Rap-Up.com || Exclusive: Nas Talks Summer Jam, Nicki Minaj vs. Hot 97, and Lauryn Hill

Despite all the controversy over Summer Jam, Nas went through with his surprise performance at MetLife Stadium, bringing Lauryn Hill with him. The New York veteran, who was originally supposed to appear during Nicki Minaj’s headlining set, spoke exclusively with Rap-Up.com about returning to the Summer Jam stage for the first time in nearly a decade, reuniting with L-Boogie, and his thoughts on Nicki’s cancellation.

Nas butted heats with Hot 97 during his performance at Summer Jam in 2001 when he was beefing with Jay-Z. But he remained neutral this time around, showing support for both camps. Hear what the Don had to say.

What was it like to touch down on the Summer Jam stage?
It was magic. I didn’t want to be announced. I wanted to keep it quiet, a surprise for people. It was an honor to do it again because I haven’t done it in years.

How did you get Lauryn Hill to come out?
Nicki had asked me to come out during her set and so I figured that would be a great way to go into my show. I only wanted to bring out Lauryn during my set, so she was with it. That’s my sister.

Have you kept in touch with her over the years?
I don’t really keep in touch with anyone except my family. Artists, we’re too busy to be in touch, but we’ve seen each other through the years and it’s just love.

Can we expect another collaboration between the two of you?
I don’t know. She’s amazing. I’d love to.

What do you make of the whole YMCMB vs. Hot 97 drama?
I’ve been there before and things like that happen every couple of years. I guess this is the second time something has happened like that between the artist and the radio station. We don’t always agree and the nature of hip-hop can be aggressive and get real gangsta on you now and then. That’s just what it is. These things happen.

Lauryn wrote a letter in support of Nicki. Do you stand by her decision not to perform?
[YMCMB's] situation was different than mine and I’m not clear on all of it, but of course when it happened with me years ago, it was based on the Jay-Z drama and a whole bunch of other stuff. Her situation is based on something different between her and her camp. Eventually I got cool with Hot 97 and they got cool with me. It’s one hip-hop family, and that’s how it should be at the end of the day.

Did you speak to Nicki about the situation?
I think it was just really messy. When you’re in the heat of that moment, no one has time to inform anybody, but we spoke after briefly and it seemed like it was a crazy situation for her to handle. When put in that position, it’s no easy thing and I guess I was in support of her, in support of Hot 97. I’ve been there before, so at the end of the day, it could be fixed. It’s one hip-hop family, let’s unify it.

–D.L.

Posted in Interviews, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Nicki Minaj | Permalink

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63 Comments

Ha!
June 6th, 2012 at 7:51 am
Nicki should have stood up for herself instead of letting a dj run her out of Summer Jam in her hometown..who is paul, peter, anyway?

[Reply]
TJ Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 8:04 am
@Ha!, She did stand up for herself, hence the reason she left. They ask her to headline, sell tickets off her name, then disrespect her & have yet to apologize. If she went up on stage after all that disrespect it would almost be like saying that it’s cool, which would then open the door for other people to do it not just to her again, but to others in the future.

[Reply]
Ha! Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
@TJ, Wayne not from NYC..the whole ordeal made her look weak..its her CITY, it was her SHOW, and at the end of the day..she learned ‘You never as big as you think you are” ..period..she thought the show was gonna crash and people we going to get mad and boycott…but what transpired was a NAS & LAURYN HILL concert…complete EPIC!

[Reply]
Brace Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 8:07 am
@Ha!,

Umm she did stand up for herself dumbass. He didn’t run her out of no where. If a radioshow asked you to perform at their event, and one of their employees was on stage disrespecting you before you got on stage…would you still get on stage and perform looking like a fool?

[Reply]
Ha! Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@Brace, She got ran out of her own SHOW in her own CITY by Peter..lmao..WHO IS THIS GUY? He WINNING! Nas would have came on stage and OWNED the show, the radio station, and Peter?…stop with the weakness

[Reply]
JJ Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 8:28 am
@Ha!, No other artists woulda got dissed before they went on stage. He’s a shock jock all this is doing is getting him and Hot97 some much needed press.

[Reply]
Ha! Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
@JJ, He told his truth..”He think her song is WACK” She didnt like that so she got mad and cancelled her performance…the problem is NYC didnt care if she was there or not..Nas & Lauryn was the best performance in recent years!

