Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Young Money/Cash Money ****

The speed with which Nicki Minaj has been embraced by the mainstream can be attributed to many things, but don't overlook the extrovert hip-hop queenpin's penchant for massive pop tunes and hooks. Her second album is another kaleidoscopic look into Nicki's world, a place where a euphoric, tough, glitzy wash of pop, hip-hop, r'n'b and disco attracts all and sundry. It's hard at times to reconcile this super-pop diva with the Minaj who was top of the list when rappers were looking for guest vocalists, yet they co-exist. Listening to the bumping Beez in the Trap, the trancetastic Starships, the wildness of Whip It, and the thumping, bouncing Hov Lane it's clear no one else right now is producing frenzied pop with as much zip and vim as Minaj. mypinkfriday.com JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Beez in the Trap, Starships, Hov Lane