Nicki Minaj at the Hammersmith Apollo: Live review
"There's going to be a lot of variety, a lot craziness and a lot of dancing," Nicki Minaj told Digital Spy back in April, when asked about her 'Pink Friday Tour' - and it's a promise that was wholeheartedly kept at last night's (June 25) sold-out show in London's Hammersmith.
Powering through a set spanning from her mixtape beginnings to her more recent club-thumping anthems, Minaj successfully flitted between genres as easily as she slips into one of her many personalities. Explicit and bonkers 'Roman's Revenge' opened proceedings, with the Queens rapper effortlessly commanding the willing crowd to gruff and chant "dungeon dragon" at the point of a microphone.
A rendition of 'Beez In the Trap' allowed 'Onika Maraj' to flex her impressive tongue-lashing rap skills, while performances of 'Right By My Side' and 'Moment 4 Life' were accompanied by innocent hair curling, doe-eyed glances and 'girl next door' charm.
However, chart-friendly hits 'Starships' and 'Pound the Alarm' soon had the venue quaking. Despite some lacklustre choreography on television in the past, the star seemed more at ease moving to the hi-NRG numbers in a live setting. The energy even warranted an appearance from Minaj's British alter ego Martha, who proceeded to tell the audience they were the "craziest yet" - whipping them into an even bigger frenzy.
Although some costume changes felt awkwardly long at points, Minaj was quick to regain momentum by testing fans on their consummate lyrical kno! wledge a nd a finale consisting of modern pop classic 'Super Bass', with half a tonne of confetti, meant the concert ended on a high. Nicki Minaj may have an ensemble cast of personalities inside her, but her stage presence always remained the star of the show.
Watch the music video for Nicki Minaj's 'Beez In the Trap' below: