Nicki Minajs next album due out early next year

Daniel S Levine

Singer Nicki Minaj appears backstage after winning the favorite Rap/Hip-Hop artist and favorite Rap/Hip-Hop album for "Pink Friday", during the 39th American Music Awards, held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on November 20, 2011. UPI/Jim Ruymen

Rapper Nicki Minaj is readying her sophomore album for an early 2012 release, after her successful debut, Pink Friday, which was released in 2010.

Co-CEO and founder of Minajs label, Cash Money, Brian "Birdman" Williams told Billboard the news, adding that she is currently working in the studio and that the new album should be released in the first quarter of 2012.

In the interview, Williams also said that the albums first single could be out as early as before the end of the year. 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, he said.

NME reports that Minaj hinted at another project in October on her blog, where she would record tracks as Roman, her gay male alter ego. That post was deleted, but she still talked about Roman when she hinted at her new LP to MTV News. "I don't think I'm hitting up anybody for features for this sophomore album...Roman ... possibly. But I never give away all my secrets, Minaj said.

On Sunday night, Minaj took home two awards at the American Music Awards. She won for favorite rap/hip hop artist and favorite rap/hip hop album for Pink Friday.