Tag Archives: Super Bass

Did Nicki Minaj Demand New York’s Hot 97 Stop Playing Her Records?

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By Rob Markman

It’s been six months since the Nicki Minaj/Hot 97 Summer Jam incident, but the YMCMB rap queen and the New York hip-hop power house have yet to come to a resolve. Actually things got worse on Friday after Nicki demanded that Hot stops playing her songs according to station program director Ebro Darden.“She goes, ‘Don’t ever play my music again. I don’t want you to play my music,” Darden said on air in his best animated Nicki voice.

It hasn’t been the best week for the “Super Bass” rapper, who only managed to sell 36,000 copies of her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded — The Re-Up LP. The album is a re-released version of her April album which includes eight additional records and DVD content. Many expected Nicki to do better, but the numbers were on par with the sales figures for other re-issues for big-time artists like Katy Perry.

On Thursday Darden took the Hot 97 mic and suggested that morning show host Peter Rosenberg ruined Nicki’s career and that his criticisms about Minaj’s penchant for making pop records contributed to the low sales numbers. It was after Thursday’s show that Darden got the phone call from the irate rap star who is currently overseas.

“She used every woman stab she could: ‘I thought you were a man, you’re a cornball, I thought we were friends, you’re fake,’” Darden said retelling the details of the phone convo.

Things all started back in June after Rosenberg criticized Nicki’s “Starship” single at a pre-stage for the Hot 97 Summer Jam concert where Nicki was set to headline in New Jersey. Once Young Money head Lil Wayne caught wind of the insult he pulled NIcki and all YMCMB artists from the Summer Jam show just hours before they were set to go on stage. The label and the station have been bickering ever since.

Still, when asked if Hot 97 will continue to play Nicki’s records Darden responded clearly. “Of course we are. I love Nicki Minaj,” he said.

Should Hot 97 stop playing Nicki Minaj’s records? Sound off in the comments!

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Nicki Minaj Set To Perform At 2012 MTV VMAs

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In 2010 Nicki Minaj made her VMA debut, performing “Check it Out,” and now the Young Money star is finally set to make her return to the stage. Last year she nabbed the award for Best Hip-Hop Video with “Super Bass,” and for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Nicki will have a special performance in store.

Lil Wayne Added To 2012 VMA Performance Lineup

This year Minaj is also nominated for three VMAs, including another nod for Best Hip-Hop Video with “Beez in the Trap.” After putting on a special show for NYC fans last month, the Pink Friday rapper recalled that monumental win.

“I remember when I won for ‘Super Bass,’ it had gotten to the point where I never won anything, so I would just go to awards shows just to wear a cute outfit,” she said. “So when they called my name, I was like, ‘Is this a joke? What? Is this really happening?’ That was like, a very, very memorable moment. That was one of the best moments in my career, to just hear my name and truly be surprised.”

Rihanna Drops ‘Cockiness’ Remix, Recruits A$AP Rocky For VMA Performance

Tune in on September 6 to see if Nicki will have another great speech in store for her win.

The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Head to VMA.MTV.com or text BNA to 22444 (message and data rates may apply) to vote for Best New Artist all the way through the show! Get the latest VMA updates sent right to your inbox: Sign up for the MTV News alert.

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Nicki Minaj’s First VMA Win Was One Of Her ‘Best Moments’

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In just two short years, Nicki Minaj has already made a memorable impact on the Video Music Awards.

Minaj captivated audiences in 2010 with her out-of-this-world VMA pre-show performance of “Check It Out,” and in 2011 she did it again with a head-turning red-carpet ensemble and an unforgettable VMA acceptance speech.

Minaj is looking to continue to make a name for herself at this year’s VMAs. The “Starships” singer has a total of three nominations, including Best Female Video and Best Hip-Hop Video.

“Nominated for three VMAs. Thank you to MTV as always,” Minaj recently told MTV News.

Yet if she wins, it might be hard to top last year’s awards, when she received her first-ever Moonman for Best Hip-Hop Video for “Super Bass.”

“I remember when I won for ‘Super Bass,’ ” Minaj said. “It had gotten to the point where I never won anything, so I would just go to awards shows just to wear a cute outfit. So when they called my name, I was like, ‘Is this a joke? What? Is this really happening?’ That was like, a very, very memorable moment. That was one of the best moments in my career, to just hear my name and truly be surprised.”

