“Now she want a photo, you already know tho, You Only Live Once that’s the motto n*gga YOLO!”

Drake links up with his YMCMB labelmates Lil Wayne and Tyga for his brand new video for “The Motto.”

Look out for Wayne’s lime green boots, as well as appearances from Bay Area rappers E-40 and Mistah F.A.B. in the video, which opens up with a few encouraging words from late rapper Mac Dre‘s mother.

Watch below:

Sounds like YMCMB has another #1 debut album on their hands!

It was almost a given that Drake‘s sophomore album “Take Care” would debut in the #1 spot on the Billboard charts next week … but what’s surprising is the fact that Hits Daily Double is predicting that the album will sell around 675,000 – 725,000 copies in its first week. (That’s over 200,000 more than what his debut album “Thank Me Later” did in its first week!)

“Take Care,” originally set for an October 24th release date (Drake’s birthday), but was pushed back to November 15th due to logistical issues, leaked last week. And when a major album leaks, many fear that it will affect album sales.

However, in Drizzy’s case, it may have affected his album sales, but not by too much. “Listen, enjoy it, buy it if you like it…and take care until next time,” the rapper tweeted after finding out about the leak.

If HDD’s predictions are correct, “Take Care” will have the third-best debut sales for an album released this year, following Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and his Young Money boss Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter IV,” the latter of which sold a little bit over a million in its first week.

[HDD]

Despite all the rumors floating around, Drake says couldn’t be any happier at Young Money.

The “I’m So Proud Of You” rapper recently revealed in an interview with MTV that he has no plans on leaving his label:

“I never really know where those rumors stem from. I’m really happy at Young Money; I really don’t want to go anywhere. Me and Wayne have a great relationship.”

Drizzy also talked about how he is content with being one of Wayne’s soldiers because he put him in the position he is in today:

“At the end of the day, that’s my boss. I’m his soldier. I’m cool with that. I’m good with that. That’s the role I want to play. He put me here.”

He also explained why he chose Kendrick Lamar and A$AP to go on tour with him instead of members from his Young Money family:

“I spent a lot of time out there [in Toronto]; that’s what this album is about. That’s what I’m gonna showcase. It’s the same thing with the tour: I wanna bring Kendrick, I wanna bring A$AP. Those are guys that I love.”

“It has nothing to do with people on my label. Tyga’s out, Nicki’s working on an album, and everybody else is doing their thing on the road with Wayne or with Wayne in the studio, so I just sort of showcased the music that I happen to love right now, and those are the two guys that I’m bringing out.”

Another day in the life of Drizzy…

As Drake gears up for the November 15th release of his sophomore album “Take Care,” the chart-topping Young Money rapper made his “Saturday Night Live” debut over the weekend, and performed two of his latest singles, “Headlines” and “Make Me Proud,” with a little help from his label-mate Nicki Minaj.

Watch both performances below!

“HEADLINES”

“MAKE ME PROUD” (W/ NICKI MINAJ)

Drake brings his goons on deck in his new music video for his latest single “Headlines!”

The Young Money rapper’s sophomore effort Take Care hits stores later this month (Oct 28).

Until then, check out his new video above!

YMCMB is plotting one hell of a fall music takeover.

The Hip-Hop collective is said to be preparing several releases from its long roster of artists, including Drake, Bow Wow, Tyga, Lil Twist, Birdman and Jay Sean.

Lil Wayne‘s “Carter IV” wrapped up the summer, and right in the middle of the fall, on October 24th, Drake’s sophomore album “Take Care” will be the next project released under the Young Money/Cash Money imprint.

A week later on November 1st, Bow Wow will make his Cash Money debut with “Underrated,” followed by Lil Twist’s “Don’t Get It Twisted” the next week on November 8th. Then exactly one week after that, on the 15th, Tyga will release his second album, titled “Careless World.”

Jay Sean and Birdman will share Thanksgiving week with their respective releases “Freeze Time” and “Bigga Than Life,” both due November 21st.

Then, the entire Young Money family will release a second compilation album a month later on December 20th.

It’s pretty safe to say the rest of the year belongs to YMCMB.

[Rap-Up]

Nicki Minaj and Drake don’t mind sharing the spotlight. During a sit down with MTV‘s Sway, the Young Money all-stars got a chance to interview each other and converse about a host of topics.

Peep the footage below:

Lil Wayne surprised lucky onlookers during his “I Am Music II” Tour when it pulled into Washington, D.C.’s Verizon Center on Sunday night (Apr 3). The Young Money head honcho brought his protege Drizzy Drake and introduced his Toronto homie with a heartfelt speech.

