Nicki Minaj Brings 'Va Va Voom' and 'Freedom' to 'Kimmel'

Nicki Minaj Brings 'Va Va Voom' and 'Freedom' to 'Kimmel'Singer performs 'Re-Up' tracks, dishes about Mariah Carey and Dubai $(document).ready(function() { $('.socialActionsTop .pageActions .email-content').hover( function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.email').show(); }, function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.email').hide(); } ); $('.socialActionsTop .pageActions .print-page').hover( function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.print').show(); }, function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.print').hide(); } ); });

Nicki Minaj returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday night to perform "Va Va Voom" and "Freedom," two singles off her latest Pink Friday release, The Re-Up. In the interview, she talked about nearly getting arrested for hugging a cute cop in Dubai, storming off the American Idol set and (of course) her relationship with Mariah Carey. "I wouldn't say I don't like her. I definitely think she doesn't like me," she told Kimmel. "I definitely try, because I looked up to her for a long time, so I don't want to be hating this lady."

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Nicki Minaj Brings 'Va Va Voom' and 'Freedom' to 'Kimmel'

Nicki Minaj Brings 'Va Va Voom' and 'Freedom' to 'Kimmel'Singer performs 'Re-Up' tracks, dishes about Mariah Carey and Dubai $(document).ready(function() { $('.socialActionsTop .pageActions .email-content').hover( function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.email').show(); }, function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.email').hide(); } ); $('.socialActionsTop .pageActions .print-page').hover( function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.print').show(); }, function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.print').hide(); } ); });

Nicki Minaj returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live on Friday night to perform "Va Va Voom" and "Freedom," two singles off her latest Pink Friday release, The Re-Up. In the interview, she talked about nearly getting arrested for hugging a cute cop in Dubai, storming off the American Idol set and (of course) her relationship with Mariah Carey. "I wouldn't say I don't like her. I definitely think she doesn't like me," she told Kimmel. "I definitely try, because I looked up to her for a long time, so I don't want to be hating this lady."

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Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Linkin Park To Perform at American Music Awards

Nicki Minaj, Linkin Park and Taylor Swift To Perform at American Music Awards.Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Victor Chavez/WireImage; Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

The American Music Awards has added serious doses of country, hip-hop and rock, with Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Linkin Park set to join Christina Aguilera as performers at this year's awards show. Minaj leads nominations with four, including Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Album. Swift is up for Favorite Female Artist, while Linkin Park is nominated for the Alternative Rock award.

ABC will broadcast the 40th American Music Awards live on November 18th. Winners will be determined by voting, and fans can vote on the AMA's website.

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Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Linkin Park To Perform at American Music Awards

Nicki Minaj, Linkin Park and Taylor Swift To Perform at American Music Awards.Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Victor Chavez/WireImage; Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

The American Music Awards has added serious doses of country, hip-hop and rock, with Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Linkin Park set to join Christina Aguilera as performers at this year's awards show. Minaj leads nominations with four, including Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Album. Swift is up for Favorite Female Artist, while Linkin Park is nominated for the Alternative Rock award.

ABC will broadcast the 40th American Music Awards live on November 18th. Winners will be determined by voting, and fans can vote on the AMA's website.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Nicki Minaj: 'I Don't Know' If I'm Judging 'American Idol'

Nicki Minaj: 'I Don't Know' If I'm Judging 'American Idol'Rapper also teases new single next week for 'Reloaded Re-Up' $(document).ready(function() { $('.socialActionsTop .pageActions .email-content').hover( function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.email').show(); }, function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.email').hide(); } ); $('.socialActionsTop .pageActions .print-page').hover( function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.print').show(); }, function() { $('.socialActionsTop .bubble.print').hide(); } ); }); By

While on the MTV VMAs red carpet last night, a Donatella Versace-clad Nicki Minaj told E! News that she'll be releasing Pink Friday Roman Re-loaded: The Re-Up – an expanded version of her just recently released second LP – in November. The rapper promised "lots of new songs on there," and also teased a new single slated to drop next week.

"Barbz, you are gonna spazz. You are gonna love it. You are gonna go cra-zy," said Minaj.

When asked about the rumors that she'll be a judge on the next season of American Idol, though, Minaj played it more coyly – pausing, smiling, and simply replying, "You know something, I don't know yet. I really don't know. I have no comment on it." Asked whether it's her decision or the show's, she only had this to say: "Everything in my life, every opportunity is always my decision." And the rumor mill keeps churning.

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Report: Nicki Minaj Confirmed as 'American Idol' Judge

Debra L Rothenberg/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj will join American Idol next season as a judge, reports Us Weekly. Sources say the rapper has "a few more slight things to sign off on" but is "100 percent confirmed to judge" the show. Fox, which airs American Idol, declined to comment when contacted by Us.

