Nicki Minaj has harnessed the concept of balance like few artists before her: it’s a major part of her success in every imaginable realm, from music to merchandising to the cultivation of her persona. She’s a pure pop star who crashes the charts and pals around with toddlers on The Ellen DeGeneres Show; simultaneously, she’s a ferocious, obscenely talented MC who makes a habit of chewing up and spitting out rappers crazy enough to let her drop the hammer on a guest verse. When interacting with her fans — a massive community affectionately termed “Barbz” — she has a gift for allowing them into her life while maintaining a regal distance, simultaneously inviting identification and aspiration.
New single “Lookin Ass *****,” cut from a studio album due out later this year, finds Minaj tilting all the way toward one end of her internal spectrum — it’s a no-holds-barred attack on lame dudes, complete with double assault rifles.
“Lookin” is a remarkable display of personality: when Minaj turns her gaze to the camera, a single arched eyebrow or touch of her hair conveys a powerful disdain that seeps into your skin. When gestures packing that much force are coupled to wickedly spat put-downs and punch-lines, it’s fearsome to behold. The message is clear: this is not someone to trifle with. If the song is a sign of things to come from Minaj in 2014, we’re in for an exciting year.
