Hip-Hop Media Training

Mariah Keeps It Classy In ‘Almost Home’ Video While Nicki Minaj Gets Trashy In ‘Freaks’ Clip

Mariah Carey in "Almost Home" video. (Vevo)

Have rival “American Idol” judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj sparked a new competition this week? They have released new music videos a day apart. On Friday, Mariah premiered her music video for “Almost Home,” a power ballad for the soundtrack for the Disney film Oz: The Great And Powerful. A day earlier, Nicki and French Montana released the clip for their collaboration, “Freaks.”

In Mariah’s “Almost Home” visual, the “We Belong Together” singer adopts an elegant classy look, dressed in a sleeveless, floor-length black gown for her performance shots that are spliced with clips from the film starring James Franco, Mila Kunis, and Michelle Williams.Nicki Minaj in French Montana's "Freaks" video. (Vevo)

For “Freaks,” Nicki displays one of her more explicit looks, exposing her pasties-covered breasts (think Lil Kim at the 1999 VMAs) in French Montana’s raunchy short. Nicki dresses the part, as she rhymes boastful lyrics about meeting a guy and taking him home to “kill him with it” over the reggae track that samples Chake Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote."

While Mariah and Nicki both have a history of wearing revealing outfits, it’s unclear what prompted the “Super Bass” rapper to take on her most risqué look yet. Was Nicki’s move intended to appease her hip-hop fans that think she abandoned her roots with pop hits like “Starships” and gig judging a mainstream singing competition?

And does Mariah simply play it safe for Disney, or does the straight-laced “Almost Home” video also serve to remind everyone that she is the consummate pop diva, with enough global appeal to earn the distinction as the best-selling-female artist of all time with more than 200 million records sales worldwide?

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter.

News for You

  • Palace sheds some light on Kate's baby plans

    LONDON (AP) — With Prince William and the former Kate Middleton expecting their first child in mid-July — and much of the world interested in the birth of a future monarch — the royals' office has released some of the couple's plans, although many details are still being kept private. Kate has made several public appearances recently but is expected to keep a low profile in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Here is the latest news about the infant who will, upon entering the world, be third in line for the British throne.

  • Mom: RI theater threw out disabled girl over noise

    NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — A woman says she and her 5-year-old developmentally disabled daughter were thrown out of a theater during a "Beauty and the Beast" performance because the girl was making giggling and humming noises she makes when she's happy.

  • Cher credits luck for her lengthy career

    UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder.

  • Jenner: Kim Kardashian 'thrilled for the new baby'

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kris Jenner says her daughter Kim Kardashian is thrilled to have a new baby girl.

  • 'The Voice' Winner: Who Did the Experts Choose?

    By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NBC's "The Voice" will crown another winner on Tuesday night's finale. Season 4's three finalists - Daniellle Bradbury, Michelle Shamuel and The Swon Brothers - battled it out for the title on Monday's performance finale episode. Before the performances, coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Shakira and Usher performed The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." The Top 16 then got together for the second group performance of the night on Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros' "Home. ...

  • Miss Utah latest beauty queen to botch answer

    LAS VEGAS (AP) — Miss Utah Marissa Powell is the latest beauty queen to trip on national television, not over her gown, but during the interview segment.