“If we were two Lego blocks even the Harvard University graduating class of 2010 couldn’t put us back together again”
Back in 2010, those were the very words Mariah Carey cooed on her then-single ‘Up Out My Face’ – which featured a then-rising Nicki Minaj. Fast forward 3 years and we’re sure the premium diva is directing those lyrics to the rapper…for quite different reasons (see: beef). Nevertheless, the American Idol judges’ release is this week’s From The Vault pick.
Originally included on MC’s 2009 opus ‘Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel’ sans Minaj, the version which featured the femcee was rolled out as as the first single (alongside ‘Angel’s Cry’ feat. Ne-Yo) from her scrapped remix album ‘Angels Advocate’. Musically, the release was helmed by Mimi, Tricky Stewart and The Dream – the team behind the totality of the song’s parent LP.
Criminally underrated, the single didn’t exactly set the charts alight – charting at #39 on the US Hip-Hop/R&B and only at a mere #100 on the Hot 100. Still, we feel it was wholly deserving of the “single treatment” as it was a true highlight on an album that, despite its cohesive-quality, wasn’t front-loaded with “hits”. Unusual for a “Mariah Carey” album.
Still, its accompanying video served up many an entertaining moment, packing with it enough to ensure ‘Up Out My Face’ serves as a memorable Mariah moment, regardless of chart placings (or lack-thereof). Mr Carey aka Nick Cannon took charge of directorial duties, delivering a vivid, colorful and, humorous clip. Channeling the ‘Roman’s Revenge’ artist’s recurring “Black Barbie” theme, the girls are painted as bootylicious, larger-than-life dolls whose wardrobes are as all sorts of scanty.
This chemistry the Pop stars shared on its video make their current feud all the more ironic.
In any case, Mimi and Nicki will have no other choice but to stay in each other’s faces for the next few months, as they search for the next music ‘Idol. And while we’re all for peace, love, and all that good stuff, we’ll be enjoying all the .gif moments they keep serving up each week on FOX.