Rap icon Nicki Minaj caused a stir this past weekend with a surprise visit at DTLR in Tower City, as reported by Cleveland19. After setting the stage ablaze at her Pink Friday 2 World Tour concert at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Minaj continued to bask in the fanfare while promoting her new shoe line. The lines outside the Cleveland shoe store were brimming with anticipation as fans awaited the "Queen of Rap," who surely didn't disappoint when she graced the store yesterday afternoon, dazzling everyone just as she had done on stage the previous night.
According to a report by cleveland.com, the shoe store offered six unique styles from the LØCI by Nicki Minaj footwear collection. Emblazoned with a regal stamp and appropriately named after some of Minaj's hits like Chun Li and Itty Bitty Piggy, these kicks are not just a fashion statement but also a sustainable choice, echoing Nicki's ownership stakes in LOCI, a U.K. vegan brand with an ethos of stylish sustainability.
Meanwhile, WKYC captured the electric atmosphere of the event, with fans known as "The Barbz," chanting for hours, some having flown in the moment they caught wind of the appearance. "Right when we found out, we booked our tickets, our flights, our hotel, and then just came," said fan Iman Bazzi, evidencing the dedication of Minaj's following. It's clear that to her fans, Minaj is not just a superstar but a beacon of inspiration, one expressing gratitude, "Thank you so much for inspiring me to keep going when it's tough," said Tamika McPherson.
With this collaboration, Minaj’s foray into the fashion industry is the latest instance of the rap artist expanding her empire. Reflecting her deep connection with the city, Minaj told WKYC News report, "I am in love with Cleveland. I’ve been in love with Cleveland. This is not a just-started thing, like I’ve been rocking with Cleveland, so let that be known." Retailing between $150 and $200, the Loci shoes solidify Minaj’s blend of showbiz and shoe biz, carving out her spot in the fashion world while she reigns in the music industry.
