Music Review: Nicki Minaj "Va Va Voom"

Nicki Minaj

Va Va Voom

Album: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

Year: 2012

    Nicki Minaj offers a hot married guy a night with her in the wired  “Va Va Voom.”

     Tickled synths open the single, setting a heedless tone. She was at a friend’s birthday party getting a drink when she bumps elbows with a good-looking guy. He jokes, after some of his pretzels getting knocked on the floor, that was her way of  trying to start a conversation. She grins and laughs to herself while noticing his his broad shoulders and muscular build. Handsome and a wide smile, she’s surprised an agent hasn’t  signed up him for a contract to appear on a CBS show and fight crime.  She introduces herself and they talk. Her friend has mentioned the guy before.  Apparently, he’s looking for hook-ups. She thinks he would make a  great one-night stand. It doesn’t matter if he’s single or not. (“Just met a boy, just met a boy when/He could come inside of my play pen/Cause he look like a superstar in the makin’/So I think that I'm going in for the takin'/Hear through the grapevine that he cakin'/We could shoot a movie, he could the tapin'/Boom boom pow, this thing be shakin’/I ain't even tryin' to find out who he datin'.”)

       In the pre-chorus, she says he’s married but guys as good-looking as him are once in a lifetime. She wants to sleep with him. He seems hesitant to actually follow through and she gives him an ultimatum. She’s only going to ask once. She’s deftinely someone he would want to check out and she’s willing to take control. (“Cause I know that he got a wife at home/But I need just one night alone/If he keep playing them kiddin' games/I'm a runaway, I'm a runaway/I wanna give you one last option/I wanna give you one last chance/If you're looking for the main attraction/Just hold on tight and let me do my dance.”)

       In the chorus, she tells him sex will be memorable with her. Other than his looks, there is a charisma to him which attracts her even more to him. (“If you want it, I'm gonna be/Va va voom voom/If you got it, you got it/You got that boom boom/If you want it, I'm gonna be/Va va voom voom/If you got it, you got it/You got that boom boom.”)

        With one-night stands, she has one rule: enjoy the evening and leave it as a memory. But she finds herself falling for him. He wears designer clothes and keeps in shape. She believes he makes a lot of money although she’s not sure exactly what he does. He’s a low-key guy and she hopes he likes her quirkiness. (“Just met a boy, just met a boy when/He could become my little problem/Cause he look like he modelin’ clothes in Dublin/So I think that he gettin' that Green a Goblin/Heard through the grapevine that he hang low/We could shoot a movie, could bang like Rambo/Boom boom pow, this thing's so bingo/Wondering if he can understand my lingo.”)

     The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again. 

In the bridge, they are dancing at the club. She’s taking her time, moving, making sure to touch him on his chest with her finger. He’s giving her an intense look and she knows he wants her. (“Boy I'm in this club slow mo/Don't mind if I do/And I can tell you're feelin' me from the jump/
I wanna ride too/You got that hot shit/Boy ya' blessed/Let me feel up on yo' chest/Flex In'
You da man, you da man one hundred grand/The same ole' game blow/Yes I play it everywhere/
Come baby lay down, let me stay down,/Let me show how I run it to the playground/Come and et this va va voom.”)

     The pre-chorus and chorus end the single.

     Minaj’s brusque, strong-willed vocals strut the catwalk in zebra skin heels, a checkered skirt and a top decorated with roses, daring the audience to look away from her. She commands attention with a soft touch.

    The glossy “Va Va Voom”  shimmers, lightening up even the darkest of moods.