Nicki Minaj's 'Beez in the Trap' Sparks Drama

After two of New York City's biggest rap radio DJs faced off on Tuesday night, there was clearly only one winner: Nicki Minaj. With Nicki's April 3 release date for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded inching closer, disc jocks are clamoring for exclusives from the YMCMB star, and Power 105's DJ Clue and his rival, Hot 97 DJ Funk Master Flex, tussled over bragging rights to the Queens MC's latest track.

It all started Tuesday morning when Nicki retweeted a DJ Drama message urging fans to tune into DJ Clue's show later that evening to hear the world premiere of Minaj and 2 Chainz's Roman Reloaded collaboration, "Beez in the Trap." But Clue didn't get a chance to drop the exclusive as it hit the Internet hours before his show went on air. Flex then took credit for playing spoiler by hacking into DJ Clue's email and lifting the track.Clue quickly hit Twitter to refute Flex's account, ending his note with the hashtag #CompulsiveLiar."

Whatever the order of events, Nicki's "Beez in the Trap" single clearly came out on top. The '80s-inspired track is a departure from "Right by My Side," the R&B duet that Minaj and Chris Brown released earlier on Tuesday. Instead, "Beez" finds the Harajuku Barbie once again taking aim at unnamed rap chicks. "Bitches ain't sh-- and they ain't sayin' nothin'," she boasts on over a sparse drum track. Underground favorite 2 Chainz doesn't compromise a thing spitting alongside the multiplatinum rapper. He drops a charismatic 16-bar verse where he goes on about his Lexus LS 450, True Religion jeans and his pimp ways.

With the newly released Roman Reloaded tracks, Nicki seems to be striking a balance between melodic pop tracks ("Starships," "Right By My Side") and the rap fare that she came into the game with ("Stupid Hoe," "Roman Reloaded").

"April 3 is gonna be a doozy. It's gonna be crazy," Nicki promised when MTV News caught up with her at the NBA All-Star Game in February. "It's gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture. It's gonna be very big."

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'I've just been constantly on this quest to stand alone'

Nicki Minaj answers to no one but herself.

The fiercely eccentric female emcee confesses in the April/May issue of Complex magazine that after years in the industry, she's learned that the most important thing in the end is to look out for No.1.

"My goal the whole time has been for people to see me as a stand-alone artist," she explained. "I came out with Young Money, the biggest hip-hop label in the world at the time. And then it was, 'How do I branch away from Lil Wayne?'

One of my biggest records was with Drake, 'Moment 4 Life.' Even with the Super Bowl, it's Madonna's moment. ... It's not Nicki Minaj's moment. Nicki Minaj at the Grammys - that's my moment. I've just been constantly on this quest to stand alone."Minaj, 29, has already achieved the kind of career milestones that artists twice her age would hope to reach, but the "Superbass" singer isn't content to slow down or settle anytime soon.

"I happen to be a pessimist, and maybe that's a good thing because I don't stop to smell the roses - which is not a good personal thing," she said. "I don't stop and enjoy those moments. ... Always on to the next and never in the moment."

The rap diva performed with music legend Madonna and fellow female bad-ass M.I.A at the Super Bowl this past February, and has deals with both M.A.C. Cosmetics and OPI nail polish.

And at present, her album "Pink Friday" has gone double-platinum.

But fame and success has come at a price for the self-professed "homebody."

Her very public feud with fellow rapper Lil Kim continues to be tabloid fodder and her bizarre antics and outfits are criticized as much as they're lauded.

Which leads Minaj to make the most startling statement of all, even for her.

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Nicki Minaj Featured On Madonna Single 'I Dont Give A'

The Nicki Minaj x Madonna collaborations keep coming. In late January, we heard a snippet of “Give Me All Your Luvin" from Madge’s new album MDNA, followed by the video in early February (and then a performance at the Super Bowl). Today, we have the latest leak from Madonna’s album titled “I Don’t Give A,” with another feature from the Young Money rapper.If their cheerleader-friendly number wasn’t exactly your cup of tea, Madge and Nicki get a little more honest on “I Don’t Give A,” which finds Madonna rapping about her failed marriage with Guy Ritchie. "You were so mad at me / who's got custody / lawyers / suck it up / didn't have a prenup," she sings, "I tried to be a good girl / tried to be your wife / diminish myself / swallowed my life.”