And surprised she was. After getting a congratulations from Young Money mentor Lil Wayne, Minaj took the stage and gave a moving VMA acceptance speech.

“Oh my god!” she screamed during her speech. “Southside Jamaica, Queens, underground female rapper, Young Money, Cash Money … I want to thank God. I want to thank my family. I want to thank Sanaa [Hamri] for directing an amazing video.

“And the Barbz. I love you, Barbz. I love you so much. And MTV, I thank you.”

So who will Minaj thank this year if she wins again?

“I don’t plan speeches,” the Young Money rapper admitted. “I’m just happy to be nominated, and if I win, I win.”

The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Head to VMA.MTV.com or text BNA to 22444 (message and data rates may apply) to vote for Best New Artist all the way through the show! Get the latest VMA updates sent right to your inbox: Sign up for the MTV News alert.

Nicki Minaj Brings Along Lil Wayne, Drake, Foxy Brown For NYC Show

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If you ever doubted it, now you know that Nicki Minaj is good on her word. That controversial canceled Summer Jam performance wasn’t a bleep on her radar last night when she brought her family out to party with her in New York.

The Young Money rapper took the stage at Roseland Ballroom on Tuesday night (August 13) for a set that ran well over 2 hours, and just when it seemed like she might be rocking solo, she brought out a few guests, beginning with Foxy Brown, then adding her Young Money family Drake and Lil Wayne.

Minaj hit the stage at 9:30 p.m. for the Pepsi-sponsored show (part of the brand’s “Live for Now” campaign), which was live-streamed online and broadcast on the big screen in Times Square. Sporting a long blond wig and a skintight pink, blue and black-and-white striped leotard, she kicked things off with tracks like “Roman’s Revenge” and “Did It on ‘Em,” flanked by her backup dancers in their colorful garb. The LED screens behind her reflected neon colors as she continued with hits like “Stupid H–” and riled up the crowd with her verses on Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” and 2 Chainz’s “I Love Dem Strippers.”

“Pound the Alarm” was another energy booster, after which Nicki took a break, changed into a white gown and returned to the stage, telling her Barbz that she wanted to have story time. It was at this point that Nicki turned the spotlight on the crowd, asking her fans to throw dirty looks at those who had come to judge her. “I just want my fans here, ’cause I don’t want people to come and observe me,” she yelled to the crowd. “If you didn’t come here to have a good time, go home!”

After this, she really turned the energy up, and there were still plenty of hits and outfit changes left. In a voluminous pink wig, with a pink-and-white corseted dress, she delivered the Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ballad “Marilyn Monroe” and the emotional “Burn,” but she started to take things back to her hip-hop roots when she changed into a fitted red blazer with a long black wig. With a new look, she hit mixtape tracks like “Beam Me Up Scotty” and freestyled her verse on Birdman’s “Born Stunna.” As she continued to drum up old songs and feature verses, it seemed like Nicki would hold down the show on her own after all, but that was far from the truth.

Suddenly, out came Foxy Brown, with Nicki Minaj introducing her as someone “who has influenced me the most out of every female in the rap game” (just in case that wasn’t clear). Foxy and Minaj were spotted hanging out together after her failed Summer Jam performance, and it was rumored that they would have hit the stage together that day. Tuesday night, fans got a chance to see what they missed. Dressed in a one-piece, Foxy delivered “Oh Yeah” and “Tables Will Turn” with Nicki adding one more time, “I wanna thank you for being one of my biggest influences in the game. There isn’t a female rapper in the world who has opened more doors for me than you.”

As touching as the moment was, the Barbz weren’t prepared for what came next. Cue the beat for “Up All Night,” and out walks Drake, dressed in all black, to resounding screams. “New York City, when I heard what was going on tonight, I just had to get on the plane and support the queen, Ms. Nicki Minaj,” he told the crowd. Nicki and Drake’s chemistry onstage is undeniable. After scolding the Toronto rapper for his influence on some of her Barbz (jokingly calling him “the worst kind” of guy) Nicki lectured the ladies on the importance of being independent, before launching into “Make Me Proud.”

