Nicki Minaj Performance ("Bang Bang" with Jessie J and Ariana Grande). "The Pinkprint" was officially released on December 15, 2014, and debuted at number two on the US "Billboard" 200, with first week sales of 244,000 overall units (198,000 in pure album sales and 46,000 combined album-equivalent units and streams). Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews from critics. "Billboard" magazine's Niki McGloster called it "her best album to date". Sheldon Pearce of "The A.V. Club" thought that "The Pinkprint" is "the closest Nicki Minaj has ever gotten to balancing her tendencies". Randall Roberts from the "Los Angeles Times" wrote that
Only (Nicki Minaj song) in a superhero catsuit, Drake as the pope, and Lil Wayne in a suit and tie. "Only" was released for digital download as the third single from the album on October 28, 2014. Carolyn Menyes from Music Times gave the song a positive review, saying "With a cool sense of confidence and rhymes that boast of her own sexual and rapping prowess, Minaj is taking the reins, leading into the equally vulgar and explosive rap verses from Drake and Wayne". Brennan Carley from "Spin" said ""Only" is Nicki at her dirtiest and smartest, rapping with metaphors that'd fly over other