Rapper Nicki Minaj reveals cousin's murder on Twitter

Nicki Minaj says her cousin Nicholas was killed in Brooklyn on Sunday night

Nicki Minaj's cousin has been murdered near his home in Brooklyn, New York.

The rapper, who is on Britney Spears' Femme Fatale tour of Canada and America at the moment, revealed the news on her Twitter feed.

She said: "My cousin Nicholas. Also goes by Juse, or @brolicalcoholic* Murdered. Last nite. Near his home. Brooklyn, NY.

"Lived in Brooklyn his whole life. My precious cousin. My baby. Killed last nite."

Nick Minaj released her debut album Pink Friday last year on US hip hop star Lil Wayne's record label.

It's since gone platinum, selling more than a million copies.

She made it to number 22 in the UK singles chart with Moment 4 Life featuring Canadian rapper Drake.