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Nicki Minaj releases new album 'Queen' one week early

The rapper announced the news on Apple's Beats 1 radio 

Jacob Stolworthy
Saturday 11 August 2018 10:03 BST
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Nicki Minaj raps alongside fake Haim on Saturday Night Live

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Nicki Minaj has dropped her brand new album a whole week earlier than expected.

The rapper unveiled the 19-track record Queen on Apple's Beats 1 radio where she gave a song-by-song analysis of her new work.

One such track, “Barbie Dreams,” has been singled out for featuring criticism of rappers including the likes of Drake, DJ Khaled and her ex Meek Mill.

In Minaj's analysis of the track, she described it as lighthearted fun.“You guys know “Barbie Dreams” is not a diss, right?” she said. “It’s just some funny s***, I love them. I said things about people who I know can take a joke and won’t be emotional about it.“

She added: “Reading the reactions to “Barbie Dreams” is f***ing hilarious. Everyone is saying how disrespectful [it] is, and that’s why I love it.”

The new album follows singles “Barbie Tingz” and “Chun-Li” which were both released in April. Its release was originally slated for 15 June before being pushed to 17 August due to clearance issues over a sample of a Tracy Chapman song.

It's her first record since 2014 release The Pinkprint. You can listen to Queen on Spotify and Apple Music now.

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