Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up is the reissue of Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012). It was released on November 19, 2012, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records. Released seven months after the original, The Re-Up features seven newly recorded songs and an exclusive behind-the-scenes footage DVD. The new material incorporates hip hop and pop styles. As co-executive producer, Minaj enlisted collaborators Boi-1da, Juicy J and T-Minus.
| Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up | ||||
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| Studio album (reissue) by | ||||
| Released | November 19, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2012 | |||
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| Length | 101:30 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer |
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| Nicki Minaj chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up | ||||
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Upon its release, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented the balanced variety of genres. Its three singles "The Boys", "Freedom", and "High School" peaked at numbers 41, 31, and 20 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart respectively, and the latter peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was additionally promoted through the Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour and Minaj's performance of "Freedom" at the 2012 American Music Awards.
Background
editAt the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, Minaj announced the reissue of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, commenting "I'm putting lots of new songs on there and I'm actually going to drop my new single like next week. Barbz, you are gonna spaz. You are gonna love it. You are gonna go crazy!"[2] Its artwork was released the following month, featuring an image of Minaj from the music video of her song "I Am Your Leader".[3] In November, she added that the expanded album would contain an additional disc with seven newly recorded songs and an exclusive behind-the-scenes DVD to supplement the standard edition of the original album.[4] The project served as the main focus of her three-part E! special Nicki Minaj: My Truth.[5]
Composition
edit
Minaj commented on On Air with Ryan Seacrest that "I feel like the music is such a better representation of me where I am now as an artist in my career. As long as people can hear the music, I'm good."[6] Much of the new material incorporates hip hop and R&B styles previously seen in Minaj's earlier mixtapes. The opening track "Up in Flames" incorporates a "slow, heavy and melodramatic beat", where Minaj addresses her wealth and delivers negative remarks directed towards her adversaries.[7][8] The second song "Freedom" was compared to material from her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010);[9] it utilizes minimal production[10] and reflects on Minaj's rise to prominence.[9] The third song "Hell Yeah" features Parker and further criticizes Minaj's opponents. She references her much-publicized on-set tension with fellow American Idol judge Mariah Carey in the line "But I'm quick to check a bitch if she’s outta line" and references the series' personnel in the line "Shout out Mike Darnell and Nigel [Lythgoe] / Why these bums so mad that the queen on Idol".[11]
The fourth track "High School" features Lil Wayne and discusses sexual desires with a man who had been in prison.[12] The fifth song "I'm Legit" features Ciara and was characterized by having "snappy flows" and being "primed for the streets and clubs".[11] The sixth track "I Endorse These Strippers" features Tyga and Brinx; its lyrics were described by Sal Cinquemani of Slant as "less clever than inexcusably archaic".[13] The seventh song "The Boys" features American recording artist Cassie. It incorporates both hip hop and electropop influences,[14] and has been described as a "girls' night anthem".[15] The final track "Va Va Voom" was previously included on the original deluxe version of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and also contains prominent electropop styles.[16]
Singles
edit"The Boys", a collaboration with Cassie, was released as the lead single from The Re-Up on September 13, 2012.[17] The song peaked at number 41 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[18] Its music video premiered through Vevo on October 18, 2012.[19]
"Freedom" was released as the second single digitally through iTunes on November 2, 2012.[20] The song peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[18] Its music video premiered on 106 and Park on November 19, 2012.[21]
The third single "High School" features Lil Wayne and was released on April 16, 2013.[22] The song peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at number 20 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[18][23] Its music video was released by MTV on April 2, 2013.[24]
In 2021, the track "I'm Legit", featuring Ciara received a resurgence almost 9 years since its original release on TikTok, being used in many videos.
Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 72/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [25] |
| Boston Phoenix | [26] |
| The Independent | [27] |
| Los Angeles Times | [11] |
| Slant Magazine | [13] |
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 72, based on eight reviews, an improvement over the average score of 60 received by the original release of Roman Reloaded.[28][29] David Jeffries of AllMusic opined that "the too-pop Roman Reloaded now feels more balanced once this eight-track EP worth of material tips the scales", adding that the additional tracks and DVD is "the better deal and bigger picture" than the original.[25] Dan Weiss of the Boston Phoenix complimented Minaj's rapping, commenting that "the rapper who rhymes "fri-vo-lous" with "po-ly-ga-mist" is X-Acto sharp as ever".[26] The Los Angeles Times' Gerrick D. Kennedy noted the variety of genres incorporated in the reissue, stating "Sure, she flirts with dance pop and R&B balladry, but you can forgive her for wanting to satisfy different tastes. Here, it actually works".[11] Andy Gill of The Independent provided a mixed review, feeling that the material was generic and "does not add much to the Minaj experience".[27] Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani criticized the lyrical content and featured guests, adding that "as long as [Minaj] keeps comparing herself to Jesus, we probably shouldn't hold our breath".[13] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly panned the album and placed it at number two on his list of The Worst Albums Of The Year, writing that the album was "soul-less, lazy, and totally unnecessary."[30]
Commercial performance
editCharting together with the original Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (according to the rules by Billboard), The Re-Up sold 36,000 copies in first-week sales and rose eighty spots on the US Billboard 200, from number 107 to number 27, with a 591% sales gain.[31] An associate from Billboard commented on the commercial performance of The Re-Up stating that "expanded reissues aren't always guaranteed big sellers. It really depends on the extra content and timing of the release ... Nicki's reissue was seemingly timed to profit from holiday shopping", also adding that the sales of The Re-Up were actually better than similar reissues by Minaj's contemporaries.[32] In New Zealand, the album charted within Roman Reloaded release and debuted at twenty-one.[33]
Minaj commented that of the album's limited availability, "it's hard to get the album because the stores basically said that the last few re-releases [stores] had put out did not do well and they didn't want to take a chance. Target and Wal-Mart are not selling the album, and Target is actually my biggest retailer. Best Buy only took limited [stock] because they wanted to play it safe. It kinda sets you up to fail."[34] Walmart responded that they do not issue albums with the Parental Advisory label, while Target sold the record on their website anyway.[32]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Up in Flames" |
| 5:05 | |
| 2. | "Freedom" |
|
| 4:47 |
| 3. | "Hell Yeah" (featuring Parker) |
| Parker Ighile | 4:11 |
| 4. | "High School" (featuring Lil Wayne) |
|
| 3:37 |
| 5. | "I'm Legit" (featuring Ciara) | Mel & Mus | 3:18 | |
| 6. | "I Endorse These Strippers" (featuring Tyga and Brinx) |
|
| 4:22 |
| 7. | "The Boys" (with Cassie) |
|
| 4:08 |
| 8. | "Va Va Voom" |
|
| 3:02 |
| Total length: | 32:31 | |||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Come on a Cone" | 4:05 |
| 2. | "Make Me Proud" | 3:05 |
| 3. | "Roman's Revenge" | 3:33 |
| 4. | "Fire Burns" | 4:28 |
| 5. | "Save Me" | 3:13 |
| 6. | "Facts of Life" | 3:16 |
| 7. | "Broken Silence" | 4:56 |
| 8. | "Moment 4 Life" | 4:25 |
| 9. | "Starships" | 3:27 |
| 10. | "Up All Night" | 3:30 |
| 11. | "Party Animal Beat" | 3:25 |
| 12. | "One of Those Nights Beat" | 3:15 |
| 13. | "End of Worlds Beat" | 3:18 |
| 14. | "The W Beat" | 3:47 |
| 15. | "Yardie Beat" | 3:16 |
| 16. | "Prosty Beat" | 3:06 |
| 17. | "Water Logged Beat" | 2:59 |
| 18. | "Gotta Ball Beat" | 4:39 |
| Total length: | 68:59 | |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Roman Holiday" |
|
| 4:05 |
| 2. | "Come on a Cone" |
| Hit-Boy | 3:05 |
| 3. | "I Am Your Leader" (featuring Cam'ron and Rick Ross) |
| Hit-Boy | 3:33 |
| 4. | "Beez in the Trap" (featuring 2 Chainz) |
| Kenoe | 4:28 |
| 5. | "HOV Lane" |
|
| 3:13 |
| 6. | "Roman Reloaded" (featuring Lil Wayne) |
|
| 3:16 |
| 7. | "Champion" (featuring Nas, Drake and Young Jeezy) |
|
| 4:56 |
| 8. | "Right by My Side" (featuring Chris Brown) |
|
| 4:25 |
| 9. | "Sex in the Lounge" (featuring Lil Wayne and Bobby V) |
|
| 3:27 |
| 10. | "Starships" |
| 3:30 | |
| 11. | "Pound the Alarm" |
|
| 3:25 |
| 12. | "Whip It" |
|
| 3:15 |
| 13. | "Automatic" |
|
| 3:18 |
| 14. | "Beautiful Sinner" |
| Alex da Kid | 3:47 |
| 15. | "Marilyn Monroe" |
| 3:16 | |
| 16. | "Young Forever" | 3:06 | ||
| 17. | "Fire Burns" |
|
| 3:00 |
| 18. | "Gun Shot" (featuring Beenie Man) |
|
| 4:39 |
| 19. | "Stupid Hoe" |
|
| 3:16 |
| Total length: | 68:59 | |||
- Notes
- (*) Denotes co-producer.
