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Blink-182’s Neighborhoods Had ‘Long Road’ To Release

As band’s first album in nearly eight years hits stores on Tuesday, Mark Hoppus tells MTV News that Blink is back from the brink. By James Montgomery Blink-182 Photo: Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic It’s been almost eight years since Blink-182 released their last album but, in a lot of ways, it feels much, much longer. There’s been no shortage of drama in that period, starting with the band’s ’05 breakup and continuing right on through the deaths of close friends Jerry Finn and Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein , and the plane crash that left drummer Travis Barker seriously injured. There was the gradual cooling of tensions and the triumphant reunion , the raucous tour kickoff and finally, the two-year process of recording a new album. And after all that, Blink are finally back with Neighborhoods , a record that crams all those highs and lows into just 36 minutes. It hit stores Tuesday (September 27), bringing one (very dark) chapter of the band’s career to a close, while simultaneously jump-starting another. And on the day of its release, MTV News emailed Blink’s Mark Hoppus to get his take on the long road he and his bandmates took, and just what lies ahead. Echoing the sentiments of many long-suffering Blink fans, he’s having a hard time wrapping his head around all of this too. “[It’s been] eight years since the last Blink-182 album was released. I can’t believe it. It seems like just last year, and yet so much has happened since then,” he wrote to us. “And now, finally, the new album that we’ve been talking about and working on for the past two years is out. This is the best part, the part where it turns from ideas in our head and abstract descriptions of what it might or will sound like, into a being unto itself. A CD. An mp3. A thing … that people can listen to for themselves.” And while Hoppus is thankful to begin moving forward, he can’t help but look back too. It’s sort of inevitable, given everything that’s happened in the eight years between Blink albums. But, in a lot of ways, those trials and tribulations have not only made the band stronger, but helped create an album they are all endlessly proud of. And now, it’s all yours. “It has been a long trip to get here … five years of pain and animosity, the passing of some of our dearest friends, the rebuilding of our band. And now the new album is here,” Hoppus continued. “Initial reaction to the songs and record has been overwhelmingly positive, and for that I’m truly grateful and excited. Thanks to everyone who has stuck with us through thick and thin. This record is for all of you. I hope the album means as much to you as it does to us.” Share your reviews of the latest Blink album in the comments below! Related Artists blink-182 Mark Hoppus

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Blink-182’s Neighborhoods Had ‘Long Road’ To Release

Nicki Minaj Gives Drake A Lap Dance! [VIDEO]

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After Drake recently stated that he hasn’t spoken to Young Money label-mate Nicki Minaj in a while, she gave him a lap dance to her number one single “Super Bass” during the Femme Fatale tour opening act! It looks like thy may have kissed at the end also! Nicki performed the lap dance in Drake’s hometown of Toronto. Nicki Minaj Nip Slip Caught On Tape [VIDEO] Nicki Minaj Saves Last Lap Dance For Travis Barker [VIDEO] Nicki Minaj Gets Wild On Stage In Jamaica [PHOTOS] Nicki Minaj Becomes First Female Rapper To Make Forbes’ Cash Kings List

Nicki Minaj Gives Drake A Lap Dance! [VIDEO]

Blink-182 Roar Back With ‘Up All Night’

