US rapper Nicki Minaj has issued an apology to her Amsterdam fans shortly after she was released from police custody in the Netherlands.
Minaj recorded herself being arrested by Dutch officers for allegedly “carrying drugs”, and after her release, she met with supporters outside her hotel in Manchester, England, to express her sorrow that she had to cancel a show that evening part of her “Pink Friday 2 World Tour”.
“I love you, and I’m so sorry this happened tonight,” Minaj said in a video shared by a fan account on social media.
The artiste was due to perform in Manchester on Saturday, but posted on social media platform X that authorities “said they found weed” in her luggage before briefly taking her into custody.
Minaj said the “pre-rolls” belonged to her security guard and that her bags had been searched “without consent.”
The rapper apologised on X to fans for missing the concert, but said she would be back for a second Manchester show on May 30 and that she would be performing in Birmingham on Sunday.
“I’ll find a way to not only make up the date with the performance but I’m going to create an added bonus for everyone that had a tkt (ticket) for this show. Promise,” she wrote.
Known for a bold sartorial style that includes neon costumes and wigs, Minaj — whose hits include “Starships,” “Bang Bang” and “Anaconda” — is considered one of rap’s most influential female artists.
Her brash personality and penchant for controversy have also made her a tabloid fixture, including over a 2018 incident in which rap rival Cardi B threw a shoe at Minaj and allegedly attempted to fight her.