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Allmusic.[15]
Performance
- Nicki Minaj – primary artist
- 2 Chainz – featured artist
- Beenie Man – featured artist
- Brinx – featured artist
- Chris Brown – featured artist
- Cam'ron – featured artist
- Ciara - featured artist
- Cassie – featured artist
- Drake – featured artist
- Lil Wayne – featured artist
- Nas – featured artist
- Parker – featured artist
- Rick Ross – featured artist
- Tyga – featured artist
- Bobby V – featured artist
- Young Jeezy – featured artist
- Marissa Bregman – vocals
- Carl Falk – vocals
- Kalenna Harper – vocals
- Wayne Hector – vocals
- Amoy Levy – vocals
- Mohombi – vocals
- Renee Rowe – vocals
- AJ Junior – vocals (background)
- Bilal "The Chef" Hajji – vocals (background)
- LaKeisha Lewis – vocals (background)
- Jeanette Olsson – vocals (background)
- RedOne – vocals (background)
- Teddy Sky – vocals (background)
- Candace Marie Wakefield – vocals (background)
Producers
- Cortez Bryant – executive producer
- Dwayne Carter – executive producer
- Nicki Minaj – executive producer
- Jermaine Preyan – executive producer
- Safaree "SB" Samuels – executive producer
- Bryan "Baby Birdman" Williams – executive producer
- Ronald "Slim Tha Don" Williams – executive producer
- Carl Falk – guitar producer
- Nicholas Cooper – vocal producer
Technical
- Chris Athens – mastering
- Boi-1da – drums, mixing
- Tanisha Broadwater – production coordination
- Michael "Banger" Cadahia – engineer
- Ariel Chobaz – engineer, mixing
- Noel Cadastre – recording assistant
- Cirkut – instrumentation, musician programming
- Donald "Tixie" Dixon – engineer
- Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine – mixing
- Dr. Luke – instrumentation, musician programming
- Zale Epstein – drum programming
- Carl Falk – guitar, instrumentation, mixing
- Elizabeth Gallardo – recording assistant
- Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Clint Gibbs – recording assistant
- John Hanes – mixing engineer
- Jess Jackson – engineer
- Jimmy Joker – instrumentation
- Koool Kojak – musician
- Stephen Kozmeniuk – bells, engineer, guitar, organ, synthesizer, viola
- Gelly Kusuma – engineer
- Maven Boys – additional production
- Donnie Meadows – production coordination
- Katie Mitzell – production coordination
- Trevor Muzzy – engineer, mixing, vocal editing
- Chris "Tek" O'Ryan – engineer
- Alex P. – engineer, instrumentation, vocal editing
- Parker Ighile – engineer mixing,
- RedOne – instrumentation, vocal editing
- Irene Richter – production coordination
- John Rivers – engineer
- Tim Roberts – mixing assistant
- Bret Ryan – clapping, piano
- Phil Seaford – mixing assistant
- Noah Shebib – engineer
- Jon Sher – mixing assistant, recording assistant
- Finis "KY" White – engineer
- Stuart White – engineer
- Rami Yacoub – instrumentation, mixing, vocal editing
- Scott "Yarmov" Yarmovsky – production coordination
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
- Notes
- A^ In these territories, The Re-Up was combined with the original chart entry for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and thus re-entered the chart as one release.
