Review: Nicki Minaj at Birmingham LG Arena

Rap star Nicki Minaj mixed clever lyrics, blazing pyrotechnics and her trademark Barbie doll style to wow her adoring fans.

The 29-year-old opened her show by emerging from a bright pink rocket and performing some of her best known rap tracks including Bees in The Trap and Did It On Em.

The star shows off her distinctive rapping style to its full potential, playing with rhymes, accents and voices. As well as performing her fast paced raps, Minaj and her team of dancers put on a show that any girl band would be proud of, and although she sang live, she never seemed out of breath.

During the middle of her set she slowed things down, to perform her more lyrical hits Save Me, Marilyn Monroe and Right Thru Me. These showcased her powerful singing voice, and prove she can do more than just rap.

It was however, her upbeat pop tracks which were the most popular with the audience, as everyone leapt to their feet to dance to Pound The Alarm, Turn Me On and of course Starships.

Minaj who is famous for her girly outfits and pink wigs did not disappoint and had five costume and wig changes. They were however, a little too long, and the audience did get restless during these breaks.

The show had a real fun factor as in addition to the pink space craft and zany outfits, Minaj lazed in a sparkly bath tub, jumped into a pink inflatable Rolls Royce and had T-shirts fired at the audience through a glittering rocket launcher.

The rapper ended her show as it began and wearing a white tutu and a silver captains hat she jumped back into a rocket to return to planet Minaj.

By Naomi Dunning

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Rap star Nicki Minaj

Rap star Nicki Minaj mixed clever lyrics, blazing pyrotechnics and her trademark Barbie doll style to wow her adoring fans.