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Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj

Learn about a new hip-hop star and phrasal verbs

Date: Mar 07 2011

Themes: Music

Grammar: Phrasal Verbs

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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An alter ego is like another person living inside of you. Think of Superman and Clark Kent, Batman and Bruce Wayne…or Nicki Minaj and Roman Zolanski.

Wait, who? Nicki Minaj is a female rapper. Some people think she is the best female rapper to come along since Lil Kim. And Roman Zolanski…well, Roman Zolanski is also Nicki Minaj. It’s her alter ego.

Minaj says she started creating different characters for herself when she was a little kid. Whenever she felt sad or scared, she would pretend that she was someone else. Now she sometimes pretends she’s someone else while she’s rapping. Her alter egos are just one way she’s making a name for herself. Learn more about Nicki Minaj from Beren and Ella.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Beren

Beren

Ella

Ella

Beren:  I just watched a documentary on MTV2 about Nicki Minaj.

Ella:  Really? I was trying to look her up on Wikipedia. There’s not much information about her out there.

Beren:  She’s kinda, you know, like a newer artist, and I think she’s mostly known for being in Young Money, which is Lil Wayne’s posse. But, I don’t know, she just released her first solo album, Pink Friday, and I kinda want to hear it. I think she’s a excellent rapper.

Ella:  I know, I like all the songs that she’s been in, that she’s done with other people, so…I hear there’s some singing in it, too, so that should be interesting and a different side, ‘cause you always see her as, you know, Lil Kim’s protegee almost, ‘cause she’s the next female rapper and she’s always rapping. But I hear on the CD there is singing, so…

Beren:  Well she has such an interesting voice, and she uses different personas. On her new album Pink Friday, she uses a male alter ego that battles Eminem’s Slim Shady, and I think the song’s called “Roman’s Revenge.”

Ella:  Huh. That seems like it’s pushing it a little there, I mean…that just seems too far-fetched.

Beren:  Really? I think it’s an interesting thing to do. It’ll give her a chance to explore like a different voice.

Ella:  I mean, that’s true. But it…who is Nicki Minaj really?

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Beren is impressed with the new artist Nicki Minaj. She watched a movie about the rapper’s life and was interested in her alter egos. Beren thinks that Nicki Minaj has a great voice and a lot of creative talent.

Ella is also a fan of Nicki Minaj and likes how she both raps and sings on her new album, Pink Friday. But she doesn’t know Minaj uses a lot of alter egos. She thinks it’s strange to have so many different personalities, and she wonders who the “real” Nicki Minaj is.

Do you ever act like a different person? Do you prefer female artists who rap or sing?

 

Comments

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OhMyOuma

OhMyOuma

Morocco

I act like a foolish  a most of the time, even if some friends finds me weird and crazy that they can understand , but i like my personnality ‘cause i believe that we have to be “what we are” not “what other like ” we are born like that so why changing our personality; everyone has a special thing which distinguishes his character.

02:13 PM May 15 2012 |

john_free

john_free

United States

what's her best song?

07:50 PM Mar 11 2011 |

tiffanyg2145

United States

i love ur sonqs:) especially moment 4 life:)

06:37 PM Mar 08 2011 |

teacher78

Turkey

ı prefer being lmyself;;;

06:35 PM Mar 07 2011 |

Gamers

Gamers

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I Like Her MusicS…!!!!!

Thanks 4 This Lesson !

06:31 PM Mar 07 2011 |

nekgkb

nekgkb

Saudi Arabia

for me … i like different  and unique person ,

04:52 PM Mar 07 2011 |

dpogit91

dpogit91

Viet Nam

I like the definition "alter ego". A lot of faces can survive in a person even sometimes you don't know what is ur real essence. Moreover, it's so interesting when you find out the other face of a friend that can make u surprised although it could be quite complex in some situations.

A way to refresh ur life is taking part in new environments as new language classes, learning instrument classes and then u can try st new, inside u:)

02:54 PM Mar 07 2011 |

Bogle

Bogle

Germany

Correct grammar would be, "She's an excellent rapper", not "She's a excellent rapper."  Although personally I don't believe in excellent rap or any other form of rap except for 'wretched', but I thought I'd make the correction for those that see this.

02:19 PM Mar 07 2011 |

MUHAMMAD92

MUHAMMAD92

Saudi Arabia

 i like differentsonger  act person i prever female artists who rap and songer.

02:11 PM Mar 07 2011 |

ASM Artist

Sudan

oh: nicki MINAJ  THAT IS WEIRD .

SHE IS FREAK!!!!!

01:07 PM Mar 07 2011 |

postaav

postaav

Egypt

really,i think it is difficult to be another person or to just imitate him perfectly.everyone have a special character and a different style.

12:14 PM Mar 07 2011 |

xain

xain

Bahrain

lets see .. who doesnt want to be superman, or wonder woman .. there is a part of us that wants to be like someone else, or something else .. some wished to born tree, others wanted to have special powers like ( memorizing a book with one touch) wouldnt that be great haha .. alter ego is a part of everyone, can't deny it .. if not in real life .. maybe in dreams ..

08:03 AM Mar 07 2011 |

fawaz505

fawaz505

Saudi Arabia

Hi ladies and gentleman

my name is Saif I want learning english if anybody want to leaning speeking and writing via masanger hotmail I wait for his participation in the learning

06:37 AM Mar 07 2011 |

Stephen.Han

China

Criz search….. You have a wonderful idea !!!

05:53 AM Mar 07 2011 |

Whitney S

Whitney S

Colombia

I'm her biggest fan!

05:03 AM Mar 07 2011 |

Stephen.Han

China

i agree with 'alpha girl'  .  i don't like having an alter ego….. 

04:56 AM Mar 07 2011 |

alpha girl

alpha girl

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I don't like having an alter ago.You mix up and don't know which one is the true person.

Thank u for the lesson. 

02:48 AM Mar 07 2011 |

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