If there’s one word that’s not used all that often to describe anything Nicki Minaj does, it’s “understated.”

Yes, from her vast collection of neon wigs to her closet full of skintight outfits, Nicki is rarely, if ever, subtle. But in her upcoming video for “Right Thru Me,” all of that has changed. Gone are the Kool-Aid accoutrements and Harajuku Barbie getups, replaced instead with a side of the rapper most of her fans have never seen before: a sensitive, softer one.

And that was very much the plan, as Minaj told MTV News when we visited the set of “Right Thru Me” last month in Los Angeles. Because unlike her previous singles, this one gets downright personal.

“The song is [about] just being in awe at another human being’s ability to know you so well,” she said. “This is going to be different, in that, usually, I’m over the top, but in this one, I’m going to pull back a little bit.”

Directed by Diane Martel, “Right Thru Me” follows a demurely dressed Minaj and her love interest as they work through the complexities of a relationship. So don’t expect a whole lot of leather catsuits or anime-inspired green-screen wizardry this time out. For once, Minaj is playing it straight.

“Right Thru Me” is the third single from Minaj’s ultra-anticipated Pink Friday album, which is due November 23.

What do you think about Nicki dialing things down a notch for the video? Let us know in the comments!

Outspoken MC Nicki Minaj has said that she wants to help eradicate homophobia in hip-hop. With the recent rash of suicides by gay youths who have been bullied because of their sexuality, Minaj is now reaching out to tell her fans, point blank, that “suicide is never the answer.”

“I would encourage my gay fans to be fighters and to be brave,” she told MTV News. “People face difficulties, no matter who you are. I faced difficulties with a lot of things. I face opposition every day, but I didn’t kill myself and now, thank God, I’m here. So I want my life to be a testimony to my fans and my gay fans.

“I mean I could never imagine what they’re going through,” she continued. “But I know that suicide is never the answer and I know that things always get better. So I’m supporting you guys. I love you very, very much and for the people who don’t love you, they need help.”

Minaj added that she thinks knowing the motivations of bullies could help those being taunted feel stronger. “I don’t agree that everyone should agree with everyone’s lifestyle. I think that some people aren’t going to agree, but I think that when you’re mean and when you ridicule people it’s a sign of your own insecurities,” she explained. “So shout out to all my Ken and Barbies out there and my girls too; just believe that things will get better and they will they always do.

“It just takes a little willpower. There’s an answer. There’s always a different way that you can fight people back,” she continued. “And definitely [with] suicide you’re giving up and I don’t promote giving up. I promote fighting and winning.”

Minaj joins gossip blogger Perez Hilton, columnist Dan Savage and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres in speaking out against bullying and in support of gay rights.

MTV’s ongoing “A Thin Line” project provides stories and resources for anyone who believes they are being cyberbullied or who is looking for ways to stop harassment by digital means.

In Rick Ross’ mind, Nicki Minaj graduated when she worked with the man behind the album Graduation.

The Bawse said he was amazed not only seeing Nicki compose her raps, but also get on the mic and tear the booth down for the Kanye West posse cut.

“It was a moment in history,” he said. “I knew then she’s one of the greatest.

“I was actually in the studio with Kanye in Hawaii when he played the concept for me,” Ross recalled. “I was blown away. I had the opportunity to sit in the studio while Nicki wrote her verse just off the record. That was when she earned my respect as a lyricist. She was a dope entertainer up until that day that I sat in the studio and watched her come up with what I feel is one of the dopest verses of the year.”

If you’re getting your late pass right now, “Monster” was released a few weeks back as part of Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Friday offering of free music to the people. The track also features Jay-Z, Bon Iver, Charlie Wilson and Ross himself.

“OK, first things first, I’ll eat your brains/ Then I’mma start rocking gold teeth and fangs,” Nicki raps on the song/ ” ‘Cause that’s what a mutha—-ing monster do/ Hairdresser from Milan, that’s the monster ‘do/ Monster Giuseppe heel, that’s the monster shoe/ Young Money is the roster and the monster crew.”

“To see her construct her verse and lay it — she did it herself — I commend her,” Ross added.

Ross’ time on the track was limited, but Ricky Rozay said he wasn’t slated to be on the song in the first place.

“I wasn’t originally supposed to be on the record. I was next door working on another Kanye collaboration,” the Miami native said. “I walked in, like, ‘This is so big.’ [Kanye] was like, ‘Yeah.’ He was playing the track, spitting his verse for me. That’s before he even laid it. I’m like, ‘That’s dangerous.’ At the same time, me being a hustler, I’m thinking of just an intro for the record. He told me the structure and the way he wanted it to go. I told him that was it. That’s the way I would do it. He was on point with it. Me being the artist I am, I was sitting there talking to him and came up with an intro bridge. It wasn’t a verse at all. It was just an intro or somewhat of a bridge to set the tone for ‘Ye to come in. Jay capped it off.”

Source: MTV

Nicki Minaj and will.i.am speed into the future in the video for “Check It Out,” the joint single off Nicki’s forthcoming album Pink Friday. Following the live debut of the track at this month’s MTV VMAs, the duo hit the set to pay homage to Japanese anime culture in the Thomas Kloss-directed clip, shot in Los Angeles this past weekend.

“You can expect to see a bunch of flyness as far as the outfits,” the Black Eyed Peas frontman told MTV News on set of the video. “When I say flyness, I’m talking about Nicki’s outfits. She’s looking super-duper fly and whatnot.”

Nicki chimed in to elaborate on the concept. “We’re doing almost like an ode to Japanese culture and Japanese anime,” she said. “I’m obviously a big fan and I’ve joined forces with like the only boy that I know that’s also able to capture that culture.”

The pair also discussed working on the futuristic tune, which samples The Buggles’ classic ’80s hit “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

“I worked with tons of producers on my album, shout out to all of them,” said the Young Money rapper. “Will’s the only producer that produced me. He really sat there and got this weird sound, and I was like what? It was so simple. He was sitting there and he made the beat on the spot.”

Source: Rap-Up.com & MTV