Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj Asks Fans To Vote For Next Roman Reloaded Singles

25 May 2012 15:23:28 EDT

Young Money honey posted three different singles polls on her website on Thursday.
By James Dinh

It's only been a little more than a week since Nicki Minaj dropped the clip for her Chris Brown collabo "Right by My Side," but everyone's favorite Harajuku Barbie is continuing her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded takeover and needs a little help in selecting her new singles. On Thursday night, Minaj's website revealed three polls with various options from the sophomore effort.

With Roman Reloaded crossing hip-hop and pop genres, Barbz and Kenz have quite a few Minaj stylings to select as their ideal singles. While the first race is between the more mellow pop cuts on the LP ("Marilyn Monroe," "Fire Burns," "Young Forever" and "Gun Shot"), the second battle includes tracks that bring out the rapper's harder alter ego Roman ("Champion," "HOV Lane" and "I Am Your Leader"). In the last poll, head Barbie has pitted three of her dance anthems against each other ("Pound the Alarm," "Whip It" and "Va Va Voom").

Shortly after the website posting, Minaj also took to Twitter to urge Team Minaj to sound off in the fun, writing, "Take the poll!!! And leave your comments. Gonna read them now." At press time, "Marilyn Monroe," "Champion" and "Va Va Voom" appeared to have the majority of votes.

Barbz and Kenz have plenty of reason to be excited, as they've been flooded with a string of new singles all year long. Even before the LP hit stores, they were treated to the frenetic "Stupid Hoe," which saw the Young Money honey taking a cluster of jabs at Lil' Kim.

Strategically releasing cuts to appease her growing fanbase, Minaj went on to the album's lead single, "Starships," a RedOne-produced number that was clearly catered to the Top 40 dance craze. And as predicted, the magic worked when the song peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot 100. Soon after, the femcee balanced out the pop tune with the release of her ode to strippers, "Beez in the Trap." Most recently, Minaj released the visual for her Chris Brown-assisted R&B jam "Right by My Side," which also features a cameo love interest by none other than Nas.

Regardless of the poll winners, Minaj is already performing many of the cuts on her worldwide Pink Friday Tour, which will hit the States in July. Laurieann Gibson, who serves as the raptress' choreographer, spoke to MTV News recently about the trek, revealing that it's something she's "really, really proud of."

"I love [when] I heard Roman Reloaded. I loved her delivery. I love the way she flows," Gibson told MTV News. "So the Pink Friday Tour is really good and it's kind of like a glimpse back to what a real rap show is. It's intimate but big at the same time."

What do you want Nicki's next singles to be? Tell us your suggestions below.

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Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday Tour Is 'Intimate But Big'

23 May 2012 15:04:30 EDT

'It's kind of like a glimpse back to what a real rap show is,' creative director Laurieann Gibson tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf

Nicki Minaj is currently taking her Pink Friday Tour around the world before circling back Stateside in July. Given Nicki's love for all things over-the-top, it's no surprise that her first-ever headlining gig is all about going big or going home.

The rapper's right-hand lady, creative director and choreographer Laurieann Gibson, told MTV News that when they sat down to plot the trek, "There was a challenge to get through a 70-minute show" after Nicki had spent her last few tours opening for the likes of Lil Wayne and Britney Spears, but what they cooked up is something Gibson said she is "really, really proud of."

"I just put Nicki Minaj on the road, actually, and her tour is super special to me and doing really well," Gibson told MTV News about working with the rapper again after their eye-popping Grammy performance back in February.

"Nicki Minaj was so much fun for me, and it was like a real breath of fresh air, and musically, to get back to the rap game, to see a female MC dominate the pop charts, this, historically, for me, I feel a bit of responsibility," she added. "When I did 'The Rain,' that video for Missy [Elliott], and just with Puff and the evolution of Bad Boy Records and my responsibility there and the pressure to maintain dominant rappers [on major award shows] and not let them lose street credibility, the years of all that torture ... and all of those moments. When I got back to Nicki, I was so happy to be in that soulful music again, in that fight, in the idea that rap is not dead and that somebody like her can be many things in many genres and not be limited.

