Review: Nicki Minaj Pink Friday 2 World Tour in Houston

<br /> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"/> <meta name="CocoaVersion" content="2113.6"/></p> <p class="p1"> <p>Nicki Minaj made headlines last month for leaving audiences waiting for hours for her.<b> Pink Friday World Tour 2</b> the show will begin in Montreal. According to fans, it was well after 11 p.m. when the rapper took the stage. It wasn’t really his fault. It was a flight delay, or at least that’s what was reported.</p> <p>But that left tourists wary of similar participation. On Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Toyota Center in Houston, a packed house danced to the style of tour opener DJ BOOF, who played a string of Nicki Minaj hits before bowing out of his set, announcing that his time was up. The crowd’s energy dissipated and what remained was an eerie, eerily calm lull that lasted for some time. </p> <p class="p1"> <p>It wasn’t until 10:32 p.m. that Minaj finally emerged from a trapdoor on the highest shelf of a three-tiered stage in a dress featuring a sculpted metallic bodice and a floor-length white silk skirt. She jumped straight into the first verse of “I’m the Best” from the original <i>Pink Friday</i>, <i>Pink Friday 2</i>‘s predecessor, aged 14. The audience, who didn’t seem at all bothered by the singer’s late arrival, burst into sincere applause. </p> <p class="p3"> <p>As cliché as it sounds <b>claim </b>as the crowd zealously sang along to every lyric from their favorite artist, the moment the Trinidadian queen of rap came off the stage and hit her first word, the packed stadium of otherwise extremely individual people became a single hive Nicki Minaj lyrics wit and inflection. </p> <p class="p3"> <p>The singer’s metallic top and silky skirt were removed to reveal a sequinned pink leotard with sparkly thigh-high boots. The quick outfit change – it would be the last <i>fast</i> one – brought us into the new era of Minaj’s catalog with “FTCU” from the tour’s namesake, <i>Pink Friday 2. </i>Based on fan reaction to the opening lines of this song, I would rate it as a crowd favorite. </p> <p>But the truth is that Nicki Minaj has many audience favorites. Yet when the famous line came, the crowd sang a little louder. OK, much louder: “High heels on my tippies,” 19,000 voices rang out, “Dolce and Gabbana, it’s on my boobs!” » </p> <p class="p3"> <p>Visually, the production value is under-promised and over-delivered. The scene seemed simple enough before the show. But with pyrotechnics, fog jets, an impressive light design and an assemblage of futuristically dressed dancers, a simple black stage became a spectacle worthy of Nicki Minaj (and some other really big names – more on that later). late). </p> <p class="p3"> <p>Here, Minaj and company performed a slew of hits, including “Beep Beep,” “Press Play” and “Beez in the Trap,” while a dynamic backdrop showed moving skyscrapers and pink diamonds . </p> <p class="p3"> <p>Costume and set changes were slow. Sometimes unbearably so. The singer disappeared down a trap door as the final seconds of a song played, waiting in line to dim the lights and begin playing a clunky pre-recorded track, accompanied by a video. This break in performance lasted quite a long time and occurred several times throughout the show, which was confusing considering the live band, dancers, and other endlessly entertaining elements at the tour’s disposal, all of which would have could have been used to divert public attention. </p> <p>During the first set change, Nicki’s famous fake British accent spoke softly through the speakers, over an inoffensive late ’90s electronic beat. <i>to the</i> Miss Kittin, or even Moby (not what I expected at a Nicki Minaj concert). The audience had to routinely check their phones and watches, like at an intermission of <i>Parsifal</i>rather than the world tour of a rap legend. </p> <div uk-lightbox="" class="uk-position-relative fdn-content-image-center contentImageCenter"> <span class="fdn-button-enlarge uk-position-absolute uk-position-top-right uk-hidden-hover"> Click to enlarge </span> <img decoding="async" src="https://media1.houstonpress.com/hou/imager/u/blog/18080675/2126660639_copy.jpg?cb=1715342589" width="760" height="507" loading="lazy"/> </p> <div class="fdn-caption-block uk-margin-auto" style="max-width: 760px"> <p> Nicki Minaj performs “Cowgirl” during a previous Pink Friday 2 World Tour