Pollstar Live! 2020 Keynote: Nicki Minaj Hints At Friday Track Drop, Talks Touring, Sheds Tears With Irving Azoff

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THE QUEEN AND THE KING: The Azoff Company

Nicki Minaj sat for a no-holds-barred interview with manager (and Oak View Group co-founder) Irving Azoff, with the latter saying new music will drop Friday as a taste of an album – and tour – to come. The appearance seems to cement a tradition in recent years of having a superstar interview session being a key element of Pollstar Live!

Azoff started things off with a bang, too, noting their walkup music and talking about what a great time the present is for hip-hop music and especially touring. Saying he’d probably upset Republic Records chief Monte Lipman, he announced “we’re going to leak the single later tonight or tomorrow (Friday) – it’s a setup track, not a single. But it’s new music.”

The International Ballroom was standing room only, with Azoff family members Shelli and Jeff, Minaj’s husband Kenneth Perry, and Tim Leiweke spotted in their own row to the side of the stage.

Minaj at turns was hilarious, emotional and always real as Azoff led her through questions ranging from the state of the business, life, maturing, and late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

Azoff and Minaj have a colorful history, with her naming him her person of the day, using a very different term, on her Queen Radio broadcast on Beats Radio. He knows a passionate artist when he sees one and, when she was in search of a new manager, he reached out and now, that “person” of the day is her manager.

“She was in a battle with Travis Scott for No. 1,” Azoff explained. “Some people may believe Travis and his team were doing something but he really cared about that No. 1, and she really cared about No. 1, too. Eventually she and her manager parted ways so I called the bitch up!”

Everyone got a good laugh out of that but over the course of the interview, Minaj talked a lot about maturity – things she would not do now if she had a chance to start over; how she approaches social media, how married life has changed her.

“I would give advice to people coming up, especially women, to just try your best to let the small stuff go,” Minaj said. “I was reflecting and looking at the things I should have let go. Learn to put out my music and shut my mouth.”

She didn’t have much to say when Azoff asked about the recent Grammy Awards and pre-show controversies, though she would admit to being impressed with Deborah Dugan, who “stood up and said what she said.”

With new music on its way, touring won’t be far behind, she said. “I love my fans. There’s a different level of energy being in a room with my true fans. They don’t get to see us a lot. You really see how people appreciate artists. So yes, I’m excited about going back on the road.”

Azoff seemed to throw Minaj for a loop when asking her thoughts on various people – and ended with Kobe Bryant. A long silence ensued as Minaj became visibly emotional.

“I couldn’t … I can’t see even right now,” she began. “I can’t imagine what his wife and his child feel. We love you Kobe and … .” At this point she trailed into tears, and Azoff interjected to apologize. “I didn’t mean to do that. I know you’re a big basketball fan. I know because you wanted me to get both L.A. and New York season tickets,” lightening a heavy mood.

Azoff and Minaj talked about how she grew up in Queens, what music she most enjoys and how she approaches recording. Again, the subject returned to maturity and what might surprise people to know about her.

“I’m not as confident as people think” Minaj said “Lately I think what has changed in my life the most, when I’m down and I have a conversation with my husband…he gives me the comfort level to be myself and knows who I am. I can be me. It translates to social media, and music, and you do not need a man to do that, by the way!”

Husband Perry smiled nodded in agreement from the audience.

Azoff wrapped up the interview with thanks and high praise for his subject: “I’m excited to come here next year and show what we did today,” Azoff said. “What we did was to show if a great artist like she is, she’s smart, talented, all that. We see a lot of younger faces here, college students, and it’s important to remember that there is no business without the artist. I would encourage you to remember that without artists, none of us have jobs or the fun we have.”

Minaj’s closing comments were for her fans – and a tease for her soon-to-be-“leaked” track.

“For my fans that are maybe out there listening, I love you! We’re going to have a great album.  If we drop the track on Friday, maybe we’ll do it on Queen Radio for Friday! Or maybe Saturday!”