Irv Gotti: Nicki Minaj Is 'As Talented As Lauryn Hill'
VIBE.COM By: Vibe Posted 7-23-2010 2:49 pm

VIBE: Does Nicki Minaj have what it takes to be a star?

Irv Gotti: The world has yet to see the best of Nicki Minaj. What she's delivering to the world now is basically what they want. But I know that she's a super talented superstar who can do anything at a high level—rap, sing, act, whatever she wants to do. This is just the beginning of Nicki Minaj. Her best is yet to come. In my opinion she is as talented as my other girl Lauryn Hill. They have completely different styles. But as far as the talent is concerned they both can do it all. Nicki just isn't showing it yet 'cause she doesn't want to. But world be prepared 'cause she's the truth!

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Comments 35
glenna says: omg i agree with what irv sed so much nicki is so talented and can do it all but just sorta playing around right now but i cant wait for her abulm she sed its going to be emotional and really for women and speak though stuf women go though
Posted 07-23-2010 03:22 pm
BLASIAN says: What would he know this is the same guy that thought Ashanti was talented *_* and we see where Ashanti at.... Nicki Minaj SUCKS! She can't rap all she does is make those ugly faces and does something with her eyes she look she hears voices in her head she looks CRAZY! If she was a REAL Artist like Irv is saying she wouldn't be doing what EVERYONE else what her to be doing, so by him saying this you can call her a GIMMICK thanks Irv! p.s Lauryn Hill! Lauryn Hill! Lauryn Hill! Not the Lauryn Hill that won 5 grammys is he CRAZY?!
Posted 07-23-2010 03:42 pm
B.A.P says: thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 08-26-2010 09:19 pm
BLASIAN says: *wants*
Posted 07-23-2010 03:43 pm
gwaynold says: check out nikki's old school stuff on youtube before she was signed ... she's actualyl pretty good. .. i haven't heard her sing though. she's definitely nowhere near as talented as kellee maize though ... now SHE'S THE TRUTH and SHE shall set you free.
Posted 07-23-2010 04:09 pm
gwaynold says: just google "female rapper" and see who Google ranks #1. IT aint Nikki minaj and it aint lauren hill.
Posted 07-23-2010 04:13 pm
Scotty says: She's just giving the mainstream audience what they want so that she can build a platform for success. It's really common sense. She's an insanely business minded girl. She did the whole rugged, underground rap circuit for over 6 years and now she's trying to actually gain some notoriety for music. Ain't nothing wrong with that. Step that dick DOWN, like basement status nucca!
Posted 07-23-2010 04:33 pm
SavannahChitlinPimp says: There is something wrong when you compromise your music, your true image, and yourself to become popular. I'm sorry but this chick is a gimmick waiting to run out. You can't build a CAREER off a gimmick. Yes you might make some money in the now. You may have a couple popular records right now. But when the gimmick runs out, you go with it. If Nicki wants to be around, she should make a career off of GOOD MUSIC. All the biggest names in the game, even the two that she rocks with (Drake and Wayne) have built careers off of creating good music, not gimmicks.
Posted 07-24-2010 10:20 am
Scotty says: Since when is mainstream music good music. Don't act brand new now. Every artist sell outs in some sense. It's part of the game. Part of being an artist is staying relevant. Half of the artists who have been here for the past decade or so are nothing like they were when they come out. That's just how it is. "Gimmick" or not.
Posted 07-25-2010 11:50 am
SavannahChitlinPimp says: There is a difference between growing as an artist and doing what's hot right now. Look at someone like LL (who is a legend BTW). But later in his career he wasn't being himself. He was half trying to hold on to his playboy image and half doing songs that sounded to much like he was trying to keep up with the younger cats. Where as someone like Jay-Z (i know typical right) has evolved in his life and grown as a man. And that is thoroughly represented in the music he creates. And mainstream music can be good. But it depends on what people like you and me are willing to accept.
Posted 07-25-2010 12:39 pm
B.A.P says: WHAT!!!!!!!!
