Download of the Day 6/26: "Your Love" by Nicki Minaj

In the hip-hop world, Nicki Minaj is the new, reigning queen.

However, any good monarch would know the importance of expanding their empire. That is what Nicki is doing with her new single "Your Love".

Rapper Nicki Minaj shows
her love in "Your Love"

After the very disappointing performance of her debut single "Massive Attack", the Harajuku Barbie has slowed down the tempo. In an unexpected and brilliant move, Nicki samples Annie Lennox's Grammy-winning hit "No More I Love You's", and she uses it well. The hook is catchy and strong, and although Nicki isn't the best singer in the world, it isn't unpleasant to hear her sing over the chorus.

Her real strength is in her rapping. Hearing her on this song can make one understand why she's energized the genre so easily. Like her male counterpart Drake, her flow is incredibly slick, and she is witty with her rhymes. This may be the first rap song in history to name-drop geishas, samurais, and the Thai language. While she's been more intense on other tracks, her voice is gentle (even laid-back) and sexy as she tributes the object of her affections. The Nicki we've been introduced to before was a ball-busting, no-nonsense hip-hop diva, so it's nice to see her softer side. If that's possible, it makes her even more attractive.

Nicki Minaj should have no trouble conquering the kingdom of pop as she did with hip-hop. With Drake as her presumed consort, it seems a new era is dawning at Top 40.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Preview on iTunes, then download if you like)