What was left at this point, but to bring out Lil Wayne? The man who had the final word on Nicki Minaj pulling out of her headlining slot at Summer Jam made an appearance just to make things official. Telling the crowd “I’m very proud of this young lady,” Wayne was sans skateboard but had a ball kicking it with Drake when they performed “The Motto.” Minaj was all smiles and giggles at this point, having her family by her side. To close out the show, she gave a shout-out to Taylor Swift, who so enthusiastically shared “Super Bass” with her fanbase, helping the track skyrocket and become a hit for Minaj. It was the most appropriate way to close out the night.

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Nicki Minaj Makes NYC Show A Family Affair With Lil Wayne, Drake

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NEW YORK — Nicki Minaj wasn’t kidding when she promised fans that she would make up that canceled Summer Jam performance. The Young Money rapper took the stage at Roseland Ballroom on Tuesday night (August 13) for a set that ran well over 2 hours, and just when it seemed like she might be rocking solo, she brought out a few guests, beginning with Foxy Brown, then adding her Young Money family Drake and Lil Wayne.

Minaj hit the stage at 9:30 p.m. for the Pepsi-sponsored show (part of the brand’s “Live for Now” campaign), which was live-streamed online and broadcast on the big screen in Times Square. Sporting a long blond wig and a skintight pink, blue and black-and-white striped leotard, she kicked things off with tracks like “Roman’s Revenge” and “Did It on ‘Em,” flanked by her backup dancers in their colorful garb. The LED screens behind her reflected neon colors as she continued with hits like “Stupid H–” and riled up the crowd with her verses on Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” and 2 Chainz’s “I Love Dem Strippers.”

“Pound the Alarm” was another energy booster, after which Nicki took a break, changed into a white gown and returned to the stage, telling her Barbz that she wanted to have story time. It was at this point that Nicki turned the spotlight on the crowd, asking her fans to throw dirty looks at those who had come to judge her. “I just want my fans here, ’cause I don’t want people to come and observe me,” she yelled to the crowd. “If you didn’t come here to have a good time, go home!”

After this, she really turned the energy up, and there were still plenty of hits and outfit changes left. In a voluminous pink wig, with a pink-and-white corseted dress, she delivered the Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ballad “Marilyn Monroe” and the emotional “Burn,” but she started to take things back to her hip-hop roots when she changed into a fitted red blazer with a long black wig. With a new look, she hit mixtape tracks like “Beam Me Up Scotty” and freestyled her verse on Birdman’s “Born Stunna.” As she continued to drum up old songs and feature verses, it seemed like Nicki would hold down the show on her own after all, but that was far from the truth.

Suddenly, out came Foxy Brown, with Nicki Minaj introducing her as someone “who has influenced me the most out of every female in the rap game” (just in case that wasn’t clear). Foxy and Minaj were spotted hanging out together after her failed Summer Jam performance, and it was rumored that they would have hit the stage together that day. Tuesday night, fans got a chance to see what they missed. Dressed in a one-piece, Foxy delivered “Oh Yeah” and “Tables Will Turn” with Nicki adding one more time, “I wanna thank you for being one of my biggest influences in the game. There isn’t a female rapper in the world who has opened more doors for me than you.”

As touching as the moment was, the Barbz weren’t prepared for what came next. Cue the beat for “Up All Night,” and out walks Drake, dressed in all black, to resounding screams. “New York City, when I heard what was going on tonight, I just had to get on the plane and support the queen, Ms. Nicki Minaj,” he told the crowd. Nicki and Drake’s chemistry onstage is undeniable. After scolding the Toronto rapper for his influence on some of her Barbz (jokingly calling him “the worst kind” of guy) Nicki lectured the ladies on the importance of being independent, before launching into “Make Me Proud.”

What was left at this point, but to bring out Lil Wayne? The man who had the final word on Nicki Minaj pulling out of her headlining slot at Summer Jam made an appearance just to make things official. Telling the crowd “I’m very proud of this young lady,” Wayne was sans skateboard but had a ball kicking it with Drake when they performed “The Motto.” Minaj was all smiles and giggles at this point, having her family by her side. To close out the show, she gave a shout-out to Taylor Swift, who so enthusiastically shared “Super Bass” with her fanbase, helping the track skyrocket and become a hit for Minaj. It was the most appropriate way to close out the night.