Band’s new single recalls their past, while pushing towards the future. By James Montgomery Blink-182 Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic Back in January 2010, Mark Hoppus was struggling to describe the new songs he was working on with Blink-182 — about the best thing he could come up with was “weird” — when all of a sudden, almost by accident, or perhaps because he was tired of searching for adjectives, he switched gears and began discussing the myriad of outside projects he and his bandmates were involved in, and how they were influencing Blink’s new direction. “I think that everything that everyone works on outside of Blink comes back to Blink. And being involved in all these different projects allows us to go off and try different ideas and bring those ideas back home to what we do every day. And I think it’s a really positive thing,” Hoppus said. “I know it’s confusing for people, because everyone’s like, ‘Tom’s doing this, and Travis is doing this, and Mark’s producing … why aren’t you guys focusing on Blink?’ But I think what people need to understand is that, that’s how we focus on Blink. We go off, and we bring all these different pieces and ideas back, and we get inspired by other artists and get inspired by working with different people, and then when we come back to Blink, it just helps us. “Everybody listens to such different stuff. Tom is really into, like, ’80s stadium rock; huge, monumental ’80s rock bands. Travis is all over the place musically, and he always comes up with beats and drum parts that are so way out that I would never think of them,” he continued. “And I’ve just been listening to a lot of weird indie rock. So somewhere between amazing hip-hop beats, stadium rock and indie rock, you’ll find Blink.” And now, we know exactly what he meant. Because on Thursday night — something like 12 hours ahead of schedule — Blink premiered “Up All Night,” the first single off their much-anticipated new album. And for all the hype surrounding it, it is very much the way Hoppus described it: a booming, skittering mix of beats, arena-rock and yes, maybe even a little indie. In short, “Up All Night” (which debuted on the band’s website and Los Angeles radio station KROQ ) is the perfect synthesis of everything Blink’s three members have been doing in the eight years since their last record. The boom-bap backbeat recalls Travis Barker’s solo album (and umpteen hip-hop remixes ). The fluttering electronics bring to mind Hoppus and Barker’s Plus-44 project . The widescreen chorus reflects the scope of Tom DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves . And the air-tight production reminds me of Hoppus’ work with Motion City Soundtrack . Of course, the song also drums up memories of Box Car Racer, the late, lamented DeLonge and Barker band (it sounds very much like a muscled-up version of “Elevator”), and Blink’s decidedly darker self-titled album, too. But at the same time — and in a testament to the band’s talents — it never really feels like a retread … it represents a new Blink for a new millennium, one capable of combining slipstream sonics with ripping chords and an absolute corker of a chorus. So now, finally, Blink are back. With “Up All Night,” they not only prove that they’ve learned from the past but that they’re willing to embrace the future. And by doing so, they may have also proved an old adage wrong: Perhaps you can teach old dogs new tricks. Related Artists blink-182

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Blink-182 Roar Back With ‘Up All Night’

Lil Wayne Performs “Look At Me Now” At Philips Arena [VIDEO]

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IAmGWoods of Hot 107.9 went to the I Am Still Music Tour featuring Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and Travis Barker at Philips Arena this past Saturday. As expected Weezy rocked the house with hits like “Look At Me Now.” ATL-based rapper Yelawolf, who recently signed to Eminem’s label, was also in the building. Check out photos, plus Weezy performing “Look At Me Now” below! WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT RELATED: Lil Wayne May Be Forced To Cancel Upcoming Canadian Shows RELATED: Toya Carter: Lil Wayne “Had Nothing To Do” With My Success [EXCLUSIVE] RELATED: Why Did Lil Wayne Get Booed In Chicago? [VIDEO] RELATED: Nicki Minaj Says She Was Nervous Giving Weezy A Lap Dance [VIDEO]

Lil Wayne Performs “Look At Me Now” At Philips Arena [VIDEO]

