Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)

The main criticism of anything Nicki Minaj releases is that it's either too poppy or not hip-hop enough. Her detractors were likely fair-weather fans who only loved her verse on Kanye West's "Monster" or look back to her early material and whine, "Why Nicki? WHY?" Answer: Because she wants to and she obviously doesn't give much of a fuck what those people think.

Not only that, but when you forget about the fact you want to just hear her rap-which she does extremely well on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, anyway-you'll finally enjoy some of the best pop records of 2012. No bullshit. Listen again, let your predetermined feelings subside, and give the album the fair shake it deserves.