[Reply]
Pure Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 8:59 am
@Ha!,
How? SHE didn’t make the call, Wayne did…
She said she was still gonna go out.
STanding up for yourself is going out in the middle of adversity & facing it. Not running away from it. She could have did her set & told the station to f**k themselves & rep’d the city. I could even respect it even more if SHE said ‘Nah I’m not gonna do it’, but at the end of the day it was WAYNE’S CALL. Which is why i’m baffled as to why this is just a Nicki vs. Hot 97 thing instead of a Wayne Vs. Hot 97 thing….

[Reply]
Ha! Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@Pure, exactly my guy, he tell her to leave the stage at the biggest show in NYC..he not from there so he don’t care..to me she looked weak and should have talked all that ish she be talking on her record and interviews..don’t get scared now..its not like dude was gonna try and fight..She should have came on stage and DISSED dude to no end..lmao

[Reply]
Layla Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Pure, So Lil Wayne controls her?

[Reply]
Pure Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 9:00 am
@Ha!,
The above comment was to the people under yours.

[Reply]
OpD2 Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@Pure, Lol.

[Reply]
Shion
June 6th, 2012 at 8:10 am
Ha! Even Nas said that lauryn was suppose to be on his set and his set alone. Nicki lied again. Smh

[Reply]
JussSaying Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 9:13 am
@Shion,
LOL! I just loved how she kept insisting first that Lauryn was her guest…
THEN that Nas was her guest and Lauryn was coming out on his set!
LMAO.. she aint NEVER spoke to Lauryn ever!

[Reply]
Shion Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 9:15 am
@JussSaying, For real lol

[Reply]
OpD2 Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@JussSaying, did you retards read what nas have written.

[Reply]
shion Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
@OpD2, yes, to start off his set, not be in his own set the whole time. And if that was the case that was still messy of them to not inform ms. lauryn ahead time that all three would be performing together because its obvious she did not know. Its still all kinds of wrong no matter how you slice it.

[Reply]
shutup Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
@Shion, how is it lying she was the one schuduled to perform and nas was HER special guest on her set and lauryn was his special guest that is still considered her performing on nicki set cause she was the schuduled to perform but whatever if yall dont get that you are just dumbasses

[Reply]
Shion Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@shutup, Seriously, did you even read what Nas said? Nas had HIS own set and Lauryn was suppose to be HIS guest and HIS guest alone. Lauryn had no intention of being on Nicki set AT ALL. In fact, Lauryn had no prior knowledge that Nicki was even planning to call her out on stage. Nicki was going pull Lauryn in by association and got played.

[Reply]
BoojieKiddo Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
@Shion, Nas only had his own set b/c Nicki didn’t perform dumb ass. He was HER guest. Wasn’t scheduled for Summer Jam line up.

[Reply]
shion Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
@BoojieKiddo, obviously you missed the part where he said start his set cause clearly that’s what he said. He was always going to perform with or without Nicki being there which he did. Nicki was just going to be the appetizer for it since she ask him to be on her set anyway. Seems like you are the dumb one to me

[Reply]
Ha! Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@Shion, I mean she was trying to make her show seem like it was “history” as she put it..but it still was.. She left and A Real Hip-hop Queen (Lauryn) took her place…both Nas and Lauryn made it clear.. Lauryn came for Nas set and Nas only..She stood up for Nicki because she knows Nicki is inspired by her and she has no reason to shade her….BUT LETS KEEP IT REAL..THEY HAVE NO SONGS TO PERFORM TOGETHER

[Reply]
Shion Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@Ha!, Exactly. And that’s the reason why Lauryn said what she said. She kept it real without disrespecting Nicki or her decision.

[Reply]
who?
June 6th, 2012 at 8:16 am
Nicki is liar… Lauryn Hill came out in Nas’s set… not Nicki. STUPID HOE>

[Reply]
TeamYRB Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 8:42 am
@who?, To Bad Nas Was Apart of Nicki’s Set. She Asked Him To Perform With Her.

[Reply]
Janet
June 6th, 2012 at 8:22 am
No matter how you cut it, Nicki TWEETED that she was going to bring out Lauryn. She clearly made it sound like Lauryn was her guest. If she didn’t Lauryn would not have felt the need to clarify the situation, which spoke volumes.

Nicki was trying to pull a Lil Mama and hijack Lauryn’s set. I wonder if Nicki was going to stay on the stage during the Nas and Lauryn performance?

[Reply]
Rita
June 6th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Nas killed Nicki with kindness. Yeah I know they’re cool but he made it clear hip-hop is hip-hop. I respect the fact that he didn’t take sides.

[Reply]
credits Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
@Rita, He probably didn’t take sides because the support of hot 97 and urban radio is going to be much needed when his new album comes out.