show. </p> <p> Photo: Getty Images/Kevin Mazur </p> </p></div> </p></div> <p class="p3"> <p>When the rapper returned to the stage, she wore a black leotard with sculptural gold hands on her chest. The hand theme continued throughout the backdrop where the shadows of the hands moved across an abstract pink scene. Here, she performed “Pink Birthday,” a catchy birthday anthem from her latest album; “Feeling Myself”, originally recorded with Beyoncé (absent) from her 2014 record <i>The pink footprint</i>; and “Cowgirl,” which was performed, as you might expect, with plenty of cowboy hats on. </p> <p>“Where are the girls from my island?” Minaj asked the crowd, as the opening chords of “Needle” played. His dancers wore elegant feather pants and vests. And here, the choreography moved from hiphop to something close to salsa. </p> <div uk-lightbox="" class="uk-position-relative fdn-content-image-center contentImageCenter"> <span class="fdn-button-enlarge uk-position-absolute uk-position-top-right uk-hidden-hover"> Click to enlarge </span> <img decoding="async" src="https://media2.houstonpress.com/hou/imager/u/blog/18080680/2126661701.jpg?cb=1715342589" width="760" height="507" loading="lazy"/> </p> <div class="fdn-caption-block uk-margin-auto" style="max-width: 760px"> <p> Minaj wore a green kimono during a performance of “Chun-Li” at a concert earlier this year. </p> <p> Photo: Getty Images/Kevin Mazur </p> </p></div> </p></div> <p class="p3"> <p>After a second lengthy set change, the dancers appeared dressed in what looked like black fire costumes with underlit conical hats. Immediately, fans knew which song these outfits would accompany: the controversial 2018 track “Chun-Li.” The song and its various interpretations were criticized from the start for using “unimaginative Asian stereotypes”. Regardless, the rap star doubled down on his visuals, wearing a green and red kimono with a red sash for this tour. </p> <p class="p3"> <p>Minaj sang a number of songs with corresponding outfit changes. “Barbie Dangerous” was performed in a monochrome pink costume, like something straight out of a movie. <i>Blonde’s Revenge</i>Elle Woods’ closet. For “Monster” and “Roman’s Revenge,” she wore a black mini-dress with a sculptural silver headpiece. And for the slowest part of the show, songs like “Fallin 4 U” and “Save Me,” she was dressed in a stunning red lace dress. “Houston, won’t you save me?” She sang repeatedly, closing the song to a roar of heartfelt cheers from the audience. </p> <div uk-lightbox="" class="uk-position-relative fdn-content-image-center contentImageCenter"> <span class="fdn-button-enlarge uk-position-absolute uk-position-top-right uk-hidden-hover"> Click to enlarge </span> <img decoding="async" src="https://media1.houstonpress.com/hou/imager/u/blog/18080681/2127759047.jpg?cb=1715342589" width="760" height="507" loading="lazy"/> </p> <div class="fdn-caption-block uk-margin-auto" style="max-width: 760px"> <p> 50 Cent, Kirko Bangz, BeatKing and Monica all performed at Nicki Minaj’s show in Houston. Pictured: 50 Cent made an appearance at a Pink Friday 2 concert earlier this year. </p> <p> Photo: Getty Images/Kevin Mazur </p> </p></div> </p></div> <p class="p3"> <p>The supporting talent, as they say, showed up in a different form for the Pink Friday 2 World Tour stop in Houston. Nicki Minaj disappeared from the stage only for R&B legend Monica to materialize from the stage door. The famous artist sang the hits “So Gone” and “Before You Walk out of My Life” to a delighted crowd. Monica was followed by rappers T-Wayne, Kirko Bangz and BeatKing, all big names in their own right. But fans went crazy when 50 Cent casually emerged from the back curtain with two fashionable men. The rapper wasted no time before launching into some of his biggest hits, including “PIMP,” “Candy Shop” and “In Da Club.” </p> <p class="p3"> <p>Unfortunately, the incredible crescendo of energy built up by this verifiable dream team of rappers came to a complete halt for half an hour while the stagehands attempted to remedy some, presumably quite serious, technical difficulties. The downtime before Nicki Minaj’s return to the stage was so long that groups of concertgoers were seen carrying out a mass exodus. By then it was well past midnight. </p> <p class="p3"> <p>Finally, at 12:35 a.m., Minaj returned. “Welcome to Gag City, Houston. I know we’re a little late tonight. “But I didn’t want to