“I know ya’ll know a few months ago I was locked up and shit, but it was people like Drake and people like ya’ll that made me feel like I wasn’t even there, so I appreciate that shit. I really do. I just wanted you to miss me while I was gone,” Weezy said before performing “Miss Me” with Drizzy.

Following the “Miss Me” performance, the Canadian rapper addressed rumors that he had left Young Money.

“You see today, when I landed in D.C. and I got offthe plane, this ni**a looked me in my eyes and he asked me, ‘Did you drop out of Young Money?’ And I looked him right back in his eyes and I said, ‘Boy, are you out your motherfu**in’ mind?!’ Man, I want this shit ‘Forever,’” he told the crowd to roaring applause.

Check out their performances below:

Nicki Minaj never thought that during the Young Money I Am Still Music Tour …. she would be giving her boss Lil Wayne a lap dance in front of thousands of people.

Nicki told MTV News:

“Well, I have to say, I been giving lap dances [during the tour], but I didn’t know Wayne was gonna jump out and pop out the back. I literally was up there trying to get a boy, then I turn around and I see this cute little dread in the chair with his legs dangling off. And I was like, ‘What?’ I was super nervous.”

Wayne hammed it up and pulled his best Gene Simmons impersonation with his tongue darting out of his diamond-encrusted mouth as his protégé sauntered over in a pink and white catsuit. After a few quick pelvic thrusts in front of Weezy, she smiled, then returned to her dancers to resume their choreography.

How many bosses do you think get to get lap dances from their employees … and it’s acceptable? Exactly. Weezy is livin’ the American dream.

Oh boy, not again…

Lil Wayne is being sued for an enormous amount of cash over his 2008 hit “Lollipop.”

The guy who produced Lil Wayne’s song, “Lollipop,”is suing Weezy’s label, claiming he’s owed more than $20 million for his good work.

Darius Harrison, known as Deezle, claims he not only produced “Lollipop,” he also produced “Whip It,” “Prostitute 2,” and “Action,” as well as “Mrs. Officer” and “Let the Beat Build” — all songs on “Tha Carter III” which sold more than 6 million copies.

Deezle claims in his lawsuit against Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records … album sales that he was involved in producing grossed more than $70 million. Deez claims he’s owed more than $20 mil.

Source

First it was Bangladesh over the “A Milli” beat, now it’s Deezle …. Weezy sure doesn’t believe in paying his producers for royalties!!

Your thoughts?

Lil Twist is ready to have a “Love Affair” in his newest music video release featuring his big bro Weezy.

Check it out below:

Nicki Minaj must be the happiest girl on the planet right now! Why, you ask? Well, she will be joining her Young Money boss, Lil Wayne, on his upcoming 2011 tour. That’s why.

This is a come up for the Pink Friday rapper compared to 2 years ago when she was on Wayne’s “I Am Music Tour” and didn’t even get to bat an eyelid before she was off stage.

In an interview with MTV News Minaj explained:

“Oh my God, I’m very excited to be touring with Wayne. 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 a very long time.”

So what does Weezy think of his bright pink star? Earlier this month he said:

“I can’t front, I just thought she was going to be the new female MC that none of these other female MCs can touch. But now, she’s blossomed into a megastar with this new attitude and this style. Now when I talk to her, I just tell her, ‘Do what you do, baby.’ I used to be able to go into the studio and say, ‘Nah, don’t say that, don’t say that.’ You know, ‘That was better.’ Now, do what you do, baby. I don’t have a clue about what you’re doing right now, but it’s working, do it.”

Fellow artists Travis Barker, Rick Ross and Mixmaster Mike will be joining Nicki and Wayne the 24-city tour, which opens next Friday night (Mar 18) in Buffalo, NY and will include stops in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta, D.C., Miami and more.

Peep the official dates below:

3/18 – Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena
3/19 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
3/20 – Baltimore, MD @ First Mariner Arena
3/23 – Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
3/24 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
3/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
3/27 – Long Island, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
3/30 – University Park, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
4/1 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
4/2 – Auburn Hills, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
4/3 – Washington, D.C. @ Verizon Center
4/6 – Miami, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center
4/8 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
4/9 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
4/10 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
4/14 – New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
4/15 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Arena
4/16 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
4/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Arena
4/23 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
4/24 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
4/26 – Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
4/28 – Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
4/29 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena

Will you be checking out Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne on tour?

