Queen | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 10, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2016–2018 | |||
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Genre | Hip hop[1] | |||
Length | 66:19 | |||
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Producer |
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Nicki Minaj chronology | ||||
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Singles from Queen | ||||
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Queen is the fourth studio album by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 10, 2018 by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. It was Minaj's first album in nearly four years following The Pinkprint (2014). Recording sessions with a handful of producers for the album began in late 2016 and concluded in August 2018. The album includes guest appearances by rappers Eminem, Foxy Brown, Future, Swae Lee, and Lil Wayne; along with singers Ariana Grande, Labrinth, and the Weeknd.
The album's release date was pushed back twice before ultimately being released a week ahead of schedule. Queen was supported by four singles; "Chun-Li", "Bed" featuring Ariana Grande, "Barbie Dreams" and a remix of "Good Form" featuring Lil Wayne. "Fefe" with 6ix9ine and Murda Beatz was added to streaming editions of the album in the week following its release; both "Chun-Li" and "Fefe" peaked within the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100. To further promote the album, Minaj launched her own live radio program, Queen Radio (which aired on Beats 1), made several television appearances and live performances, and eventually embarked on The Nicki Wrld Tour with Juice Wrld in February 2019.
Queen received generally positive reviews from music critics upon its release, who complimented the album's production but derided its length and lack of direction. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 185,000 album-equivalent units, of which 78,000 came from pure album sales. It charted within the top ten in other music markets, such as Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in January 2019.