Image via Complex Original
You know you're kinda like a big deal when you don't perform at Summer Jam and you're still somehow the biggest news story in hip-hop. Well, that's exactly what happened to Nicki Minaj. Last night at the Festival Village at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey, Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg dissed Nicki's "Starships" on stage calling it "bullshit" (Hate the song? Well, we loved the video!) Word somehow got back to Lil Wayne and Weezy pulled the plug on Nicki Minaj's headlining performance.
Needless to say, Summer Jam 2012 (like many Summer Jams before it) was filled with tension. Even though all anyone wants to talk about is a performance that didn't even happen, Complex was in the building and we still had a ton of fun catching sets from Young Jeezy, Waka Flocka Flame, and many more. So to recap, we put together a quick look at the 10 Best Moments From Summer Jam 2012.
Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
10. Tyga Performs Despite Lil Wayne's Objections
It seems like as soon as Lil Wayne sent out his now infamous tweet, "Young money ain't doing summer jam," Nicki was already packing her bags reasoning on Twitter that "the president has spoken." However, Tyga must have missed the memo because he still went on and did his set. In his defense, his set time was around the same time the tweets were sent out so it's possible he just had some incredibly bad timing.
9. French Montana Dressed Like A Bengali Housewife
Anyone who saw the XXL Freshman cover knows that French Montana's headgear is on another level. Snapbacks are cool and all, but for Summer Jam Frenchie opted to rock a Versace shirt with a matching scarf which he tied around his head similar to the way Peter O'Toole did in Lawrence of Arabia. Maybe he thought a sandstorm was coming?
8. Meek Mill Rocks The House
No but seriously, there was actually some performances worth catching. Particularly Meek Mill who closed out the show alongside his MMG brethren. Although Rick Ross is obviously the big draw of the crowd, Meek's performance was a highlight for us thanks to his unorthodox delivery.
The sad truth is, most rappers don't know how to use microphones, they don't trust the soundguy, and don't realize what you hear on stage is not the same as what the crowd hears. So when rappers hit the stage, they're screaming into the mic even if their songs are more relaxed.
However, Meek is always screaming when he's rapping (he is after all, one of The 25 Loudest Rappers). So when he hit the Summer Jam stage determined to make his mark as he performed hits like "I'ma Boss" and "House Party," his delivery became his greatest asset as his performance sounded exactly like his actual records. A rare feat for any rapper, but especially a young one.
7. The Festival Village a.k.a. The Real Show
Turns out you barely even if you have to buy a ticket to enjoy Summer Jam—you just have to pay for parking. The parking lot had plenty of attractions including tailgating parties, the Shady Slaughterhouse BBQ, and local entrepreneurs selling Dutches, nutcrackers, and packs of Newport Menthols (free market economy baby!).
But of course the best part of the parking lot was the Festival Village. Sure, you could go inside and catch a set from the nosebleeds, or you could use your same ticket and enter the Festival Village to catch sets from Complex favorites like Kendrick Lamar, Azealia Banks, and A$AP Rocky. And did we mention that the Festival Village is where Rosenberg made his infamous Nicki comments? Hey, like Blacksheep said, the choice is yours.
6. Waka Flocka Has Hits Bro
Don't sleep on Waka, the boy has got anthems for days. And in a atmosphere like Met Life Stadium, songs like "Hard In Da Paint" and "No Hands" will shut the damn place down. He even sent out a shot to rap game in general saying, "When you're done rapping and you need a single, come holla at me." IT'S WAKA!
5. Funkmaster Flex Takes Subliminal Shots At Nicki Minaj
Who doesn't love a good ol' rant from Funkmaster Flex (peep our hilarious Funk Flex soundboard)? After Nicki pulled out of the show, Flex must have been in a foul mood because during his DJ set he took time out to sent a few shots Nicki's way saying things like, "We ain't fucking with commercial rappers anymore" and "Turn into me tomorrow at 7, I'm going to ruin a career." Wait, wasn't Flex boasting about how he premiered Nicki's record just a few months ago?
4. Big Sean, Pusha T, & 2 Chainz Rock Out
Even Big Sean's performance was filled with anxiety, and he's a nice guy seems to be staying clear of any G.O.O.D. Music/YMCMB beef. Mostly because everyone knew he was going to pull out Pusha T, but the big question was if Pusha was going to do "Exodus 23:1" or if Pusha was maybe secretly pissed that Sean didn't take his side in the perceived beef between Pusha and Wayne.
In the end, the answer to both questions were no as they preceded to do a solid set highlighted by 2 Chainz coming out for his epic verse on "Mercy" and then doing "Riot." One bizarre thing: Of course Sean did his "Ass (Remix)," but he strangely let Nicki's entire verse play out (he did the same for Kanye's verse off "Mercy") which really only highlighted how much we missed her.
3. Young Jeezy Brings ATL To NYC
Summer Jam may be a New York show set in New Jersey, but if you looked at the performers and the songs the DJs played in-between sets, you might confuse the show for Atlanta's Birthday Bash.
When some of the best performances are brought to you by Southern-based acts like Waka Flocka Flame, 2 Chainz, and Young Jeezy, it's hard to think otherwise. Even if the DJs sprinkled in some Biggie, 50 Cent, and Cam'ron to keep it NY-centric, we all know that NY rap basically died in the aughts even if it's having a resurrection now.
Still, we're always happy to see a great artist put on a good show regardless of where they're from so we couldn't have been happier with Jeezy who went through his massive catalog of hits and even found time to bring out T.I. and 2 Chainz for brief appearances.
2. Nas & Lauryn Hill Save The Day
Oh the irony. A decade after Nas walked out on Summer Jam after they wouldn't let him lynch an effigy of Jay-Z on stage—he was replaced by Cam'ron, who Hot 97 reps found chilling in the parking lot—he saved the show with none other than Miss Lauryn Hill after Nicki cancelled.
Seeing Nas and Lauryn on stage together is always a beautiful moment and their set was as good as it could be. As usual, Nas forgot his lyrics. And Lauryn's voice didn't really hold up. But still, they came, they did all the right songs, and they left. You really couldn't ask for more out of a surprise performance.
But again, it was all just a reminder of Nicki's absence. Seeing Nas and Lauryn together is great but we've seen it before (just last year at Rock The Bells, in fact). But Nicki and Lauryn? That would have been special.
1. Peter Rosenberg Disses Nicki Minaj's "Starships"
When's the last time a comment made by a radio host in the parking lot outside the actual venue change the course of hip-hop history? "I see the real hip-hop heads sprinkled in here," ranted Rosenberg. "I see them. I know there are some chicks here waiting to sing 'Starships' later—I'm not talking to y'all right now. Fuck that bullshit. Bullshit. I'm here to talk about real hip-hop shit."
Nicki tweeted that she had planned on bringing out everyone from Beanie Man to Lil Wayne to Cam'ron to Foxy Brown. Add them in with Nas and Lauryn? Well, that's kind of an unforgettable set. But we'll never get to see. Although Nicki fans can blame Rosenberg all they want—hopefully Hot 97 doesn't because it would suck if he got fired—but hey, at least the guy gave us all something to talk about.