Nicki Minaj

Erica Mena Apologizes To Nicki Minaj After Defending Ex Safaree

by

Erica Mena and Nicki Minaj have been on completely different pages. The reality star and rapper have been linked through their respective romances with Safaree Samuels. Mena defended Safaree during their relationship, and repeatedly laid the blame for his split from Minaj on the rapper. In a recent Dumb Blonde Podcast appearance, though, Erica Mena has changed her mind. She issued a formal apology to Nicki Minaj, and claimed that Safaree was actually the problem.

Erica Mena told the host that she did not like Nicki Minaj initially, but has come to emphasize and relate to the rapper because she has been subjected to similar problems. “It’s funny how life comes full circle,” she explained. “Because the same thing he did to her, he’s doing to me.” Erica Mena proceeded to call Safaree out for playing the victim in both their relationship and his relationship with Nicki. “I remember him pouring his heart out to me about all the stuff she did to him,” Mena recalled. “I didn’t think to ask, ‘What did you do to her?’.” The reality star was also disappointed by the fact that Safaree tried to poke holes in Nicki Minaj’s reputation as an artist.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Is Hip-Hop’s MVP For 2024

Erica Mena Claimed Safaree Is Treating Her The Same

Erica Mena claimed that Safaree claimed to have written songs for Nicki Minaj as a means of hurting her career and her standing among her rap peers. “I owe this woman an apology,” she posited. “Because I sat there and allowed him to talk about her.” Erica Mena also owned up to “defending” and “vouching” for Safaree when he was publicly bashing Nicki Minaj. “At the end of the day,” the Love & Hip Hop star asserted. “I didn’t know the truth… They never tell you what they did, just what she did.” Mena went on to say that every negative thing Nicki Minaj has said about Safaree is “true.”

Erica Mena and Safaree Samuels have been involved in an extremely messy split over the last few months. The latter released home security footage of Mena physically attacking him in front of their children. Safaree claimed that he wanted to expose the truth because he’s worried about being sent to “or worse.” He also criticized Erica Mena for having “nonexistent” anger management. Mena responded to the post by claiming Safaree begged her to take him back after the attack. Safaree is currently trying to lower the amount of child support he pays the reality star.

Read More: Hip-Hop Albums That Grew On Us The Most In 2024

The post Erica Mena Apologizes To Nicki Minaj After Defending Ex Safaree appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Safaree Breaks His Silence On Rumors That He Ghostwrote For Nicki Minaj

by

Safaree and Nicki Minaj’s relationship was years ago, but that doesn’t mean that there still aren’t lingering questions about their fling. For one, a lot of fans had brought forth the accusation that he ghostwrote some of her music, a long-standing speculation that he recently pushed back on during the All Things podcast with Keyshia Ka’oir. “No, and I’m glad you asked me that,” the rapper and actor responded when Ka’oir inquired about that narrative. “‘Cause there’s always people who will be, like… First, I never – like, I don’t know if somebody took something I said or flipped it or something.

“She is far more capable to do her own music, which she has and always does,” Safaree stated concerning Nicki Minaj and the rumors that he ghostwrote for her back in the day. “If anything, I was a hype man because I was just always that cheerleader. I was that, like, ‘Yo, did you hear what you just said?’ Yeah, it was just more of, like, a, ‘Yo, wow.’ Nah, and she, you know, she took pride in that.”

Read More: Safaree Gets Attacked By Erica Mena In Shocking Security Footage

Safaree Addresses Nicki Minaj Ghostwriting Claims

As for other recent confessions from Safaree, he reflected on his relationship post-Nicki Minaj with Erica Mena. “I want it to be, like, okay if it’s Fridays, I pick them up from school,” he recently remarked concerning their children. “Then Mondays, I bring them back to school and then it’s like, okay, that’s what it’s going to be. […] I really don’t let [deadbeat accusations] get to me, because I know what’s really going on. And, you know, deadbeats ain’t paying what I’m paying in lawyer fees. It’s so expensive and I hate it so much and I just want it to be black and white. ‘Hey, look, let’s just let it be this.’ The only people that are benefiting from this are the lawyers.”