Lil Wayne’s new music video for “6  Foot, 7 Foot” featuring Young Money newcomer Cory Gunz has hit the web!

Check it out below:

Nicki Minaj is a fan of the post-jail Lil Wayne.

In a recent interview with Tim Westwood, the Young Money femcee spoke on how much calmer and easier it has been working with Weezy…..now that he’s not geeked up every day anymore (due to his probation). Among other things, the rapper also discussed possibly making an appearance on Wayne’s new album Tha Carter IV.

Peep the footage below:

After Nicki Minaj did the “Creep” with the Lonely Boys and played the Bride of Blackenstein, the Young Money femcee hit the stage and performed “Right Thru Me” and “Moment 4 Life,” her two latest singles from her platinum selling debut album Pink Friday.

“SNL just gave me yet another #moment4life | S/O to the entire staff 4 being INCREDIBLE ; and Thank you all for tuning in! xoxo,” Nicki tweeted after the show aired.

Check out both performances below!!

MOMENT 4 LIFE

RIGHT THRU ME

Nicki Minaj has already admitted to bossing Drake around, but now she can add Frankenstein Blackenstein to the list of people who do whatever she tells them to do. In addition to appearing in the “Creep” SNL Digital Short with the Lonely Island, the Young Money rapper also flexed her acting chops in a skit alongside host Jesse Eisenberg, and cast members Kenan Thompson and Jay Pharoah.

The funny skit featured Nicki Minaj as the bride of Blackenstein, a bootylicious black woman with a mind of her own and a fiery attitude that a group of angry, pitchfork wielding townspeople couldn’t even get past.

Check it out below!

Nicki Minaj teamed up with comedy trio The Lonely Island for a hilarious SNL Digital Short that shows off a Peeping Tom-like new dance called the “Creep.” In the skit, the Young Money rapper plays a nerdy schoolgirl who just loves to spy on people and show up at the most inopportune times, like popping up in a boys locker room or randomly appearing at someone’s funeral.

Do the “Creep” with Nicki Minaj and The Lonely Island below!

Nicki Minaj has admitted that she bosses Drake around, and the rapper does WHATEVER she tells him to do! This, along with the fact that Drake is MADLY in love with his Young Money label-mate, explains why he willingly and dutifully played her love interest in their new “Moment 4 Life” music video, which debuted on MTV yesterday.

“It wasn’t hard to get Drake. Drake does what I tell him to do,” Nicki laughed to MTV News’ Sway during an interview after the video premiere. “I’m Nicki Minaj! You know Drake does what I tell him to do.”

Nicki also spoke on the energy she shares with Drake, adding that she has a “special place” for him in her heart.

“That energy is amazing. I just have a special place for him. He always makes me feel like it’s OK. You know, just chill, relax, jokes. It’s never to the point where I don’t want to be there anymore, ‘Let’s wrap this up.’ Having Drake there, it felt like we could have shot a second day for this video, and I could be fine. He’s someone I look up to, he got a head start. So he’s able to tell me things I don’t know and I can confide in him.”

Nicki also admitted that although she “loves him to death,” sometimes they have a sibling-like rivalry, and she likes to try to outshine him whenever they collaborate.

“I’m going to try to body you on this track but I love you to death. It’s dope,” she added.

Sounds like Nicki Minaj has Drake wrapped around her little finger, and has him EXACTLY where she wants him! smh…

Your thoughts?

Nicki Minaj shares a couple of romantic moments with fellow Young Money rapper Drake in their brand new “Moment 4 Life Music” video, which debuted on MTV just minutes ago!

“People have come to be intrigued about us,” Minaj told MTV News from the video’s Los Angeles set. “And we’re shooting the video together, so I was like, ‘There has to be some kind of romantic story line.’ So we put a few things in there that we don’t give away.”

We’re not going to give anything away, but we will say this: there were lots of fireworks going off! Take that how you want.

Check out the video below!!!

Nicki Minaj and Drake are known to joke around about their “relationship,” and in Nicki’s new “Moment 4 Life” music video, it looks like the two Young Money rappers got married, or something like it. But Drake isn’t giving up any details.

“I mean, it’s a fantasy video,” Drake explained. “So you’ve got a very regal environment, and you’ve got Nicki doing what she does — big outfits, big everything — and it’s a great video. The twist of it, or the concept of it, I don’t wanna give it all away.”

As far as his performance in the video is concerned, Drake says he didn’t have to really “act” like he was in love with Nicki Minaj to get the scenes right.

