By Carl Chery

Anaheim, CA — Nicki Minaj’s fans have eagerly been awaiting the release of the first single off her highly anticipated third album, The Pink Print. Well, the wait is almost over now that the YMCMB star has set a solid release date for the unnamed track.

“I’m excited to drop the cover art for the new single on Monday and release the single on Wednesday,” Nicki told MTV News on Saturday, before she took the stage at Power 106’s annual Powerhouse concert, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. “I am very obsessed and in love with the single and I think it’s a great glimpse into The Pink Print. I think it’s a great indicator into what the album will feel like and so I’m super excited for my fans to hear it.”

Minaj is no stranger to autobiographical raps. She’s previously gotten introspective on songs like 2010’s “Moment 4 Life,” but if you let her tell it The Pink Print may be her most personal work to date.

“You know, I hate giving away too much before it comes out,” Minaj said. “It’s just a very truthful story. And it just feels right. It feels like love. It feels like lessons learned.”

The reigning rap queen is ready to pass on her feeling of elation to her fans. “I’m excited to make them feel a sense of love and a sense of growing up, musically and just as a woman,” she continued, “and lyrically to remind n—as ...

Wiz Khalifa rocked the stage at the 2014 Hangout Festival on Friday night (and revealed some big mixtape news), with his lovely lady Amber Rose right there to support him. They were, hands down, the most talked about couple in Gulf Shores, Alabama, this weekend and it’s pretty easy to see why.

Amber joined Sway to introduce Wiz’s set and she was so proud of him

After watching his performance from the stage (where he stole some kisses mid-set), they had this romantic snuggle session on the beach

But these photos are just the beginning, so you might as well watch the entire love story in the video below!

MTV News Staff

Chance the Rapper has been dealing with some health issues that caused him to miss a big Coachella show last month, and it looks like things aren’t back on track just yet. The Chicago rapper was forced to cancel his at the 2014 Hangout Music Festival on short notice this weekend.

Chance was scheduled to perform during a Saturday night (May 17) slot in Gulf Shores, Alabama, but he was forced to pull out last minute, due to illness. His set will be replaced with a performance from Moon Taxi, who sent their well-wishes on Twitter, and got a retweet from Chance.

There have been no details on his condition, but last month he was hospitalized after “running a 104 degree fever and could not speak due to the inflammation of his throat,” according to his management.

MTV News Staff

By Katie Calautti

It’s official: Aundrea Fimbres isn’t just missing from the cover art of Danity Kane’s new single “Lemonade,” she’s stepping out of the picture for good.

Just yesterday, MTV News confirmed that Fimbres recorded vocals for the track, but couldn’t get a straight answer regarding whether or not the foursome would soon be a threesome.

Fimbres put the rumors to rest last night during the kick-off of the group’s #DKNoFilterTour with some happy news: she’s pregnant and engaged! Clearly emotional as she addressed the roaring crowd at San Francisco’s The Fillmore, she said, “I’ve gotten to do some amazing things with Danity Kane, but it’s time for me to start the next chapter in my life.” She went on to thank fans and introduce her bandmates, saying, “They are going to kill it for you while I go have some babies!”

No word yet on whether or not she’ll be joining Danity Kane for any part of the #DKNoFilterTour tour, but Aubrey O’Day, Dawn Richard and Shannon Bex did the heavy lifting last night sans Fimbres, debuting two new songs live: “Rage” and “Rhythm of Love.”

MTV News Staff

By Katie Calautti

The Girl on Fire and Co. took a short break from filming “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” in Paris to hit the Cannes Film Festival today, posing their dapper selves on the swanky Majestic Barriere hotel’s red carpet.

Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Sam Claflin, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland and director Francis Lawrence decked themselves out in beachside-chic gear for the occasion. It’s a rough job, but someone has to do it. We’re admittedly a little bummed that Natalie Dormer isn’t among them – if only for a glimpse of the French sun glinting off her gloriously half-shaved head.

We’ll say this much: Moore looks a bit more relaxed in the seaside setting than she does in her first official The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 still. Check the prime shots from Cannes below!

L-R: Donald Sutherland, Francis Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Sam Claflin, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″ hits theaters November 21.

MTV News Staff

By Maurice Bobb

Michael Sam’s docu-series has officially been sacked.

Just two days after Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network revealed its plan to film the NFL’s first openly gay player’s journey as he tries to make the St. Louis Rams’ final roster, OWN and Sam’s representation announced Friday (May 16) that the series has been postponed.

Critics and sports pundits expressed doubts that the defensive end’s mind would be focused on football with camera crews following his every move, so the decision was made to table the show.

