First of all who said alter egos wasn't herself? Nicki been having alter-egos since she was a kid. You think that's a gimmick that would mean beyonce, katy perry, gaga, and other celebs with alter egos are gimmicks. Really doesn't matter, cuz like I said, nicki has a good delivery without "gimmicks" since moment for life was nicki just rapping and singing and slayed the charts!!!