“Yeah, I love that girl, man. I’m not gonna lie to you,” Drizzy smiled. “I love her, so it’s easy. It’s not hard to play romantic.”

The video is set to premiere tonight on MTV around 7:54 PM EST and will be followed by a live Q&A session with Nicki Minaj. In the meantime, check out a ton of pics (about 20+) of Drake and Nicki on the set of the video below and look out for the behind the scenes video footage when you continue reading!

Pics: Derrick G

Your thoughts on the pics?

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL NICKI MINAJ F/ DRAKE “MOMENT 4 LIFE” MUSIC VIDEO!!

Nicki Minaj is still joking around about getting married and having Drake’s babies. In a recent interview with Tim Westwood, the Young Money femcee said that she thinks they could make a creative bunch of kids.

“I think [our children will] definitely have my personality. My mother-in-law will be super beautiful, so that’s good ’cause Drake’s mom is freaking amazing. I love her. They’ll have Drake’s intelligence, they’ll have his sarcastic wittiness that I love about him, and they’ll have his songwriting skills. I think we’ll just make a real creative bunch of kids.”

But  like always…Nicki ended up taking it all back.

“Wait, did I just say that me and Drake will make kids? I think that would be like incest or something.”

When will these two just give it up? Who knows…

Your thoughts?

Check out this picture Bow Wow tweeted early this morning of himself, along with his Cash Money/Young Money family, including Lil Wayne, Birdman and newcomer T-Pain on the set of of DJ Khaled‘s new “Welcome to My Hood” music video.

The track (CLICK HERE TO LISTEN) serves as the lead single for Miami-based DJ Khaled’s upcoming album We The Best Forever, due in stores sometime this year.

Your thoughts on the pic?

Poor little tink tink…

Young Money rapper Gudda Gudda got his chain snatched right in the middle of performing YM’s hit single “Bed Rock” at a club in Minnesota.

Peep the footage below (Go to the 4:50 mark):

Gotta watch out for those goons lurking!!!

What do you think about this?

Nicki Minaj puts on her war paint on her alternate V Magazine cover. This particular cover is a lot more … “adventurous” than the one we posted yesterday, but this is the Nicki we’re used to. Check out more pics from the spread below, and continue reading for an excerpt from her feature!

Now, just in the wake of her debut album, Minaj is deadly serious about not taking it all too seriously. “I’m an entertainer – I like to make people laugh,” she says. “Some will hate it and some will love it, but all will remember it. And that’s what I want: to be remembered. Even if I’m saying something hard-core or controversial, there’s always a touch of humor, and if you don’t like it, it means I’m stirring things up inside of you.”

At the same time, there’s a lot going on inside the artist’s own head. “I just always want to do ‘me,’ but ‘me’ changes every day. I would crumble up and die if I had to wake up and be the same person every day. I don’t silence those voices anymore. I just let them speak.”

Nicki Minaj is known for rocking bizarre outfits and crazy, multi-colored wigs…….however the Young Money femcee decided to keep it simple on the cover of the latest edition of V Magazine.

The rapper also recently sat down with E! Online for a quick interview where she talked about her new music video with Rihanna, her favorite artists outside of Hip-Hop, working with her Pop counterpart Lady Gaga and more.

Check out her E! Online interview below…

You just shot the music video for your next single “Moment 4 Life,” featuring Drake. What are you working on next?
We’re shooting the video with Rihanna for “Fly” this weekend. We’re going to save the world in more ways than one with the video and that’s all I can say about that… I love Ri-Ri! I mean, when she’s not grabbing my ass she’s a sweet girl.

Who are some of your favorite artists outside of hip hop?
I like everyone. I don’t listen to music based on genre. Like, I’ll hear a song and then I’ll live for that song for like months and I’ll be like, “Who the hell is that?” I listen to Taylor Swift. I like Coldplay. I listen to gospel a lot. I listen to anything that’s just beautiful music.

Would you do a song with Taylor?
Of course!

Personally, I think you should do a song with Lady Gaga, who you’ve been compared to in the past.
A lot of people say that to me! I’d definitely be open to it, yeah… I mean, Gaga is badass. Being compared to greats can never bother me.

What does all your success mean to you?
I’m proud that women, female rappers that come in this game after Nicki Minaj can see that, you know what? There is a chance for you to sell just as much as the boys and to be recognized. And you don’t have to feel like, because you’re a female rapper, you going to not be recognized. And so for that alone, I’m proud. I’m happy.

