Nicki Minaj announces October release date for fifth album

Queens legend and female rap icon Nicki Minaj has recently taken to social media to announce that she will release a full-length studio album in October this year. The emcee (real name Onika Maraj) has yet to release a body of work since 2018 when she made her big comeback with Queen and appeared to be on her way out of the industry by giving fans ‘Greatest Hits’ albums instead of fresh material.

Since 2018, Minaj has released one album. However, the artist began laying very low when she became a mother and, until now, has been relatively absent on social media. Pre-pandemic, Maraj was making a lot of noise on Apple Music 1 on her show Queen Radio. However, only some know it now exists on Amazon’s radio and music app Amp, which, akin to TIDAL, is struggling to attract listeners. 

Although many haven’t heard from Nicki, it now appears that the ‘Anaconda’ musician is far from finished as she declares a new project is imminent. Taking to Twitter, Minaj wrote, “10/20/23 The Album,” suggesting that October 20th is the date she and her label have agreed to release an album.

The lyricist has yet to reveal a working title and hasn’t unveiled any artwork. However, the Pinkprint creator did release a single last month entitled ‘Red Ruby The Sleaze’, which saw the Queens artist cover the 2003 track ‘Never Leave You’ by Lumidee.

Unfortunately, in comparison to her peers, the track hasn’t done much to move the needle, and it is undeniable that since the arrival of Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and newer artists like Glorilla and Ice Spice, the power of female rap is no longer as centralised as it was a decade ago. Still, Minaj is moving forward with this project and will hopefully be putting more money into the promotion of future singles.

Earlier this year, Minaj divulged that she would officially have an imprint label at Republic by the end of the year. However, the name has yet to be unveiled. In March, Minaj took to Twitter, writing, “When I get behind an artist, y’all know how I do shit for people that’s not even signed to me. Imagine what Imma do for the ones that’s signed”.

She also asserted that she won’t be only signing hip-hop artists, posting, “Don’t think my label is just rap, or Black, or anything. We got some other genres of music.” However, before the label arrives, Minaj will hopefully release this upcoming album.