Posted 08-26-2010 09:27 pm
SavannahChitlinPimp says: Lauryn Hill is a excellent mc who would roast most guys. She has a beautiful voice without auto tune. She has five Grammys (first female to pull of this feat). She was essential in the creation of two hip hop classics (The Score and Miseducation.) And she never had to "just give the mainstream audience what they want" (aka dumbing down your lyrics and coming up ridiculous songs and gimmicks to get on.) Nicki has not and will not ever be on a level of Lauryn Hill vocally, lyrically or performance wise. I don't even know how this comparison happened. Nicki hasn't so much as dropped an album and Irv is comparing her to a woman that stayed true to her music and herself and STILL sold 8 million records in the US alone with Miseducation. Sounds like Irv's just jumping on the bandwagon. And y'all just eating all this up
Posted 07-24-2010 10:12 am
Scotty says: If that was directed towards me, I never brought up Lauryn Hill once. I just said what I said and what I said was true. I like how the word gimmick is being thrown about as if so many any artists don't have a certain image or "persona" they try and create and live up to everyday. Same thing. She's just a female, so she get's hate. But she's getting that young money, so that's all that matters nucca.
Posted 07-24-2010 10:15 am
SavannahChitlinPimp says: That's a horrible, but typical comeback. "She's getting money." I'm a music fan kid! I could care less about the money she CLAIMS to be getting. I care about what the music sounds like. And do you know the definition of a gimmick? Maybe you should look it up because that is exactly what Nicki's whole I'm a bi-sexual (but not really) schizophrenic Barbie is. It has no purpose but to say "look at me, I'm different right?" And the overall article was on Nicki and Lauryn Hill comparison. So I commented as such. Your quote just was added to further my point.
Posted 07-24-2010 10:28 am
Scotty says: Like I said, she's getting that paper. It's cute that you're for the music but at the end of the day if you're truly hungry, you're gonna go after that money. Money makes the world go round. I'd rather be ballin than sitting in my basement listening to other people's music, just sayin.
Posted 07-25-2010 11:45 am
SavannahChitlinPimp says: Talking to people like you is useless because you're one of those people that believes if it makes money it's all good. So there is no reason in even talking any further to you as a music fan. Because you are still blinded by the riches these rappers claim to have but do not. And when has being a music fan and listening to great music and wanting great music been looked down upon. Yes money is good and necessary, but selling your soul and being someone your not is unacceptable in my eyes. A TRULY hungry person would find a way to take THEIR SOUND, THEIR PERSONALITY, THEIR TRUE SELVES, and make it in the game. Alicia Keys didn't go and get naked and do a song with Lil Jon when she came out. She stayed true to herself and sold more records than Miss Minaj could ever wish to. So if I had to choose between staying true and building a long, lucrative career doing great music or "ballin" now off some flash in the pan gimmick and half cooked songs and then falling off a year later, which do you think would be a smarter decision?
Posted 07-25-2010 12:28 pm
Scotty says: I hate to break it to you but that's not how the world works. I'm just thinking rationally and logically. If you want to make money or be a serious entertainer, you have to cater to the masses. We're living in a time period where pretty much everything has been done already. I'm referring to music, film, television, fashion, etc. We, as human beings, have naturally exhausted ourselves. Sure, there are some new and creative things but for the most part everything is being rehashed. I'm not saying you and or anyone has to conform to what's commercial. I happen to like Nicki Minaj. She's from where I'm from, she fresh, she's cute and she's doing her thing. I'm not saying you have to like her or listen to her music but just understand that there's more behind a "gimmick" than it may seem. And as for Alicia, she sold out when she got engaged to the Devil.
Posted 07-26-2010 02:05 pm
Y.U.PissMeOff says: White CEO, "I bet you 1 million buck that I can make fun of black people and they'll buy it." Cracka CEO, "Let me get this straight. You think you can make fun of those niggers, to their face, and have them PURCHASE the joke?" White CEO, "I not only will I have them buy it, but have them JUSTIFY it as good music. All while making a killing. All I have to do is put in their head that these FELLOW black faced coons are making enough money to get out of the GHETTO. You see niggers like to project THEIR life onto anything that resembles them in anyway no matter how terrible that person looks or sounds." Cracka CEO, "Well then, your on. But you have to sell 1 million records while making fun of the way they look, dress, act, and rap." White CEO, "It's too easy. The boys and I have have already made a list of things we find funny about their culture that we can... how should I say... imitate. Just pull a few strings at the radio station, and waa laaa." Craka CEO, "Wait, where will you get a nigger to go along with this?" White CEO, "There are some niggers so poor they'll sell their own soul plus throw in their gandma's corpse for a dollar. And the sad thing is, even after we throw them a little bit of change, they'll still be poor compared to us." They laugh hysterically.