Lastly, are you single?
Yes. I’m single and ready to mingle [laughs].

Your thoughts?

Chris Brown and Tyga shot a joint music video for “Wonder Woman” and “Regular Girl,” two tracks lifted from their Fan of a Fan mixtape, over the weekend.

Instead of shooting one video for one of the songs (or two videos for both), the duo decided to shoot one video for BOTH singles! No word just yet on the concept or direction of the video, but for now, check out a few more pics of the R&B singer and Young Money rapper on the set below!

Photos: Chris Brown France

]]> http://gossiponthis.com/2011/01/11/chris-brown-tyga-on-set-wonder-woman-regular-girl-video/feed/ 3 http://gossiponthis.com/2011/01/08/drake-kicks-off-european-tour-in-the-uk/ http://gossiponthis.com/2011/01/08/drake-kicks-off-european-tour-in-the-uk/#comments Sun, 09 Jan 2011 00:41:27 +0000 GOT STAFF http://gossiponthis.com/?p=88525

Drake kicked off his European tour last night (Fri. Jan 7) across the pond in the UK as he took the stage for a sold-out performance at the Hammersmitih Apollo in London, England. More »

Drake kicked off his European tour last night (Fri. Jan 7) across the pond in the UK as he took the stage for a sold-out performance at the Hammersmitih Apollo in London, England. The Young Money rapper’s hour-plus long set was preceded by a short one from his opening act, fellow rap newcomer J. Cole.

Check out a few pics below, and continue reading for video footage from the show!

Video Spotted @ The Hip Hop Chronicle

Your thoughts?

]]>

Nicki Minaj‘s debut album Pink Friday hasn’t even been out for a solid 2 months, and it has already achieved platinum status!

Peep the details below:

According to new reports, the Young Money rapper’s inaugural album “Pink Friday” has sold over 850K copies since its late November 2010 release, and has been officially certified platinum in the United States after shipping more than 1 million units. The RIAA’s website states that the the album received the certification on December 17th (less than 1 month after its release).

“Pink Friday” debuted on the Billboard 200 albums chart at #2 with over 370,000 copies sold in its first week. The album currently sits at #8 on the chart with over 60K units sold this week.

Congrats Nicki!

Your thoughts?

It’s no secret that Drake has a thing for his labelmate Nicki Minaj, and judging by this particular picture of the Young Money rappers all hugged up at Mansion nightclub in Miami on New Year’s Eve, Drake just might be living out his dream!

More pics (some via Necole Bitchie) are below:

Meanwhile, rumors of a budding relationship between Drake and Nicki Minaj are running rampant on the Internet this week following a new report from Life & Style Magazine.

Hit the link below to check it out!

“Right after the clock struck midnight, Drake left his party at the W South Beach and dashed over to Nicki’s Moët & Chandon-sponsored bash at Mansion,” a spy tells us. The singers, who have collaborated on songs before, “were dancing and cuddling all night.” The duo partied until 4 a.m. and then were spotted leaving together. (Source)

Late last summer, the Young Money rappers announced on Twitter that they had gotten married, only to “annull” the marriage days later before admitting that the whole thing was just a joke.

“Drake is just my little brother, and I kid with him all the time. We were just being crazy. I think we were a little bit bored,” Nicki Minaj said at the time.

Drake also plays Nicki Minaj’s love interest in her new “Moment 4 Life” music video. So either these two really are dating…..or they’re using their wits and are just drumming up a little publicity. And ain’t nothin’ wrong with that!

Your thoughts?

Nicki Minaj chose to wear this interesting leopard print catsuit as she hit the stage over the weekend to perform at the annual Hot 97 Christmas concert Christmas night (Sat. Dec 25). The event, held at at the Paradise Theater in New York City, also featured performances from rappers Fabolous and Lloyd Banks.

More pics of Nicki below!

What do you think about Nicki’s outfit?

Nicki Minaj shows off her sexy curves on the cover of the upcoming March/April 2011 issue of King Magazine. In the issue, the Young Money femcee talks about the type of movie roles she’s interested in taking on in the future, what she’s looking for in a guy, and more.

Check out more photos from the spread below, and continue reading for an excerpt from the interview!!

KING: History has shown that acting is the likeliest transition for rappers. Considering your background, do you want to dabble in Hollywood?

NICKI MINAJ: Of course.

What would be your dream role?

I’d like to play someone in a Tim Burton movie, where I get dressed up and painted and crazy.

