Billboard.com is reporting that hip-hop mogul Diddy has taken on the task of co-managing wildy popular rapper, Nicki Minaj, and 50 Cent’s nemesis, Rick Ross.
Minaj was being managed by rapper Waka Flocka Flame’s mom, Debbie Atney, but an indication of trouble in paradise came when the quirky artist dropped out of Rihanna’s “Last Girl On Earth Tour” last week. Antney, who also managed Gucci Mane, went public with the conflict by sending a statement confirming that Minaj had fired her.
“I received a letter, which was [a] suspension. The next letter that came in was a cease and desist in doing all business with Nicki Minaj from Nicki’s attorney,” she explained. “I love Nicki. I wish her the most success. It’s not about the music, she’s like one of my children … I wish her no harm, only much success,” she told Billboard.com.
Not long after, in an amended statement, she said, “I’m not gonna sit here and drop a bunch of bombs on her now, even though she really, really disappointed me. Now Nicki did fire me. She did.”
Sounds like an above board business move by Atney to not be perceived as an ex-client hater going forward.
Apparently, Diddy was there to pick up the pieces and to capitalize, which he does oh so well, on the rapper’s current star status. He’s reportedly asked one of his own managers, James Cruz, to co-manage Minaj with him. Happily ever after? Probably.
In other mogul news, Diddy is also reportedly now managing rapper Rick Ross. The two have been appearing together lately, including on the remix to Waka Flocka’s “O Let’s Do It” track. Diddy has also been praising Ross’ rapping skills, comparing him to the late Notorious B.I.G. (isn’t that sacrilege to the die-hard hip-hop community?).
Ross hinted at the connection during an interview with Power 105.1’s DJ Envy earlier this week: “Big shout out to my brother Diddy. We have a big announcement to make real soon, so stay tuned for that,” Ross told the station’s listeners.
Ross is also rumored to be writing, er, contributing to the writing of Diddy’s upcoming album. I hope he’s not setting himself up to get involved in the whole 50-Ross beef … he should be beneath those antics at this stage in his career. –gerald radford
