Minaj hopes to work with Machel, Destra
Cherisse Moe
Published: 25 Oct 2010
Photo: Kristian De Silva
Cherisse Moe
Hip hop’s newest female superstar, Nicki Minaj, says she one day hopes to collaborate with soca heavyweights Machel Montano and Destra Garcia. The Trinidadian-born, American-based artiste, who was christened Onika Tonya Maraj, made the revelation during Boom Champions 94.1fm’s Pink Friday promotional event, held at the Brian Lara Promenade, on Friday. Minaj’s voice was met with thunderous applause from scores of excited fans who gathered at the Port-of-Spain venue to take in the show. “I’ve never been so excited in my life... I would love to collaborate with Machel and Destra...I love them,” said Minaj. “I just cannot wait to come down.” Minaj, 25, who recently bagged the best new artiste and best female hip hop artiste awards at BET’s Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, will headline Saturday’s Localize Itt Tour to take place at the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair.
The event is being staged by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs in collaboration with D Project Records. After a Guardian August 25 report that the popular singer was coming to Trinidad, Minaj had released several Twitter statements, saying that she was not contracted to perform in Trinidad. Much to the delight of local fans, however, she has since confirmed that she would be the headline act for Saturday’s concert. Minaj, who left Trinidad at the tender age of five, added that she was excited to eat some “good old Trini food” and hear the accents of “my people.” And although Minaj’s unique style has earned her worldwide respect as a female hip hop artiste, she confessed that she was “a little afraid” of the crowd’s reaction, as she did not know if Trinidadians were familiar with her songs.
The screams and applause from those present at the promenade, however, quickly set the record straight. “I came to Trinidad when my grandmother died, but this would be a different time,” Minaj said. “I wanna say thank you to all the djs who are playing my music... This is my coming home party. I’m in love with you guys!” Earlier, the crowd was treated to performances by some of the country’s biggest soca and reggae artistes, including Swappi, 3 Suns, Makaveli and the Millionaire Family, Isacha, King David, Benjai, Nebula 868 and Terri Lyons. And for her impressive Nicki Minaj impersonations, Kenisha Johnson walked away with a VIP ticket, as well as a prize for free make up on the night of the show. A thrilled Johnson, who turned 15 on Saturday, told the Guardian that winning the ticket was “the best birthday gift,” as she was Minaj’s biggest fan.