Posted 07-28-2010 10:50 pm
B.A.P says: Thank .... Lauryn hill can lay her down at night , can nicki say the same NO!!!!!!
Posted 08-26-2010 09:37 pm
makedakaluwa says: This nicca is smokin' or he think we're smokin' to believe such a BIG FAT LIE as this!!! She is not on the level of L-Boogie, and for him to say such is straight BLASPHEMOUS!!!
Posted 07-24-2010 03:11 pm
star says: WTFFFFF!!!!!!!!!! that comment makes just HATE Nicki now!! -_- What the hell is Irv thinking??? SERIOUSLY!! Lauryn Hill is better than 99.9% of these male "rappers" yet alone some Nicki!! hmph!
Posted 07-24-2010 05:49 pm
HIP HOPS WIFE PINKY says: ok now IRV GOTTI has lost all his marbles for real. nicki compared to l boogie?? is he fucking nuts. how dare he a hooker to a queen? mofo im insulted for Lauryn Hill women work to damn hard to get their status in this game to be compared to whores its not only disrespectful its since less dude is a ass whole i dont care if we seen the best of the bitch or not. never ever will she repair her image of pussy for sale what is her talent again? lol HAAAAA! bastard
Posted 07-25-2010 01:25 am
Reel Talk says: I knew Irv Gotti was a little "off"...but DAMN. The NJ Nets will will a championship before anyone with a brain considers the bullshit he's shoveling. Niggaz'll say anything these days; I guess that's what happens after you've sold your soul. There's no way on God's green Earth Nicki Minaj is as talented as Lauryn Hill. As a matter of fact, there aren't many entertainers as a WHOLE who are as multi-talented as Lauryn Hill. Did you forget she acts, raps, sings, plays instruments, ghost-writes, etc....SOMEBODY TALK TO IRV GOTTI!!!!! WTH is going on in this world son? Somebody squeeze some sense into Irv's big fat titts
Posted 07-25-2010 03:37 am
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Posted 07-26-2010 01:38 am
bibo says: Nick she the real shit
Posted 07-26-2010 08:47 am
zhazha says: Im from the UK there's NO comparison between L Hill and Nikki... Most men over here look at Nikki's fake body first then her music 'cause she a pretty face... Lauryn is dark skinned, skinny doesn't have a big ass and has natural hair and she still managed to capture the ears and hearts of the entire world... did only album and it still gets played and people still want her to come back... I think theese comparisions are being made to create more publicity for Nikki ... come on peeps we're killing real music man..
Posted 07-26-2010 09:28 am
Jess says: I feel like it's the year for female rappers! I really like how each female rapper is making themselves stand out by a type of persona or really bringing what they love in the music. For example, one of Nicki's biggest influence is Japanese culture, and another female rapper on the rise, Kellee Maize, has a lot of spiritual references. These ladies are individualizing themselves and changing the rap game, I love it!
Posted 07-26-2010 11:28 am
Challe Brown says: Comparinng Nicki Manaj to Lil' Kim, Yes, I can see that comparision. Comparing Nicki to one of the greatest femaile rappers, Lauryn Hill. Are you kidding me???? Irv needs a whole supporting 10 page thesis on why he feels the he does for me to even sorda open my mind to his statement. BLASPHEMY @ it's finiest!!!!!!!!
Posted 07-26-2010 01:19 pm
I was right!!!! says: Blacks are just like crabs, always pulling each other down. Nicki VS Lauryn. Ha Funny! Michael VS Price etc and the list goes on and on..... That is why you black people can't get ahead, always pulling eachother down. Peace My 2-cents= both are not is the same calibar but very entertaning.
