I’ve been a die hard Nicki Minaj fan since I was 17 years old.
I remember discovering her on a Gucci Mane mixtape before she was a household name. Back then, I was telling everyone about this dope rapper who was about to blow up, but no one knew who she was yet. What drew me to her? Her lyrics. Nicki’s ability to speak to me, to make me feel like “omg girl, me too” was unmatched. I’ve always been confident in myself, even when others tried to shrink me, and Nicki made me feel like I wasn’t alone in that.
Fast forward to 2010, when Pink Friday dropped. I was a broke college student at the time, and that album? Couldn’t afford it. But fate stepped in. My roommate, who I had been blasting Nicki’s mixtapes for months, became a fan too. She bought the album, and I’m pretty sure she only let me listen to it on her terms. Let me tell you, I was lucky if I could even touch the damn thing! It was an era of borrowed music and borrowed moments, but hey, it was still a win.
Years passed, I grew up, and finally, I had grown up money to go see my girl live. I’d never seen her in concert before, and I was NOT going to let this opportunity slip by in case she decided to take a hiatus or retire. So, when the Gag City Tour came to Atlanta on March 20, 2024, I had to be there.
It was a sold out show, and let me tell you, the nerves were REAL. The day before, Nicki had to cancel her New Orleans show because she got sick, and the whole crowd was on edge, wondering if she’d make it to Atlanta. But, thank the music gods, she did. And when she did, she showed up and showed OUT.
As for my outfit, I was ready to slay in pink, but I didn’t want to look like a walking highlighter. I hired a driver to take me to and from the show because, honestly, I hate driving and wanted to arrive in style. Plus, I deserved a night out to see my favorite artist. And going solo? No problem. I’ve learned to ride solo because I’m tired of people canceling plans or ruining my important moments. If I want to go to a concert or on vacation, I’m taking myself.
The concert felt like one big party. I had gag city VIP tickets, but I opted out of the lounge. I’m in my 30s now, and the thought of being in the mix with a bunch of rowdy folks didn’t sound like my vibe. So I went to my seat in Sec 120, Row FF, Seat 17. Perfect view close to stage.
DJ Boof, Nicki’s longtime friend, was there to get the party started. The energy was contagious as we all danced and sang along to her feature songs and mixtape hits. He even mixed in songs from other artists, and the whole arena was vibing. The crowd was filled with people who truly get Nicki no bots here, just real fans. I’m over here doubting my outfit, but people were complimenting me left and right, which boosted my confidence even more.
Then, the moment we all waited for Nicki took the stage. When she came out to “I’m the Best” from Pink Friday, you could feel the electricity in the air. The place erupted.
She had Monica on stage too, and the vibe between them was fire. I could tell Nicki was still recovering from being sick, but she gave it 100%. The outfits, the dancers, the stage design it was all top-tier, nothing cheap about it. Every single seat was filled with real fans who knew the words to every song. And me? I was dancing, singing, living my best life, despite my feet being on fire from the geeked-up boots I decided to wear.
The concert wrapped up with “Starships,” and I’m pretty sure I still haven’t come down from that high. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’ll cherish that night forever. Nicki Minaj? Forever the queen. Funny thing everyone online was accusing Nicki of lying about having the flu and being sick before the show. People were skeptical, but guess what? Three days after the concert, I took a turn myself. I became the sickest I’ve ever been in my life. Turns out, it wasn’t COVID, but I was down for two weeks, just completely knocked out. Turns out, she wasn’t the only one feeling under the weather after all! Was it worth it, absolutely!
Gag City Tour Fun Facts
• Record-Breaking Gross Revenue: The tour amassed over $108.8 million in gross revenue across 70 shows, setting the hugest benchmark for a female rapper’s concert earnings.
Extensive Reach and Demand: Spanning 79 performances across three continents, the tour demonstrated global appeal. The overwhelming demand led to the addition of a second North American leg, featuring 22 additional shows
Stellar Attendance Figures: The tour attracted approximately 787,000 attendees, averaging over 11,200 fans per show, reflecting Nicki’s strong fan base.
High-Grossing Performances: Notably, the March 30, 2024, concert at Madison Square Garden generated $2.858 million from 13,700 tickets sold, exemplifying the tour’s success in major markets.
Superior Sista Travels 