Meanwhile, beyond Safaree, Nicki Minaj has some other issues to address when it comes to her music. The Barbz expressed disappointment when she didn’t drop PF2: The Hiatus this week, although others expressed more forgiving attitudes. The Trinidadian femcee is a songwriting machine, so fans can only wonder what caused this move.

Read More: Akbar V Shares Heartfelt Message For Nicki Minaj In Honor Of Her Birthday

[via]

The post Safaree Breaks His Silence On Rumors That He Ghostwrote For Nicki Minaj appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nicki Minaj Didn’t Drop “Pink Friday 2: The Hiatus” And Fans Are Torn

by

Nicki Minaj loves to drop deluxe editions. She has really figured out how to repackage and capitalize on her albums, and it works. She just dropped a tenth anniversary edition of The Pinkprint and fans loved it. Then, the Queen of Rap announced plans for Pink Friday 2: The Hiatus. It was planned as an extended version of Nicki Minaj’s last album with a handful of bonus tracks. The only problem is, Friday rolled around, and there was no Pink Friday 2: The Hiatus release. It seems the hiatus started a bit early.

Nicki Minaj is generally good about getting albums out on time. She rarely succumbs to delays, and when she does, it’s months out. It’s not the sort of last minute bait-and-switch that people like Kanye West and Playboi Carti like to rely on. Nicki Minaj was not clear about what songs would make The Hiatus, which may have played a role in the deluxe album’s delay. It’s also worth noting that Nicki decided to hold several songs back for the anticipated Pink Friday 3 release. The rapper relayed as much during an Instagram Live discussions in September.

Read More: Nicki Minaj Throws Shots At Spotify Amidst Drake’s UMG Legal Drama

Nicki Minaj Seemingly Went On Hiatus A Bit Early

“The new music is just too good to be thrown away on a deluxe album,” Nicki Minaj told the fans. “Last night, the songs I recorded were just way too iconic. I love you guys so much. You know that. I know you do.” The rapper still went ahead and promised that she would give her fans “something leading up to the announcement,” but it looks as though they will have to be patient. Naturally, Barbz are not happy with being told one thing and getting well, nothing. Nicki is nothing if not dedicated to making her fans happy. This is uncharacteristic, and the fans on social media have had mixed reactions.

Some are frustrated with Nicki Minaj’s rollout. There were the typical gifs expressing frustration over having stayed up for new music. There others, however, who took a more steadfast approach. They took the “hiatus” part of the Pink Friday 2 title literally. They thanked the rapper for all the music she has given fans in the last 12 months and wished her well. “Nicki Minaj has begin her Hiatus ✨ We won’t see or hear from her til 2025,” one user wrote. “Love You Queen @NICKIMINAJ.” Read on for more reactions to Nicki Minaj’s non-drop.

Read More: Akbar V Shares Heartfelt Message For Nicki Minaj In Honor Of Her Birthday

The post Nicki Minaj Didn’t Drop “Pink Friday 2: The Hiatus” And Fans Are Torn appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

12 Rap Lyrics That Reference Kevin Durant

by
kevin durant_lyrics(1024x450)
Getty Image/Merle Cooper

Kevin Durant has been one of the best players in the NBA basically since he arrived in the league in 2008, but due to his overlap with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, he hasn’t ever really gotten to carry the title of being the face of the league. For that reason, Durant isn’t quite as ubiquitous a figure when it comes to references in music and pop culture as the others, despite his immense talent and the way he changed the game.

That said, there was a period of time when Durant had a claim to being the best basketball player on the planet. That stretch from 2012-2019 saw him get name-dropped pretty frequently in rap lyrics, particularly after he joined the Warriors budding dynasty in 2016. Here, we’ll look at a dozen of the biggest tracks that reference Durant (most frequently as KD, as that’s much easier to rhyme).

