Minaj's a hit but not for mums
Four clothes changes ... The ever-colourful rap pop singer Nicki Minaj at the Horden Pavillion. Picture: Noel Kessel Source: The Daily Telegraph
Rapper Nicki Minaj sports a daring S&M look at the launch of her new album. Is it outrageous enough to earn this serial shocker our Shock of the Week award? Find out.
IF BARBIE came to life in 2012, American hip pop superstar Nicki Minaj would have us believe she is the post-millenial avatar of the little girls best friend.
She has the cartoon sassiness of Betty Boop, the not-to-subtle sexuality of Jessica Rabbit and the colourful eye candy of a Smurfette.
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Only problem is, the mother! s in the audience at Minajs opening Australian concert at the Hordern Pavilion last night spent the entire show internalising an age old dilemma.
As their teen and tween daughters pumped their arms in the air, preened in their Barbz outfits and mouthed along to a string of the usual expletives, mums may have arrived at the realisation that rap, and its effect on pop music, remains the same as it was 25 years ago.
Did you go to the show? Tell us below what you thought
Remember when Salt n Pepa were shocking or Madonna provoked outrage by smashing every taboo from sex to religion?
Gagas doin it, Rihannas doin it, Katy Perrys doin it, even Madonnas still tryin to do it so why shouldnt Minaj?
Her other alter ego Roman opens the show, a fashionably 20 minutes late, in black cape with the expected flash of lime fluoro leg shown Angelina-style throughout an energetic routine with her troupe of sinewed sidekicks aka dancers.
Their choreography told more of the story of the show with the songs and bits of songs augmented by live vocals from Minaj when she was momentarily stationary. And there was a ballad section to prove live vocal credentials.
Meanwhile, the DJ - the only musician on stage left with backing vocalists on the right - was skilled at keeping the crowd engaged with musical interludes and shout-outs during the costume changes. Only four. All cute.
Although we know where we are, and Sydney, Australia, make some noise gets old after the third time in a four minute set, Ms DJ.
Minaj graciously brought her arena show to town with its awesome backdrop of videos, those ripped dancers, a song list of hits, her graciousness and potty mouth, and smashed it all together into a one hour show.
A lot of smoke and mirrors but all of it rather delectable. Except for the poor mums.