girls.” It does not go without its deep cuts, but smartly, they are more saved to the end; while still being poignant and masterful add-ons (“Last Time I Saw You,” and “Just The Memories.”) Whatever you might be looking for from Nicki, she is about to deliver to your ear with a force like none other. Don’t let me spoil too much, just take a listen for yourself. This album will make you a fan, or at the very least it will make you do a double-take on the queen taking back her throne amongst hip-hop and rap talent of today.
Key Tracks: “Let Me Calm Down (feat. J. Cole);” “RNB (feat. Lil Wayne & Tate Kobang);” “Pink Birthday;” “Red Ruby Da Sleeze;” “Pink Friday Girls.”
It’s not everyday you can see someone making a lifetime career fresh into the spotlight. Leave it to the one and only Dolly Parton to help good talent shine through when she sees it. Haha ok… maybe it wasn’t actually Dolly who discovered Carly Pearce, but singing at the Dollywood theme park definitely boosted the momentum of her impending-to-now stardom. After a short, 4-year glitch, recovering from a record deal gone wrong; Pearce began the ascension to musical glory.
Upon the release of a duet with Josh Abbott “Wasn’t That Drunk,”Pearce found herself garnering much more serious airplay. But then, with the assistance and magic of producer Busbee, Carly Pearce soon found herself becoming a household name. With the release of “Every Little Thing” in 2017, that was the moment the singer’s world changed. That one song melted the hearts of all those who feel the sorrow and pain, etched in memory, of a love gone terribly wrong; but some of it still felt so right. Soon to follow, we got a peak of her lighters side on “Hide the Wine.” It was fun, flirty, and was a great compliment to her debut single. We got to see how quick-changing and versatile Carly Pearce’s writing can be while allowing her true personality to showcase in her music.
Carly Pearce, Every Little Thing
It took three years to 2020, to garner new material from Pearce. She was busy riding high on tours with the likes of big names like Lady Antebellum & Hunter Hayes, and Rascal Flatts; even headlining her very own Way Back Tour with Russell Dickerson. On a more personal note, her 2019-2020 year was her rollercoaster to ride. From turning 30 to marrying and divorcing fellow country musician Michael Ray, to the uncertainty of COVID-19, and ultimately to losing her greatest friend and mentor of the music world – renowned music producer, Busbee; Carly Pearce swore off the negativity of the past year with hit music. Her eponymous second album Carly Pearce, made major headway with “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” The single shot up faster than any of her previous work, thus accrediting her multiple nominations and wins across the plethora of country music award shows throughout the year. While more upbeat, “I Hope Your Happy Now” was right in Pearce’s element of tugging on your heartstrings, as Lee Brice lent his vocals and musical prowess for the other half of this ‘blame it on me,’ touch-of-pop single. The album also included promotional hits like: “Closer to You” (one of my personal favorites), “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” and “Call Me.” Other songs including:”Dashboard Jesus,” and “Finish Your Sentences” (ironically enough, which was a duet with her now ex-husband Michael Ray). The album was severely undersold with just the attention on the two singles, whereas, more attention on my favorites and “Call Me” would have given a longer lifespan to the album’s popularity.
As the new year began, Carly reclaimed 2021 as her personal rise back on top of her confidence and creative artistry. She released her third round of music in February of this year. The lead single “Next Girl” was an ode to that same feeling of saying goodbye to the divorce drama. Alerting the new beau that the singer sees her ex out with, she pulls her aside and lets her in on all the phrases and attempts at wooing the guy puts into motion over the new girl. “Should’ve Known Better” follows with a roll-with-the-punches attitude. The singer proclaims, “I gave you my heart. You let it go to waste.” She says of how the relationship should’ve never progressed at the first red flags. The title track explains of how it is the age where, in her mind or what she’s been lead to believe, everything is suppose to go to pure independence. But, all that happened was it became the year “she’ll never live down.” If this the album didn’t have you stuck feeling heartbroken already. The major loss of Busbee to Carly and the music industry overall is showcased in plain view on “Show Me Around.” The song, while sorrowful of his passing, is a shining example of hoping to see him in the hereafter and that he will reunite to show Pearce all he has seen and done since leaving the world. It is a thrilling example of imagery and wonder that Carly Pearce effortlessly puts to good use, and Lord knows Busbee would be so proud and honored.
The EP 29, allows us just enough ear candy for our pleasure and satisfaction. While it does have an overall somber tone to it, the mini-album still shines with glimmers of hope and resilience. Pearce knows full well how to captivate her audience. Her method to blend pop vocals with a 90s-styled country lyric theme and band, puts the singer well within the ranks of her top competition of Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, and Carrie Underwood. Carly Pearce has everything to gain from being the “new kid on the block.” She has the young vibrancy, and soothing voice, with the tone, soul and heart of her predecessors like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and even Alison Krauss. If you haven’t touched this EP yet, you ‘should’ve known better’ than to keep waiting on a masterpiece like 29.
Women In Music 