Okay so my Google Reader tells me Nicki Minaj dropped this on MixtapeTorrent last July, but that's kinda when school starts so whatever. I'm actually kinda glad I didn't catch it until recently--I'm a courier and until recently the weather wouldn't have been warm enough. Windows down, gettin my hustle on, etc etc.

If you don't remember her on Can't Stop Won't Stop from Wayne's Drought 3 there might not be any help for your taste. Or alternately, possibly your memory. But she's on her own here with the same Brooklyn accent as Lil Kim and a clever, updated aerobic wit somewhere between Weezy, Missy Elliot and Lil Mama. She's smart and she's quick and it's not the universal thematic eruption of Diamond's Bitch Music, but it don't think it's supposed to be.* It's jokey and chatty and conversational, she's personal without telling you about herself--in the same way that Wayne is--instead she lets her talent, skill, and delivery as an artist and MC demonstrate. Nicki Minaj is doing something else, and I'm not sure what it is yet. Keep an eye on her.

JAMZ:

Diamond, La La La

Nicki Minaj, Whatchu Know Bout Me
Nicki Minaj, Dreams '07

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*However, the tape dropped in part under Big Mike, one of the same DJs. I know nothing about him but evidently he reps for some cool broads.