Nicki Minaj Feuding with Radio Station After Pulling Out of Concert

Jun 5, 2012 07:58 PM ET
by Kate Stanhope

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj's "Starships" may be one of the top songs in the country, but don't expect to hear it on New York hip-hop station Hot 97 anytime soon.

Minaj is embroiled in a feud with the radio station after she pulled out of Hot 97's annual Summer Jam concert on Sunday. The rapper bailed on the event after one of the station's DJs made a snide comment about her song, Billboard reports.

Check out music videos from Nicki Minaj

Minaj, 29, was set to take the stage right before the two headlining acts. But after DJ Peter Rosenberg referred to 'Starships" as "wack," both Minaj and her record label boss Lil Wayne announced on Twitter that she would not be performing. "Wow. U n---z just f---- up history. But the President has spoken. #YMCMB," Minaj wrote. She later added: "I go above and beyond for my fans. But won't ever go against Wayne's word. What he says, goes."

Performers J. Cole and Young Jeezy apparently extended their sets to make up for the vacancy left by Minaj. Lauryn Hill also ended up performing with Nas during what was originally supposed to be Minaj's time. However, Hill voiced her support for Minaj's decision not to perform.

Check out photos of Nicki Minaj

"No disrespect to Nicki, but I need to clear up an inaccuracy. I was not scheduled to be a special guest on her set at Summer Jam, I was invited by Nas to perform with him. I don't have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs, and walking with integrity," Hill said in a statement via Twitter. "We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music, while giving artists their proper respect. This cannot be done while taking their contributions for granted, or trying to control the scope of their growth and power through threats and fear tactics."

On Monday evening, the war of words continued between Minaj and Hot 97 when she discussed the matter on-air with one of the station's other DJs, Funkmaster Flex. However, it sounds like Minaj won't be changing her tune anytime soon. "Wayne gave me a very, very valuable lesson last night on knowing my worth," she said on-air. "After that disrespect, I still was going on that stage. And you know what? Shame on me. Lil Wayne gave me a valuable lesson on self-worth."

Whose side are you on?