After a hiatus and a last-minute delay, Pink Friday 2 finally sees the light of day, bringing with it a feast for fans who’ve eagerly awaited this musical spectacle. The album marks Minaj's return to the studio after a five-year gap since her last album, 2018’s Queen.

The long road to Pink Friday 2 began with a cryptic tease way back on June 29, 2020, when Minaj, the queen of mystery, took to social media to drop the initials "PF2." As a sequel to her debut album Pink Friday from 2010, this latest installment promised a return to Minaj's roots and the essence of her earlier work. In an interview with Vogue, Minaj hinted at the concepts and themes that would define the album, sharing, “When I look back at a lot of my music, I’m like, Oh, my God, where was the me in it? So for this album, I went back to the old game plan.”

In September of 2023, fans got a taste of the album with the release of the single “Last Time I Saw You.” Departing from the hard-hitting hip-hop sounds of the past, Minaj embraced polished, emotional pop. The track is reflective, with Minaj's vocals conveying a sense of yearning and introspection. Lyrics like, “I wish I’da hugged you tighter the last time that I saw you,” showcase a vulnerable side of the rap queen.

Social media became a playground for Minaj as she tantalized fans with snippets and teasers of songs. Also in September, Minaj unveiled one of two album covers, featuring her in an all-white ensemble on a roofless subway floating above pink clouds. Another cover, shared in October, depicted her in an all-pink gown against a black background, surrounded by billowing pink satin. She also unveiled two versions of "Arctic Tundra" in October, rumored to feature the late Juice WRLD. But the surprises didn't end there. On December 3, Minaj confirmed the return of her alter ego Roman through the song "Roman In Malibu," adding an extra layer of intrigue to the album.

Pink Friday 2 is buoyed by two impactful singles, "Super Freaky Girl" and the previously mentioned "Last Time I Saw You." The former made history by debuting at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, making Minaj the first solo female rapper to achieve this feat in the 21st century. The latter, released as the second single, climbed to number 23 on the Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.