You kind of do that now.

Then I want to be able to do some action stuff, like Angelina Jolie.

Like in Salt?

Yes! And then I’d like to just play a regular girl who, you know, is facing the world. Something really sentimental and organic, that girls all around the world can identify with. You know, how Jada Pinkett Smith did in Jason’s Lyric.

Classic film. You did mention earlier how everything has been time consuming. But when that time frees up, what kind of guy do you look for to be sentimental and organic with?

Um, I look for someone who is calm, someone who is strong enough to not have to win every argument, someone who allows a woman to be her crazy self and someone with a conscience not to feel less of a man. You know, someone who is able to honor his woman but also bring out the freak in his woman.

How should your Ken bring out the freak in you, Barbie?

Just being super aggressive when the time is right.

Are we talking about Mortal Kombat–style “Come here” aggression?

Just something that makes me feel like they’re in control, when we are behind closed doors.

Check out the full interview when the issue hits newsstands in early January 2011!

Your thoughts?

Lil Wayne and Young Money newcomer Cory Gunz performed “6 Foot, 7 Foot” for the very first time together recently at a taping for the upcoming Carson Daly New Year’s Eve special on the 230 Fifth Rooftop in New York City. The track, which hit the web earlier this week and is already #1 on iTunes, serves as the very first single from Weezy’s highly anticipated Tha Carter IV album (due in stores next year).

The performance (along with another performance featuring Nicki Minaj) will air on December 31st during the NBC New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly TV special, and you can also catch Wayne performing on SNL tomorrow night with Eminem. But in the meantime, check out video footage Lil Wayne and Corey Gunz performing “6 Foot, 7 Foot” on an NYC rooftop below!

BONUS: LIL WAYNE PERFORMS “RIGHT ABOVE IT”

Videos Spotted @ Lil Wayne HQ

Nicki Minaj turned 26 years old Wednesday (Dec 8) and celebrated the occasion with a birthday party the very next night at TAO nightclub in Las Vegas.

A few of Minaj’s closest industry friends and associates all came out to help her celebrate her 26th birthday Thursday night (Dec 9), including her bosses Baby and Lil Wayne, along with labelmate Mack Maine, as well as Cassie and her BFF Amber Rose. The Young Money femcee was presented with two pink Barbie cakes (one, a mini convertible) later in the evening as bottles of Ace of Spades champagne were passed around.

Happy Birthday Nicki! 10+ pics below…

Nicki Minaj says that she is proud that she never had to deal drugs to make it as a highly successful rapper.

The “Check It Out” hit maker, born in Trinidad, moved to New York City when she was young, and though she had a tough upbringing in NYC, fortunately, she never went down the wrong path and had to push crack to make ends meet for her family. Minaj added she and her Young Money labelmate Drake are a new breed of Hip-Hop stars, telling Rolling Stone Magazine:

“At one point you had to sell a few kilos to be considered a credible rapper. But now it’s like Drake and I are embracing the fact that we went to school, we love acting, we love theatre, and that’s ok – and it’s especially good for the black community to know that’s ok, that’s embraced.”

Nicki also talked about how her father abused drugs and alcohol, and she has a message for all the “dads out there who want to be crazy.”

She added: “It’s the price you pay when you abuse drugs and alcohol. Maybe one day your daughter will be famous and talk to every magazine about it, so think about that, dads out there who want to be crazy.”

Pick up Nicki Minaj’s debut album Pink Friday, in stores now!

Nicki Minaj gives fans a behind the scenes look at the preparation & promotion of her debut album Pink Friday, her return to her home country Trinidad, spending time with family and friends in Queens and more in her one-hour MTV documentary “My Time Now”. Watch it below…

With the help of New York City radio station Hot 97, Nicki Minaj promoted the release of her debut album Pink Friday with a concert at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC Thanksgiving night (Thurs. Nov 25). The Young Money rapper was joined on-stage by her collaborators Kanye West, Rihanna and Keyshia Cole, as well as her labelmate Drake, and rappers Fabolous and Busta Rhymes.

Check out the pics (and video footage) from the Hot 97 Thanksgiving Thank You Concert in NYC below!!

NICKI & RIHANNA

NICKI & DRAKE

NICKI & KANYE

NICKI & KEYSHIA COLE

Nicki Minaj brags about signing boobies and taking her labelmate Drake’s girls in her newest music release “Girls Fall Like Dominoes”.

