Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, & More To Record An Album For Japan + Rihanna Advised To Cancel U.S. Tour Dates Due To Low Sales

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna are among a growing list of celebs participating in a benefit album to raise money for Japan.  Get the deets on the album and Rihanna's sluggish ticket sales inside...

Rihanna and Nicki Minaj have joined a long list of high-profile celebs to be featured on Universal Music's digital-only benefit album for Japan.
Nicki and RiRi will be in great company as Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and U2 are all expected to participate in the project, which is expected to drop at the end of this week. All proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross.
I think it's great to see artists waiving their royalties to help rebuild ravaged areas. As of now, the March 11 earthquake and tsunami left at least 21,000 people dead or missing.
By the way, Rih and Nicki's "Fly" video is set to be released Memorial Day weekend.
Also in Rihanna news....

She may have one of the bestselling albums in the world, but it doesn't mean she can fill an arena like Janet or Madonna or even Beyonce.  In fact, RiRi is reportedly having a hard time selling tix for dates for her LOUD tour in the US.
The New York Post reports that for her upcoming Boston tour date with Cee-Lo Green, only 3,700 tickets have been sold but she needs to sell at least 15,000 to break even. As of now, the Boston concert expects more than a half-million dollars in losses. 
But despite slow tour sales, RiRi did not budge on her diva demands.  Sources say she has a huge list of demands and needs, which is fine...when you are selling tickets and making money.
Sources also say Rihanna has been advised by her day-to-day manager, Jay Brown, to cancel some domestic dates on her "Loud" tour.

"It has been a big disappointment," our source said to Page Six.  "The ticket sales in big US cities like Boston are so bad, they will barely cover basics like the lighting and other arena costs. Tour managers are begging local radio stations to do giveaways."

So what's the problem?  One insider said, "She should've been doing theaters and smaller venues. She's not ready to headline an arena tour."

EXTRAS:
1.  Nate Dogg's funeral services and a benefit planned for Saturday.  Story.

Source: TheYBF