Pink Friday

Pink Friday is the debut studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on November 22, 2010, by Young Money, Cash Money and Universal Motown. After signing a recording contract with Young Money Entertainment in 2009, Minaj began planning the album that same year and work continued into 2010. Minaj enlisted a variety of producers whose efforts resulted in a primarily hip hop and pop record, which sees additional influences from R&B. The album features guest vocals from Eminem, Rihanna, Drake, will.i.am, Kanye West and Natasha Bedingfield. The album was promoted with eight singles: "Your Love", "Check It Out", "Right Thru Me", "Moment 4 Life", "Super Bass", "Did It On'em", "Girls Fall Like Dominoes", and "Fly". "Super Bass" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top ten worldwide, while five other singles peaked within the top 40 on the Hot 100. Minaj also supported the album with a five-date promotional concert tour during October 2010. After a much anticipated release, Pink Friday debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 375,000 copies in its first week, marking the second highest sales debut for a female rapper since Lauryn Hill. The album later peaked at number one, becoming Minaj's first number one album. The album received mostly positive critical reviews, however critics were ambivalent on Minaj's exploration of pop. Internationally, it also charted within the top 20 in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. As of February 2018, the album has sold two million traditional copies in the United States. The album has been certified 3× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined album sales, track sales, and song streams equivalent of three million album-sale units. Pink Friday was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012, alongside Minaj's other nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance for the single "Moment 4 Life". Recording and production After a major record label bidding war, Young Money Entertainment announced on August 31, 2009, that Nicki Minaj had signed a 360 deal with the label in which she retains and owns all of her 360 rights – including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, touring and publishing. Recording sessions for the album took place at several recording locations, including 25 Sound Studios in Detroit, Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California.