Nicki Minaj To Auction Off Pink Camera For Japanese Disaster Relief

‘It’s dope to launch a camera, but we can also give back,’ she tells MTV News at Casio’s TRYX OUT: NYC 2011 launch party. By D.L. Chandler, with reporting by Alvin Blanco Nicki Minaj Photo: MTV News Beyond being the hottest female rap artist in some time, Young Money starlet Nicki Minaj also has a heart as big as her ever-growing fame. MTV News caught up with the Pink Friday rapper as she wrapped up a Thursday evening performance at Casio’s TRYX OUT: NYC 2011 launch party at the Best Buy Theater in New York. Minaj — currently traveling with Young Money Records boss Lil Wayne, Maybach Music Group head honcho Rick Ross and rocker Travis Barker on the I Am Still Music Tour — spoke on how she got involved with the Casio camera line launch and also assisting in upcoming relief efforts in Japan by auctioning off an autographed and fittingly pink version of the TRYX camera. “[Casio] told us about an amazing product they were launching and asked if I wanted to be a part of it. I was like, ‘Yeah, of course.’ I did a little bit of research on it and learned how to use it,” Minaj said. “I’m not a big electronics person usually, but it’s really sleek, it’s real sexy, and of course I want to be a part of it.” In a later portion of the interview, Nicki revealed to MTV News that not only does she have her own exclusive pink version of the TRYX camera, but that she will auction it off to help aid in disaster relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Japan. “This is the Casio TRYX, and this is my baby. This pink — I don’t think this one is in stores yet. I’m going to beg them to put this color in stores because the Barbs and the Ken Barbs need this one,” she said. “I’m actually auctioning this one off for the tsunami relief in Japan. I’m really super excited. It’s dope to launch a camera, but we can also give back. So hopefully we’ll see how well this goes, and it will all go to helping the people out in Japan who are dealing with the disaster.” Minaj has recently been in talks with pop star Britney Spears as a possible replacement for Enrique Iglesias on Spears’ Femme Fatale Tour. Related Artists Nicki Minaj

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Nicki Minaj To Auction Off Pink Camera For Japanese Disaster Relief

Mark Hoppus Says Blink-182 Are ‘Working Very Hard’ On New Album

Backing up drummer Travis Barker’s recent claims, the bassist maintains that Blink’s long-awaited new album will hit stores this summer. By James Montgomery Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus Photo: MTV News Back in February, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker told MTV News that his band’s long-in-the-works album would finally be finished in “June or July,” an announcement that was greeted with much joy — and skepticism — from fans who have seemingly been waiting forever to hear new music from the trio. Because, truth be told, they’ve heard talk like this before … in fact, at this point, the project carries with it a timeline that stretches all the way back to February 2009 — when Blink-182 announced that they were not only reuniting, but “in the studio writing and recording a new album” — and has included supposed release dates in 2010 and 2011 . But now, it really, truly seems like the still-untitled album is entering the home stretch. Not only did Mark Hoppus post a brand-new studio clip on his Facebook page late Tuesday, but when MTV News spoke to the bassist last week — back when Blink-182 were still in the hunt for the Musical March Madness championship — he backed up Barker’s claims of a summer release. For real. “The timeline! The Blink-182 timeline! Always an interesting point of discussion!” Hoppus laughed. “We are still planning for an early-to-midsummer release, we’re working very hard at it. Right now Travis is back on the road, so I’m back in L.A. working on the record, [guitarist Tom DeLonge’s] working on the record, we’re sending stuff to Travis; as soon as [he] gets back, hopefully Tom and I will have the album in a shape where Travis can come in and we can spend, you know, a month, month-and-a-half working really hard on pounding out the album and get it done.” Hoppus explained that most of the recording’s delay has been due to the way Blink have chosen to work this time around — in bits and pieces, alone and together, in a pair of California studios — which has everything to do with each member’s rather, uh, busy schedules. “It’s definitely a very different process … before, at least we were all in the same room at the same time,” he said. “With this, with Travis having his solo record, me being in L.A., and Tom doing his stuff and also being in San Diego, at first it felt like maybe it was a bit piecemeal, but now it feels like we’re getting into a good rhythm. “Between sending songs back and forth to each other, we’ll all meet up in the studio every few weeks and go over everything, listen down to everything and I’ll say, ‘OK, I love what you did with this idea. Let me take this song for a week and try some ideas on it,’ ” he continued. “And I’ll take a song for a week, try a bunch of stuff on it, present it back to everybody else, they’ll make their comments and then move on from there.” So, yes, Blink are holding fast to a summer release. And in spite of their packed schedules — and despite everything you may think — they are making progress toward that goal. One song at a time. “It really depends on the day how finished songs are … there’s songs that I think are finished that we go back and work on some more, there’s songs that I think are going to take a long time and they end up progressing pretty quickly,” Hoppus explained. “I feel like we’ve worked on about 16 tracks, of which 12 of those are making the cut. When songs don’t seem to be working, we let them fall by the wayside, and I think we’re pretty good about putting the better songs forward. So, we’re working on 12, five or six of those are in states that are near completion, and the other ones are formed ideas with structures and parts — they just need filling in. The skeletons are all there, we just need to fill in the pieces.” Are you excited about possibly finally getting the chance to hear new music from Blink-182? Tell us in the comments. Related Artists blink-182 Mark Hoppus

