Nicki Minaj Storms NYC With Kanye, Drake, Rihanna & More (PHOTOS)

The anticipation leading up to last night’s first headlining show for Nicki Minaj, either by Nicki via twitter or just rumors that swirled lived up to the hype–except some would say for maybe 1 minor detail. Barbz and Ken Barbz lined up outside Hammerstein Ballroom on a cold and rainy Thanksgiving Day starting at 2pm but most opted for “practical” clothes rather than the pink wigs and revealing ensembles like their idol. The presence of Nicki’s fans was definitely felt with constant spirited recitation of her lyrics throughout the very long wait and then finally chants of “Let Us In.”

Once finally inside, the show did kick off to Hot 97’s credit very quickly. DJ Enuff announced Vado who warmed up the crowd with a quick set of “Speaking in Tungs,’ “Polo,” “We All Up In Here,” and closed with “Salute.” The crowd continued to file in when Fabolous took to the stage to “No Brian Pumper Jewels,“ with his DJ 45 and a full band backing him. Fab continued to fire off a mixture of freestyles like “White and Navy” and “Turnt Up,” to go along with his serious catalogue of hits “ Body Ya,’ “Lights Out,’ and “Breathe,” to get the crowd ready. Loso then brought out Red Café to rock a few collabos: “Tonight,’ “Money, Money, Money,” and “I’m Ill” which everyone had wanted to see them rock collectively at Summer Jam.

With the mostly female crowd, Fab decided to acknowledge and cater to the ladies with his verses for “Rocking That Thang, “ Say Ahh,” “ Deuces,” and “I Hope She Cheats on You With A Basketball Player.” He showed off his swag while making the ladies melt with “ Make Me Better,” “Throw It in the Bag, “ and “Everything, Everyday, Everywhere.” Fab kept it all NYC by bringing out Lloyd Banks to shake the building with “Start It Up, “ and the crowd lost their minds when Juelz Santana came out to do “Beamer Benz and Bentley.” After that adrenaline rush Loso finished strong with his current banger “You Be Killin’ Em.” 

Mr. Cee got the West Indian crowd members involved and amped for Nicki’s arrival by spinning the latest Soca and Reggae records. With the stage set with a small band and DJ Diamond Kuts manning the turntables, the moment finally arrived. The familiar intro to “Roman’s Revenge” played and the petite rapper emerged in a satin-like pants suit, blond wig dipped in pink and black heels full of life roaring like a  dungeon dragon.

The shock and awe of her outfit came at the end of the song to reveal a Prince-like sheer opening head to toe of her “asset” and her whole back. Nicki kicked off the first of many star power moments when she brought out Busta Rhymes to do a freestyle verse to the song that bears one of his signature lines. The crowd’s out pouring of love and support continued to deafen at times during Nicki’s rapid fire verses for “Bottoms Up, “ Roger That,” My Chick Bad, “ Lil Freak, “ Letting Go (Dutty Love), “ and “Hold Yuh.”