Nicki Minaj has unleashed her highly awaited fifth studio album, “Pink Friday 2,” a remarkable 13 years after the original. Released on her 41st birthday, this album marks Minaj’s return to full-length projects since 2018’s “Queen.”

Featuring an extensive 22 tracks, “Pink Friday 2” is a star-studded affair with notable collaborations from artists such as Drake, Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, and more. In a recent livestream, Minaj expressed her excitement, stating, “This entire album will be the biggest gift I have ever given humanity thus far. I have never in my life been so in love with something that I’m working on.”

The journey to “Pink Friday 2” has been a lengthy one, with fans speculating about its release since Minaj cryptically tweeted “PF2” in the summer of 2020. The album title was officially announced in June, but the release date faced two delays, eventually landing on December 8.

In the days leading up to the album’s release, Minaj’s devoted fanbase, known as Barbz, made headlines by creating “Gag City,” a pink AI metropolis inspired by the album cover. The anticipation for “Pink Friday 2” reached new heights.

Minaj’s involvement in the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in September included a performance of her latest single, the enchanting “Last Time I Saw You.” During the event, she also teased a dynamic new trap track from “Pink Friday 2,” asserting, “I ain’t nothing like you; I’m on a whole other level.”