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Mark Hoppus Says Blink-182 Are ‘Working Very Hard’ On New Album

Wiz Khalifa Wins Big, Odd Future Go Wild At 2011 mtvU Woodies

Two Door Cinema Club and Chiddy Bang also take home big prizes, alongside performances by Sleigh Bells and Foo Fighters. By Kyle Anderson Odd Future’s Tyler, the Creator performs at the 2011 Woodie Awards Photo: MTV Luminaries from all corners of the indie-rock world descended on Austin, Texas, on Wednesday night (March 16) not only to kick off the annual South by Southwest festival, but also to celebrate the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards . And though Wiz Khalifa and Two Door Cinema Club walked away with the biggest prizes of the evening, the night — and perhaps the remainder of the year — belonged to Odd Future. Foo Fighters got the festivities started on a loud note with a rugged run through their new single “Rope.” While the multiplatinum Foos aren’t technically indie, they certainly practice a lo-fi aesthetic (their entire new album, Wasting Light, was recorded on analog tape), and with their new three-guitar attack, they have become the modern-rock radio version of Neil Young and Crazy Horse (except with shorter solos and better haircuts). Once Dave Grohl and company wrapped up a headbang-worthy extended breakdown at the end of “Rope,” host Donald Glover (he of “Community” fame) took the stage to formally welcome the live audience and viewers at home to the show. “There’s something I wanted to say: Stop asking your black friends to freestyle,” he told the crowd. Still, that didn’t stop Glover from dropping some rhymes once house DJ Skrillex dropped a beat. “It turns out we all can freestyle.” Glover tossed to Skylar Grey and Yelawolf, who were charged with handing out the Best Video Woodie. In a tough category that included crossover stars Vampire Weekend and the Black Keys, Chiddy Bang grabbed the prize for their inventive clip for “Opposite of Adults.” Zoe Kravitz came out and threw to Wiz Khalifa, who spit “Roll Up” (from his forthcoming album Rolling Papers ) from the balcony of the theater surrounded by enthusiastic fans. Once Khalifa hit the stage, the gold light kicked in and the terrible towels started flying, which could only mean one thing: “Black and Yellow.” Khalifa’s pro-Pittsburgh anthem sounded like a massive pop hit — which, coincidentally, is exactly what it was. Woodies veteran Pete Wentz was up next. He gave out the Left Field Woodie to Kanye West, though not before letting the world know that he was “all ‘Free Earl,’ but had love for Tyler.” Weezy was not in Austin to accept his award, but Wentz accepted the prize on his behalf. In the middle of Wentz’s speech, he was interrupted by fellow Left Field nominee Lil B, channeling West’s drop-in on Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs. Meanwhile, Eliza Doolittle drank in the crowd and paid tribute to the late Nate Dogg before tossing to Two Door Cinema Club up on the stage. The jittery Irish trio crooned and jangled their way through their current single “What You Know,” one of the highlights on their debut album, Tourist History. Glover then introduced “My Life as Liz” star Liz Lee, who was up in the balcony to introduce the college radio station that won the College Radio Woodie; the prize went to WVUM of Miami University. Dev and Lil B were up next, onstage to hand out the Best Performing Woodie. “This award is not about who brings the most money, but about who brings the most swag to the performance!” declared Lil B. Matt & Kim apparently have more swag than any of the other nominees, because they won the big block of wood. Matt teased a stage dive from the balcony but settled for high-fiving most of the first row right after encouraging everybody to donate to the relief effort in Japan. Woodies veterans Friendly Fires then introduced Sleigh Bells, one of the most hotly anticipated performers of the evening. The duo made their television debut with the jagged “Riot Rhythm.” Clad in the denim jacket she picked out specifically for the occasion, singer Alexis Krauss shouted, swayed and cooed her way into the hearts of the crowd (though the special appearance by the marching band probably helped — it certainly added to the cacophony). “That was sick!” Glover declared before handing the stage to Chiddy Bang. Chiddy broke out a freestyle before running down the nominees for Breaking Woodie (which included Dev, Sleigh Bells, Local Natives, Wavves and Two Door Cinema Club). Based on fan voting, the winners were Two Door Cinema Club (who announced that it was their first award in America). Last year’s Best Video Woodie winners Matt & Kim took the stage again to give out the prize for Woodie of the Year. They announced that they would not be getting naked (like they did in their award-winning “Lessons Learned” clip), though they did do some slow-motion grinding. When the dust settled, Wiz Khalifa won Woodie of the Year for the crossover smash “Black and Yellow.” The Pittsburgh native seemed genuinely moved by his victory and spent most of his acceptance speech chuckling live on the microphone. But though the last award had been given out, the climax was yet to come. Comedian Aziz Ansari showed up to introduce Odd Future, who used Tyler the Creator’s “Yonkers” as a coming-out party. While the track played, a masked midget came out to impersonate Tyler before getting replaced by the real Tyler. Clad in a pink-and-blue hoodie and green ski mask, Tyler growled his way through “Sandwitches” while stalking the outer limits of the theater and violently stage-diving into the crowd. As the performance evolved, Tyler was joined by fellow MC Hodgy Beats and two furries in costumes. They were eventually dragged off the stage by security, leaving a permanent mark on the show — and on culture at large. What did you think of the Woodies? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos Woodie Awards 2011: Performances Related Photos Woodie Awards 2011: Behind The Scenes Woodie Awards 2011: Red Carpet Related Artists Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All Wiz Khalifa