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[47] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Regions | Dates | Format(s) | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States[35] | November 19, 2012 | CD/DVD, digital download | Universal Music, Young Money, Cash Money |
| Canada[48] | |||
| United Kingdom[49] | Universal Island, Cash Money | ||
| Japan[50] | Republic | ||
| France[51] | November 26, 2012 | Def Jam Recordings | |
| Poland[52] | November 27, 2012 | Universal Music Polska | |
| Spain[53] | Universal Music Spain | ||
| Malaysia[54] | December 18, 2012 | Universal Music Malaysia |
References
edit- ^ Gerrick D. Kennedy (November 20, 2012). "Review: Nicki Minaj's 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Readies 'Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up' for November". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ Rasahad Phllips (November 12, 2012). "Nicki Minaj "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded The Re-Up" Tracklist, Cover Art & Snippets". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ Erika Ramirez (November 2, 2012). "Nicki Minaj 'The Re-Up' Track List: Lil Wayne, Ciara Featured". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ Maurice Bobb (November 16, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Shows Off Old-School Flow On 'High School' With Lil Wayne". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj: ' 'The Re-Up' Is a Better Representation of Me'". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania. "Nicki Minaj :: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded the Re-Up". Rap Reviews. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Video: Nicki Minaj – 'Up in Flames'". Rap-Up. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b Charley Rogulewski (November 3, 2012). "Nicki Minaj Releases "Freedom": Listen to the New "Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up" Track". Vibe. Vibe Media Group. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ Jessica Sagger (November 4, 2012). "Listen to Nicki Minaj's 'Freedom'". Popcrush. Townsquare Media. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Gerrick D. Kennedy (November 20, 2012). "Review: Nicki Minaj's 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up'". The Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ William E. Ketchum III (November 26, 2012). "Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday Roman Reloaded: The Re-Up". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c Sal Cinquemani (November 21, 2012). "Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ Gerrick D. Kennedy (September 13, 2012). "Nicki Minaj takes 'The Boys' to task in new single". The Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, the Re-Up - Nicki Minaj: Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ Lewis Corner (November 18, 2012). "Nicki Minaj: 'The Re-Up' - EP review". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - The Boys - Single by Nicki Minaj & Cassie". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. October 18, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Nicki Minaj - Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ "The Boys (Explicit)". Vevo. October 18, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Freedom - Single by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ "Freedom (Explicit)". Vevo. November 19, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj - Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ James Montgomery (April 2, 2013). "Nicki Minaj Premieres Steamy 'High School' Video: Watch!". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b David Jeffries. "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, the Re-Up - Nicki Minaj". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b Dan Weiss (November 27, 2012). "Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded: The Re-Up". The Boston Phoenix. Phoenix Media/Communications Group. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b Andy Gill (December 1, 2012). "Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday Roman Reloaded (The Re-Up Island)". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded--the Re-Up". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
- ^ Anderson, Kyle (December 28, 2012). "The Worst Albums of the Year". Entertainment Weekly. New York: Time Inc. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ a b Caulfield, Keith. "Chart Moves: Nicki Minaj's 'Roman' Reissue Spurs 591% Gain". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ a b Montgomery, James. "Nicki Minaj's The Re-Up: Why Target And Walmart Won't Carry It". MTV. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ a b "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj Talks Reality Show Editing, 'The Re-Up' Not Being In Store & Mariah Carey (Video)". Baller Status. November 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c "iTunes - Music - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded the Re-Up by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. November 19, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pink Friday: Roman... [CD & DVD] [PA] [Digipak] - CD". Best Buy. November 19, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Belgium Flanders Albums Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Belgium Wallonia Albums Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Dutch Albums Chart. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday - Roman Reloaded". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Week Ending: December 8, 2012)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Top Rap Albums (Week Ending: December 8, 2012)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Albums 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2012". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded the Re-Up by Nicki Minaj". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc. November 19, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded the Re-Up by Nicki Minaj". 'iTunes Store (UK). Apple Inc. November 19, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded- The Re-Up" (in Japanese). Amazon.com (JP). November 19, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded- The Re-Up" (in French). Amazon.com (FR). November 26, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-up (Limited Edition)" (in Polish). EMPIK.com. November 24, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pink Friday Roman Reloaded Reup" (in Spanish). Amazon.com (ES). November 27, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
- ^ "Asia Home Entertainment: Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up". Asia Home CD. December 18, 2012. Archived from the original on February 24, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2019.