Nicki Minaj To Debut New Music On 'SNL' Finale, Embark On Global Arena Tour

Nicki Minaj delighted fans earlier this month when she dropped "Barbie Tingz" and "Chun-Li," her first singles since 2017 and a preview of her upcoming fourth studio album. Last night, she further stoked anticipation for the new project by teasing a globe-spanning arena tour and announcing she'll debut a new song during her Saturday Night Live performance on May 19.

Minaj shared the news on Twitter, where she regularly engages with her 21.3 million followers. She hyped the upcoming arena tour as a must-see event, as it will mark her first extended outing since she wrapped up The Pinkprint Tour in early 2016. "If u miss it, don't be mad at Chun. Be mad at YOU! Chun gave u ALLLL the time in the world," she wrote.

The New York MC confirmed she's already finalized the tour dates and will hit the United States first before visiting the rest of the globe. Apparently, fans who catch her worldwide trek are in for a special treat.

"US first. Then ALL AROUND THE WORLD. BUT THERE'S another surprise you won't know. Bwahaaahahaaaaaa. The ones at the tour will be elevated to Team Minaj ELITE," she tweeted. "Yes, I'm leaning towards M&G's [Meet and Greets]. Only cuz my babies been so patient. But pls don't hold me to it."

Minaj also shared a few details about songs off her upcoming fourth studio album, which still does not have a title or release date. The rapper said she'll perform the opening track, which she called her "fave on the album," on the SNL season finale, where she'll star alongside host Tina Fey. The album, whenever it does come out, will mark Minaj's first full-length since 2014's The Pinkprint, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

The announcement comes at an auspicious time for Minaj, as the rapper returned to the Billboard Top 10 this week with "Chun-Li." The track leapt from No. 92 to No. 10 this week, marking Minaj's 16th Top 10 entry and the biggest Hot 100 jump since Katy Perry's "Roar" skyrocketed from No. 85 to No. 2 in 2013, according to Billboard.

The success of "Chun-Li" follows a relatively dormant commercial period for Minaj, who failed to make a splash in March 2017 when she released three simultaneous singles: "Regret in Your Tears," "No Frauds" and "Changed It." But if the rapper maintains her current chart grip and social media buzz, she can reverse her career narrative and turn the release of her fourth studio album into a truly momentous event.