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Wiz Khalifa Wins Big, Odd Future Go Wild At 2011 mtvU Woodies

Lil Wayne Kicks Off I Am Music II Tour In Rhode Island

Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker and Rick Ross join Weezy, who tells the crowd that performing post-prison is ‘better than I could have imagined.’ By Jayson Rodriguez Lil Wayne performs at his I Am Music II tour in Providence, Rhode Island on March 17, 2011 Photo: Taylor Hill/ Getty Images PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — Lil Wayne returned to the stage as a headliner for the first time in more than a year on Wednesday night (March 16), and the superstar MC let the Rhode Island concertgoers know just how grateful he was to be kicking off his I Am Music II Tour in their town. “I swear to God, I was in a place a few months ago, I couldn’t imagine this sh–,” Wayne told the sold-out crowd, referring to his time behind bars . “But now that I’m here, it’s better than I could have imagined.” To say the feeling was mutual would be an understatement. The New England crowd cheered Weezy’s every move, from his otherworldly rhyming to the array of guests he invited onstage, including Young Money members Shanell, Jae Millz, Mack Maine and Lil Twist. Sporting a white V-neck tee, jeans, bright Vans and a fitted cap and shades, Wayne looked trimmer than he did upon his release from prison in November. His dreadlocks appeared longer, and the rapper was lucid. As a result of an Arizona case, Wayne is forbidden from drinking alcohol or partaking in any activities involving drugs. The added clarity served him well. He was agile throughout his verses on “A Milli.” “He’s a beast, he’s a dog, he’s a motherf—ing problem,” he rapped. “OK, you’re a goon, but what’s a goon to a goblin?/ Nothing, nothing, you ain’t scaring nothing/ On some f—ing bullshit, call him Dennis Rodman.” After running through “Look At Me Now,” “I’m Going In” and “Got Money,” Wayne revisited his standout mixtape, No Ceilings, before ceding the stage to Nicki Minaj. The Young Money empress was ready for combat. She entered to a blistering scene of “Gladiator” playing on the enormous LCD screen behind the stage. An unknown person in a monk’s outfit walked to the front of the stage followed by Nicki’s barbies in their pink bobs. Rising through a propelled entrance underneath the stage, the Pink Friday star rocketed onto the stage to “Roman’s Revenge.” Sporting a white-and-pink body-hugging one-piece suit and a Bride of Frankenstein-like wig, Nicki was flamboyant in her “Roman” persona. She took a football onstage and ran through a cadre of her dancers –clad in helmets, while Nicki wore shoulder pads — en route to a touchdown and spike. The “Moment 4 Life” star was also flirtatious. She invited a man onstage with her (after another one tried to rush the stage before security escorted him off) for a lap dance. “There’s three rules,” she told the lucky participant. “Keep your legs open, hands behind your back and keep your mouth shut.” Then, as Sean Kingston’s “Letting Go,” featuring the Queens lyricist, boomed on the speakers, she teased her guest with a dutty-whine thrust. Wayne returned to the stage after 30 minutes, and after a brief Rebirth set, the benevolent CEO invited Lil Twist out for their new collaboration “Love Affair.” Mack Maine, Jae Millz and Nicki joined the boss for “Bed Rock.” Young Money’s latest signee, Cory Gunz, proved to be the most energetic of the crew when the Bronx upstart arrived next for a frenetic rendition of “6 Foot 7 Foot.” Rick Ross and Travis Barker rounded out the bill. The Blink-182 drummer was joined by Beastie Boys DJ Mixmaster Mike for a heart-racing set. Barker performed his set inside an oversize Ghetto Blaster radio as he pounded on the brass for the title track of his solo debut, Can a Drummer Get Some. Miami Don Rick Ross was as breezy as a Florida sunset. His 30 minutes included his breakout hits “Hustlin’ ” and “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast).” “I need a moment of silence,” Ross told the audience. “Life is a beautiful thing. There’s nothing more beautiful than life.” Wayne was just as effusive about his circumstances toward the end of the show. “Make some noise for Tupac,” he announced. “Make some noise for Biggie. Make some noise for my n—a Nate Dogg . Make some noise for Michael Jackson, y’all. “All the people I named taught me one thing,” Wayne added. “And that’s how to hustle.” Will you check out Wayne’s I Am Music II Tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Lil Wayne Returns To Glory With I Am Music II Tour Related Artists Lil Wayne Nicki Minaj Travis Barker Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)

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Lil Wayne Kicks Off I Am Music II Tour In Rhode Island

