Dancehall luminary Pamputtae has made history as the premier Jamaican artist to grace Nicki Minaj’s acclaimed Pink Friday 2 tour, marking her esteemed Gag City debut in Toronto, Canada this past Tuesday evening. The dynamic artist had previously expressed her eagerness to join Minaj's tour in February, and her aspiration culminated with an electrifying performance as the opening act for the Trinidadian-born superstar.
Draped in vibrant hot pink attire reminiscent of several devoted Barbs (and proudly adorned with the Jamaican flag), Pamputtae made the most of her brief stage time by delivering two compelling tracks, including her seminal 2008 hit, “It Good.”
Addressing the crowd, she rallied, “I need all of you guys to follow Pamputtae…” before seamlessly transitioning into her verse for Minaj's “Fine Nine Remix.” “I just want to take the time out to big up Nicki Minaj. Pamputtae from outta Kingston, Jamaica, a single mother of two boys and I come to kill it. Drop the track.”
Pamputtae joins a prestigious roster of artists such as JT, Bia, Tyga, 50 Cent, Jeremih, and the main guest Monica who have graced the Pink Friday 2 tour. Furthermore, superstar Drake made his Gag City debut that same evening, delighting the audience with a performance of "Needle" alongside Minaj, a track that cleverly incorporates lyrics from Beenie Man's “Wickedest Slam.”
Pamputtae and Minaj’s initial connection occurred in September 2021 when Minaj publicly endorsed Pamputtae's music on Instagram, leading to a surge of new followers for the "Ride It" deejay. This pivotal moment was followed by Pamputtae’s inclusion on the “Fine Nine Remix,” an all-female rendition of Skeng's 2022 hit “Likkle Miss.”
Reflecting on the impact of the track in a 2023 feature with BBC 1Xtra's Seani B, Pamputtae shared, “I’ve had more interviews, more shows, and whole heap more people see me – international people, too, see the things and follow the thing and go look up pon Pamputtae and see all of the things weh mi been a do from back then till now…” Considering Minaj’s expressed desire to incorporate Caribbean dates into her sold-out tour, it is likely that more Jamaican talents will join this prestigious lineup in the future.
Participating in Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 tour represents a significant milestone in Pamputtae’s career, highlighting her remarkable rise and international recognition. This groundbreaking opportunity not only showcases Pamputtae’s musical prowess and captivating stage presence but also signifies her growing influence within the dancehall and reggae community. By sharing the stage with global icons like Nicki Minaj and captivating audiences worldwide, Pamputtae is setting a new standard for Jamaican artists and solidifying her position as a formidable talent in contemporary music. This momentous achievement underscores Pamputtae’s perseverance, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit, opening doors to new opportunities and propelling her towards continued success and acclaim in the music industry. Congratulations Pamputtae!!
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Photo Credits: Contributed - Pamputtae Official IG
