Nicki Minaj, winner of the BET award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, returned to the land of her birth, Trinidad and Tobago, on July 3, to kick-off the shoot for her fourth video, “Pound the Alarm,” from her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.
Among the contingent of senior government officials who turned out to formally welcome the rap sensation home was Chairman of the Tourism Development Company Limited Rajiv Shandilya who presented Minaj with a copper replica of the Steelpan, Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument. Thanking the artist for highlighting Trinidad and Tobago, Shandilya invited her to collaborate with other local artists to promote the country on the world stage.
While in Trinidad, the award-winning hip hop artiste will be looking to capture a taste of carnival for her video, as costumes from Carnival 2012 will be worn in full splendor. The video will be filmed in the Queens Park Savannah and will include local ace Steelpan arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharp and the Woodbrook Playboyz Steelpan Orchestra and a taste of Soca superstar, Machel Montano.
The twin islands are home to the world famous carnival, and it is the birthplace of the steel pan drum. Trinidad and Tobago offers a distinct blend of culture and is dubbed as the cultural capital of the Caribbean. This makes it the ideal destination to experience many different flavors, sounds, and colors, making it the true Caribbean!
For more information on Trinidad and Tobago, visit www.gotrinidadandtobago.com .
