New York school official invites Nicki Minaj to visit after alma mater snub

Rapper Nicki Minaj has been invited to speak to students at a New York high school after her request to return to her alma mater was snubbed last week (ends12Sep14).

The Anaconda hitmaker, who was raised in the rough neighbourhood of Jamaica, Queens, recently approached officials at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and offered to make an appearance as part of a treat for kids, but she was turned down.

In a message on Twitter.com, she wrote, "I wanted to go back to my HS and speak to the students but the new principal declined. No need for me to inspire them, I guess. Smh (shake my head)".

She added, "That school changed my life and I wanted to pay it forward to the students there now. I was really looking forward to it."

A representative for the school and its principal Dr. Lisa Mars has since cleared up the reports, insisting Minaj's offer was rejected as she wanted to bring a film crew with her to document the visit, which would be in violation of the New York City Department of Education's child privacy policies.

The public snub has since inspired Hempstead Board of Education president Lamont Johnson to reach out to Minaj, offering her the opportunity to stop by Hempstead High instead.

Johnson says, "Hempstead School District, which has had some recent hardships, feels it (a visit by Minaj) would be a boost to their students... We have several challenges and I want our children to believe and to feel that they have a chance...

"I think she's a person that's shown that she didn't forget where she's from and I think Hempstead schools are similar to the area that she came from."