"I love [when] I heard Roman Reloaded. I loved her delivery. I love the way she flows," she added. "So the Pink Friday Tour is really good and it's kind of like a glimpse back to what a real rap show is. It's intimate but big at the same time."

Will you check out Nicki on tour? Let us know in the comments!

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BET Awards Nominations: Kanye West, Beyonce Lead The Pack

22 May 2012 20:35:17 EDT

Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj are confirmed to perform at the 2012 BET Awards on July 1.
By Rob Markman

Expect lots of drama, plenty of laughs and possibly even a few superheroes in the building when Samuel L. Jackson hosts the 2012 BET Awards on July 1, live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. On Tuesday (May 22), BET announced the nominees for their 2012 awards show and even confirmed performances by Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj (though there was no official word on whether the Hulk will attend).

BET president Stephen Hill held a press conference in New York City on Tuesday, and with the help of Big Sean, DJ Khaled, A$AP Rocky, Diggy, Mindless Behavior and Melanie Fiona, he spilled the beans about the big show. Samuel L. wasn't in attendance, but "The Avengers" star sent a pre-taped message promising that the show will be "too big to miss."

Kanye West leads the nominations with seven, including two Video of the Year nods for the Throne's "N---as in Paris" and "Otis." Beyoncé notched six nominations, while hubby Jay-Z earned himself five noms. Big Sean was particularly excited about his three nominations, including his look in the Best Male Hip Hop Artist category, where he will square off against Drake, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy.

"It's perfect. My grandma gonna be watchin', my mom, my family, the whole city," Sean told MTV News shortly after the press conference. "It's just tight that I can represent those people, everybody who had that dream, everybody who used to ride to school [listening to] their idols, now I'm with them. It's just tight that I can show people that it's possible."

Sean broke through last year when he dropped his debut LP Finally Famous. Next, the "Marvin & Chardonnay" MC will appear on G.O.O.D Music's Cruel Summer compilation and then follow up with his sophomore album.

Sean isn't the only big dog being honored at the awards show. Chris Brown, Usher and Bruno Mars are among the nominees in the Best Male R&B category, while Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna will duke it out in the Best Female category. The Throne, Diddy-Dirty Money, Maybach Music Group and Eminem's Bad Meets Evil will compete for Best Group, and Nicki Minaj looks to be the favorite for Best Female Hip Hop.

For the full list of categories and nominees, check BET.com.

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Nicki Minaj 'A Very Obnoxious Person,' Lil' Kim Says

17 May 2012 13:07:47 EDT

Kim describes origin of her beef with Nicki in interview on New York's Power 105.
By Rob Markman

Lil' Kim was very forthcoming during her interview with New York Power 105's Breakfast Club morning show on Thursday (May 17), especially about her feud with Nicki Minaj.

Before Kimmy Blanco began fielding Nicki Minaj questions from show hosts DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God and Angela Yee, she questioned why media outlets don't grill Ms. Minaj like they do her. "She has a way of trying to avoid the situation, and y'all let her do it," Kim charged before she hit on the root of their issue.

According to the Queen Bee, she was on pace to sign with Cash Money, the same label that made Nicki a star. "Me and Slim were friends for four years, and we decided that we were going to go into business together," Kim said of her plans with CM co-CEO Ronald "Slim" Williams. "I was over there with Cash Money — I was getting ready to be partners with them."

The deal didn't go through, but Kim did record "Grinding Makin' Money," a track that included both Birdman and Minaj. The Notorious K.I.M. claims that the track was slated for Birdman's 2009 album Priceless but didn't make the final cut. "They put the record out. I guess they didn't like the response — they saw the response and they pulled the record off, pulled it back, never put it on his album, nothing," Kim said.

In the Big Momma's mind, the single was to be beneficial to all parties. For Nicki and Cash Money, doing a song with the female rap great would help stamp a then-budding Minaj. In addition, it would put Kim back into rotation at radio, an important step in restarting her career after she was released from federal prison in 2006. But Birdman and company went cold on the track. "If that would've been a big video and a big event record, that would've been big for both of us," Lil' Kim reasoned. "But I personally think they didn't want me to stand beside her, which is stupid."

