Nicki Minaj faced initial criticism for incorporating singing into her repertoire with the release of her debut album, Pink Friday, in 2010. Despite her renowned rap skills, the unexpected blend of tender piano ballads and uptempo EDM pop jams raised eyebrows. The controversy escalated when Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg deemed her hit "Starships" as "not real hip-hop," prompting Minaj and Young Money to withdraw from Summer Jam. In the evolving landscape of hip-hop, singing has become a norm, evident in artists like Drake, Fetty Wap, and Young Thug. However, a faction within the hip-hop community contends that Minaj's diverse musical range hinders her albums from achieving classic status.
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