Make way for the Barbies

Fake it to make it: Nicki Minaj attempts to go Gaga

Nicki Minaj at 2010 VMAs
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Lady Gaga at 2010 VMAs
AP Photo
Ryan Seacrest

Trinidadian American rapper and singer-songwriter Onika Maraj, also known by stage name Nicki Minaj, is having her spotlight moment.

With a splashy appearance at the 2010 Video Music Awards, whispers of a Ryan Seacrest-produced reality show and mounting declarations that she's the next Lady Gaga, Ms. Minaj is rocketing towards the forefront of pop, with her debut album, Pink Friday, set to drop Nov. 23.

The former Bronx Red Lobster employee earned her first minor recognition less than two years ago with the Female Artist of the Year award at the Underground Music Awards. With her popular brand of raunch and confessional feminist rap that recalls Lauryn Hill and TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez, Minaj is more than ready for "Your Love."

Minaj joins a cast of stars who are more like schizophrenic performers than musical artists. Her version of girl power has birthed a swath of fans she calls "my Barbies" just as Gaga calls her fans "monsters." She appears at awards shows in a Lil Kim-style wig and affects a British accent in interviews.

Minaj's sexed-up style and ever-expanding cast of characters, including a Harajuku Barbie and an artful Roman Zolanski, call into question just how much she subscribes to female empowerment and the validity of her "monstertude."

Her eagerness to assimilate with the hyper-masculine mainstream of hip-hop was in evidence in a Sept. 13 performance of "Monster" alongside Kanye West and Jay-Z at a sold-out Yankee Stadium, which she described on Twitter as the "Best nite of my life." With such electric performances, Minaj is taking all the right steps to achieve relevance, but audiences' appetite for a pop star with multifarious personas is being put to the test.

View the triple trouble performance of "Monster":

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Time to Tailgate

Houston sports fans score great food and fun at CultureMap's Tailgate

Photo by Daniel Fernandez

Chris Lueking, Bailey Murphy

It's rare to get a Houston evening with low humidity, crisp air, and cool breezes, but the stars aligned for The Tailgate presented by Verizon, CultureMap's third annual signature event, on November 11. The weather was absolutely perfect.

Held at 8th Wonder Brewing, the (mostly) outdoor event offered about 500 guests plenty of space to mingle, eat, and enjoy the laid-back vibe of sports-themed fun. Houston pride shone brightly with attendees donning their best Astros, Texans, Rockets, and Dynamo gear.

VIP admission gave guests access to a special meet-and-greet with two of the Houston Texans' most popular alumni — defensive stars Brian Cushing and Travis Johnson, courtesy of presenting sponsor Verizon. The players handed out their autographs and snapped photos with fans to kick off the evening.

Of course, no tailgate is complete without delicious food. Guests gobbled up generous samples from some of Houston's favorite restaurants, including:

Adobo beef tacos from 1891 American Eatery & Bar
White wings, gold fever wings, crawdaddy and mango habanero wings, and signature onion rings from Big City Wings
Comfort Foodies' signature empanadas in four flavors: oxtail, beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, and spinach and cheese
Shrimp ceviche shooters and brisket on a croissant from The Halal Guys
St. Louis ribs with Comeback Sauce from Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Spicy and regular Layne's chicken fingers with dipping sauce
Smoked salmon handroll from Kokoro
Loro's smoked brisket tostadas with shishito salsa
Ramen Frito pie from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Lobster rolls, corn and crab bisque, lobster bisque, and whoopie pies from Mainely Sandwiches
Smoked pulled pork bahn mi pizza from Pizarro's Pizza
House made bratwurst on a challah roll with sauerkraut and amber ale mustard from Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Jerk lamb chops from Southern Jerks
Spicy ranch wings from Taste Kitchen + Bar
Laab chicken sandwiches with tortilla chips from Thai Tail
The Waffle Bus' Hot Mess Fries: seasoned waffle fries topped with spicy buttermilk fried chicken bites, white cheddar mac and cheese, and Thunder Sauce
72-hour sous vide wagyu short rib from Uchi
Wagyu meatballs and edamame fritters from Uchiko Houston

With virtually no wait time for drinks, the bars served up signature cocktails by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Weber Ranch Vodka. Guests sipped memorable espresso martinis made with Shipley Do-Nuts cold brew, along with THC seltzers from Howdy and 8th Wonder beers.

Big City Wings beat out 15 other competitors in a bracket-style tournament to take home the title as winner of the Ultimate Wing Showdown. And The Waffle Bus scored a repeat win as attendees' favorite dish of the night; they also took home the title in 2023.

Sponsor East River 9 offered more delicious food at their booth.

Local sports organizations were well represented, with the Texans raffling off a coveted CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros showed off their Shooting Stars dancers, plus the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies. And Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash raffled off team-signed jerseys.

Julia Morales showcased with her custom apparel line, Shop Baseball, Y'all. Attendees could also shop the great apparel selection from Mizzen + Main.

No sports-themed event would be complete without some friendly competition and awards to take home. Guests could putt putt for prizes, courtesy of Holey Moley. And the night wound down with a spirited kolache-eating contest sponsored by Shipley Do-Nuts; the lucky winner received free doughnuts for a year.

At the end of the night, there was only one complaint to be made for The Tailgate: It had to come to an end for another season.

The Tailgate was presented by Verizon and sponsored by 8th Wonder, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and East River 9.

Photo by Daniel Fernandez

Chris Lueking, Bailey Murphy