Kim went on to claim that Nicki's new record "Automatic" is strikingly similar to an unreleased record of the same name that she recorded and played for Cash Money brass three years ago.

"On her new album, she has a song called 'Automatic,' and the song is so similar to the song that I played for Slim," Kim charged. "The problem with her is she was very catty with it. I never had a problem with her — I was always, always nice with her, always. She was a very obnoxious person, but I was always nice with her."

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Nicki Minaj And Nas Seal 'Right By My Side' Video With A Kiss

16 May 2012 19:04:51 EDT

Rap superstars get cozy in just-premiered clip, which also features Chris Brown.
By Rob Markman

Nicki and Nas —it has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

It's no secret that Nicki Minaj has a flair for the dramatic, and on Wednesday (May 16), when she debuted her "Right by My Side" video on MTV, Nicki surprised many by casting the Queensbridge rap great as her leading man.

The bright and cheery video opens with a pensive Nicki seated in a high-backed chair fit for a queen; her mind is clearly elsewhere, unaware of the camera's gaze. Only a few seconds pass before Nas struts into the scene and the two lean in to share a smooch only to find their lives subjected to a rewind sequence before their lips touch.

"It all comes down to this, I miss your morning," Nicki sings on cue as the viewer is taken back in time.

It's all pretty rosy as the lovesick couple share deep conversation and an inside joke as Nas hands his honey a silver dollar, which she flips into a wishing well. The clip has all the makings of a Nicholas Sparks romance flick: There's PDA, hand-holding, shopping trips and outdoor lunches. In one scene, Nas — who sports his trademark half-moon Caesar and big-framed 1980s-inspired glasses — surprises Nicki with a new car, topped off with a pink bow, of course. The reigning rap queen is so excited she leaps into his open arms.

When Chris Brown shows up for his guest verse and duet-styled hook, he is set outside of the video's story line, delivering passionate performance scenes but never interrupting the two lovebirds. Breezy is no doubt a superstar, but he sits as a third wheel on Nicki and Nas' romantic ride.

The vibe of the soft love song switches by the time the Female Weezy's rap verse rolls in. It's quite the verbal display as she sits beside Nas, wearing his hoodie and rapping in double-time of her own sexual prowess. "My p---y game so cold, that he always seem to come back/ 'Cause he knows that it be a wrap when I'm riding it from the back," she spits while wearing God's Son's oversized medallion around her neck.

For the most part, the couple can't stay away from each other, but there is clearly some separation between the two lovers, even if only for a brief, undefined moment. In the closing scene, a lonely and longing Nicki sits on a park bench under a full moon with a sullen look on her typically animated face. Her frown is quickly remedied when Nas pulls up besides his boo and takes a seat next to her. They first hug and then share a deep and sensual kiss that is sure to get the rumor mill spinning out of control.

What did you think of Nicki Minaj and Nas' kiss in the "Right By My Side" video? Tell us in the comments!

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Nicki Minaj Pops For Pepsi In New Ad

07 May 2012 13:47:34 EDT

Minaj joins Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and Kanye West on the list of musical Pepsi spokespeople with new ad.
By Rob Markman

Nicki Minaj's moment for life seems to be never-ending. On Sunday, Pepsi unveiled its extended Live for Now advertisement, which is set to Nicki's 2010 "Moment 4 Life" single and stars Ms. Minaj herself.

The Young Money moola maker joins a long, fancy list of musical superstars like Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Kanye West and Mariah Carey to serve as spokesperson for the popular pop. Nicki first tweeted out a link for the one-minute, 33 second spot Sunday afternoon, then celebrated with her newly recovered Twitter flock. "Can't do it w/o my barbz!" she wrote in response to one excited fan.

The commercial starts with the crack of a can, as the spot's two principal characters begin to drink their Pespi Cola. At the same time, Minaj's "Moment 4 Life" begins to play as the lively soda drinkers navigate through various scenes in which everyone else is frozen in time. Together, they find a skateboarder stuck in midair trying to land a kick-flip, then run through a suspended soccer game on the beach, a food fight and a Betsey Johnson runway show. In fact, even Johnson herself is stuck, unable to move.