“Pop That” — French Montana ft. Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne (2012)

Gettin cheddar packs like K.D., OKC that’s player s**t

Drake is always good for a few sports references on a song, and in his feature on the 2012 smash hit “Pop That” he shouts out KD while he was on the Thunder.

“Crown” — Jay-Z ft. Travis Scott (2013)

Scott Boras, you over baby/Robinson Cano, you coming with me/These n****s like rotary phones/It’s a new day, hit up KD

After launching his own sports agency in 2013, Jay-Z boasted about his growing client list on “Crown” (taking a shot at baseball superagent Scott Boras along the way), highlighting how Roc Nation Sports had already landed Robinson Cano and Kevin Durant (KD would leave Roc Nation in 2019).

“F**k KD” — Lil B (2014)

F**k Kevin Durant/F**k Kevin Durant/F**k Kevin Durant/F**k Kevin Durant
That is the entire chorus for this song, which has a lengthy backstory. After Durant tweeted about not liking Lil B’s music, TheBasedGod placed a curse on KD in 2011 and even dropped a whole diss track on the then-Thunder star in 2014. For awhile, there was compelling evidence that the curse was working as Durant and the Thunder couldn’t get over the hump to win a title, with KD ultimately breaking through after joining the Warriors — which is, ironically, Lil B’s favorite team.

“White Iverson” — Post Malone (2015)

Double OT like I’m KD, smokin’ OG

Post Malone had a ton of hoops references on his breakout hit (before his pivot to pop and, most recently, pivot to country), including this KD line — also, if this came out in 2019, this could’ve worked for a double-entendre about OG Anunoby.

“Good Drank” — 2 Chainz ft. Quavo and Gucci Mane (2016)

Oh, you in a slump/I’m headed to Oakland like Kevin Durant/What is your point?/Square with the stamp, for Kevin Durant

One of Gucci’s first features after his release from prison, the Atlanta rapper doubles up on his Durant references, both to Durant’s move to the Warriors and as a fill in for the number 35.

“Draco” — Future (2017)

35 b**ches at the St. Reg/Fall back shoot it like KD/Back in the kitchen with the Curry

This song is Future at the height of his powers, deftly pulling together Durant’s number 35 into a line about his fadeaway jumper and continues it with a nod to Durant’s then-Warriors teammate Stephen Curry.

“Save Me” — Meek Mill (2017)

I see n****s switchin’ sides like they KD/I can’t let it kill my vibe ’cause I’m too wavy

Durant’s move from the Thunder to the Warriors made him the poster boy for bailing on your team and switching sides, as Meek Mill references in this 2017 song.

“Ganja Burn” — Nicki Minaj (2018)

Still every team’s number one pick in the draft/You could bring anybody, weatherman, pick a day/I’m Kobe, KD, Kyrie, pick a K

Nicki Minaj uses this line about KD (along with Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving) to hammer home her place as the best woman in the rap game, which doubles as a reference to a famous Jay-Z line about a few guys named Mike.

“My Name Is” — Cordae (2018)

The best thing from PG since Kevin Durant

In Cordae’s first single, rapping over the beat from Eminem’s iconic “My Name Is”, he shouts out his fellow Prince George County native.

“Gold Roses” — Rick Ross ft. Drake (2019)

All smiles, Kevin Durant trials/Had to blow it on the court, I must have blew a milli’/I’m walkin’ on all charges, that’s my new Achilles

Drake references Durant and his torn Achilles in the 2019 Finals (suffered against Drake’s beloved Raptors) in this track with Rick Ross that released a month after the fact.

“Burner” — Lil Wayne (2020)

I keep a burner like Kevin Durant/I keep a burner like Kevin Durant

Lil Wayne might be the king of sports references in tracks, and in this 2020 song, he makes note of Durant’s infamous Twitter burner accounts in the chorus.

