Helter Skelter

After Morning Show host Peter Rosenberg disses 'Starships,' Rick Ross, Nas and Lauryn Hill hold down annual hip-hop extravaganza.
By Rob Markman

<P><b>EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey</b> &#8212; It was surprising, it was strange &#8212; it was Hot 97's Summer Jam. On Sunday night, the popular New York hip-hop station corralled a gang of rap talent, and while surprise guests <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/nas/artist.jhtml">Nas</a>, Lauryn Hill and Mace will surely cause a day-after buzz, it was <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a>'s no-show that was the talk of the annual rap extravaganza.</P><P>The Young Money superstar was scheduled to headline the show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but YM boss Lil Wayne made the executive decision to pull Nicki out of the lineup after Hot 97 Morning Show host Peter Rosenberg threw a dis to the <i>Pink Friday</i> MC.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Nicki Minaj Says 'Hip Hop Culture Is In My Heart'" id="vid:757945" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>"I know there's some chicks here waiting to sing 'Starships' later, I'm not talking to y'all right now. F--- that bullsh--. I'm here to talk about real hip-hop sh--," the usually outspoken <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3PlnHm5zqwI" target="_blank">Rosenberg said</a> while playing to the crowd at the opening stage in the parking lot where A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q performed hours before the main show started.</P><P>The comment didn't sit well with <a href="http://twitter.com/LilTunechi/status/209412955777937409" target="_blank">Weezy, who took to Twitter</a> to let fans know that his crew wasn't going to take the stage. "Young Money ain't doing summer jam," he wrote.</P><P>"Wow. U n---az just f---ed up history. But the President has spoken. #YMCMB," <a href="http://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/209417249180753920" target="_blank">Nicki tweeted</a> before revealing that she planned to bring out Cam'ron, 2 Chainz, Nas, Lauryn Hill, reggae star Beenie Man, Foxy Brown, Lil Wayne and other members of her Young Money/Cash Money family.</P><P>It's not the first time Nicki has faced criticism about her hip-hop roots. Back in April, after releasing her sophomore album, <a href="/news/articles/1682851/nicki-minaj-roman-reloaded-hip-hop.jhtml">Minaj spoke to MTV News</a> about her street background and pop appeal. "I'm still me, hip-hop culture is still in my heart," she said. "That can never leave me."</P><P>Lauryn Hill and Nas still performed, and 2 Chainz guested during both Young Jeezy and Big Sean's sets, but the rest of Nicki's guests never made it out. Scheduled Cash Money acts DJ Khaled and Busta Rhymes were backstage but didn't perform, in what appeared to be a show of solidarity.</P><P>Still, Maino set things off, performing his hits like "Hi Hater" and "All the Above," then bringing out Swizz Beatz, A$AP Rocky and New York rap veterans M.O.P. Slaughterhouse, Young Jeezy, J. Cole, Big Sean and Tyga all took the stage, and after a Nas/Lauryn Hill set, Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group ended the night with a medley of hits like French Montana's "Shot Caller," Meek Mill's "I'm a Boss," Wale's "Slight Work" remix with Mace and Rick Ross' "Stay Schemin'."</P><P>In previous years, surprise appearances from Jay-Z, Kanye West and Michael Jackson helped build Hot 97's Summer Jam into the event it is today, but 2012 will be remembered for who didn't show.</P><P><b>What is your favorite Hot 97 Summer Jam performance of all time? Let us know in the comments!</b></p>

• Nicki Minaj
• Lil Wayne

'Saddened to learn one of my precious fans; found tragically murdered in Japan,' Minaj tweets Thursday of Nicola Furlong's death.
By Nadeska Alexis

<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a>'s <a href="/news/articles/1685680/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-tour.jhtml"><i>Pink Friday</i> Tour</a> touched down in Tokyo, Japan, last week, and following one of the rapper's colorful stage shows, things took a devastating turn: One of Minaj's fans was murdered after attending the May 25 concert.</P><P>On Thursday (May 31), Minaj took to Twitter to send condolences and deny allegations that her dancer was involved in the incident.</P><P>"Saddened to learn one of my precious fans; found tragically murdered in Japan. My love &amp; prayers are with the family of Nicola Furlong," Nicki <a href="https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/208082614316314624" target="_blank">wrote</a>.</P><P><blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center"><p>Saddened to learn one of my precious fans; found tragically murdered in Japan. My love &amp; prayers are with the family of Nicola Furlong.</p>&mdash; Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/208082614316314624" data-datetime="2012-05-31T06:28:55+00:00">May 31, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></P><P>The 21-year-old fan, a foreign exchange student from Dublin City University in Ireland, was found dead in a Tokyo hotel room after attending Minaj's show at Zepp Tokyo a few hours earlier.</P><P>An early report on <a href="http://perezhilton.com/2012-05-30-nicki-minaj-backup-dancer-james-blackston-suspicion-murder-rape#.T8e4ZFbs7Tp" target="_blank">PerezHilton.com</a> stated that Furlong and her friend Sarah Maher linked up with Minaj's backup dancer James Blackston and another musician, Larry Perry, after the show, heading to the men's hotel rooms. Furlong was later found strangled to death in the room, while Maher reported that she was sexually assaulted by both men in a taxi.</P><P>After sending her condolences to the slain fan's family, Minaj addressed rumors that her dancer was involved, tweeting directly at the celebrity gossip blogger. "My dancers had nothing to do w/this tragedy. No one in my entourage was questioned or arrested. They all flew home from Japan," she wrote. "That person on your [site] is NOT my dancer. We do NOT know the men in custody. Too much misleading information."</P><P>According to <a href="http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Two-Americans-held-on-indecency-charges-as-investigation-continues-into-Wexford-girls-murder-in-Tokyo---VIDEO-155319605.html" target="_blank">IrishCentral</a>, Tokyo police have released a statement confirming that they arrested two American men in connection with the crime. James Blackston, 26, and an unidentified 19-year-old have been taken into custody. "These two men allegedly took advantage of a female unable to resist due to the fact she was in a comatose state from a highly alcoholic beverage," the report states, adding, "As that is an indecent act, they have been charged with quasi forcible indecency."</P><P>The police also confirm Maher's story of being harassed in the taxi, noting, "On a taxi ride between Shibuya and Shinjuku, they took advantage of a woman by touching her body."</P><P>Furlong's body is expected to arrive in her hometown of Curracloe, Ireland, on Thursday, where she will be laid to rest. The 21-year-old was studying at the Takasaki City University of Economics in Takasaki, Japan.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Nicki Minaj Stresses Importance of 'Roman Reloaded'" id="vid:745154" width="415" height="255"></div><p></p>

