Originally posted by Claire Lobenfeld

If Nicki [...] delivers a straight rap album, she is perhaps making the statement that the fans that do actually make her money are not as important as the accolades she'll receive for ditching the cotton candy-coated parts of her catalogue. A quick look at her recent Instagram updates show her much more stripped down than we're used to as well: No wild wigs, understated and natural makeup, business casual instead of anime princess garb. Does this all mean Nicki's ready to go back to basics or is this her way of making a serious play for the top? If you think it's cute and winky that Nicki would name her next album The Pink Print, a nod to a big chunk of Jay Z's discography, without it being some kind of a threat, you're probably wrong.

With "Chi-Raq," Nicki gave the vague promise that she has a few tricks up her sleeve and she "might give [us] a new trick every week until that album drop." If Nicki did this for a while, but not too long, it would be the smartest way to roll out the album. Giving fans a G.O.O.D. Friday-like teaser platter with few details about the actual full-length is a good way to keep the conversation going and to make her the name on everyone's lips until the album is released. But now that Tha Carter V's release date is no longer May 5 and is just dangling in the ether, it almost looks like Birdman and co. are putting more stock into Nicki than they are into Wayne. She may be an international pop star, but she's also one of the most viable candidates to snatch up the Best Alive designation, as well. Wayne, Jay: Watch the throne, indeed.

Originally posted by Willy.

Let me read.

Originally posted by Lippy

If she doesn't pull pop single she can say goodbye to her worldwide sales

Originally posted by Lippy

If she doesn't pull pop single she can say goodbye to her worldwide sales

Originally posted by Lippy

If she doesn't pull pop single she can say goodbye to her worldwide sales