“go crazy” — Gunna (2023)

I been talking to my accountant a lot, tryna make what I got stack tall like KD

For decades, rappers have been comparing their stacks to the height of NBA big men — Shaq and Yao Ming are the gold standards for this in rap — but in this 2023 track Gunna uses KD. That’s a good choice, because KD is tall as hell, but it’s also a bit funny because Durant has been fighting the visual evidence that he’s actually a 7-footer his whole career, as he didn’t want to be a big man when he came into the league.

Nicki Minaj Throws Shots At Spotify Amidst Drake’s UMG Legal Drama

by

Nicki Minaj was not messing around on Monday. The rapper got on Twitter shortly after it was announced that Spotify would be releasing its Wrapped data later than usual. Fans were perplexed by the delay, and many theorized it may have to do with accusations that Drake recently leveled at the streaming platform. The 6 God alleged that Spotify and UMG were in cahoots to boost Kendrick Lamar’s streaming numbers using bots. Evidently, Nicki Minaj is supporting Drake’s cause. She questioned why Spotify was taking so long with its data. She also alluded to the platform lying.

“Show me the data,” she wrote on Monday afternoon. The rapper followed this ominous request up with a more damning comment. “Spotify ain’t gotta lie,” she explained. These critiques were intriguing, given that Nicki Minaj received two notable honors via Spotify the same exact day. She was the most streamed female rapper in November with 355 million streams. Minaj was also the most streamed female rapper of 2024 with 4.1 billion streams and counting. QC Worldwide claims the rapper is on pace to close out 2024 year with 4.5 billion streams.

Read More: Nicki Minaj Shares Shady Message For Kai Cenat’s Mother After Thanksgiving Shout-Out

Nicki Minaj Bashed Spotify For Prioritizing Drake In 2018

This is not the first time Nicki Minaj has gone after Spotify. The rapper has a history of clashing with streaming platforms, whether it be lack of promotion or perceived preferential treatment of her peers. The latter proved to be the case in 2018, when Minaj blasted Spotify for de-prioritizing her music so it could promote, of all people, Drake. “Spotify put Drake’s face on every playlist but told me they’d have to teach me a lesson for playing my music 10 mins early on #QueenRadio,” she tweeted. “Even tho they’ve been giving away my music for free for years & I am one of the top Spotify artists of all time.”

Nicki Minaj’s relationship with Drake has been hit-and-miss over the years. The two have collaborated multiple times, but there have also been rumors of tension at different points in their career. Drake said as much on 2013’s “Tuscan Leather.” It appears as though both rappers are on the same page in 2024, however. They are presenting a united front against their critics and their combative peers. Based on the numbers, it seems to be working.

Read More: Kenneth Petty, Nicki Minaj’s Husband, Approved To Travel To The Tropics For Her Birthday

The post Nicki Minaj Throws Shots At Spotify Amidst Drake’s UMG Legal Drama appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kenneth Petty, Nicki Minaj’s Husband, Approved To Travel To The Tropics For Her Birthday

by

Nicki Minaj‘s husband, Kenneth Petty, will celebrate her birthday in paradise after hitting the road with her on her record-breaking Pink Friday 2 tour. On probation, Petty has received rare court approval to travel internationally, allowing him to celebrate the icon’s upcoming birthday. Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald granted the request, permitting Petty to join Minaj for a luxurious getaway despite restrictions on his travel. Minaj, who just announced the next leg of her world tour, will celebrate her 42nd birthday in a couple of weeks.

The couple plans to spend December 3 to December 13 in the Turks and Caicos Islands, marking Minaj’s 42nd birthday with a family vacation. Petty’s legal history includes a 1995 conviction for attempted rape and a 2006 first-degree manslaughter charge, for which he served seven years in prison. In 2022, he faced sentencing for failing to register as a sex offender, receiving home confinement, probation, and financial penalties. These legal obligations require him to secure court approval for international travel.