[Reply]
music heals Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 3:49 am
@credits, No Nas has bumped heads with Hot 97 (urban radio) & truthfully Nas does not get much radio play at all but he still has nothing less than 8 multiplatinum/platinum & 3 gold albums for every single one of his solo albums. Nas didn’t take sides because as he stated, “unity is what hip hop should be about.” Nas is a veteran he knows how the game is played & this is why he has longevity & a legendary career.

[Reply]
Tutu
June 6th, 2012 at 8:30 am
True Nicki let the people believe Lauryn was coming because she asked but technically she was probably going to be on stage with her at the end of the day (Nicki never said how lauryn was going to be on the stage as a person u assumed)and some of you are twisting words Nas was going out during Nicki set then Nas was bringing out Lauryn. The sets were leading into each other.

[Reply]
JussSaying Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 9:14 am
@Tutu,
In other words.. Lauryn was NOT Nicki’s guest. You can twist it as many ways but at the end of the day.. Lauryn was supposed to come out to perform with Nas.. Invited BY Nas.. she was never gonna be on stage with Nicki at any point!

[Reply]
Confused
June 6th, 2012 at 8:36 am
I can see why people think Nicki lied but what Nas said backs her up Nicki asked him to come out with her he agreed meaning lauryn would be on stage with Nas and Nicki

[Reply]
SdotB Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@Confused, ur screename fits u so well…smdh

[Reply]
Lmao!
June 6th, 2012 at 8:48 am
Nas makes it clear he would go out during nicki’s set and then start his OWN set. During HIS set is when lauryn would perform. That has nothing to do with nicki cause at that point nas would have been doing his own show which is what happened even though nicki left.

[Reply]
JussSaying Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 9:17 am
@Lmao!,

THANK YOU! someone gets it!
You know.. I find it funny that Lauryn Hill felt the need to make a public statement saying “I was NOT part of Nicki’s set, I was invited by Nas”
LMAO Lauryn didnt even KNOW Nicki was involved!

[Reply]
Lisa Reynolds-Brown
June 6th, 2012 at 8:58 am
Nicki’s ass lied. Point blank folks. Lauryn Hill and Nicki are on two totally different levels. Lauryn would not ever consider herself apart of something Nicki is doing. That would lower her status. Nas and Lauryn really don’t want to hurt this little girl’s feelings, so they’re being nice.

Nicki is a clown. Lauryn is a queen. Why was that so hard to understand?

[Reply]
Nas Talks About Bringing Out Lauryn Hill At Summer Jam 2012 & Nicki Minaj Cancelling Her Performance
June 6th, 2012 at 9:00 am
[...] out his interview with Rap-Up: What was it like to touch down on the Summer Jam stage? It was magic. I didn’t want to be [...]
Wave
June 6th, 2012 at 9:28 am
No one lied. Never even specified. Dumb as fuck.

[Reply]
music heals
June 6th, 2012 at 10:10 am
NAS UNDERSTANDS BOTH SIDES AND MADE A MATURE STATEMENT ABOUT HAVING UNITY IN HIP HOP. NAS HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE AND HE HAS A REAL UNDERSTANDUNG HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED.

[Reply]
World Music News » Blog Archive » Nas On Nicki Minaj Hot 97 Summer Jam Incident: ‘These Things Happen’
June 6th, 2012 at 10:30 am
[...] and reactionary. "I've been there before and things like that happen every couple of years," he told Rap-Up. "The nature of hip-hop can be aggressive and get real gangsta on you now and then. That's just [...]
Nas talks about Nicki not performing on Summer Jam
June 6th, 2012 at 10:33 am
[...] Nas interviewed with Rap-Up: [...]
trulo
June 6th, 2012 at 11:26 am
nicki did lie… lauren hill, nas, and even hot 97 stated that lauren was part of nas set NOT nicki set.

[Reply]
Nas On Nicki Minaj Hot 97 Summer Jam Incident: ‘These Things Happen’ - Free Beats X
June 6th, 2012 at 11:26 am
[...] “I’ve been there before and things like that happen every couple of years,” he told Rap-Up. “The nature of hip-hop can be aggressive and get real gangsta on you now and then. [...]
Michelle
June 6th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
How did nicki lie?? She only tweeted two tweets in concern of lauryn.. In one of the tweets she named names the next tweet she explained how nas would be the link of her and lauryn not once did she say that lauryn was her personal guest. The way that concert flows would mean that all of them would be on the same stage together regardless of who invited who.. Nicki wouldn’t have completely stopped the show exit the stage.. It all flows together.. Y’all quick to call somebody a liar when nas just said he would be part of nicki set and her surprise guest.. That would also include lauryn.. When nicki tweeted history would be made she meant that all the performers she named would give the biggest surprise of the night TOGETHER.. Something that was repeated by the coordinator of the show, Ebro.