Minaj joins Mariah Carey on the judges' panel after Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler stepped down after last season. There's been talk that Randy Jackson will move into a "mentoring" role, leaving one more judge spot open for next season. Nick Jonas has confirmed he is under consideration for the gig, and sources say Pharrell Williams is also up for the spot. Charlie Sheen has also expressed interest in being a judge on the show. 

Minaj canceled a planned performance at the V Festival in England last weekend, citing strained vocal cords. 

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Report: Nicki Minaj Confirmed as 'American Idol' Judge

Debra L Rothenberg/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj will join American Idol next season as a judge, reports Us Weekly. Sources say the rapper has "a few more slight things to sign off on" but is "100 percent confirmed to judge" the show. Fox, which airs American Idol, declined to comment when contacted by Us.

Minaj joins Mariah Carey on the judges' panel after Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler stepped down after last season. There's been talk that Randy Jackson will move into a "mentoring" role, leaving one more judge spot open for next season. Nick Jonas has confirmed he is under consideration for the gig, and sources say Pharrell Williams is also up for the spot. Charlie Sheen has also expressed interest in being a judge on the show. 

Minaj canceled a planned performance at the V Festival in England last weekend, citing strained vocal cords. 

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Nicki Minaj Cancels V Fest Appearance Because of Strained Vocal Chords

Nicki Minaj performs on NBC News' "Today" show in New York City on August 14th, 2012.

The V Festival in England has lost another artist from its line-up. After Frank Ocean abruptly cancelled his appearance in the festival along with several other European dates last week, Nicki Minaj has now pulled out as well. The singer, who was slated to headline the V Festival's 4Music stage this weekend, cited trouble with her vocal chords as the reason for her cancellation. 

"Nicki Minaj regretfully cancelled her performances at UK's V Festival (Highlands Park, August 18th and 19th) due to strained vocal chords," said a statement from the singer's representative. "Despite doctor's orders, she performed on a bruised vocal chord in NY on August 14. As a result, the chord has gotten worse. After her most recent x-ray the doctor advises she rest her voice for a few more days."

The V Festival's organizers announced today on their Facebook page that LMFAO would be taking Minaj's place as the 4Music headliners. 

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Nicki Minaj Cancels V Fest Appearance Because of Strained Vocal Chords

Nicki Minaj performs on NBC News' "Today" show in New York City on August 14th, 2012.

The V Festival in England has lost another artist from its line-up. After Frank Ocean abruptly cancelled his appearance in the festival along with several other European dates last week, Nicki Minaj has now pulled out as well. The singer, who was slated to headline the V Festival's 4Music stage this weekend, cited trouble with her vocal chords as the reason for her cancellation. 

"Nicki Minaj regretfully cancelled her performances at UK's V Festival (Highlands Park, August 18th and 19th) due to strained vocal chords," said a statement from the singer's representative. "Despite doctor's orders, she performed on a bruised vocal chord in NY on August 14. As a result, the chord has gotten worse. After her most recent x-ray the doctor advises she rest her voice for a few more days."

The V Festival's organizers announced today on their Facebook page that LMFAO would be taking Minaj's place as the 4Music headliners. 

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Nicki Minaj Lights Up Times Square, Debuts 'Starships' Remix

Nicki Minaj performs during the Nokia Lumia 900 launch in Times Square in New York City.

Yesterday in New York, as dusk set in and the emblems of capitalism lit up the sky, Nicki Minaj surprised a throng of thousands with a performance in the heart of Times Square. Following hours of speculation as to who the secret performer would be, fans, tourists and general gawkers watched in awe as the hip-hop superstar turned the "Crossroads of the World" into a technologically dazzling stage for the launch of Nokia’s Lumia 900 smartphone. Nine gigantic electronic screens and a towering building brought to life with CGI technology provided a fitting backdrop for the mobile communications purveyor's launch. (Nokia pulled off a similar "4D" experiential stunt in London last year in which the facade of a building was illuminated in sync with a performance by Deadmau5.) A video of the event will be available today on Nokia's Facebook page. 

A very platinum blonde Minaj gave a short but bubbly set of three songs: a rousing rendition of "Starships," "Right By My Side" (sans Chris Brown) and "Super Bass." In a white collared shirt, full black corset and safari-themed tights, the rapper looked more conservative than usual, doing her own sartorial take on corporate casual. 

"Make some noise for yourself. I'm from New York!" the Queens-raised rapper gushed, clearly in awe of the magnitude of it all. (Later, she would tweet that this show was her "all time #moment4life.") "Super Bass" proved the overwhelming crowd favorite, with fans and confused tourists alike joining in the bouncy fun. Pleasing pop, hip-hop or nothing in between, Nicki really is the great joiner.

She ended the show by debuting a special remix of "Starships," helmed by DJ/producer Doorly. The updated version featured a slowed-down tempo change that gave the thumper an interesting, woozy quality. As a dedication to her fans, cameras panned the crowd to capture the contagious squeals and fervor for use in the track’s upcoming music video, slated for online release today. "Thanks to my Barbz. I love you!" Nicki sang as she closed. In the heart of her city, she reigned supreme.