Read more: Deb Antney Recalls $5 Million Offer To Leave Nicki Minaj Behind

Nicki Minaj’s Husband Granted Permission To Celebrate Her Birthday In The Islands 

Court records reveal that Petty’s legal team filed an ex parte motion for this trip, a move opposed by federal prosecutors but unchallenged by his probation officer. Ultimately, the court sided with Petty, allowing him to accompany Minaj on the vacation. The approval comes with strict conditions. Petty must submit a detailed itinerary to his probation officer, maintain communication, and report back promptly upon his return. Petty had to produce similar documents on Minaj’s world tour.

This latest ruling underscores the legal complexities surrounding Petty’s life, even as he participates in significant family milestones with Minaj. Despite public scrutiny and legal hurdles, the couple continues to make arrangements to navigate their personal and professional lives together. Nicki Minaj’s husband was present when Minaj was detained for her high-profile May possession charges in Amsterdam. Fans protested her release following arrest.

Read more: Nicki Minaj Tells Fan New Album & Tour On The Way
[Via]

The post Kenneth Petty, Nicki Minaj’s Husband, Approved To Travel To The Tropics For Her Birthday appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Ray J Makes NSFW Confession During Flirty Nicki Minaj Conversation

by

Ray J and Nicki Minaj have an interesting social media dynamic. The two artists regularly hop on Instagram Live to discuss a wide range of topics. Last time they had an IG chat, Minaj grilled Ray J on some of the bold claims he was making about Diddy. Things somehow took an even stranger turn on November 26, though. Ray J decided to open about some of his sexual habits, and then proceeded to flirt with Minaj to the point where she hung up on the call. It was all very… odd.

Nicki Minaj was perplexed by a comment Ray J made about “getting his groceries eaten,” and asked the singer to clarify. He did, but in doing so, merely confirmed that he likes to partake in said sexual activity. “I always get in the shower before I have sex,” he explained. “So my a*s is always gone be clean.” Nicki Minaj did not expect to get such a detailed answer in response, and the confusion on her face is actually pretty hilarious. You could pause the video at any one point and still register how thrown off the rapper is by Ray J’s comments.

Read More: Ray J Wants To Create “Mentorship Programs” For Diddy’s Sons After Heated Altercations

Ray J’s Flirtations Caused Nicki Minaj To End Their IG Call

The conversation then took a flirtatious turn. Ray claimed that Minaj saying his name “turned” him out, and the latter tried to shut this line of thinking down. “It’s just something that you do to people and your fans, you so magnetic,” Ray J gushed. “I love being on Live with you.” The singer continued to lay on the compliments. He repeatedly called Nicki Minaj beautiful, and then bit his lip while looking directly into the camera. “Don’t ever do that [again], in your life,” she ordered. The rapper grew so tired of Ray J’s antics that she decided to issue a warning. “Honestly, I’m gonna hang up,” she asserted. “Stop playing like that, it won’t be the ending you want.”

What did Ray J do? Well, if you guessed “double down” than you are absolutely correct. The singer tried to apologize to Nicki Minaj while calling her beautiful yet again. Minaj made good on her promise, and she ended the Instagram Live as soon as Ray slipped up. It was the strangest Ray and Minaj live to date, yet there was definitely an element of self-awareness and humor informing the behaviors of both artists. We get the impression this won’t be the last of their unpredictable chats.

Read More: Ray J Admits He Thinks About Nicki Minaj “Every Day” Since She Called Him Out For Diddy Jokes

The post Ray J Makes NSFW Confession During Flirty Nicki Minaj Conversation appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nicki Minaj Teases a New Album for 2025

by
Nicki Minaj Announces Second Leg of Record-Breaking Pink Friday 2 World Tour

Nicki Minaj is already eyeing another album. In a Q&A with fans on X, she revealed she will release a new album in 2025 and also announce a new set of tour dates.

Add Nicki Minaj to the list of legends in the RIAA diamond club. Her uber-popular 2012 single “Starships” has just crossed the 10 million sales mark. Minaj highlighted the achievement in alignment with the 10th anniversary of her second album, The Pinkprint.

