Young Money queen Nicki Minaj is gearing up for the release of her anticipated sophomore album, Roman Reloaded, and in preparation she just dropped the title track featuring her YMCMB boss, Lil Wayne . Produced by Rico Beats , Nicki drops her auto-tuned pop vocals for her brash rhyme style. She even throws a few shots at Lil Kim, female rappers and talks about her Grammy performance, which was widely criticized. Check out “Roman Reloaded” below. Is this the Nicki Minaj you want to hear? Leave your review in the comments. RELATED: Nicki Minaj Before She Was Famous [VIDEO] Sorry Barbz! Nicki Minaj’s “Stupid Hoe” Video Banned From BET! [VIDEO] Lil Wayne Disses Watch The Throne [VIDEO] Lil Kim Responds To Nicki Minaj: “You Must Be The Stupid Hoe” [VIDEO]
Young Money Barbie had that ‘Super Bass,’ conquering pop and rap landscapes to land on Hottest MCs in the Game list. By MTV News staff Nicki Minaj Photo: MTV News / Getty Images 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.” Want to join the debate? Just hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC! HOT STREAK Album: Pink Friday Selected Mixtapes: None Singles: “Super Bass,” “Fly” (featuring Rihanna) and “Starships” Street Bangers: “Did it on Em,” “Roman in Moscow,” “Stupid Hoe” Key Guest Appearances: Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” remix, Birdman’s “Y.U. Mad” and Drake’s “Make Me Proud” Meteoric Metrics: Nicki continued to dominate the singles chart thanks to “Super Bass,” which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Business Ventures: The Barbie starred in Mac’s Viva Glam campaign and linked with OPI to launch her own nail polish. Tours: She hit the road with Lil Wayne on his I Am Still Music Tour and Britney Spears on the Femme Fatale Tour. Monumental Moment: Nicki took home the Best Hip-Hop Video VMA for “Super Bass.” Forecast: With Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded on the way, Nicki should once again rule the airwaves in 2012, but Roman is a different story … But by the time she dropped her Pink Friday debut last November, the world was on notice. Now, Nicki’s success spans the pop and hip-hop worlds, and her fanbase is just as eclectic, with young girls and “Kens” all riding for the Young Money Barbie. Minaj’s song “Super Bass” was just a bonus track on the album, but it won over fans including squeaky-clean Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, both of whom jumped on the record, rapping along line for line to the infectious track. “Bass” may have even helped Nicki score a spot opening for Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour. As far as our Hottest MCs criteria, Nicki meets them all. Her impact is undeniable and, lyrically, she holds her own when she’s playing with the boys: She stole the show on Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” 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.” What do you think of our list? Sound off on MTV News’ “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” using the hashtag #HottestMC! Related Videos ‘Hottest MCs In The Game VII’ Related Artists Nicki Minaj
Word on the streetz is that Beyonce’ is already back in the studio recording. That’s great news for Bey Stans out there. She is not only working on 1 album but 2 wow thats alot of work being put in girl .I was told Beyonce wants to focus on what sound is going to be hot in 2013. My question is who the hell is gonna be breast feeding Blue Ivy? I need answers lol!!
Lil Wayne took time out to diss Jay-Z (again) and Kanye West after celebrating Young Money’s success at Cash Money’s annual pre-Grammy party. After celebrating the success of his label YMCMB with performances, plaque presentations, announcements ( Christina Milian is now signed to the label) and even a moment of silence for Whitney Houston , Weezy couldn’t help but take a jab at Kanye West and Jay-Z aka Watch the Throne . “I ain’t really got nothing else to say, but uh…I met a bad red bone, I took the b*tch home, I asked her what she want to watch she said surely not the Throne,” spit Weezy, who immediately dropped the mic and walked off the stage as the crowd reacted. This is the second such shot Weezy has taken at Jay-Z. On “It’s Good” from Tha Carter IV Wayne rhymed, “ Talkin’ ’bout baby money, I got your baby money / Kidnap your b*tch, Get that ‘how much you love your lady?’ money. ” The boast was supposedly in retaliation for a jab Jay-Z sent on “H.A.M” where he said “ I’m like really half a billi n*gga, Really you got baby money / Keep it real with n*ggas, N*ggas ‘aint got my lady money. ” Watch Weezy diss The Throne below: RELATED: Jay-Z & Kanye West “N*ggas In Paris” [WORLD PREMIERE] Lil Wayne Shoots Down Engagement Rumors Lil Wayne Fires Back At Luke & Disses DJ Khaled Jay-Z Speaks On Beef With Lil Wayne: “That’s Sport” [VIDEO] Lil Wayne Reportedly Fought NFL Player Dez Bryant At Miami Nightclub Kanye West & Lil Wayne Spend Christmas With The Lakers [PHOTOS] Lil Wayne Explains His Syrup Sipping Habit [VIDEO]
Wearing teal eye shadow, exaggerated eyelashes, and her signature pink/blond mashup ‘do, Nicki Minaj graces the cover of New York Magazine’s Fashion Double Issue. The Young Money prom queen talks attending fashion shows with Vogue’s legendary Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour, who sent Minaj an autographed photo the next day and suggested they “matched” for both wearing orange… Continue
