In a shocking turn of events, American rapper Nicki Minaj found herself embroiled in legal troubles just hours before her scheduled concert in Manchester, England. According to authorities, Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, was arrested on suspicion of drug possession at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport while en route to the UK for her "Pink Friday 2 World Tour."
They've been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) May 25, 2024
The 41-year-old artist was taken into custody by Dutch police but released after a few hours, having been fined for the alleged offense. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, law enforcement officials confirmed that an "American woman" had been apprehended for "possession of soft drugs" before being allowed to "continue her journey."
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) May 25, 2024
Despite Minaj's best efforts to salvage the situation, the promoter, Live Nation UK, was forced to postpone the Manchester show at the Co-op Live arena. "We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused," the company said in an update, assuring that tickets would remain valid for the rescheduled concert.
In a candid social media post early Sunday, Minaj shared her side of the story, expressing her sincere apologies to fans. "After sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours, my plane still didn't take off for another 20 mins once I boarded" the 50-minute flight from Amsterdam, she wrote.
😩 now they said they found weed & that another group of ppl have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls. Keep in mind they took my bags without consent. My security has already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him. Oh yea & the pilot wants me to take my ig post down.
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) May 25, 2024
Minaj, known for her outspoken nature, hinted at a potential conspiracy, stating, "They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today, but this too, shall pass." She also vowed to create "an added bonus" for ticket holders affected by the postponement.
Throughout the ordeal, the "Starships" rapper documented the events on social media, sharing videos of her interactions with authorities at the airport. In one clip, she questioned the decision to search her luggage after it had already been loaded onto the plane. In response, her dedicated fans rallied behind her, sparking the hashtag #freenicki to trend across social media platforms.
Minaj also alleged that certain individuals were trying to "sabotage" her successful tour, accusing them of planting evidence in her luggage and stealing money from her travel expenses. "This is how they plant things in your luggage," she wrote in one post, promising to provide video evidence and involve lawyers.
Despite the controversy, Minaj reassured fans that she would still perform at the remaining scheduled shows in Manchester on Thursday and Birmingham on Sunday. She expressed her determination to reschedule the missed Manchester concert, considering potential dates in June and July.
As the situation unfolds, Minaj's supporters eagerly await further updates, hoping for a smooth continuation of her highly anticipated world tour.
