Well folks, she did it. Nicki Minaj laid it out in high-energy, lyrical spitfire splendor at the Chicago Theatre in her U.S. opening of the Pink Friday Tour.

The sold-out concert had all the well-knowns, “Starships,” “Turn Me On,” “SuperBass,” and “Beez In The Trap.” For some of her longtime fans, there was a treat from her mix-tape days. (Though I had to wonder how many of the young fans have ever heard a song on tape.) In the mix-tape moment is where Nicki showed her untouchability. Her witty rhymes sliced through the booming bass like a Samurai sword.

Hands down, this was the best Mother’s Day gift ever. Before the show, a rail-thin chocolate woman with massive tin-feather earrings two seats down caught my eye.

“I love those earrings, where’d you get them?” (I’ve been going through a phase where I compliment strangers.)

“Gurl, I got them at the beauty supply store. They were only a dollar. After the show I can give them to you!”

I shook my head, laughing.

2 Chainz opened up the show, and though he’s talented, and I enjoyed the beats, it felt like I’d seen this act before. Two hard looking dudes standing on opposite sides of the stage bobbing their heads? Check. DJ spinning in center stage? Check. Two guys rapping in da mic that’s too close to their mouth? Check.

But back to Nicki. Her set was big, reminded me a bit of a fancy skateboard park, but it wasn’t overly dramatic like her infamous Grammy performance. Her outfit was quintessential, From Da Islands Nicki. She pranced around in crazy printed, iridescent leggings underneath unbuttoned jean shorts that amplified her already ample asset. The wig she wore for most of the night was probably named Platinum Goldilocks. God bless that girl.

One part of the show that surprised the Queen of the Barbz herself was when some guy tried to rush the stage. He was tackled with such force that former Chicago Police Lt. Jon Burge would have been proud.

As someone who loves dance, (I worked it out the entire show) her dancers were great. Especially, ESPECIALLY the white girl with the blonde ponytail. And she wasn’t a good white girl dancer, she was just a phenomenal dancer, regardless of color. She killed it.

When Nicki changed costumes, the DJ and some Ken doll dancers tried failingly to keep up the Minaj-level energy by tossing t-shirts into the crowd and hollering into the mic. Instead, they should have put that blonde dancer back on stage and let her cut loose.

At one point, I turned around and took in the crowd. Instead of the typical brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian, it was more of a sea of lime green, hot pink, blue, fishnet stockings, leopard skin and lace. It’s clear, Nicki appeals to all kinds.

Late in the show Nicki brought a handful of fans onto the stage to perform with her, and one girl in a silver tank really played to the crowd, landing every lyric and shimmy. She was having the best night of her young life.

Sadly, the Roman Holiday had to end. Hubby and I poured out of the storied theater, sweaty and euphoric and I saw the tin-feather earrings lady.

“What’d you think?” I ask. She starts to take off her earrings. I’m touched by the sentiment.

“You don’t have to give them to me. But did you like the concert?”

“I loved it! Nicki is great. You see all kinds of people in there. They were black, Korean, Mexican and,” she motions to my Norwegian husband. “and white!”

She then bear-hugged Hubby, catching us both by surprise. I smiled.

This is why music is magic. It appeals to us all.

I’ll say it again: best Mother’s Day gift ever.