Singer gets positive report from court, but ordered to remain on probation. By Gil Kaufman Chris Brown Photo: Getty Images In a status hearing on Thursday in Los Angeles, a judge said that Chris Brown is doing a good job complying with the terms of his sentence for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, but that he must remain under the supervision of a probation officer for the time being. According to the Associated Press , Brown was not in court for the hearing where his attorney asked that the singer’s supervised probation end thanks to his good behavior. Superior Court judge George Lomeli, however, agreed with prosecutors, who argued that even with Brown’s good marks to date, he should keep reporting to a probation officer in his home state, Virginia. Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos, attempted to end the probation, which is part of the sentence Brown received in June 2009 when he agreed to a plea deal in which he plead guilty to one count of felony assault and was sentenced to 180 days of community labor and five years of probation. Geragos pointed to a probation report that said that Brown had been truthful with officers, passed all required drug tests and “has made great strides” while under probation. To date, Brown has completed half of the six months of roadside cleanup, graffiti removal and other manual labor he was ordered to do under the terms of the deal. But the AP reported that Lomeli didn’t think it was unreasonable for Brown to say under supervision while he finishes the rest of his community service hours. The singer has already completed anger management and domestic violence counseling and a different judge in the case agreed last year to relax a restraining order that barred Brown and Rihanna from contacting each other or getting too close to one another at music industry events. The hearing came just days before Brown and Rihanna are slated to return to the Grammy stage for the first time since the February 2009 assault. In advance, tongues have already begun wagging, with rumors flying last month that the exes have reunited recently and have been spending time together again. Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don’t miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn’t end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Rihanna A Guide To The Grammys 2012 Related Artists Chris Brown
Femcee seems anything but ‘new’ at this point, but it remains to be seen if her domination translates to Grammy gold come Sunday. By Rob Markman Nicki Minaj Photo: Getty Images It’s getting increasingly difficult to think of Nicki Minaj as a new artist. If you judge the Young Money raptress by the time she’s spent in the game, then she is no doubt a newcomer. On the other hand, if you measure the “Super Bass” star by her accomplishments, then she has accumulated enough stats in 14 months to rival some industry veterans. Though it may seem unfair to some that she is even nominated, Nicki’s accelerated artistic growth makes her a heavy favorite in the Best New Artist category at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday. When weighted against other Best New noms like the Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole and Skrillex, Nicki’s path is a unique one. She started out an MC but grew into so much more under the direction of YM head honcho Lil Wayne. When Weezy first discovered Minaj rapping on a street DVD, she was as cocksure and combative as any of her male counterparts, but after signing with Young Money, Nicki used the platform to amplify the natural performance talents that existed within. There were glimpses on her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty, but it wasn’t until the Harajuku Barbie dropped her debut, Pink Friday, in November 2010 that her full potential was unleashed, when she displayed her passion for both rapping and singing. Yes, technically her debut album was released in the 2010 calendar year, but the Grammy calendar does leave wiggle room and make her eligible for the Best New Artist nomination. The Queens, New York, rap star didn’t start out the gate as hot as some speculated, but she did snag the #1 album spot on the Billboard charts in her 11th week. In October 2010, Minaj set a record for having the most singles on the Hot 100, notching seven songs at the same time. “Your Love,” “Right Thru Me” and the Drake-featuring “Moment 4 Life” all made significant radio impact, but it was “Super Bass” that proved to be her biggest and most inescapable hit. Nicki, with the help of alter ego Roman, has emerged as a strong visual artist as well through her “Moment 4 Life” video and the super colorful “Super Bass.” The rap rook has also toured with Britney Spears and Lil Wayne. It’s also important to note that Nicki’s prowess in the studio has led her to be a ubiquitous figure in pop culture. She has had a Barbie doll made in her likeness, inked a deal for her own nail polish with OPI, became the face of MAC’s 2012 Viva Glam campaign and has either appeared on the covers or shot for too many glamour magazines to name. Yes, Nicki Minaj does seem to be a lock for Best New Artist, but then again, this is the Grammys and no one ever thought Esperanza Spalding would beat out pop icon Justin Bieber . So maybe the Band Perry have a shot after all. Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don’t miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn’t end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off! Related Photos 2012 Grammy Performers
