Nicki Minaj has been facing some ongoing turbulence in recent memory, including combatting negative press, navigating a highly publicized dispute with Cardi B and experiencing backlash from a series of canceled tour dates.
According to a report from Variety (April 19), the Queen rapper has parted ways with her longtime management team, Blueprint/Maverick Management. The rapper, who had been working with managers Gee Roberson and Cortez Bryant for the majority of her career, has not yet publicly issued a statement on the matter.
Sources close to the situation say that the decision to part ways was mutual and amicable. Additionally, there wasn’t a specific reason for the split. At this time, it is reported that she doesn’t have a manager at this time.
Last Sunday (April 14), Minaj made a guest appearance during Ariana Grande’s headlining Coachella set, during which her mic experienced sound problems, further adding to the hurdles Minaj has had to jump over recently.
At the time of this report, it has not been announced whether the New York native will make a second appearance during Grande’s second and final Coachella set.
Additionally, the rapper’s tour has undergone a variety of changes throughout the course of the past year, leading to speculation the production and technical issues could be partly to blame for the reported decision to part ways with her management team. Future was previously tapped to co-headline last year but their tour run was postponed due to production issues.
6ix9ine was also slated to join on the tour, a decision that was met with criticism stemming from the Brooklyn rapper’s controversial antics. He currently is incarcerated on federal racketeering charges. Rescheduled dates for her aforementioned North American tour have not been announced.
Despite the various technical issues at Coachella, Variety reports that Minaj made the decision to embark on a new chapter management-wise prior to appearing at the annual music festival last week.
Minaj is no stranger to weathering storms or finding herself surrounded by drama. Throughout the course of her decade-plus career, the rapper has found herself at the center of various beefs, including with Cardi B, Remy Ma, Lil’ Kim and more.
More on this story as it develops.