Las Vegas Weekly

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Photo: Erik Kabik/ErikKabik.com

Nicki Minaj at PH Live in Planet Hollywood on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012.

Photo: Erik Kabik/ErikKabik.com

Nicki Minaj at PH Live in Planet Hollywood on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012.

Rapper and singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj brought her super bass to PH Live at Planet Hollywood on Saturday night, and with technology-driven sets and dramatic costume (and hair) changes, Minaj played to a packed house and delivered the ultra pop that made her famous.

Of course, she also banged out rhymes and raps that kept the crowd begging for more. Minaj ran the gamut of her debut album “Pink Friday” and her sophomore album “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.” Her set included “Roman’s Revenge,” “Did It on Them,” “I Am Your Leader,” “Bees in the Trap,” “Dance A$$,” “Right by My Side” and “Moment for Life.”

When she sang “Moment for Life,” there was something about her stage presence that let the audience know Minaj was destined for stardom. David Guetta’s “Where D’em Girls At” complemented costume changes, but it wasn’t about the fashion Saturday night; it was all about the music.

The crowd went crazy for “Starships” -- well, as crazy as they could in seats, as there was no pit for fans. Minaj is a force to be reckoned with -- anyone who can move like her deserves stardom. She had no problem engaging the crowd. She tossed MINAJ T-shirts to fans and stumbled upon a man who called her “beautiful.” She quickly learned that it was his 60th birthday, at which point she had the audience sing “Happy Birthday” to the smiling man.

Inspiring anecdotes followed her inspiring sets. The bottom line of her message: girl power! And if you ever want to make it in show business, “You don’t have to sleep your way to the top.” She didn’t sing all of her full songs, overlayed everything with her own vocals and at times lip-synched, but her energy and charisma commanded the crowd.

Personal touches set the scene and the stage she owned. She ended her first Las Vegas headlining gig with “Super Bass,” and there was not a Barb (a Minaj fan) left in their seat. The crowd also went crazy for Flavor Flav (who may or may not have been promoting his new fried chicken restaurant at the Riviera) as he walked through the crowd clock in tow.

Minaj was a showstopper and might deserve a marquee-headlining gig on the Strip next to the likes of Celine Dion. As she rounds out the rest of her international tour, Minaj will take her energy and excitement to Middle America. This was Las Vegas history in the making, and she will always remember the time she brought the house down in Las Vegas.

A shout out to celebrity makeup artist Joyce Bonnelli for the stunning looks she created for Minaj that dazzled the crowd. Opening act 2 Chainz rolled out on a Segway, but the lackluster performance only left Minaj fans salivating for more.