Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
by Nicki Minaj
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
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  1. Los Angeles Times
    Apr 2, 2012
    50
    The result is a disjointed, artistically confused release that's not only way too long but also doesn't really ring true as an "album" at all, at least if your definition is a collection of new songs with a central premise or statement that one listens to from start to finish.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 10, 2012
    50
    It shows range, sure, but it feels so disparate that it's just baffling. Worse, none of these poses and personae actually feel convincing.
  3. NOW Magazine
    Apr 5, 2012
    60
    Unfortunately, her adventurous side is rarely heard in the more radio-friendly jams, which are heartfelt and catchy but less inspired.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 17, 2012
    50
    Pink Friday: Roman's Revenge isn't bad because of Minaj's cross-dressing it is bad because she often tries on some very banal, characterless outfits.
  6. No Ripcord
    Apr 16, 2012
    40
    A recipe for disaster which tries to please everybody and ends up being enjoyed by nobody.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 9, 2012
    60
    Roman Reloaded's triumphs all come early, on the album's hip-hop front end. In full flow, Minaj remains a delight.
  8. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Apr 9, 2012
    60
    Overlong at 19 tracks, it has its moments.
  9. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 5, 2012
    60
    Halfway through, as guest rappers stop littering the proceedings, the album does a 90-degree shift and becomes a banging club affair, stuffed with David Guetta-style synth-stompers.
  10. XXL
    Apr 4, 2012
    60
    More than it's lack of rap, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded suffers most from not fully being any one thing, as it's unable to balance multiple approaches into one package.
  11. AllMusic
    Apr 4, 2012
    60
    Cut the iffy pop off these 19 tracks and you're left with Roman's true four-star empire, but as it is, Roman Reloaded is a frustrating mix of significant and skippable.
  12. HipHopDX
    Apr 4, 2012
    60
    Pop Star Nicki is still going strong so her fans should have nothing to worry about, but those of us who started collecting with the original line should probably just find a new hobby-Mixtape Nicki has been discontinued.
  13. DJ Booth
    Apr 3, 2012
    50
    Here both the production and Nicki's delivery border on absurdist theater, at one point devolving into Nicki literally making noises.
  14. RapReviews.com
    Apr 3, 2012
    55
    A missed opportunity to progress.
  15. The Quietus
    Apr 2, 2012
    40
    Nicki Minaj's second album is pop postmodernity in an advanced state of hollow, banal meaningless, and the first causality is Minaj herself.
  16. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Apr 2, 2012
    60
    It's not a classic album, but its contents implicitly argue that the concept of a "classic album" has become irrelevant in 2012 anyway.
  17. Boston Globe
    Oct 8, 2012
    50
    It lumps together all the rap tracks on the first half, and lets the pop fluff fill the rest.

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2012
60
#60 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 611 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 360 out of 611
  2. Mixed: 79 out of 611
  3. Negative: 172 out of 611
  1. dnosebapps
    Apr 3, 2012
    0
    This is legitimately one of the worst Pop albums I have ever heard. There is almost nothing redeemable to this album. Nicki MInaj believedThis is legitimately one of the worst Pop albums I have ever heard. There is almost nothing redeemable to this album. Nicki MInaj believed her own hype and created something dangerously bad.… Full Review »
  2. Janine89
    Apr 4, 2012
    1
    I was a huge fan of Nicki Minaj, but now it seems she's just concerned with making as much money possible without exerting much effort.I was a huge fan of Nicki Minaj, but now it seems she's just concerned with making as much money possible without exerting much effort. There's probably two good songs on here and neither of them are great. Roman Holiday is one of the biggest messes I've ever heard. Good for her for doing whatever the hell it is that she wants, but it's almost insulting that she put this out and expects us to pay for it. Thank you to Rdio for letting me stream before deciding whether or not to buy it. The pop tracks are nothing new. In fact, they are kind of corny. "Starships were meant to fly"....can we take a moment to decipher what this is supposed to mean? "Marilyn Monroe" is another hilarious song.… Full Review »
  3. Madonna
    Apr 3, 2012
    0
    One of the worst album of the year. Absolutely awful.
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