interrupt the series.” It was as much of an apology that the singer’s fans were going to receive. And, with that charismatic, smirking smile that makes every fan feel like they’re Minaj’s best friend, they were happy to accept it. </p> <p>Especially because what followed was a reminder of why Minaj commands a sold-out world tour in the first place. “Oh, did you think the show was over?” she asked, turning her head over her shoulder to glance at the crowd again. “We have some success to make, bitch. </p> <p class="p3"> <p>Minaj finished with “The Night is Still Young,” “Moment 4 Life” and finally “Starships” which was sung to a never-ending fireworks show. </p> <p class="p3"> <i> Pink Friday 2</i>, the album, was criticized by some as a lackluster postscript to its prequel 13 years previously, and that it offers little new subject matter or inspiration. But for many, and certainly on a commercial level, it’s a success, with much to speak of. </p> <p>However, where he really comes into his own is on stage with the incredible performance and production value that was achieved tonight. But maybe it could do without some waiting. The tour will continue through Texas before crossing the pond to Britain and beyond until July 2024. Don’t let the hiccups disenchant you, Pink Friday 2 and all its special guests are well worth it . </p> </div> <p><script> !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '701597819931765'); // Insert your pixel ID here. fbq('track', 'PageView'); </script></p> </div> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer> </article> <nav class="navigation post-navigation" aria-label="Posts"> <h2 class="screen-reader-text">Post navigation</h2> <div class="nav-links"><div class="nav-previous"><a href="https://chrismagicbarber.ca/2024/trend/hsuses/Am18122KIN191829773GAN/" rel="prev"><span>⟵</span> <span class="nav-title">Investigation: Man seriously injured in fuel plant</span></a></div><div class="nav-next"><a href="https://chrismagicbarber.ca/2024/trend/hsuses/Am18462KIN191830173GAN/" rel="next"><span class="nav-title">Driver arrested for driving under the influence after rollover crash on Skyway Friday morning | News</span> <span>⟶</span></a></div></div> </nav> <div class="related-posts"> <h2>Related Posts</h2> <div class="magazine-archive-layout grid-layout grid-column-3"> <article id="post-5881" class="post-5881 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-hsuses"> <div class="mag-post-single"> <div class="mag-post-img"> <div class="post-thumbnail"> <img post-id="5881" fifu-featured="1" width="1200" src="https://i1.wp.com/media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1664791885534.png?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Kansas man kills attacking dog, shoots dog owner" title="Kansas man kills attacking dog, shoots dog owner" title="Kansas man kills attacking dog, shoots dog owner" decoding="async" /> </div> </div> <div class="mag-post-detail"> <h5 class="entry-title mag-post-title"><a href="https://chrismagicbarber.ca/2024/trend/hsuses/Am18272KIN19588173GAN/" rel="bookmark">Kansas man kills attacking dog, shoots dog owner</a></h5> <div class="mag-post-excerpt"> <p>DOUGLAS COUNTY – Law enforcement is investigating after a woman was shot and a man was injured after a dog…</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article id="post-108343" class="post-108343 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-hsuses"> <div class="mag-post-single"> <div class="mag-post-img"> <div class="post-thumbnail"> <img post-id="108343" fifu-featured="1" width="1200" src="https://i3.wp.com/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/SY36MQKO4RAZVPRA3AI4SVN4ZE.jpeg&w=1440&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="Murder of Leslie Preer: How DNA linked her daughter’s ex-boyfriend to the case" title="Murder of Leslie Preer: How DNA linked her daughter’s ex-boyfriend to the case" title="Murder of Leslie Preer: How DNA linked her daughter’s ex-boyfriend to the case" decoding="async" /> </div> </div> <div class="mag-post-detail"> <h5 class="entry-title mag-post-title"><a href="https://chrismagicbarber.ca/2024/trend/hsuses/Am18202KIN1910834373GAN/" rel="bookmark">Murder of Leslie Preer: How DNA linked her daughter’s ex-boyfriend to the case</a></h5> <div class="mag-post-excerpt"> <p>For 23 years she lived in the shadow of a question. 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