Lauryn Hill Defends Nicki Minaj's Summer Jam Decision

Despite the slew of conflicts and not-so subtly deployed insults generated by Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg's comments of Nicki Minaj's "Starships," it is nice to know that yesterday's (Sun., Jun 3) Summer Jam fostered at least one inter-artist friendship.

Lauryn Hill, who stepped up to fill the deserted slot with a phenomenal surprise performance alongside, Nas, took to Twitter in the aftermath of the show to clear up scheduling rumors and lend her support to the fellow Young Money rapstress's decision to walk away with integrity.

"" No disrespect to Nicki, but I need to clear up an inaccuracy. I was not scheduled to be a special guest on her set at Summer Jam, I was invited by Nas to perform with him. 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. We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music, while giving artists their proper respect. This cannot be done while taking their contributions for granted, or trying to control the scope of their growth and power through threats and fear tactics. We can do better than this, there is a better way, or else 'we' (the proverbial we) find ourselves in danger of being hypocrites!!! Ms. Lauryn Hill ""
Tweet this

Minaj quickly took to Twitter to touch on Hill's words. "Thank u Lauryn. Nas was coming out on my set, u were coming out 2 perform w/him. That was within my set that was going to 2 continue w/foxy." Minaj tweeted. "Coming from Lauryn it means the world. No one deserves this treatment. We're all out here working. Have respect for your guests. #thatisall"

Although audiences praised stellar performances by J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, Young Jeezy and others, the most deafening roar at this year's Summer Jam came from the echoing silence of Nicki's absence.