Hottest New Videos: Nicki Minaj, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and YouTube Video Game

"POUND THE ALARM"  NICKI MINAJ

Who's had a better year than Nicki Minaj?  In less than 48 hours, "Pound The Alarm" had 2,000,000 hits on YouTube.  Nicki voiced a character in the #1 movie in the U.S., Ice Age: Continental Drift, appeared on the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and guested on many big hits including songs by Britney, Lil Wayne, Will.i.Am, and David Guetta.   An unprecedented run for Nicki's debut CD, Pink Friday (and the reloaded version), eight songs making the Billboard Top 100, an all-time record for any solo female artist.  Nicki's even starring on TV in commercials for Pepsi, Adidas, and Mattel for her own Barbie doll.   The new single features amazing Caribbean colors inspired by her Trinidad homeland.   What a party!   Love the confetti, the thumping bass, "burn the floor", easily one of my favorite Minaj songs.

"GET IT STARTED"  PITBULL Ft. SHAKIRA

Talk about a hot collaboration, Colombia's finest export, Shakira, teams up again with Pitbull, the pride of Miami and Cuba for a brand new club ready dance track.  They previously worked together on Rabiosa, this song is even better. Captivating video with some international intrigue, a woman on the run, beautiful people in amazing tropical locations, and fireworks, what's not to like!  Shakira is back with the blonde hairstyle and looks amazing in a gold dress while overlooking the city.   Pitbull's raps might be wearing thin but he managed to sneak in a great rhyme about the "thrilla in Manilla and knocking em out like Pacquiao."

"GOIN' IN"  JENNIFER LOPEZ ft. FLO RIDA
One of the most stylish videos of the year.  Jennifer sporting rhinestone covered lips, two beautiful white wolves, old school breakdancers, lasers, MC Hammer pants, a closeup on Jennifer's most famous ASSet, pink fire hydrants shooting out paint, all in the first minute of the video!   If you imagined what a Jennifer Lopez and Flo Rida collaboration would sound like then you'll be in no surprise hearing the new song.   It's pop, dance fluff but everyone loves a little junk food now and then.  I really enjoyed the Lil Jon addition on the hook.  Fun summer song that will appease J Lo's fans and give the haters something new to jump all over.

DAILY MUSIC TRIVIA:  What historic "first" was Jennifer the first to accomplish in Jan. 2001?  Yesterday:  Christian Science

From YouTube "BAND SLAM",
"IRIS" by KIMMIE SMILES

Become your own music talent scout.   YouTube has an addicting new game called "Music Slam" where you're given two homemade video submissions and you choose the one that is the best.   If you guess the most popular, you get another set to compare.    See if you can beat my record of 610 points!   One submission I enjoyed was "Iris" by Kimmie Smiles, although once the song ends at 3:01, stop the video! Unless you want to hear her ramble on about her friends, violet eyes, and potato chips.