Nicki Minaj's New Music Video Is NSFW, Intense

Ever wondered what a song constructed out of 95 percent illicit language would sound like? Wonder no more, because Nicki Minaj's "Looking Ass N—a" and its accompanying music video rise to the challenge. Would you expect any less from a rap goddess? One of my favorite things ever written about Minaj came when Complex named her verse in Kanye West's "Monster" as the best rap verse of the past five years, and so I will quote a bit of Lauren Nostro's words on her here, because they feel relevant:

Once the beat drops, we meet the many faces of Nicki Minaj. Passionate, erratic, imploring, comedic, her performance has the power, years after its release, makes you stop dead in your tracks. ... After all, Nicki is more than just a rapper, she is a full-fledged entertainer—from her Barbie-voiced TV appearances to her radio-friendly pop crooning to her raspy, street-smart rhymes.The proof of the verse's impact came just a month later, when Nicki's debut album, Pink Friday topped the charts on its way to selling well more than a million copies. It was clear, she did her thing alongside the best in the game—she stole the show, in fact, outshined them all. And fans remembered.

It's easy, what with "Young Ass N—a"s commitment to evoking words of such historical violence and hatred — and I'm not just talking about the word in the title — to be overwhelmed by the language. But that's a debate for another day.

For today, just remember: You can be the king, but watch the queen conquer.

Image: Republic