The spot seems to suggest that Pepsi loyalists enjoy a full, adventurous life united by both cola and song. By the time the commercial's two lead actors reach their final destination, a sold-out Nicki Minaj concert, they discover frenzied Barbz and Kens frozen in the stands while a statue Nicki stands onstage in mid-song.

With her eyes wide and pink wig perfectly in place, the Roman Reloaded MC is rescued when the two heroes each crack another can of pop. It is then that Minaj is able to finish her song and invites everyone to one big world party, even if it only lasts a few short moments.

What do you think of Nicki's Pepsi ad? Let us know in the comments!

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Nicki Minaj And B.o.B Battle On 'Out Of My Mind'

02 May 2012 21:25:47 EDT

'She definitely went ham. When I heard it, I was grinning from ear to ear,' B.o.B tells 'RapFix Live.'
By Rob Markman

When B.o.B first started recording Strange Clouds, he wasn't looking to do any features. But when you're one of the biggest new rap artists in the game, real recognizes real.

"When I first started recording this project, honestly, I really was not intending to get features. I kinda just wanted to shy away from that to use this album to show people even more of what makes me me," Bobby Ray said on Wednesday's (May 2) "RapFix Live." "Along the way, all these features and collaborations happened in a natural way."

One of those organic-type features came courtesy of none other than Nicki Minaj on the track "Out of My Mind." For those keeping score at home, Nicki gets pretty competitive when playing with others. The Harajuku Barbie stole the show when she rapped alongside Jay-Z and Kanye West on "Monster" in 2010, and she shined bright on Ludacris' "My Chick Bad." Since then, there have been unforgettable collaborations with Lil Wayne, Birdman, Drake, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross. It's no secret Ms. Minaj is lyrical, and on her latest with B.o.B, Nicki went straight for the jugular.

"What's your name? B.o.B? So they callin' you Bob?/ Stop playin' n---a, you know that I'm known for the bob/ Couple of hot songs got you thinkin' you a heartthrob/ Well this thing so good make a n---a wanna sob," the femme fatale rhymed to begin her verse.

"I feel like Nicki definitely recognizes my musical talent or else she wouldn't have referred to me as a heartthrob," Bobby Ray said, laughing. "She definitely went ham. When I heard it, I was grinning from ear to ear. I was glad she brought it."

By the close of the schizophrenic bounce track, the Grand Hustle alien and Nicki are able to put their differences aside and join forces. "We goin' at it, but we make up," he said.

"You'll see it when the video comes out," B.o.B teased before pulling the plug on any follow-up questions. "I don't want to say too much."

What's your favorite song off of B.o.B's Strange Clouds LP? Let us know in the comments.

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Nicki Minaj Announces North American 'Pink Friday' Dates

01 May 2012 12:25:07 EDT

U.S. tour dates kick off with a July 16 show in Chicago.
By Gil Kaufman

Nicki Minaj has announced the first North American dates for her "Pink Friday" tour, which will kick off on July 16 with a gig at the Chicago Theatre. The 15-stop sequel to her sold-out debut international outing is slated to run through an August 12 date in Vancouver at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. With capacities ranging from 2,800 to close to 7,000, the tour is likely to sell out quickly considering that tickets for Minaj's shows in the U.K., Japan and Australia sold out within hours of going on sale, according to a release announcing the road trip. Along with the official tour dates, Minaj will also hit a number of radio shows in the coming months, starting with a May 10 stop at KYLD's "WiLD Jam 2012, which will also feature Bay legend E-40, Gym Class Heroes, B.o.B. and Neon Hitch.

She'll swing by the KPWR gig in Los Angeles on May 12, then the WRDR show in Philadelphia on June 1, the WJMN gig in Boston on June 2, the Hot 97 Summer Jam in New York on June 3 and WZMX's July 20 show in Hartford.

For fans with a little extra coin, Nicki will be offering another shot at her VIP meet and greets on the tour, where Barbz will get a chance to have early access to the venue on the night of the show and get some face time with Minaj, as well as autographs and photos. Information on the VIP deals can be found on her website. Tickets for the tour go on sale on Friday (May 4).