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Nicki Minaj Lights Up Times Square, Debuts 'Starships' Remix

Nicki Minaj performs during the Nokia Lumia 900 launch in Times Square in New York City.

Yesterday in New York, as dusk set in and the emblems of capitalism lit up the sky, Nicki Minaj surprised a throng of thousands with a performance in the heart of Times Square. Following hours of speculation as to who the secret performer would be, fans, tourists and general gawkers watched in awe as the hip-hop superstar turned the "Crossroads of the World" into a technologically dazzling stage for the launch of Nokia’s Lumia 900 smartphone. Nine gigantic electronic screens and a towering building brought to life with CGI technology provided a fitting backdrop for the mobile communications purveyor's launch. (Nokia pulled off a similar "4D" experiential stunt in London last year in which the facade of a building was illuminated in sync with a performance by Deadmau5.) A video of the event will be available today on Nokia's Facebook page. 

A very platinum blonde Minaj gave a short but bubbly set of three songs: a rousing rendition of "Starships," "Right By My Side" (sans Chris Brown) and "Super Bass." In a white collared shirt, full black corset and safari-themed tights, the rapper looked more conservative than usual, doing her own sartorial take on corporate casual. 

"Make some noise for yourself. I'm from New York!" the Queens-raised rapper gushed, clearly in awe of the magnitude of it all. (Later, she would tweet that this show was her "all time #moment4life.") "Super Bass" proved the overwhelming crowd favorite, with fans and confused tourists alike joining in the bouncy fun. Pleasing pop, hip-hop or nothing in between, Nicki really is the great joiner.

She ended the show by debuting a special remix of "Starships," helmed by DJ/producer Doorly. The updated version featured a slowed-down tempo change that gave the thumper an interesting, woozy quality. As a dedication to her fans, cameras panned the crowd to capture the contagious squeals and fervor for use in the track’s upcoming music video, slated for online release today. "Thanks to my Barbz. I love you!" Nicki sang as she closed. In the heart of her city, she reigned supreme.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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BET Bans Racy Nicki Minaj Video

Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.Michael Caulfield/AMA2011/Getty Images for AMA

BET has reportedly banned Nicki Minaj's video for "Stupid Hoe." The video, which was directed by music video legend Hype Williams, includes a flashing image of a naked Barbie doll with an expanding backside along with colorful images of cars, jungle cats and the rapper in a variety of wigs and outfits.

A representative of BET told TMZ that the network would not be broadcasting the clip, but declined to offer a particular reason for banning it. Lack of airplay on BET has done little to curb the popularity of the video, which has racked up over 20,000,000 views on YouTube since debuting on the site on January 20th.

You can watch the video for Nicki Minaj's "Stupid Hoe" below.

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BET Bans Racy Nicki Minaj Video

Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.Michael Caulfield/AMA2011/Getty Images for AMA

BET has reportedly banned Nicki Minaj's video for "Stupid Hoe." The video, which was directed by music video legend Hype Williams, includes a flashing image of a naked Barbie doll with an expanding backside along with colorful images of cars, jungle cats and the rapper in a variety of wigs and outfits.

A representative of BET told TMZ that the network would not be broadcasting the clip, but declined to offer a particular reason for banning it. Lack of airplay on BET has done little to curb the popularity of the video, which has racked up over 20,000,000 views on YouTube since debuting on the site on January 20th.

You can watch the video for Nicki Minaj's "Stupid Hoe" below.

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Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj to Perform at Grammys

Grammy performers are announced.Larry Marano/Kevin Winter/Kevin Winter/Getty Images for DCP

Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean are the first artists to be announced as performers at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on February 12th. While most of those acts have performed at the Grammys in the past, this will be Aldean and Minaj's first time on the Grammys stage. More performers and presenters will be announced in the weeks leading up to the show.

Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars are nominated for six awards apiece, just behind Kanye West in overall nominations. Both acts are nominated for Album of the Year, among other major awards. Minaj is up for four awards including Best New Artist, while Aldean and Swift are nominated for three awards each in country music categories. Clarkson shares two nominations with Aldean for their duet "Don't You Wanna Stay," which the two will perform together on the broadcast.

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Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj to Perform at Grammys

Grammy performers are announced.Larry Marano/Kevin Winter/Kevin Winter/Getty Images for DCP

Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean are the first artists to be announced as performers at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on February 12th. While most of those acts have performed at the Grammys in the past, this will be Aldean and Minaj's first time on the Grammys stage. More performers and presenters will be announced in the weeks leading up to the show.

Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars are nominated for six awards apiece, just behind Kanye West in overall nominations. Both acts are nominated for Album of the Year, among other major awards. Minaj is up for four awards including Best New Artist, while Aldean and Swift are nominated for three awards each in country music categories. Clarkson shares two nominations with Aldean for their duet "Don't You Wanna Stay," which the two will perform together on the broadcast.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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