The song is a bonus track on her debut album Pink Friday, due in stores TODAY!! Check out “Girls Fall Like Dominoes” below…

[See post to listen to audio]

Nicki Minaj is gearing up for the release of her debut album Pink Friday. The Young Money rapper recently stopped by “The Late Show with David Letterman” and performed her hit single “Right Thru Me”. Check out the footage below:

Drake was one of GQ Magazine‘s four “Man of the Year” recipients, and you can check him out on the cover of December 2010 issue of the mag, due on newsstands November 23rd. Other celebs covering the December GQ issue include fellow “Man of the Year” recipients James Franco, Stephen Colbert and Jeff Bridges, and “Babe of the Year” Scarlett Johansson.

Inside Drake’s feature, the Young Money rapper reveals that the title of his sophomore album is Take Care. No release date has been confirmed just yet, but expect the project to hit stores sometime next year. In the meantime, hit the link below for a few shots from Drake’s GQ Magazine photo spread…

Spotted @ Rap Radar

Nicki Minaj is gearing up for the release of her debut album Pink Friday, and has teamed up with MTV for an hour-long television special titled “My Time Now.” In the documentary, the Young Money rapper gives her fans a behind the scenes look at the preparation & promotion of her album, her return to her home country Trinidad, her spending time with family and friends in Queens and more.

“My Time Now” is set to debut on MTV on November 28th and 10 pm before it will be available on the web via MTV.com. Check out a clip from the special (along with a few newly released “Pink Friday” album promos) below!!

Photos: Nicki-Minaj.org

“The First Lady (Gaga) of Hip-Hop” Nicki Minaj is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Billboard Magazine. In the December issue, the Young Money rapper (gearing up for the release of her debut album Pink Friday) talks about getting respect from her male hip-hop counterparts, getting fired from her last job “like 15 times,” getting kicked out of Young Money in 2009 and more!

Hit the link below for a few excerpts from the interview…

On getting fired “like 15 times” from her former job because of her bad attitude:
“The last job I had was as an office manager in a little, tiny room where I literally wanted to strangle this guy because he was so loud and obnoxious,” Minaj recalls. “I would go home with stress pains in my neck and my back. That’s when I went to my mother and said, ‘Look, I’m not going back to work.’ I’d been fired like 15 times because I had a horrible attitude. I worked at Red Lobster before that and I chased a customer out of the restaurant once so I could stick my middle finger up at her and demand that she give me my pen back. I swear to God I was bad.”

On not being a typical New York rapper, even though she’s from New York:
“When I started rapping, people were trying to make me like the typical New York rapper, but I’m not that,” Minaj says. “No disrespect to New York rappers, but I don’t want people to hear me and know exactly where I’m from. I wanted the album to be universal and versatile. It really feels like it speaks for every one of my personalities.”

On taking lyrical advice from Jay-Z in Robin Thicke’s “Shakin it for Daddy”:
“I had never met Jay at that point, but he told Robin Thicke that if I did the song I should say, ‘I be, I be, I be, I be, I be on that money shit.’ So I took that line and just ran with it.”

On getting respect in the industry:
“When I do songs like ‘Monster,’ when I’m on a record with Jay-Z and Kanye West, when I’m on a record with Wayne and Em — I definitely think the dudes give me respect,” Minaj says. “They haven’t come easy but I think people are starting to give me more props.”

On demanding perfection from those that work with her:
“I push people around me but I don’t push anyone more than I push myself,” she says. “I tell people all the time, ‘You want to work for me? You have to give 250,000%,’ because when I’m in the booth, I don’t half-ass it. I demand perfection from everyone around me and if you can’t live up to that, then bye-bye.”

On her becoming a “different human being” in the Eminem featured “Roman’s Revenge”:
“‘Roman’s Revenge’ is where I’ve become a different human being,” Minaj says. “I didn’t give a damn who I offended, whose feelings I hurt — this needed to be said, and it cracks me up when I listen to it. I’m a maniac on that track. I knew true hip-hop fans would love this.”

On getting (secretly) kicked out of Young Money in 2009:
“I started to record by myself and I lost track of what I was doing and who I wanted to be,” she says. “It wasn’t until I linked back up with Wayne that he gave me this speech. He said, ‘What happened? You were hot,’ and it just hurt me so much. I wanted to prove to him that I was still hot. It hurt my ego so bad that I went back with a vengeance.”

Read More @ Billboard.com

Wow! We didn’t know Nicki was kicked out of Young Money….they definitely kept that one under wraps pretty well, though we wondered why Nicki didn’t tour with Weezy & co. last summer.

