ALBUM
Nicki Minaj, "The Pinkprint" (Republic)
Minaj is done playing around. Stung by criticism that she had become too pop with her dance single "Starships" and her time as an "American Idol" judge, she is straight hip-hop on her third album. Other than the playful hit "Anaconda," the rest of "The Pinkprint" is serious stuff, focused on overcoming adversity and female empowerment. Much of that power is in the bedroom. She gets Ariana Grande to help on "Get on Your Knees." Minaj bids for equality on "Favorite" with Jeremih. She is out for equality in her business. She makes a good argument in "Want Some More," asking, "Who had Eminem on the first album? Who had Kanye say, 'She's a problem'?" "The Pinkprint" is impressive, though Minaj's sly humor is mostly kept under wraps. She proves she can keep up with the guys, but she'd be stronger if she were more herself.
glenn gamboa, Newsday
video
The sepia-tone clip of Brandi Carlile's "The Eye" finds her and the "Twins" in three-part front-porch harmony, singing "You can dance in a hurricane, but only if you're standing in the eye." tinyurl.com/n4pstz7
