Birdman Turns Pink, Pencils In Nicki Minaj's Sophomore LP Release

Cash Money Records' Birdman has provided an update on Nicki Minaj's highly anticipated follow-up to last year's platinum-selling Pink Friday debut, hinting at its projected release.

While refraining from citing an exact date, Birdman feels early 2012 is when Nicki's next LP will hit stores.

Cash Money co-CEO and founder Brian "Birdman" Williams tells Billboard.com that Minaj, whose debut album "Pink Friday" was released last November, is aiming to have her still-untitled sophomore album out in early 2012. "Nicki's back in the studio, so we're looking to drop Nicki in the first quarter," he says. Meanwhile, the album's first single could be released to the masses before the calendar rolls around. "Maybe this year? I don't know," says Birdman. "We're really thinking it out. But she's in the studio, and we're looking real soon, because she's ready to go and we're ready to go with her." (Billboard)

A few months ago, Minaj teased fans about the follow-up.

Minaj ran through hits like "Did It On Em," "Moment 4 Life" and "Where Them Girls At" at the inaugural iHeartRadio fest, and although she didn't unveil any new music from her in-the-works sophomore album, the rapper reiterated that her alter ego, "Roman Zolanski," would have a key role on her next full-length. "All I can say is that Roman will definitely be a humongous part of the follow-up to 'Pink Friday,'" says Minaj in her trademark Roman accent. "All I can say is that I'm working on it, and the fans are gonna get their life and then some." (Billboard)

In August, the Barbie said she had no plans to seek out guest features on the second LP.

Nicki Minaj plans to head back to the studio this fall to begin work on her sophomore LP, the follow-up to 2010's Pink Friday. The over-the-top rapper is keeping most of the album details close to the vest, but does say that one of her personas will play a big part on the LP. "I don't know, I don't think I'm hitting up anybody for features for this sophomore album," she told us backstage at the Femme Fatale Tour. She added that the vibe will be decided by the one and only "Roman ... possibly. But I never give away all my secrets." (MTV)

Last May, Minaj revealed her main focus was preparing for the Femme Fatale Tour alongside pop star Britney Spears.

"Well, of course we're going to do the tour with Britney [Spears]; the Femme Fatale Tour. I'm super excited about that. Good Morning America in the summer as well, and just starting to work on my sophomore album. I'm really really excited about it. Of course we just put out 'Super Bass,' which is the Number One record on Rap/Hip Hop on iTunes, and it got up to Number 12 on the Hot 100 on iTunes. So I'm just working on that and I'm super excited about continuing what I started with Pink Friday and then going all over the world next year. You know, I think the United States has had enough of me for a little bit, and I think I can now pack my bags and go to France and the UK and everywhere else. Just everywhere." (Hip Hop DX)