For some reason there are still people out there labeling Nicki Minaj as just looks. PSA: Ms. Minaj is an extremely talented female MC, and if you’re listening to her appearances on “Monster” or the “Sweet Dreams” remix (or near anything else) and coming to any other conclusion, hey, you’re kidding yourself. She has a consistently creative flow – nearly a female Busta Rhymes, her personas have made hip hop more fun than any MC from her generation, and she drops better rhymes than anyone on her label (yes, even her boss, at least during his recent brain-dead phase).
That doesn’t always make for a good album, and the singles released thus far for her debut have been poppy to the say the least, and essentially iffy. “Roman’s Revenge,” however, is hip hop served simply. Since “Renegade” and Nas’ use of it to lampoon poor Hova, MCs have appeared afraid to feature Shady and Minaj deserves credit for taking him on right out of the gate. Both rappers are on their toes, though the production, handled by Swizz Beatz, is neither terribly interesting or boring, a spot of luck, considering much of the producer’s output. While Minaj relies a little too heavily on the Young Money “one idea to another” standard (“Hang it up – flatscreen”), the sheer energy the two bring to the table more than makes up for it. Minaj is forced to speed up her goofy flow, and Eminem just plain goes crazy. It’s not entirely different from his ’99 collab with Missy, his jokey sexism meeting a woman with a huge personality all her own. This time, rather than simply going for the gross, Minaj and Slim instead pop shots at detractors, Lil Kim jabs abound. As for Em, he’s concerned with continuing to strengthen the legacy Recovery, well, recovered, and he finds joy in spitting, “If I’m garbage you’re a bunch of maggots.” Go think that over. Likely put out as something for hip hop head’s to chew on, Minaj’s talent is now undeniable. In the past month she’s killed Jay-Z and held her own against Eminem (something Drake couldn’t do, see “Forever”). Not half bad.
[Off of Nicki Minaj’s debut, Pink Friday, due out November 22nd]