Nicki Minaj’s ‘Starships’ Video: Best Still Shots

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da7ce nickistar1 Nicki Minajs Starships Video: Best Still Shots

Nicki Minaj premiered the video for her “Starships” single on MTV last night, and the clip finds the YMCMB star hitting the beach in Hawaii in a neon pink bikini by day and partaking in an glow-in-the-dark dance party by night. If fans thought “Super Bass” was a colorful video, this one takes it above and beyond, and Nicki bares plenty of skin and then some. Take a look at the best still shots from Nicki’s ‘Starships’ video.

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.

da7ce nickistar2 Nicki Minajs Starships Video: Best Still Shots

t 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.

da7ce NICKISTAR3 Nicki Minajs Starships Video: Best Still Shots

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.

da7ce nickistar5 Nicki Minajs Starships Video: Best Still Shots

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.

da7ce nickistar6 Nicki Minajs Starships Video: Best Still Shots

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Ester Dean Hopes To Tap Taylor Swift, Rihanna For Solo Album

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You think you know Ester Dean, but you have no idea.

To eagle-eyed fans who scan the iTunes digital booklets for albums by pop deities like Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, the Muskogee, Oklahoma, girl is a (frequently) reoccurring name among the writers’ credits. In fact, get-it-girl anthems including, respectively, “Countdown,” “Mr. Know It All,” “Super Bass” and “Firework” all bear Dean’s chart-choking stamp.

But to other folks, Dean is Rihanna’s musical alter ego, the saucy scribe who channels the Bajan stunner’s carnal appetites and then churns out irresistibly raunchy radio ditties like “Rude Boy” and “SM.” When MTV News asks her about it, decorated songwriter Dean said she understands why Top 40 fans might be confused. Now, with her solo album under way, the Roc Nation signee is ready to introduce fans to the real Ester.

“They hear songs and they think they know exactly who I am,” Dean acknowledged before giving some insight into her personality. “I am very crazy. I like people to know my ideas. I like to talk about ‘The Secret’ [laughs] and how to manifest great things in your life. I like to be a role model, and I like to talk sh–, you know?” she said with a laugh, highlighting contradictions typical of any grounded female. “I like to talk nasty; I like to talk about love.”

Her Chris Brown-featuring single “Drop It Low” got some shine back in 2009. Her status as one of the industry’s elite songwriters and the go-to hand for Norwegian super-producers Stargate has long lifted Dean out of subsidized housing in the ATL, thrusting her into the rarefied realm of music biz success stories. So why does the Grammy nominee want to trade the comparative anonymity of the studio for the glare of the spotlight?

Well, after “manifesting” a career writing catchy tunes for pop and RB princesses, Dean realized there were just some songs that needed a certain voice: hers. “I need to sing the songs that there’s no artist to sing [the] songs for me,” Dean said, a note of determination creeping into her whispery alto.

“I’ve been waiting to do it for a couple of years now, and people ask me what took so long. I don’t believe in leaving one job before the next job. My writing was a job … so I just needed to wait. But now I feel like I’ve actually stacked … my credits up enough for people to understand who I am and what’s my sound.”

Dean admitted she’s looking forward to seeing the names of some of her loyal clients next to the word “featuring” on the track list for her still-untitled album, which is due later this year. Rihanna, for example, can expect a phone call, Dean revealed. But country sweetheart Taylor Swift should also check her voicemail soon.

“It’s really a relief to say, ‘OK, I’m here. I’m gonna do it, lets go!’ ”

What do you hope Ester’s solo album will sound like? Tell us in the comments!

412cb spotted Ester Dean Hopes To Tap Taylor Swift, Rihanna For Solo Album

Nicki Minaj’s Roman Reloaded Began As A Hip-Hop Album

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By Sowmya Krishnamurthy

Nicki Minaj’s sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. is divided into pop and hip hop tracks, but her right-hand man Safaree “SB” Samuels says the project began differently than it ended. Samuels said his tasks on the project included scouting for beats and keeping in touch with producers to make sure deadlines were met. When asked how he helped Nicki to strike a balance between hip-hop and pop, SB revealed that the album was initially skewed toward rap.

