After breaking into Billboard Hot 100′s Top 40 with “Body Party” for the first time since 2009′s “Love Sex Magic,” Ciara is hoping her new single will follow in its footsteps. Just like the lead cut which featured her boyfriend Future, “I’m Out” is another collaboration from her upcoming self-titled fifth studio album. This time it’s with Nicki Minaj. The two previously joined forces on Minaj’s “I’m Legit.” With these two ladies involved, obviously the track is all about girl power.

“Ladies, it’s your song / So as soon as this come on / You should get out on the floor / Gon’ and get your sexy on / If you know that you better / Then the new girl that he on / Go ‘head and tell him now / “You gon’ miss me when I’m gone”

Personally, I like it. The juxtaposition of Ciara’s sultry delivery and Minaj’s aggressive swagger really works well together. It’s definitely one of Cici’s better tracks in years and could be the game-changer she’s been looking for. Definitely has the potential to become a summer jam. Take a listen below and let me know what you think afterward.

listen to the track after the jump

To quote Jennifer Garner in 13 Going 30, Nicki Minaj is thirty, flirty and thriving. Photographed by Sebastian Kim, the 30-year-old rapper looks like a human-size bag of cotton candy with her colorful ensemble on the cover of Teen Vogue. Inside the issue, Minaj compares Hollywood to high school, discusses her thoughts on social media and her rough childhood. Check out more pictures and quotes below.

Regarding Social Media

“I used to read the bad things people said about me. Then I asked myself, ‘Why am I reading that when I have millions of people saying great things?’ You cannot give negativity power. I tell teens, if you’re having a problem, there’s nothing wrong with deleting your social media. If people keep taunting you and you keep reading it, it’s poison.”

more photos after the jump

The annual Met Gala took place last night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Fashionistas and celebrities donned their couture best to embody this year’s theme, “PUNK: Chaos to Couture.” The red carpet pictures have been working their way online since last night, but now it’s the photos from inside the gala that are making the rounds.

Out of all the pictures that Nicki Minaj could’ve snapped inside the event, the 30-year-old rapper posted two that seem to take aim at her fellow American Idol judge. First up is a “chance” meeting with Tommy Mottola and his wife, singer Thalia. If you recall, Mottola was the man behind Mariah Carey’s success. The two were also married but ended in a bitter divorce. He recently published a tell-all book on his time with the multi-octave vocalist.

Second up is an Instagram pic of Jennifer Lopez and Barbz. Recently, there were rumors that American Idol had a secret backup plan to replace Carey midseason with Lopez. All parties have denied it, but since that report came out, there have been more tense interactions between Carey and Minaj on and off the panel. Just last week, Nicki called out Mariah on Twitter about being old and insecure. Ouch. Check out the pics below.

check out the pics after the jump

Scooter Braun must have Nicki Minaj on his speed dial. As Justin Bieber’s manager, he enlisted Queen Barb on “Beauty and The Beat.” He now has the 30-year-old rapper assisting another Canadian pop star. This time around, Carly Rae Jepsen is the beneficiary of Minaj’s lyrical prowess.

“Tonight I’m Getting Over You” hasn’t exactly blazed up the charts. Scooter seems to think the one-two combo of Carly Rae and Nicki on the track will dominate the airwaves. “Whenever girls do songs about getting over men, they seem to do really well,” he said. Someone’s been reading the Taylor Swift guide to pop dominance.

I’m probably in the minority here, but I enjoy Nicki and her rhymes. With that being said, I feel her addition to Carly’s track is unnecessary and doesn’t really give it new life. Don’t take my word for it. Take a listen below.

listen to the track after the jump

Whether she’s dropping an electro-pop dance video or hip-hop clip, one thing is for certain. Nicki Minaj at one point or another will be wearing a bathing suit in it. Girl loves to show off her curves and that booty. The American Idol judge stays true to form and wears a couple of them in the music video for “High School“- her fourth single from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up.

The 30-year-old rapper gets a little frisky in her new visual. Lil Wayne joins her for a little “wrestling fun” in bed. They have some serious chemistry. The two are in cahoots to pull off a jewel heist. The narrative is a bit hazy, but if you’re a fan of Nicki’s you’ll love it. Minaj once again teams up with director Benny Boom. The two have previously collaborated on “Beez In The Trap”, “Right By My Side” and my favorite, “Pound The Alarm.” Check out her new music video below.

watch the music video after the jump

It’s one thing to respond, but it’s another thing to go overboard and come off a little cray cray. Being as high profile and polarizing as Nicki Minaj is, it’s understandable that she wants to address a few of the numerous negative comments about her. She is human after all. I like the “Starships” rapper but her tweets to recently-ousted American Idol contestant Devin Velez are a bit too much. When you’re in the position of power, simply ignoring his comments or responding eloquently would’ve been a better choice. Check out Velez’s response below to Nicki’s Twitter tirade (shown later in the post).

“That moment when an adult stoops down to the 3rd grade level…LOL grow up Hun, I’ve got songs to write. :) #movingforward,” Devin Velez

Velez, during one of his elimination interviews, commented that he felt that Minaj was the one judge who didn’t want to use the one “Judges’ Save” on him. I totally agree with that sentiment as well and said it in my recap. He continued that Nicki favors the girls and that her critiques can be “crazy.” He jokingly says that perhaps she was in a bad mood on last Wednesday’s show because both Mariah Carey and her were wearing the same color that night. LOL, but probably true. Read several tweets sent by Nicki in response to Devin’s comments.

check out the tweets after the jump

Logo recently announced the nominees for their annual NewNowNext Awards. Now in its sixth year, this highly praised and always unpredictable telecast is one big party that grants the gay stamp of approval to pop culture icons and trendsetters as well as stars-on-the-rise and celebrates what’s hot in TV, music, film and fashion for 2013 and beyond.

If you haven’t watch the NewNowNext Awards, they’re a lot of fun. With irreverent and outrageous categories including “Hottest, Sexiest Ink,” “Host with the Most,” “That’s My Jam” and “TV You Betta Watch,” the ceremony is always fun to watch. My personal favorite is the “Cause You’re Hot” award. All of the nominees are definitely worthy of the win. I covered the red carpet and ceremony a couple of years ago and think its time to check them out again. Especially given the caliber of the nominees. I love star gazing.

Winners will be revealed Monday, April 15th at 10/9C, during the 90-minute Logo NewNowNext Awards 2013 telecast.  The special will be taped in front of a live audience of today’s hottest emerging and seasoned artists at The Fonda Theater in Hollywood, CA on April 13th.  Performers, presenters and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. Check out all the nominees below.

check out all the nominees after the jump

Nicki Minaj should really consider following the old adage, “less is more“, more often. I haven’t seen her look this stunning ever. Without all the colorful makeup, huge eyelashes and kool-aid hair, the 30-year-old is kind of a babe. She exudes bad ass bitch on the cover of Elle’s April 2013 issue with a Tom Ford leather jacket and sandy beach hair. Even her new look took Minaj by surprise. Check out her thoughts on it.

“When I saw myself with barely any makeup at, it was such a… like, I’m so, so attached to my pink lipstick, it’s hard. I feel that it’s become a part of me. To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big ol’ crazy lashes- you know, nothing – I felt naked. It was scary! So this photo shoot was a real accomplishment in my eyes.” – Nicki Minaj

Photographer Thomas Whiteside did a fantastic job of capturing Nicki’s natural beauty. The photo with her wearing a Jeremy Scott bathing suit is absolutely gorgeous. Check it out below, along with a couple more quotes from her interview with the publication, including her thoughts on world domination.

more photos after the jump