Nicki Minaj is believed to have been invited to a music festival in Shanghai that turned out to be a scam, allegedly prompting the singer to refuse to perform onstage on Sunday, Nov. 18.
In this Aug. 20, 2018 file photo, Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York. Image: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File
DWP (Djakarta Warehouse Project) China music festival organizer Yatai Huaying made accusations against Minaj on Sina Weibo Monday, Nov. 19, reported the Chinese newspaper Global Times. The company said that the rapper came late and did not want to perform even after negotiating with her for two hours.
Others in the lineup included Luis Fonsi, DJ Snake and Blasterjaxx.
The event website, however, said that the use of the DWP trademark was unauthorized. “DWP as a brand has no association with the event. The alleged lineup artwork of DWP China, which has been circulating online, is unauthorized,” the website dwpchina.com says.
DWP is an annual dance music festival held in Indonesia. The Shanghai festival was thought to be its debut in China, but it seems that it was ripping off the original festival.
Up to 1,000 fans waited for two hours for Minaj to appear, only to be disappointed. Tickets cost as much as 3,000 yuan (P22,600), reported the Shanghaiist on Nov. 19. Though the organizer promised refunds, the report says it seems unlikely to happen. Minaj was allegedly going to be paid $3 million.
Minaj has yet to release an official statement, though a fan Kallie (@IvaWong23) uploaded a video on Nov. 19 via Twitter where the singer is shown promising to return.
Thank u Nicki! We are sooo sorry for what happened today and we love u soooo much! Plz come to Shanghai next time PLZ! @NICKIMINAJ pic.twitter.com/KPnzR4Id41
— itskarly (@nopekarly) November 18, 2018
“Thank you, guys. To my real fans, I love you so much,” she said. “I’ll be back you guys for my real fans, in Shanghai, in China. I love you so much… And I’ll be back with a better partner.” Niña V. Guno/JB
RELATED STORIES:
Fyre Festival promoter arrested again while awaiting sentencing
Promoter of failed Fyre Festival pleads guilty to fraud
Tracy Chapman sues Nicki Minaj for lifting lyrics, melody