I loved and hated Nicki Minaj’s sophomore album “Pink Friday…Roman Reloaded.” In fact, if the album and I were in a relationship on Facebook, our status would be “complicated.”

Minaj is renowned for her multiple personalities as the flamboyant and self-centered Roman, sweet and innocent Barbie, Roman’s polite mother Martha, and more. And, it seems her new album suffers from multiple personalities as well, since the tracks are so unpredictable and diverse.

Rap, Hip Hop, Pop, and Electronic; Minaj does it all, and she does it right. The album begins with “Roman Holiday,” which is full of everything we could expect from the pink-haired rapper. It’s theatrical and upbeat, with a hint of vulgarity to add that Nicki edge to it. However, memories of her overdone, Lady Gaga-esque performance of the song from the Grammys resurfaced, leaving me with a bad aftertaste.

For those who thought her first album “Pink Friday” didn’t have enough rap in it, they will be pleased to find that the next five tracks on the album are heavy with her barely-taking-time-to-breathe rap lyrics. “Come On a Cone,” “I Am Your Leader,” “Beez In the Trap,” “HOV Lane,” and “Roman Reloaded,” are packed with Lil Wayne-like puns, and explicit, playful, and humorous lines that really bring out the masculine side of Roman. Basically, in these songs, Nicki could really use a stick of Orbit gum to clean it up because her mouth is dirty.

Though it was exciting to hear Nicki purely rapping as opposed to her more pop-styled music from “Pink Friday,” the songs are very beat-heavy, and the weak music in the background sounds like it was produced by a 10-year-old playing around with Garage Band. Basically it was uncreative, unsurprising, and it could put me to sleep faster than two NyQuils and a mug of Sleepy Time tea.

In the next three tracks, “Champion,” “Right by my Side,” and “Sex in the Lounge,” the production kicks up and actually gets exciting. As a bonus, the songs actually start to mean something, unlike the first seven tracks of the album, which were harder to interpret.

At track 12, the record makes a complete turn from raunchy rapping to electric dance music. “Starships,” “Pound the Alarm,” “Whip It,” “Automatic,” and “Beautiful Sinner” are all songs that anyone would want to dance to, with their catchy melodies and lyrics that make it easy to sing along.

These songs, I think, along with “Turn Me On,” are the main reason people are calling Roman Reloaded a sell out. Minaj received criticism from many of her fans because they judged her for singing what would make money instead of spitting her old school rap. I would have to agree that these tracks are sell outs, and they aren’t anything close to genius; however, there is a reason these songs sell. These are the type of songs that get people up on the dance floor. These are the type of songs that make people feel all fuzzy and happy inside. These are the type of songs that get people pumped for a good workout or a night out on the town. That has got to mean that these songs are actually good.       

Not in the sense that they are good music, but in the sense that they are likeable. If they are a sell out, so be it. I think even Charlie Sheen would agree that Nicki Minaj is, in fact, winning.

The course of the album changes once again as we approach track 17, where the music is full-fledged pop music.  “Marilyn Monroe,” “Young Forever,” “Fire Burns,” and “Gun Shot” are all songs I could picture Rihanna or JLo singing.  However, Minaj adds more personality to these pops songs that other artists would not be able to accomplish.

Following these pop songs is “Stupid Hoe,” then “Va Va Voom,” and finally, “Masquerade.” “Stupid Hoe” is a stupid song, musically. It sounds like some little girl trying to annoy her mother by repeatedly yelling “Woop! Woop! Woop!” while clapping to a beat. Nicki’s rapping is, of course, top-notch as her talent can overpower any tasteless music, but her lackluster lyrics fail to engage me.

“Va Va Voom” and “Masquerade” are sweet pop songs that would get the stamp of approval from Barbie herself, but they include a good amount of rapping, as well. The balance between pop and rap in these two songs make for a successful conclusion to her album.

Minaj’s “Roman Reloaded” record didn’t quite live up to my expectations; however, it wasn’t completely unbearable, with its hidden gems of good rap verses here and there and the occasional build-up and bass drop that can leave anybody a little tingly and begging for more.

All I can say is, I’m excited to hear what Nicki will bring in her next album…emphasis on the “bum.”