Lauryn Hill supports Nicki Minaj's Summer Jam walk-out

Lauryn Hill has defended Nicki Minaj after she withdrew from a hip-hop festival in New Jersey on Sunday (03Jun12), insisting she supports "artists standing by their beliefs".

The Super Bass hitmaker was due to headline Hot 97's Summer Jam at the weekend but her appearance was axed by her label boss Lil Wayne after the radio station's presenter Peter Rosenberg poked fun at Minaj's hit song Starships onstage.

Rapper Nas and Lauryn Hill took over the headlining slot, prompting a backlash from fans who accused the former Fugees frontwoman of stealing Nicki Minaj's spotlight after she invited Lauryn Hill as her special guest.

Lauryn Hill has now taken to Twitter.com to set the record straight and to pledge her support for Nicki Minaj.

In a tweeted statement, the Everything Is Everything hitmaker explains, "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."

She adds, "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."