PINK FRIDAY: ROMAN RELOADED- NICKI MINAJ

Nicki Minaj was a pleasant surprise last year with Pink Friday an album that shook up Hip-Hop. The album was a deep dive into Onika Maraj; who she is, and what she is about.  She addressed the rap game assertively, that the queen of Hip-Hop whoever she may have been has been beheaded and dethroned. The game was informally introduced to the now known alias name “The Female Weezy”.

This album gave me the flashback feeling of Nicki Minaj’s Grammy Awards performance; I was excited and wanted her to blow everyone away, and as the performance went on, I went from feeling confused, to just awkward, and then back to confusion with a fake feeling of “it wasn’t that bad, she’ll make up for it.” What I failed to understand was that Nicki was not targeting me, and maybe she never was. A fan of Hip-Hop and hunger and storytelling, I was not a part of her plan. She is now the Hip-Hop version of “Lady GaGa” with whom to mention I have nodded my head to a couple of times, but not even the FBI could find any of her music in my possession, no offense.

The ever so evolving Nicki Minaj gives you all of her personalities on this album; from Roman to Nicki, to Onika. The album even has a breaking point halfway through where it is clear that the genre of music has changed. Hip-Hop, Pop/Club, Techno, to Reggae. This album has it all if you’re looking for variety. If you’re looking for “Save Me”  or "I'm The Best” Nicki on this LP, play her old album. Until Nicki Minaj has a worthy opponent of either gender to push her, she will continue to make her own lane and push her creativity which seems to be limitless. Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded; I still believe that the sky is the limit for Nicki Minaj, but I just can’t BLeeV in this album. 

LeeV  ★ ★  it alone and download the tracks you like accordingly.  Beyond my review, I will always commend Nicki Minaj on her ability to push the boundaries of Hip-Hop. Even with that said, “Dear Old Nicki”, how I miss thee. 

Favorite Tracks

Roman Reloaded Ft. Wayne – The day the title track on album doesn’t go hard, will be a sad day. Weezy F. Baby, the F is for finisher. “Bite me …Apple Sign”-Nicki Minaj

Gun Shot Ft. Beenie Man- I don’t know why I can’t stop playing this freakin’ song! 

THE MF LIFE- MELANIE FIONA

When I first heard Melanie Fiona's voice I became hooked. The soulful raspy Canadian bred artist stole my heart from her first LP The Bridge, not with her album but with her passion and hunger I felt in her vocals.

Wanting to give a 100% in a relationship and doing so are completely two different things, the never ending struggle to devour the past, and learning from your mistakes wraps up The MF Life as a whole. MF gives her numerous attempts at love a soundtrack to remember with her recollection of the lowest of lows to the average man’s capable highs.
Some ballads put you back in that past relationship and sum them up for you in less than four minutes the lessons learned. Easily to tell from this production that MF loves hard, her fear of loving someone honestly and true and the cost that it can bring are sung to a beautiful array.This album not only showcases Melanie Fiona’s talent as an artist but her maturing as a person dealing with everyone’s worst and best friend LOVE.

Melanie’s The MF Life has a strong roster of songs. The singles released are just the tip of the iceberg on this production, which proves her growth from her last album. Almost every song on the album becomes an obstacle course that she overcomes on every level. Smart choices with her collaboration of hip-hop artists, 3 of the most talented in the game today (Nas, J. Cole, and B.o.B.) she can do no wrong. Oh and also kudos to the title with it going either way in meaning, she is truly the MF real deal especially with the recent passing of Whitney Houston, a voice that will not and can not ever be replaced.

BleeVable ★ ★ ★ ★ indeed for The MF Life by Melanie Fiona with 9 out out 13 tracks in constant rotation on my iPod. But the best part is that I BLeeV Melanie Fiona hasn't yet reached her pinnacle and I am expecting classics from her in the future.

Favorite Tracks

This Time Ft. J. Cole- Loved this long from the first second I heard it! With the addition of J. Cole, it gives the track that motivational message of making the best of what’s ahead. Favorite Line: “know its deep when the girl of his dreams is the same one to wake him up”

Break Down These Walls- Melanie sings me to peaceful serenity with this track. Sigh, thank you Melanie. Favorite Part: The end of the song with the guitar solo, AMAZING.

Running Ft. Nas- Melanie kills this obstacle course with record setting times. The gift of song on true display; I am a witness. Favorite Part: “I don’t know if I can do it/Cuz I’m running low on fluid/ Can’t bleev you brought me to this”

Can’t Say I Never Loved You- Simply the ambiance of this song just gives it that retrospective feel of looking back and being satisfied of making the right decision, and being happy because you gave your best. Favorite Part: The chorus, can’t say I never told you that.

Purchase The MF Life

INTRODUCING: ALBUM REVIEWS

Introducing Album Reviews to intro2bryanlee.blogspot.com. I will try not to only review albums I really like, but damn this is my blog, but it’s an honor for the first album to be Canada’s own Ms. Melanie Fiona’s near UnBleevable album. With that being said let me break down the rating system.


UnBleeVable ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ - An album that I am simply in love with and have had on repeat for multiple days. I don’t think any album is unskippable because of the different thirst to hear different tracks on different days, so I won’t be stingy giving out this top rating.

BLeeVable ★ ★ ★ ★ - Near perfect album in my eyes, some tracks could have been left out but still a solid album that I would have in my collection. Also maybe an album in a genre that I am not all about, but it reached me and made an impact.

BLeeV ★ ★ ★ - The artist has great potential and the best is yet to come, A for effort, C+ or so on delivery. An album with at least 4 tracks I have to own.

LeeV ★ ★ - Um just get the tracks that come on the radio and the remixes.

Anything under that is just -_-. Life's honestly to short for all that.