Young Money’s Tyga also puts new rappers Wale, Big Sean and Meek Mill on his ‘Hottest MCs’ list. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Ricky Louis Tyga Photo: MTV News Rap veterans Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem have all continued to exercise their hip-hop dominance, but over the past year, a new generation of MCs has made significant impact in the game over the past year. So when Young Money’s Tyga was asked to make a pick for the “Hottest MC in the Game,” he gave a nod to the new class. Of course, the “Rack City” rapper nominated himself for the top spot in MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game” debate, but he also opened the conversation up and included some other talented newcomers. “It’s a lot of artists that I like now that are around my age and that are new, from Wale to J. Cole to Big Sean, Meek Mill,” Tyga rattled off when MTV News caught up with him at a shoot for his “Rack City” remix video. Tyga finds that he has more in common with this new crop of artist, as they share a generational bond. “A lot of those artists I can really relate to because we’re close in age and a lot of the stuff they’re talking about is modern day and going on right now,” he said. “I salute all those dudes.” Well, Tyga will have to wait until Monday, when the top 10 “Hottest” countdown begins on MTV News and then tune in to “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” half-hour television special on MTV2 on February 19 when the top five “Hottest MCs in the Game” are revealed. Who is your pick for “Hottest MC”? Let us know in the comments! Tune in to MTV2 on Sunday, February 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT to catch ” MTV2 Presents: Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts ,” then watch “Hottest MCs in the Game VII” immediately after at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT before capping the night off with ” Sucker Free Certified ” at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Related Videos Hottest MCs In The Game VII Is Coming Related Artists Tyga J. Cole
‘We want to do it as a movement,’ Timbo tells MTV News of releasing new material at the same time. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Ricky Louis Timbaland Photo: MTV News Timbaland and Missy Elliott make a perfect musical match. Though it’s been a while since we’ve seen the two in full swing, the Virginia duo will join forces once again in a very big way later this year. “Me and Missy are both coming with our albums at the same time, and it will be in June,” Timbo told MTV News in his Miami home February 3. It’s been three years since Timbaland released Shock Value II and seven years since Missy dropped The Cookbook. If all goes according to plan, fans won’t have to wait much longer. “Right now, we’re preparing to get both our videos, our first singles, shot kinda at the same time,” Tim said. “We want to do it as a movement and spontaneously.” Last June, Missy revealed to People magazine she had been diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder Graves’ disease. Initially, it was speculated that Missy’s health was the cause of the huge gap in her discography, though Elliott later issued a statement dismissing that notion. The “Get Ur Freak On” rapper has been putting in plenty of work behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer for Keyshia Cole, Monica and Jazmine Sullivan. She even hooked up with Timbo on Demi Lovato’s “All Night Long” from the pop singer’s 2011 Unbroken album. Missy is also a guest vocalist on J. Cole’s next single, “Nobody’s Perfect,” and is expected to appear in the song’s upcoming video. It all seems like an exciting build to a triumphant return for both artists. “I just don’t want to move too ahead of her and she don’t want to move too ahead of me,” Timbaland said. “So we’re both doing it at the same time.” What do you think of Timbaland and Missy’s plan to drop their new albums at the same time? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Missy Elliott Timbaland
Young Money Barbie will release ‘Starships’ a day after awards show telecast. By Nadeska Alexis Nicki Minaj Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Nicki Minaj is in takeover mode. The Young Money rapper donned her best cheerleader outfit for the Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna on Sunday night, and next week she’ll storm the Grammys — performing her new song “Roman Holiday” — before officially releasing her latest Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded single “Starships.” On Monday, February 13, just a day after the Grammy telecast, Nicki’s “Starships” will premiere on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show and make its way to iTunes shortly afterward. Minaj gave fans the first preview of her sophomore album with the single “Roman in Moscow” back in November, followed by “Stupid Hoe” in December. The release of the Hype Williams-directed video for “Stupid Hoe” last month was accompanied by an announcement that her much-anticipated album would be pushed from its original February 14 release date to April 3. “New Album Date: April 3rd. Pink Friday: ROMAN RELOADED,” Minaj wrote to her loyal followers on Twitter. “But have no fear. Tons of surprises before then ;). Love Always, HB.” One of those surprises will come at this year’s Grammy Awards, where Nicki is set to perform a brand-new, unreleased single, “Roman Holiday” (the tune will also appear on Roman Reloaded ). The performance will mark her first time on the Grammy stage, an honor she adds to noms for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album for her 2010 debut Pink Friday. Cash Money Records CEO Birdman is among the few who have already heard Minaj’s new album, and he’s given it glowing reviews. “She’s grown so much as an artist. She’s so talented that this sh– is scary,” he told Complex. She really is the female Weezy . Hands down, she bad as a mother—-er. Her talents, skills and what she’s done with her music and the way she is in front of a camera. She’s just so talented to be so young. It’s a brand-new style. I’m just so glad she’s on our team.” The 54th annual Grammy Awards are set to air Sunday, February 12, on CBS at 8 p.m. ET. Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don’t miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET. And the fun doesn’t end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off! Related Videos A Guide To The Grammys 2012 Related Photos 2012 Grammy Performers 2012 Grammy Nominees Related Artists Nicki Minaj