Minaj just released the beach-tastic video for her pop single, "Starships," and is in the process of shooting the clip for her next one, "Right By My Side."

Nicki Minaj tour dates:
» 7/16 - Chicago, IL @ The Chicago Theatre
» 7/17 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre Detroit
» 7/19 - Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre at Playhouse Square
» 7/22 - Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre Atlanta
» 7/24 - Miami, FL @ James L. Knight Center
» 7/26 - Birmingham, AL @ Boutwell Auditorium
» 7/28 - Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
» 7/29 - Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
» 7/31 - St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House
» 8/2 - Denver, CO @ Wells Fargo Theatre
» 8/4 - Las Vegas, NV @ Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
» 8/7 - Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
» 8/11 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
» 8/12 - Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

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Nicki Minaj's 'Starships' Video: All Hail The Queen

26 Apr 2012 19:58:50 EDT

Young Money rapper throws a futuristic beach party in Anthony Mandler-directed clip.
By Rob Markman

Yes, starships were meant to fly, and rap's reigning queen was clearly meant to don a bikini and throw raving beach parties. Nicki Minaj finally released her "Starships" video Thursday night (April 26), and all her Barbz were invited to an electric beach party.

The Anthony Mandler-directed clip begins with a computer-generated UFO circling a tranquil Hawaiian island looking for a soft spot to land. While the natives lie on the beach, Ms. Minaj gets beamed down into the shallow waters sporting green hair and a sexy pink bathing suit.

It was back in March when pictures from the set first made their way online, and now that the video is finally here, it was clearly worth the wait. To see the Young Money starlet in motion is a thing of beauty. Not only does the curvaceous rap star frolic in the water, she then crawls through the sand on all fours creating a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue sort of moment.

The Minaj idol worship is in full effect as buff and tattooed male servants carry her around the island like the queen she is, but as the beat on the RedOne-produced dance hit picks up, so does the video's action. By the time the song's electro breakdown kicks in, the party gets jumping and Mandler employs a groovy kaleidoscope visual effect, which precisely captures the track's energy.

The clip climaxes as bonfires are set, flaming staffs are twirled and body paint is tossed about. Nicki parties hard with her flock jumping up and down, fist-pumping and dancing the night away. There's no grand story line or deep, hidden meaning; instead the Harajuku Barbie simply offers up a good time. The "Starships" video isn't exactly rocket science, it's just fly — exactly how it was meant to be.

What do you think of Nicki Minaj's "Starships" video? Share your reviews in the comments!

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Nicki Minaj Rejoins Twitter

24 Apr 2012 15:06:12 EDT

Nicki returned to the social networking site on Tuesday with only a fraction of her previous 11 million followers.
By Rob Markman

Dear Barbz, your leader has returned. After a nine-day Twitter hiatus, Nicki Minaj has come back to the social networking site — minus several million followers, however.

It was April 15 when Nicki drove her legion of fans crazy by disappearing from the site on which she was among the most popular in the world. "A voice in my head told me to delete my Twitter and that's what I did," Minaj said during an interview in the U.K. "I had 11 million followers and I hope they will wait for me."

At press time, Nicki had 125,000 followers after only a short time back, but it's a safe bet that number will grow exponentially within the coming days. All of Nicki's pervious tweets seem to be intact, minus the few that she sent right before she pulled the plug on her handle. "Like seriously, its but so much a person can take. Good f--king bye," she wrote before vanishing from the social networking site.

Minutes before she stepped away from Twitter, the Young Money star got into a digital dust-up with a fan site that she accused of posting illegal music. Because of the short time that elapsed between the beef and the deletion of her account many assumed that the incident was the deciding factor in Ms. Minaj's choice to leave — not the case, she says.

"Let's set the record straight because a lot of times I don't speak on things, but I don't want people to think that's why I deleted my Twitter," she told Capital FM in the U.K. "I just needed a moment to myself. Because some page posted things about me — I mean, I've read horrible things about myself. I wouldn't delete my Twitter over that."

Nicki hasn't yet tweeted since rejoining the social network, but we're guessing it won't be long until she greets her Barbz.

Now that Nicki Minaj is back on Twitter, will you be following her? Tell us in the comments!

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