Trinidadian American rapper, hip hop, pop singer Nicki Minaj sophomore album after her debut (‘Pink Friday’, 2011) is filled with explicit lyrics, some funny, others astonishingly startling.

One of the wittiest, most creative rappers in the music scene today, Minaj’s new album has 19 tracks, clocking 69 minutes, with the result that a overlapping of tunes is very ruled in. While the first half has more straight hip hop - rap delivery, the latter part has more of her auto tuned pop dance infused ditties.  Now with no real direction in place, Minaj brings on a team of male rappers like Lil Wayne, Drake, Nas and 2 Chainz to support her songs. She gives out a promising work with her male counterparts with tight and fitting vocals, perfectly tuned. Minaj is on a trip of her own, producing sometimes witty, theatrical style sounds and a slice of her usual fare.

We pick on the effervescent, minimally bouncy Beez in the Trap. Like a bee, the track bounces from ear to ear spearing a great groove. Fellow New Yorker Nas takes on Champion colluding with Minaj on a tad different set of vocals, with Minaj left in the backseat. The last two-thirds of the album fit into the stream Lady Gaga or Katy Perry. Songs like Automatic, Whip It, with its fat beats and heavy bass, to Pound the Alarm, are all produced by Lady Gaga producer RedOne.

They are catchy pop tunes in the league of pop divas like Britney Spears or LMFAO.  Besides the Euro pop feel running through, you also have the party vibe coming in Starships, another RedOne effort. A touch of Rihanna’s sound props up on the slow jab of Right by my Side, an upbeat R&B duet with Chris Brown. The song has a solid rapping verse from Nicki at the end. Minaj’s lyrics could baffle anyone, and be it a newcomer to her sound or her fans. But there are good moments too. The albums most fun aspect comes out on Come on a Cone whose stark lyrics "…And I'm not masturbating/ But I'm feeling myself.." can be annoying to some, to Minaj whose album inlay could get any male drooling at her pictures, the lyrics are common ground and part of her stalemate. If her sudden “dick in yo’ face” bolts you midway through, don’t be too surprised.

With filthy lyrics like “You a stupid hoe, you a, you a stupid hoe! (Stupid, Stupid.)” on Stupid Hoe, Minaj would either be the delight of some and disgust of others.

Rating: ***

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira