Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesLil Wayne has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he sticks up for his Young Money stable of artists—but especially the women on his label's roster.
In an interview with MTV News, Weezy explained his decision to cancel protégé Nicki Minaj's headlining gig at New York City's annual Hot 97 Summer Jam two weeks ago, saying it had to do with one simple thing: a lack of respect for women from the radio station's DJ Peter Rosenberg, who dissed the "Starships" rapper in front of her fans before she was set to go on.
"That's a female; first and foremost Nicki Minaj is a female. I don't know what anyone else believes, but I believe females deserve the ultimate respect at all times no matter, when or where or how," Lil Wayne told MTV from the Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash in Atlanta on Saturday.
Rosenberg sparked the feud when, while introducing an opening act, he told an audience of 2,000, "I know there are some chicks in here waiting to sing along with 'Starships' later…I'm not talking to y'all now. F--k that bulls--t."
Minaj subsequently called into Hot 97 DJ Funkmaster Flex's program a couple of days later and took the station to task for the insult and its lack of respect for women—a point her mentor reiterated.
"As soon as she called me and told me she felt disrespected, I just declined everything," the "Lollipop" MC added. "I pulled her from the show because…no person that works with me will be disrespected in my presence as long as I'm on this planet."
Wayne was quick to note that Hot 97 and its employees should have treated Minaj like a queen instead, especially since it invited her to come and perform.
"I expect the red carpet, in her manner; the pink carpet should be laid out for her," he remarked. "It's just an executive move—no salt, no bad feelings, no hard feelings."
Fellow hip-hopsters Lauryn Hill and Nas subsequently subbed for Minaj after Lil Wayne yanked her from the bill. The former Fugees member, who was originally slated to be a guest of Minaj during her set along with Cam'ron and Foxy Brown, among others, released a statement expressing solidarity with the Pink Lady.
"I don't have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs and walking with integrity," she said.
So will the station now get the message about being a better host? Lil Wayne certainly hopes so and has no regrets pulling the plug.
"I feel like a woman should be respected at all times, therefore I made the right decision," he said.