Lil Wayne Kicks Off I Am Music II Tour In Rhode Island

Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker and Rick Ross join Weezy, who tells the crowd that performing post-prison is ‘better than I could have imagined.’ By Jayson Rodriguez Lil Wayne performs at his I Am Music II tour in Providence, Rhode Island on March 17, 2011 Photo: Taylor Hill/ Getty Images PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — Lil Wayne returned to the stage as a headliner for the first time in more than a year on Wednesday night (March 16), and the superstar MC let the Rhode Island concertgoers know just how grateful he was to be kicking off his I Am Music II Tour in their town. “I swear to God, I was in a place a few months ago, I couldn’t imagine this sh–,” Wayne told the sold-out crowd, referring to his time behind bars . “But now that I’m here, it’s better than I could have imagined.” To say the feeling was mutual would be an understatement. The New England crowd cheered Weezy’s every move, from his otherworldly rhyming to the array of guests he invited onstage, including Young Money members Shanell, Jae Millz, Mack Maine and Lil Twist. Sporting a white V-neck tee, jeans, bright Vans and a fitted cap and shades, Wayne looked trimmer than he did upon his release from prison in November. His dreadlocks appeared longer, and the rapper was lucid. As a result of an Arizona case, Wayne is forbidden from drinking alcohol or partaking in any activities involving drugs. The added clarity served him well. He was agile throughout his verses on “A Milli.” “He’s a beast, he’s a dog, he’s a motherf—ing problem,” he rapped. “OK, you’re a goon, but what’s a goon to a goblin?/ Nothing, nothing, you ain’t scaring nothing/ On some f—ing bullshit, call him Dennis Rodman.” After running through “Look At Me Now,” “I’m Going In” and “Got Money,” Wayne revisited his standout mixtape, No Ceilings, before ceding the stage to Nicki Minaj. The Young Money empress was ready for combat. She entered to a blistering scene of “Gladiator” playing on the enormous LCD screen behind the stage. An unknown person in a monk’s outfit walked to the front of the stage followed by Nicki’s barbies in their pink bobs. Rising through a propelled entrance underneath the stage, the Pink Friday star rocketed onto the stage to “Roman’s Revenge.” Sporting a white-and-pink body-hugging one-piece suit and a Bride of Frankenstein-like wig, Nicki was flamboyant in her “Roman” persona. She took a football onstage and ran through a cadre of her dancers –clad in helmets, while Nicki wore shoulder pads — en route to a touchdown and spike. The “Moment 4 Life” star was also flirtatious. She invited a man onstage with her (after another one tried to rush the stage before security escorted him off) for a lap dance. “There’s three rules,” she told the lucky participant. “Keep your legs open, hands behind your back and keep your mouth shut.” Then, as Sean