Nicki Minaj thanks T&T soca stars as newest video released

A screenshot from Nicki Minaj new video.

Nicki Minaj yesterday tweeted to thank local soca stars Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and his wife Faye Ann for their support in making her latest music flick Pound the Alarm which was released yesterday. The popular rapper also expressed her appreciation to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for their hospitality during her stay here filming the video.

Directed by US video director Benny Boom, the video carries vivid images of T&TCarnival, with Minaj starring in a mas costume, designed by Tribe. Supporting her are Montano, Garlin, and a cast of traditional Carnival characters, including moko jumbies, blue devils and Jab Jabs, and costumed masqueraders. The videos last scene is of Minaj with four of her cousins.

The video opens with scenes of Port-of-Spain, the Northern Range and Maracas Bay and its images complement the exciting, pulsating beat of the single which has so far peaked at number nine on the UK singles chart, and number 39 in Billboards pop category. Recently, discussing the clip, Minaj said: "'Pound The Alarm video in my hometown where I was born, we're here babyTrinidad! I never thought in a million years I'd do this."

Before migrating to the USat the age of five, Minaj lived briefly at Bournes Road, St James. The song marks the star's fourth single from her latest album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which topped the charts in the UK in April this year and has sold a million copies in the US to date.

During his stay in Trinidad, Boom said he and his crew were well assisted by the National Carnival Commission (NCC) and the T&T Entertainment Company. Interestingly, the video is rated as explicit, although its scenes are what one would nornally see at Carnival in any bandfemale masqueraders in bikini-styled costumes and plumes.

Digital Spys critique published online stated:The star has never shied away from publicising her multiple personalities and it certainly hasn't caused any harm to her ever-increas! ing appe al. If she's not satisfying the urban crowd with stripped-back hip-hop numbers, she's causing raves with synth-loaded club anthems.

As such, it's the latter that has garnered much of her recent mainstream success and new cut Pound The Alarm looks set to continue that trend. On a previous visit to Trinidad in 2010, Minaj expressed the desire to work with Montano and Destra. She has now completed one, shooting a video with the reigning International Power Soca Monarch. Who knows, she may return to do another video, this time featuring Destra.