Nicki Minaj Battles 'Strained Vocal Cords,' Cancels U.K. Fest Set

No one can question Nicki Minaj's dedication to her Barbz and Ken Barbz, but that devotion may have come at a price this weekend when the Young Money rapper was forced to cancel her set at the U.K.'s V Festival after being diagnosed with "strained" vocal cords.

A rep for Minaj told that "despite doctor's orders, she performed on a bruised vocal [cord] in NY on August 14," referring to the thrilling show Nicki staged for fans on Tuesday night at New York City's Roseland Ballroom. That concert was billed as makeup for her canceled Hot 97 Summer Jam set, which was shut down by YMCMB boss Lil Wayne in June after an employee of the radio station made disparaging remarks about Nicki's pop leanings.

"As a result [of that performance], the [cord] has gotten worse. After her most recent xray the doctor advises she rest her voice for a few more days," the rep continued in an e-mail.

The V Festival, under way in Hylands Park and Weston Park in Essex, England, is a two-day fest wrapping up on Sunday (August 19). Among the featured acts are David Guetta, the Killers, LMFAO and Ed Sheeran.

While Minaj is said to be regretful about having to disappoint fans across the pond, her cameo-heavy show on Tuesday (Drake, Lil Wayne and Foxy Brown all turned up) highlighted how far Minaj's stage show has come. In a chat afterward with MTV News, she explained her reason for bringing out veteran female MC Foxy.

"I never really told Foxy how much she has influenced me and how much she changed my life, and you've gotta tell people that when they're alive to even be able to take the compliment, instead of paying tribute to them when they're no longer here," Nicki explained. "I never really knew how she felt about me -- in the industry, with women, you kinda just tread lightly -- and I'm glad I was able to finally come out and say: 'You were the most influential female rapper to me.' "