[Reply]
Ha! Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@Michelle, nOT LIE…but misled…and she also didnt think Lauryn would clear it up or Nas for that fact…Listening to both of them they said politely …Lauryn came to perform with Nas. Period. To me its not a Lauryn vs. Nicki thing..more of a Nicki get a back bone..fucc Peter?..lmao

[Reply]
Michelle Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@Ha!, Huh?? How did she mislead anyone?? If people were to stupid enough to put two and two together then that’s them.. When I saw her tweet I didn’t know who invited who because she never went in detail or gave hints if lauyn was suppose to be her guest I just figure all of them would offer some type of surprise.. I guess people with common sense intepret things differently.

[Reply]
OpD2 Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@Michelle,Co-Sign.

[Reply]
Uh, no Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@OpD2, Yo ass co-sign EVERYTHING nice about Nicki. Stop sucking the shit out her hole. She let people think Lauryn was with her when she wasn’t. You decide what we should call her.

[Reply]
SdotB Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Michelle, and ur not someone with common sense b/c ur obviously still confused…smdh

[Reply]
Nas On Nicki Minaj/Summer Jam Fiasco: “At The End Of The Day, It Could Be Fixed.” | YouHeardThatNew
June 6th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
[...] RESPECT: RU [...]
talkyime!!
June 6th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
The cancellation proves that the Nicki & Wayne have got huge ego’s. They put their ego’s before the hundreds of fans that paid for tickets. Pure selfishness on Nicki’s part. It unprofessional. They shld be use to harsh words by now!! Its the entertainment industry!!

[Reply]
SdotB Reply:
June 6th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@talkyime!!, Co-Sign 1000%!!!!

[Reply]
Nas Gives His Thoughts On The Nicki Minaj vs Hot 97 Beef
June 6th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
[...] Source: Rap-Up.com [...]
TheDreamer
June 6th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
I love what Nas said and that he’s not taking sides. I think that Nicki should have performed cause her fans paid for them tickets expecting her to come out and left them disappointed. I’m glad she didn’t come out though. Summer Jam was great with Nas and Lauryn on stage, they didn’t need Nicki there.

[Reply]
Nas Gives His Take On Nicki Minaj's Beef With Hot 97, And Reflects On His Previous Feud With Jay-Z | This Beat Goes
June 6th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
[...] Nas chalks up the feud between Nicki Minaj’s YMCMB camp and Hot 97 to a typical feature of hip hop. “I’ve been there before and things like that happen every couple of years. The nature of hip hop can be aggressive and get real gangsta on you now and then. That’s just what it is. These things happen,” Nas told Rap-Up. [...]
babel
June 6th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
nicki was not headlining why are yall saying that!hot97 is the headline always!dum stans!

[Reply]
Nas Gives Opinion on Nicki Minaj Summer Jam Controversy « Talk Money Ent
June 7th, 2012 at 4:16 am
[...] been there before and things like that happen every couple of years,” he told The Rap Up. “I guess this is the second time something has happened like that between the artist and the [...]
Nas Speaking on Lauryn Hill & Nicki Minaj — EveryoneLovesHipHop
June 7th, 2012 at 8:00 am
[...] surprise guest. Since the YMCMB camp cancelled, Nas got his own set. The good folks at Rap-Up caught up with Nas and spoke about various topics including that of bringing out Lauryn Hill as [...]
Nas Talks Lauryn Hill and Nicki Minaj's Beef with Hot 97 | The Spin | TVONE.TV
June 7th, 2012 at 10:49 am
[...] Read the interview in full at Rap-Up. [...]
Chris
June 7th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
If Nicki is all about women’s rights and power, why did she let a man control her decision…

[Reply]
TeamYRB Reply:
June 8th, 2012 at 8:45 am
@Chris, B/c she was the one who forgot about women’s rights and was reminded by the man who remembered. Why is it so hard for ppl to understand loyalty.

[Reply]
tinkerbell
June 8th, 2012 at 8:33 am
wtf who in the hell

[Reply]
aksesoris grand livina
June 9th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
aksesoris grand livina…

[...]Exclusive: Nas Talks Summer Jam, Nicki Minaj vs. Hot 97, & Lauryn Hill | HipHopCube[...]…