Nicki Minaj's Roman Reloaded Tracklist Reveals Drake, Nas, Cam'ron Features

Nicki Minaj keeps the tune, with some Jay-Z inspired lyrics, rapping, “I ain’t a businesswoman, I’m a business, woman/ And I’m known for giving bitches the business, woman.”

This week Minaj announced the European dates for her Pink Friday Tour. Check the lineup below.

»6/08 Sweden @ Annexet
»6/09 Norway @ Oslo Spektrum
»6/11 Denmark @ Falconer Salen
»6/13 Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
»6/18 Netherlands @ Heineken Music Hall
»6/19 France @ Zénith de Paris
»6/21 Italy @ Alcatraz
»6/24 London, U.K. @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo
»6/25 London, U.K. @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo
»6/26 Birmingham, U.K. @NIA Birmingham
»6/28 Manchester, U.K. @ O2 Apollo Manchester
»7/06 Kinross, U.K. @ T in the Park Festival
»7/07 London, U.K. @ Hyde Park
»8/18 Shifnal, U.K. @ V Festival 2012
»8/19 Chelmsford, U.K. @ V Festival 2012

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Nicki Minaj Reveals Latest 'Roman Reloaded'

Nicki Minaj has premiered yet another song from her 'Roman Reloaded' album, treating us to an advance listen of 'Beez In the Trap'.

The super minimal rap track is a million miles from the pop assault of 'Starships' and seems more closely linked to other 'Roman Reloaded' songs we have heard such as 'Stupid Hoe' and 'Roman's Revenge'.

Yesterday saw Nicki share a stream of the track she made with Chris Brown, titled 'Right By My Side'.

'Beez In The Trap' also features rapper 2 Chainz, a new rapper expected to become huge in 2012.Meanwhile, Nicki has spoken candidly about wanting to make a name for herself away from collaborations and guest spots.

One of my biggest records was with Drake, 'Moment 4 Life'. Even with the Super Bowl, it's Madonna's moment. I'm just sharing in that moment. It's not Nicki Minaj's moment," said Nicki.

Adding: "Nicki Minaj at the Grammys - that's my moment. I've just been constantly on this quest to stand alone."

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'I want to be married, have two children by 2022'

Nicki Minaj has revealed that she hopes to start a family over the next ten years.

The 'Super Bass' singer explained that she wants to have "at least one boy" and to be married by the year 2022.

"In 2022, I'll definitely be married and I'll definitely have my two children," she told Complex. "I might have three, but I do want at least one boy."

Minaj explained that she particularly wants to have a boy because she has always been close to her younger brother."[I want] a baby boy because I'm so attached to my little brother and I felt like that was my real son," she said. "And boys, they're just so, I don't know, my heart just melts when I see them."

She added that she considers herself a "pessimist" in life as she is never able to settle down.

"I happen to be a pessimist, and maybe that's a good thing because I don't stop to smell the roses - which is not a good personal thing," she suggested.

"I don't stop and enjoy those moments. Always on to the next and never in the moment."

Nicki Minaj recently stated that she wants to be considered as a stand-alone artist rather than a collaborator.

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Nicki Minaj wants to be 'stand alone' artist

Serial collaborator Nicki Minaj strives to be seen as a 'stand alone' artist, despite being one of music's most prolific guest artists.

She also today announced her new single 'Right By My Side' - which features Chris Brown.

Speaking to US magazine Complex, the star revealed her ambitions.

"My goal the whole time has been for people to see me as a stand-alone artist," she told the magazine. "I came out with Young Money, the biggest hip hop label in the world at that time. And then it was, 'How do I branch away from Lil Wayne?' One of my biggest records was with Drake, 'Moment 4 Life'."Even with the Super Bowl, it's Madonna's moment. I'm just sharing in that moment. It's not Nicki Minaj's moment. Nicki Minaj at the Grammys - that's my moment. I've just been constantly on this quest to stand alone."

The rapper recently announced three UK live shows. The star will perform two London shows at the Hammersmith Apollo on 24-25 June and another at Manchester's Apollo on 28 June, 2012.

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Nicki Minaj - 'I Don't Give A'

Madonna has revealed a clip of her second collaboration with Nicki Minaj, the -ex-boyfriend bating 'I Don't Give A'.