• Nicki Minaj

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

<P>It's only been a little more than a week since Nicki Minaj dropped the clip for her Chris Brown collabo <a href="/news/articles/1685267/nicki-minaj-right-by-my-side-video-nas.jhtml">"Right by My Side,"</a> but everyone's favorite Harajuku Barbie is continuing her <i>Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded</i> takeover and needs a little help in selecting her new singles. On Thursday night, <a href="http://mypinkfriday.com/news/80383">Minaj's website revealed</a> three polls with various options from the sophomore effort.</P><P>With <i>Roman Reloaded</i> crossing hip-hop and pop genres, Barbz and Kenz have quite a few <a href="/news/articles/1682851/nicki-minaj-roman-reloaded-hip-hop.jhtml">Minaj stylings</a> 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").</P><P>Shortly after the website posting, Minaj also took to <a href="https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/205883013333139457" target="_blank">Twitter</a> 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.</P><P>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.</P><P>Strategically releasing cuts to appease her growing fanbase, Minaj went on to the album's lead single, <a href="/news/articles/1683990/nicki-minaj-starships-video.jhtml">"Starships," a RedOne-produced</a> number that was clearly catered to the Top 40 dance craze. And as predicted, the magic worked when the song peaked at #5 on <i>Billboard</i>'s Hot 100. Soon after, the femcee balanced out the pop tune with the release of her ode to strippers, <a href="/news/articles/1682770/nicki-minaj-beez-in-the-trap-video-throwback.jhtml">"Beez in the Trap."</a> 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.</P><P>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."</P><P>"I love [when] I heard <i>Roman Reloaded.</i> I loved her delivery. I love the way she flows," <a href="/news/articles/1685680/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-tour.jhtml">Gibson told MTV News</a>. "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."</P><P><i>What do you want Nicki's next singles to be? Tell us your suggestions below.</i></P><P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1617615"><img src="http://www.mtv.com/news/photos/s/spotted/banner/spotted.jpg"></a></p>

• Nicki Minaj

'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

<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a> is currently taking her <a href="/news/articles/1681299/nicki-minaj-european-tour.jhtml"><i>Pink Friday</i> Tour</a> around the world before circling back <a href="/news/articles/1684219/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-north-american-tour-dates.jhtml">Stateside in July</a>. 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.</P><P>The rapper's right-hand lady, creative director and choreographer <a href="/news/articles/1685586/laurieann-gibson-music-career.jhtml">Laurieann Gibson</a>, 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."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday Tour Is A 'Real Rap Show'" id="vid:782329" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>"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 <a href="/news/articles/1679339/nicki-minaj-grammy-performance.jhtml">eye-popping Grammy performance</a> back in February.</P><P>"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.</P><P>"I love [when] I heard <a href="/news/articles/1679366/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-roman-reloaded.jhtml"><i>Roman Reloaded.</i></a> I loved her delivery. I love the way she flows," she added. "So the <i>Pink Friday</i> 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."</P><P><i>Will you check out Nicki on tour? Let us know in the comments!</i> </p>

• Nicki Minaj

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

<P>Expect lots of drama, plenty of laughs and possibly even a few superheroes in the building when <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/person/30855/personmain.jhtml">Samuel L. Jackson</a> 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 <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/brown__chris__18_/artist.jhtml">Chris Brown</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a> (though there was no official word on whether the Hulk will attend).</P><P>BET president Stephen Hill held a press conference in New York City on Tuesday, and with the help of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/big_sean/artist.jhtml">Big Sean</a>, 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."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Big Sean Got Grandma's Support For BET Awards" id="vid:771561" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>Kanye West leads the nominations with seven, including two Video of the Year nods for <a href="http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/02/09/niggas-in-paris-video-jay-z-kanye-west">the Throne's "N---as in Paris"</a> and "Otis." Beyonc&#233; 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.</P><P>"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."</P><P>Sean broke through last year when he dropped his debut LP <i>Finally Famous.</i> Next, the "Marvin &amp; Chardonnay" MC will appear on G.O.O.D Music's <i>Cruel Summer</i> compilation and then follow up with his sophomore album.</P><P>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 Beyonc&#233;, 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.</P><P>For the full list of categories and nominees, check <a href="http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2012.html" target="_blank">BET.com</a>.</P><P><center><a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1617615"><img src="http://www.mtv.com/news/photos/s/spotted/banner/spotted.jpg"></a></center></p>

• Kanye West
• Beyoncé
• Chris Brown
• Nicki Minaj
• Big Sean