Cringe. I don't mind the new, UK recording of Will.I.Am's smashing track 'Check It Out', and I suppose it's remotely understandable, given Cole's association with Will but the video, really? As it originally stood, the video was a quirky homage to Japanese TV and 'pop' artistry associated with the country and, of course, the singers looks fitted in perfectly, the beautiful Nicki Minaj in particular. To aid the new recording, however, someone thought it would be a good idea to film some add-on footage of Cheryl Cole as a rather forced wide-eyed bimbo. As much as, I'll confess, I love Cheryl Cole as herself, the awful attempt to 'quirk' her up with dodgy face-pulling and abrupt dancing makes for, quite frankly, some stomach turning TV. Cheryl is no Nicki. Deal with it and move on.
Nicki Minaj's debut album is out now.