The song signals the second time Nicki and Madge have teamed up on record, following on from MDNA's lead single 'Give Me All Your Luvin'. It is also the track that many believe to be Madonna's attempt at gaining vengence on ex-husband Guy Ritchie.

In the short preview, which you can hear below, Madonna is heard singing: "I tried to be a good girl / I tried to be your wife / Diminished myself."

A short burst of Nicki Minaj's guest verse is also included.'I Don't Give A' is the 8th song to be previewed by Madonna, following on from singles 'Girl Gone Wild' and 'Give Me All Your Luvin' as well as 'Love Spent', 'I'm Addicted' and 'Falling Free'.

Earlier this week saw Madge's daughter Lourdes making her musical debut on album track 'Superstar'.

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I am pop culture

Nicki Minaj says she is the epitome of "pop culture" because what she's doing is "kinda popular".

The Trinidadian-born musician has a unique fashion sense and style of rapping. Although she has a hip-hop background, Nicki notes that she has become more mainstream in recent months.

"I guess I am pop culture just because what I'm doing seems to be popular. When people want to do what you're doing, it's kinda popular," she told MTV News."I don't ask girls to wear pink hair; they just do it. It's not about black or white; I think it's just a statement. It doesn't matter which colour you are; it's just a statement of being fearless."

Nicki recently performed a theatrical version of Roman Holiday at the Grammy Awards. The star loves being dramatic on stage.

"That's just who I am. I was a theatre major; I studied theatre," Nicki explained.

"It's funny because, even with the Grammys, that wasn't the first time I've done theatre. Like Moment 4 Life, I did a skit I was pretending to be an old lady, Martha, when I did Right Thru Me, I did a skit. I always try to do that when I have the forum to do it."

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Nicki Minaj Insists She’s No ‘Sellout’

Nicki Minaj‘s hip-hop credibility is in question since she released her latest single ‘Starships‘ this past week. The song has left many fans wondering if she’s selling out for the pop charts. But the Young Money rapstress insist that she has not turned her back on the hip-hop community.

During an interview with Hot 97′s Funkmaster Flex, Minaj defended her choices of releasing songs that some feel are too radio-friendly for her core fans. “I would hope that people know at this point that I’m smart enough to know what I’m doing all the time. But I guess they still kind of waver,” she said. “I always intended on putting out something urban after ‘Starships,’ because I knew ‘Starships’ was a monster. I didn’t feel the pressure. To be honest, I feel really, really good. I feel that hip-hop cares enough that they have something to say. I remember when I was hoping that someone had something to say about me on the radio, or cared enough.”On the just-released single ‘Roman Reloaded‘ (Featuring Lil Wayne), Minaj addresses some of the criticisms leveled against her including her Grammy performance debacle. “You mad I brought the Grammys to the Vatican,” she spits. While the song is gritty, it doesn’t come as close to her hardcore style she displayed in the throwback video ‘Dirty Money,’ which recently surfaced online.

Nevertheless, Minaj is not going to apologize for releasing music for pop consumption. “Maybe it would be a problem if I couldn’t deliver records like ‘Roman Reloaded,’ but I can,” she says. “I write my own lyrics. Once again, I write my own lyrics. So it’s never a problem. Whatever I feel, I can write, I can create it. So I’m good. I think people sometimes get blown away by the magnitude of the pop stuff, because the pop stuff, it reaches everywhere and then I feel like my hip-hop fans or hip-hop culture starts getting a little bit afraid that I’m going to leave.”

She then adds, “But this is who I am. I’m not going to change — I’m just adding on to my brand. And if you don’t understand that, then it’s probably why you don’t travel and you don’t see the world and I probably can’t even have a conversation with you anymore.”

While we understand the fans’ concerns, Minaj is an artist who has to sell records. A lot of her song choices are calculated to help expand her fan base. She has songs like ‘Super Bass,’ which are geared for the pop charts, and the she has tracks like ‘Roman Reloaded,’ which are for her rap fans. It’s a tricky balancing act, but Minaj seems to be winning.