Nicki’s debut album Pink Friday hits stores next Monday (Nov 22) and will feature collabs from Will.i.am, Drake, Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Eminem and more!

Just two weeks before it’s release, snippets from rapper Nicki Minaj’s debut album Pink Friday have hit the web! Check them out (along with the album’s tracklisting) below:

1. “I’m the Best”
2. “Roman’s Revenge” feat. Eminem
3. “Did It On’em”
4. “Right Thru Me”
5. “Fly” feat. Rihanna
6. “Save Me”
7. “Moment 4 Life” feat. Drake
8. “Check It Out” feat. will.i.am
9. “Blazin’” feat. Kanye West
10. “Here I Am”
11. “Dear Old Nicki”
12. “Your Love”
13. “Last Chance” feat. Natasha Bedingfield

Nicki Minaj is looking all types of sexy as she turns up the heat to about 1,000 degrees in this brand new BlackMen SSX photo spread! The Young Money femcee is featured in the October/November 2010 tribute issue of the mag……..and if she keeps this up, people will be going around saying “Lil Kim who?” in no time.

Check out 10+ pics of Nicki Minaj showing off her beautiful ASSets below!!

Where’s the pajama party???

Lil Wayne isn’t allowed to have any drugs/alcohol for the next three years…..but what’s his excuse for this “festive” get-up?

Your thoughts?

Check out this picture of R&B singer Keyshia Cole and Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj on the set of their “I Ain’t Thru” music video! The track is the first of two singles to precede Keyshia Cole’s upcoming self-titled fourth studio album (due in stores Dec 21) and the video for it was shot over the weekend in Los Angeles. Hit the link below to see what Keyshia Cole had to say about how she and her new BFF Nicki Minaj hooked up to record the new song…

“I had recorded it as one of the first songs on the album, but I never really finished it,” Keyshia explained to MTV News on the set of the video. “And then I called [Nicki] and I was like, ‘We should do a song together.’ And when she came through I played it. I said, ‘I did something a long time ago and I don’t know if you might like it, but my manager thinks this is dope.’ And I played it and she liked it.”

The song, the video and Keyshia’s new album all mark the R&B singer’s return to the music scene after taking a break to get pregnant and engaged. Keyshia got engaged to Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Daniel “Boobie” Gibson in January of this year, and gave birth to the couple’s first child Daniel Jr. a few months later in March.

Your thoughts on the pic?

Weezy is back!!!!!

Lil Wayne made his first stage appearance Saturday night (Nov 6) since being released from prison at Drake‘s concert in Las Vegas. And the crowd was definitely feeling it! Check out a few pics below of Weezy and Drizzy below….and continue reading for the video footage!

This is the first picture of Lil Wayne as a free man. The rapper was released from Rikers prison in New York yesterday and he (with the help of his team) put out a few of pictures of him on his Macbook checking out his Twitter and his videos that were released while he was in jail. Check out the pics below…

Tweeting from his hotel room Thursday.

“#WelcomeHomeWeezy,” the rapper tweeted at noon. Then a few hours later around 3 PM, Weezy tweeted: “aaaaaaahhhhhhmmmmm baaaaakkkkkkkkkk.”

Checking out his “Steady Mobbin” video with Gucci Mane for the very first time.

Wayne and Gucci Mane both had to film the video separately due to both of their legal issues. And the video premiered over the summer while Weezy was behind bars.

What do you think about the pics?

Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj shows off her acting side in her newest music video release “Right Thru Me”. The track is the fourth single off Nicki’s upcoming album Pink Friday, due in stores November 22nd. Check out the video for “Right Thru Me” below…

Young Money artists Nicki Minaj and Drake performed over the weekend (Fri. Oct 22) during Power 99 FM’s “Powerhouse 2010″ at the Wells Faro Center in Philadelphia.

Other acts on the bill that evening were Rick Ross, Lloyd, Ne-Yo, and Bobby Valentino. Peep the pics below…

Weezy does it again! Even behind bars rapper Lil Wayne cannot be stopped.

The Young Money C.E.O. has taken the # 1 spot on the Billboard 200 this week with his latest album I Am Not a Human Being.

The album moved 125,000 copies after its physical release in stores last Tuesday…..and, according to Nielsen SoundScan’s statistics, has sold around 258,700 units to-date. The album was originally released (digitally) a few weeks ago on Weezy’s birthday (Sep 27).

Congrats to Weezy!!