A $250,000 promotional allowance was not enough to cover the planned New York rollout for Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2, according to an email submitted as evidence in an ongoing lawsuit over unpaid production costs.
In the alleged November 29, 2023 email, a member of Minaj’s team described Republic Records’ $250,000 allowance as “extremely low” and estimated that the promotional week would cost at least twice that amount, according to TMZ.
The email said hotels and transportation could consume the entire allowance before several other planned expenses were covered. Six days of photography and videography were budgeted at $18,000, while a seamstress or tailor was expected to cost another $4,200.
Those messages are now part of 24/7 Productions’ lawsuit against Minaj and Pink Friday Productions LLC. The company says it advanced money for production, travel and other services connected to Minaj’s late-2023 Jingle Ball appearances and the Pink Friday 2 rollout but was not fully reimbursed.
The Email Estimated the New York Promo Week Could Cost More Than $500,000
The team member wrote that the Republic allowance would cover only part of the planned spending and estimated that the New York promotional period would cost “at least double” the $250,000 figure.
Photography and videography were budgeted at $3,000 per day for six days, while tailoring was priced at $700 per day over the same period. The email also questioned whether a $10,000 rider allowance was sufficient, noting that Minaj’s normal air-travel rider could exceed $2,000 for each leg even without her son traveling with her.
TMZ reports that 24/7 Productions submitted the messages to support its argument that the scale of the expenses was understood while the events were being planned. Republic Records is not reported to be a party to the lawsuit, and the email does not establish that the label agreed to pay costs beyond the stated allowance.
24/7 Productions Is Seeking More Than $275,000
24/7 Productions filed suit in March over work connected to Minaj’s 2023 Jingle Ball appearances and the promotional campaign surrounding Pink Friday 2. The company says it handled services including travel logistics, staffing, security, production management, lighting and transportation.
AllHipHop, citing the complaint, reported that 24/7 advanced more than $255,000 from its own funds and is seeking $275,149.62 in alleged unpaid advances and related expenses, plus interest and court costs.
The complaint also alleges that budgets were submitted to Minaj’s team before the work took place and that invoices later went unpaid. 24/7 argues that Minaj personally benefited from the services in addition to Pink Friday Productions.
The dispute grew out of a particularly busy period for Minaj. Pink Friday 2 was released on December 8, 2023, following promotional appearances and Jingle Ball commitments in the weeks surrounding its launch.
Minaj Says She Is Not Personally Responsible for the Alleged Debt
Minaj asked a New York judge in July to dismiss the claims against her personally. Her filing argues that the contract identified by 24/7 was with Pink Friday Productions LLC and that she did not individually hire the production company.
Her position focuses on the distinction between Minaj and her company rather than treating the existence of every underlying expense as the central issue. She also requested attorney’s fees associated with defending herself against the personal claims, according to TMZ.
24/7 maintains that Minaj should remain in the case because it says she personally received the benefit of the services. The lawsuit remains active in New York Supreme Court with 24/7 Productions, Pink Friday Productions LLC and Minaj listed as parties.
Pink Friday 2 went on to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, earning 228,000 equivalent album units in its opening week and giving Minaj her third chart-topping album.