The album you should be listening to, yesterday

We can all pick out Bruno Mars. But can you name his backup dancers?

For a girl once relegated to the background status, Nicki Minaj has come a long way. And now the queen of Young Money Entertainment has released her third album.

Dropped on Dec. 12, 2014, The Pinkprint sold 244,000 copies in the first week alone, and I personally think that isn’t enough. The graphic and revealing work has songs on it for everyone, whether you are looking for Lil Wayne’s subversive raps or a new pop song to nod your head to.

A list of celebrities made their way onto the album as featured artists. Some notable examples are Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Chris Brown and Jeremih. Each of their tracks offer a different sound, but Nicki Minaj’s rapping remains a constant; she solos in every song.

Some tracks are distinctly autobiographical. In the album’s opening song “All Things Go,” she talks about her cousin who was murdered and how she had an abortion at a young age.

“‘All Things Go’ is a sober account of a wide range of personal challenges the rapper has faced in her life, from strained relationships with her family,” said Times reporter Eliza Berman.

I would recommend “Only,” which features the unstoppable crew of Drake, Chris Brown and Lil Wayne, if you are trying to disappoint your grandma. The trio came together to produce one of the more provocative and explicit songs on the album.

Give The Pinkprint a listen (hint, hint OWU radio DJs). It won’t disappoint.