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Nicki Minaj Locks In The #4 Hottest MC Spot

A few months before the release of his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West took to Hot 97's Angie Martinez-hosted radio show to promote his G.O.O.D. Friday series, but also to make a seemingly odd proclamation. "The scariest artist in the game right now ... the scariest artist is definitely Nicki Minaj," West said. "I think she has the most potential out of everyone to be the #2 rapper of all time."

While we won't even wade into a "hottest MCs of all time" debate, MTV News' Hip-Hop Brain Trust eventually voted Nicki into the plum #4 spot on the Hottest MCs in the Game VII list.

In the summer of 2010, Minaj was the acid-tongued "two" to Drake's "one" in Lil Wayne's Young Money one-two punch. With her debut album still on the way, she was murdering features left and right.
"When she hit the scene, she was just like the pretty girl alongside Wayne," said Rahman Dukes, MTV News' director of hip-hop news. "Drake was really the next one that everyone was looking out for."

But by the time she dropped her Pink Friday debut last November, the world was on notice. Now, Nicki's success spans the pop and hip-hop worlds, and her fanbase is just as eclectic, with young girls and "Kens" all riding for the Young Money Barbie. Minaj's song "Super Bass" was just a bonus track on the album, but it won over fans including squeaky-clean Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, both of whom jumped on the record, rapping along line for line to the infectious track. "Bass" may have even helped Nicki score a spot opening for Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour.

As far as our Hottest MCs criteria, Nicki meets them all. Her impact is undeniable and, lyrically, she holds her own when she's playing with the boys: She stole the show on Big Sean's "Dance (A$$)" remix and declared herself the Female Weezy on Birdman's "Y.U. Mad." Need more proof? Minaj shut down New York Fashion Week in September 2011. And she has conquered hip-hop's digital landscape.

"Recently, she broke the record for the most followed hip-hop artist on Twitter; her social media following is incredible," said Nadeska Alexis, MTV's RapFix blog editor. "She dropped the song 'Stupid Hoe' — people didn't necessarily love the song [but] a week later it's at 15 million views on YouTube."

While her songs may not always appeal to "the streets," millions of her fans have bought into Nicki's sound. And her performance at the 2012 Grammys, while controversial, was a huge honor and a testament to the lane she's carved for herself.

After the roundtable votes were tallied, Nicki was initially slotted at #5 with Young Money boss Wayne clocking in at #4, but several members of the Brain Trust felt strongly enough about Nicki's accomplishments that her position warranted a second look. Hottest MCs moderator Sway Calloway called for a vote and in the end, six of the nine experts elected to move Nicki up to the #4 spot, sending Weezy down to #5.

"Nicki Minaj doesn't have to be Meek Mill, but at the same time she's not Britney Spears," said Steven Roberts, a segment producer/writer at MTV News. "I think Nicki Minaj is something special where she can be in the middle and she can be pop and hip-hop because I think hip-hop at this point is pop."

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Nicki Minaj Guest Stars On Hot New Ester Dean Track

It's only been a year since Ester Dean and Nicki Minaj collaborated on Super Bass, but they're back together!!!

And the world spins a little better for it, LOL!!

Gimme Money is Ester's new single and we are not playing… it is HOT!!

While Nicki raps about her move to El Lay, Esty gives us that raspy voice to the tune of truuue lurve!!

U gotta check it out!! It's gonna be a big one in the clubs for sure!!

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Nicki Minaj + Ester Dean Looking for Quality Time on ‘Gimme Money’ Single

Singer-Songwriter Ester Dean may not be a household name, but you have been singing and rapping her songs. The 24-year-old hitmaker helped put the boom in Nicki Minaj‘s 2011 chart-topping smash ‘Super Bass.’ Now the duo has teamed up again for the R&B track ‘Gimme Money.’

The song finds Dean and Minaj telling their prospective beaus to put their wallets away and give them some love and attention. “Your money ain’t a thing that I need boy / Nah-Nah-Nah / I bought the new crib, keep the rent boy,” Dean sings. Minaj co-signs Dean’s financial independence spitting, “If I need the money, I would be up in the bank / The crib got exotic fishes in the tank / The 24-gold carat dishes are in the sink.”No word on where this song will end up, but it has potential to do well on radio. Dean has an impressive track record when it comes to making hit songs. She has penned songs for Tinie Tempah and Usher, and previously jumped in front of the mic with the Chris Brown-assisted 2009 jam ‘Drop It Low.’

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