“After careful consideration and discussion with the St. Louis Rams, the untitled Michael Sam project has been postponed, allowing Michael the best opportunity to achieve his dream of making the team,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN. “OWN is about elevating and empowering people to achieve their best. It’s clear that we, along with the world, recognize the important opportunity that Michael now has in this moment. We will continue to support him in his journey to earn a spot playing for the Rams.”

The former SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year’s agent, Cameron Weiss, agreed that it was in his client’s best interest to curtail bringing his “deeply personal” story to the small screen, for now.

“After today’s meeting with the Rams, we collectively feel it is best to postpone the project,” said Weiss. “This will allow for Michael to have a total focus on football and will ensure no distractions to his teammates. Everybody involved remains committed to this project and understands its ...

By Maurice Bobb

Want to get the hype machine gassed up and plowing down the speedway for your upcoming project?

Then do what Meek Mill did Friday (May 16) and tease a possible collaboration with hip-hop heavyweights Jay Z and Nas while playing snippets of another song entirely.

While previewing a song called “Wrongs” featuring Gourdan on Instagram, the MMG spitter showed video of his computer screen, and a track titled “Scarface” featuring the God MCs is all but lit up on a marquee.

If the tracklisting is to be believed, there are two different versions of the song. One has Jay and Nipsey Hustle listed as guests, while the second has Hov and Esco listed. Both tracks are short at two minutes and 49 seconds. A third version with the Roc Nation CEO and the Illmatic rapper runs for three minutes and 19 seconds.

Meek makes no mention of the star-studded collab in the video or the caption, but he had to know that screenshot would fan the flames of anticipation for his yet-untitled sophomore LP.

In another IG video, the Philly representer previewed an intro track called “Mo Money.” A brief listen reveals that it has the same stream-of-consciousness type of flow displayed on the Dreams and Nightmares intro, but will it be another example of the “best rap moments of our generation” like the original?

Drake and the rest of us will have to wait and see.

But as far as generating a buzz goes, the hip-hop hornets nest has ...

By Maurice Bobb

To the fans who have been waiting since 2010 for Nas to release The Lost Tapes: Vol. 2, your patience is finally being rewarded.

That’s right, four years after revealing exclusively on MTV News that LT2 would be available in December of 2010, Esco’s new independent label, Mass Appeal Records, announced Friday (May 16) that it will release the LP.

The Lost Tapes (2002) featured tracks left on the cutting-room floor over the years while Nas was recording proper albums like I Am…, Nastradamus and Stillmatic. In a word, the classic compilation was a collection of street bangers, songs not exactly meant for the radio. LT2 will be more of the same.

“I’m unloading records I want the streets to hear,” the Queens rapper said back in 2010. “Cleaning out my hard drives. Gonna do this, then start fresh. I’m dropping my solo LP before the summer of 2011. I love the energy the world has been giving me over the last two years. But now it’s time to focus on owning the streets again.”

When LT2 didn’t hit shelves as planned, Nas penned a scathing email to Def Jam about skimping on the funds needed, challenging them to “Open the REAL budget” for the project, but it never saw the light of day. Now that he’s running the show, fans will finally get classic, Nasty Nas material.

In addition to dropping LT2, Mass Appeal Records will release the first of an annual compilation series that will feature ...

By Adam Graham

“American Idol” is down to two.

As expected, Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson will compete for the “Idol” crown on next week’s two-night finale. And Alex Preston will have to watch from the sidelines, as the New Hampshire singer/songwriter was voted out of the competition during Thursday night’s results show.

Here’s how Thursday’s results went down.

Hometown Visits
The three contestants’ hometown visits were only hinted at during Wednesday’s performance show, but were shown in much greater detail on Thursday. Jena’s visit to Farmington Hills, Michigan, was the most emotional of the three, with the singer breaking into tears after seeing the support from her hometown. “The fact that I made an impact on the community makes me feel so good,” she told the “Idol” cameras. “And I want to win for them now.”

All three participated in hometown parades and concerts. Preston’s was the most low-key of the hometown visits, as he was shown enjoying time with the members of Undertow, his high school band. Caleb’s visit was punctuated by bouts of roughhousing with his little brother, Houston, who despite being younger than Caleb manages to dwarf him in size.

Finale Teases
Viewers were given brief glimpses of the contestants’ potential winning “Idol” singles. Jena Irene’s has an electronic flare and is called “We Are One” and Johnson’s is a straight-up rocker titled “As Long As You Love Me.” Preston’s “I Love This Feeling,” on the other hand, might only be heard by him and the members of Undertow.

Preston did get good ...