Kingston’s “Letting Go,” featuring the Queens lyricist, boomed on the speakers, she teased her guest with a dutty-whine thrust. Wayne returned to the stage after 30 minutes, and after a brief Rebirth set, the benevolent CEO invited Lil Twist out for their new collaboration “Love Affair.” Mack Maine, Jae Millz and Nicki joined the boss for “Bed Rock.” Young Money’s latest signee, Cory Gunz, proved to be the most energetic of the crew when the Bronx upstart arrived next for a frenetic rendition of “6 Foot 7 Foot.” Rick Ross and Travis Barker rounded out the bill. The Blink-182 drummer was joined by Beastie Boys DJ Mixmaster Mike for a heart-racing set. Barker performed his set inside an oversize Ghetto Blaster radio as he pounded on the brass for the title track of his solo debut, Can a Drummer Get Some. Miami Don Rick Ross was as breezy as a Florida sunset. His 30 minutes included his breakout hits “Hustlin’ ” and “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast).” “I need a moment of silence,” Ross told the audience. “Life is a beautiful thing. There’s nothing more beautiful than life.” Wayne was just as effusive about his circumstances toward the end of the show. “Make some noise for Tupac,” he announced. “Make some noise for Biggie. Make some noise for my n—a Nate Dogg . Make some noise for Michael Jackson, y’all. “All the people I named taught me one thing,” Wayne added. “And that’s how to hustle.” Will you check out Wayne’s I Am Music II Tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Lil Wayne Returns To Glory With I Am Music II Tour Related Artists Lil Wayne Nicki Minaj Travis Barker Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)

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Lil Wayne Kicks Off I Am Music II Tour In Rhode Island

Nicki Minaj Says She’s ‘Very Excited’ To Tour With Lil Wayne

‘This is what I’ve been praying for,’ she says. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Kelly Marino Nicki Minaj Photo: MTV News Nicki Minaj is an international star these days, but when Harajuku Barbie went on the road with Lil Wayne for his I Am Music Tour two years ago, her portion of the show was limited. For the sequel, however, the “Moment 4 Life” rapper made it onto the marquee. Minaj will join Rick Ross, Travis Barker and Mixmaster Mike on Lil Wayne’s next outing . “Oh my God, I’m very excited to be touring with Wayne,” Nicki told MTV News. “The last time I toured with Wayne I was onstage for three minutes. Now I have my own set, I have my own lighting, my own costumes, my own dancers, my own everything. And this is what I’ve been praying for [for] a very long time.” She’s certainly come a long way compared to when she first joined Weezy’s Young Money roster. Wayne admitted she was a nice addition, but he didn’t see her becoming as big of a star as she’s become. She, along with Drake, gave him the luxury of relaxing while he was behind bars, knowing his prot