That was my 2nd album. We’ve come a long way.
Thank you for your continued support 🙏🏽🫶🏽
Thank you to my record label & team/ djs/radio & streaming.
🎀11/22 is our Next Pink Friday🎀
We celebrate the 10 year anniversary of my 3rd album #ThePinkprint with never before released vinyls…plus
… hmmmm *thinks* 🤔💭♟

The post Nicki Minaj Teases a New Album for 2025 appeared first on .

Nicki Minaj Tells Fan New Album & Tour On The Way

by

As she celebrates The Pinkprint‘s 10th anniversary, Nicki Minaj reveals plans for a new album and tour. Fresh off her Pink Friday 2 tour, Queen Barb made the revelation while answering a fan’s question on social media. The fan asked, “Are we getting another tour for the next album, Mother?” Minaj replied, “Yes, our next official album. Of course.” The forthcoming album follows the artist accomplishing several milestones in 2024, including the highest-grossing rap tour by a female artist and the biggest sales week by a female rapper in the mid-2020s.

Nicki’s reveal would send fans into a frenzy. “Omfgggg! Nicki I love you so much! I  can’t wait,” tweeted on fan, while another wrote, “I’m there just let me know when! And come back to St. Louis please & thank you.” Minaj’s fans around the world immediately requested her presence. Referring to the entertainer as “Mother,” one social media user commented, “Mama pls are you going to tour in Africa this time around? Nigeria to be precise, we love you and want you to give us a concert in Nigeria.”

Read more: Nicki Minaj Celebrates 10 Years Of “Pinkprint” With Long Lost Juice WRLD Collab “Arctic Tundra”

Nicki Minaj Says Of Course We’re Getting New Album & Tour

The reissued Pinkprint features the original album’s celebrated tracks, including “Pills n Potions,” “Anaconda,” “Only,” “Bed of Lies,” “Truffle Butter,” and “The Night Is Still Young.” However, the spotlight falls on the newly added songs, which enrich the album’s legacy. Among these are “Turn Ya Cap Back,” a collaboration with Swae Lee, and the dancehall-infused “It’s Okay” featuring David Guetta. The standout addition is Arctic Tundra, a posthumous feature from the late Juice WRLD.

This milestone release comes during a remarkable year for Minaj, who recently set records as the highest-grossing female rapper on tour and celebrated her hit single “Starships,” achieving Diamond certification. With this reimagined edition of The Pinkprint, Nicki Minaj not only honors a pivotal chapter in her career but also reaffirms her place as a trailblazer in hip-hop.

Read more: Nicki Minaj Treats Fans To Tenth Anniversary Edition Of “The Pinkprint”
[Via]

The post Nicki Minaj Tells Fan New Album & Tour On The Way appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nicki Minaj And Juice WRLD’s ‘Arctic Tundra’ Is A Pleasant Blast From Their Collaborative Past

by

Back in 2019, a Nicki Minaj and Juice WRLD track titled “Girl With The Blonde Hair” was leaked online. Following Juice WRLD’s tragic death, the collaboration fell by the wayside until now. Today (November 22), the record has officially been released as part of Minaj’s commemorative The Pinkprint (Tenth Anniversary) drop.

Renamed “Arctic Tundra,” the track is a delightful blast from the past. Juice WRLD’s signature melodic cadence previously heard on the leak seems to be untempered with. “I f*ck the blunt up / then f*ck your momma / My VVS cold like an arctic tundra / The .40 on me, woah, you don’t want no problems / And you best proceed with some caution / This song for the girl with the blonde hair / Suck me up good, give me Becky, like yeah,” sings the late musician.

Although this posthumous collaboration follows “All Girls Are The Same 2 (Insecure),” during an exchange with a fan on X (Twitter) Minaj has been sitting on this record for a while.

“Written/recorded before I was preggers,” she wrote.

With Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 – The Hiatus slated to hit streaming platforms on December 13, fans wonder if there is another archival goodie on the way.

Listen to “Arctic Tundra” above.

The Pinkprint (Tenth Anniversary) is out now via Republic. Find more information here.