“In the beginning, we was gonna make it some rap spittin’ sh– and it was going to have a couple of songs that were going to be the ‘Super Bass‘-es and joints like that,” he revealed. “But it ended up working out a lot better than how we planned.”

SB went on to gush about working with Hit Boy, whose production highlights include Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “N—as in Paris.” After hearing just one beat, both Nicki and SB thought “We need more!” Hit Boy sent around six great beats, and they decided on two for the songs “Come on a Cone” and “I Am Your Leader,” which features Cam’ron and Rick Ross. (Incidentally, those are both SB‘s favorites on the album.)

But on the topic of crossover appeal and whether Nicki has deserted her rap roots, SB couldn’t disagree more.

“She’s still doing her rap sh–, she’s still doing her crossover sh–,” he said. “When you a star, you a star. You can’t deny it.”

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded debuted at #1 this week, selling 253,000 copies in its first week on the Billboard albums chart. Nicki’s debut, Pink Friday, debuted at #2 in December 2010 on sales of 375,000.

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Nicki Minaj’s Roman Reloaded Was Initially Hard-Core Rap

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Nicki Minaj‘s right-hand man Safaree “SB” Samuels took on another role for his longtime friend when he signed on as a co-executive producer on her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. When MTV News caught up with SB, he explained how he made sure everything from “A to Z was done.”

Samuels said his tasks on the project included scouting for beats and keeping in touch with producers to make sure deadlines were met. When asked how he helped Nicki to strike a balance between hip-hop and pop, SB revealed that the album was initially skewed toward rap.

“In the beginning, we was gonna make it some rap spittin’ sh– and it was going to have a couple of songs that were going to be the ‘Super Bass‘-es and joints like that,” he revealed. “But it ended up working out a lot better than how we planned.”

SB went on to gush about working with Hit Boy, whose production highlights include Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “N—as in Paris.” After hearing just one beat, both Nicki and SB thought “We need more!” Hit Boy sent around six great beats, and they decided on two for the songs “Come on a Cone” and “I Am Your Leader,” which features Cam’ron and Rick Ross. (Incidentally, those are both SB‘s favorites on the album.)

But on the topic of crossover appeal and whether Nicki has deserted her rap roots, SB couldn’t disagree more.

“She’s still doing her rap sh–, she’s still doing her crossover sh–,” he said. “When you a star, you a star. You can’t deny it.”

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded debuted at #1 this week, selling 253,000 copies in its first week on the Billboard albums chart. Nicki’s debut, Pink Friday, debuted at #2 in December 2010 on sales of 375,000.

Do you think Nicki has gone too pop? Sound off in the comments below!

Nicki Minaj Expects ‘Super Exciting’ ‘Starships’ Remix Video

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NEW YORK — Not only did New York get a free Nicki Minaj concert Friday night, but the lucky fans in the audience will also be appearing in the video for the DJ Doorly remix of her hit single “Starships.”

After the Times Square show, Nicki made her way to the nearby Renaissance Hotel for a meet-and-greet with her fans, then sat with MTV News for a little one-on-one.

“All the fans that were in Times Square tonight will get to be in the video, which is gonna be super exciting for them to see themselves,” the hometown star said. “I’m actually really interested in seeing it; I didn’t really know how they were going to make it all happen.”

Nokia sponsored the surprise concert and teamed Nicki with DJ Doorly, who came up with his own dance remix for the Barb’s current single from her new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.

About a thousand or so fans gathered in Times Square several hours before the Young Money rap star took the stage. When she finally did emerge, she delivered a short-but-high-energy set. Nicki set things off with the album version of “Starships” and then performed “Right By My Side” sans Chris Brown. For the finale, Ms. Minaj closed with her 2011 summer hit “Super Bass.” The youthful crowd of locals and out-of-town tourists jumped up and down, rapping along to every word.

After Nicki left the stage, the DJ spun the Doorly “Starships” remix and the fans danced, while overhead cameras caught the footage to use in the video, which will hit YouTube on Saturday (April 7).

Have you picked up Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded? Let us know in the comments!