The Nicki Minaj ‘Lookin Ass’ Video Review That @NickiMinaj Would Probably Appreciate

I have long supported Nicki Minaj. Though she has not always made it easy, with questionable song selection, I’ve never fell victim to the narcissitic view that because she decided to take her music in the lane she did, that she dared make music that wasn’t for ME, that I should turn a blind ear to her obvious ability at stringing together words, thoughts and topics in a highly technical, well-crafted, entertaining rap song manner.

Again, several song choices she made — and I don’t mean the successful pop ones — made it difficult at times.

Those missteps aside, the shining prowess of sheer verbal onslaught in her verse on the monster hit “Monster,” coupled with on-topic, entertaining and flair-filled features on songs like “Bottoms Up,” reminded me that the Young Money spittress could indeed rock with the best of them. Could still pull out that Southside Jamaica Queens back-on-my-bullshit shit.

If only she wanted to.

But why would she? I’ve always found it hilarious when people would call her out for travelling down her pop-minded lane, as if they were going to buy enough Smack DVDs to warrant her staying on that ’round the way shit forever.

After all, ask Angel Haze how much “real hip hop fans” support lyrical female MCs spitting thoughtful rhymes.

Exactly.

So it always made sense to me. She didn’t just FIND a lane, she CREATED one. And killed it. No comp. Worldwide. Set for life, no Lotto.

Salute.

Now, long ago, I predicted several times (and I have the audio to prove it), that Nicki Minaj would eventually come “back to her roots,” as it were. Perhaps in a response to the criticism, perhaps because you can take the girl out of Queens but you can’t take Queens out of the girl.

With her recent flips of songs like “Danny Glover,” and now the release of the ultra-gritty, calling out of strip club celebrities and stunting cornballs, I would dare say my prediction seems to be coming to fruition.

I’m all for not liking someone’s music, or debating their musical career, particularly in hip hop. But those one-train opinions, “she sucks,” “she’s the best ever,” are not welcome here. They are often based on things other than the artist or their art, and have no place in dignified music critique.

So if you just don’t like her, that’s cool. Maybe you just don’t like this song. Also cool. Perhaps you’re a stunting cornball, or your man is. That would make sense then.

But if you didn’t like her going “pop,” and thought she should have remained “hood,” and now hate her because she should have stayed “pop” instead of being “hood”…. I simply can’t with you.

I’ll be here, eagerly waiting for her new stuff, still impressed that she can do both.

WATCH: Nicki Minaj – Lookin Ass Niggaz (Video)