Posted 07-26-2010 03:46 pm
Jaye says: I just doon't see how u can compare the 2, they rap about completely different things. But if this comment makes you hate Nicki, then something is wrong with you! This reminds me of when Flex gave Nicki the infamous and imaginary crown, to be the Queen of Hip-Hop. Everyone attacked Nicki for it and not Flex!! On a basic level i can see what he means they both act/sing/rap, that's where it ends. Nicki is a budding artist so its not fair to compare the two. I love Lauryn to me she is the queen of hip-hop (not plastic face kim); I love Nicki. Loving Nicki doesn't make me less educated in hip hop, and loving Lauryn doesn't make me a solider for the "cause". I just hate when I see publications printing things to breed a backlash for Nicki knowing damn well what they're doing. Attack Irv not Nicki.
Posted 07-27-2010 05:05 am
sally says: i feel what the person above me is saying about people saying stuff good about nicki then everybody getting mad at nicki like PEOPLE NICKI HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS COMMENT .. and i hate how people calling nicki a gimmick for being sorta weird and bisexual ..ppl she was bi before she was famous watch some of her old interviews she actually toned down thee gay stuff and she sed before when she first started off the guy she worked with told her to rap hardcore and nasty and serious but that wasnt her personalitly so when she left him she started rapping how she wanted to &being her self she went to school for acting so she like changing her voice ..she not a serious person she very sacastic and fun ..shes girly which is what barbie means and the peoplewho no her say she be having mood swings alot like being happy one mintue then not and all thes personatily traits shows in her music so how is she a gimmick if that is a gimmick i can say lauryn was a gimmick becuse she was out the same time around kim and foxy and decided if she wanted to be sucessful she would have to be the oppostie i dont understand how you call nicki a gimmick for being different but dont call lauryn a gimmick when she was diffrent then wat the other female rappers was doing and people he not comparing them hes not saying nicki is lauryn hill he sed nicki can act rap and sing and lauryn can rap act and sing thats all hes saying actrually read what he saying z nicki and lauryn are on two totally different levels nicki fun and sorta popish lauryn is more serious and soulful all hes saying is that they can both sing rap and act
Posted 07-27-2010 01:38 pm
The 10th Planet says: Sally your momma needs to be talked to by the authorities for raising you wrong, cuz I know damn well she bought that Lauryn Hill CD. She saw the credits. GIMMICKS DON'T WRITE AND PRODUCE THEIR OWN SHIT! She should smack the taste out your mouth for blaspheming on Ms. Hill. That shit doesn't prove your point LITTLE GIRL. Who am I kidding? I could barley read what you wrote because it's clear you weren't shit in school (U need Sylvan learning center). I'll leave you with this Lauryn Hill song~~~~Showing off your ass 'cause you're thinking it's a trend Girlfriend, let me break it down for you AGAIN You know I only say it 'cause I'm truly genuine~~ Don't be a hardrock when you're really a gem Babygirl, respect is just a minimum... ...Now Lauryn is only human Don't think I haven't been through the same predicament~~ Let it sit inside your head like a million women in Philly, Penn. It's silly when girls sell their soul because it's IN~~ Look at where you be in hair weaves like Europeans Fake nails done by Koreans~~ Come AGAIN
Posted 07-28-2010 11:06 pm
bbbb says: FAIL "she hasn't shown us what she can do cause she doesn't want to" wtf? no one is that good to be like im gonna put out bullsh** cause I don't feel like being good. Irv is basically admitting that she sucks right now but wait till later who has that kind f time? Some of us thought certain artist woould be out forever but sadly that hardly happens. I get it you males like her parts and face totally c y but I don't think I'll EVER EVER hear a man killin his speakers with a nikki minaj cd lets just be honest. Irv don't ever compare someone who says "when I was a geshia he was a samurai, somehow i understood him when he spoke thai" (your love) ??? I tried to get into it but its not workin.
Posted 07-29-2010 06:26 pm
xxxplicit says: What the What? gtfoh with that trash! www.sportsandmusik.com
Posted 07-29-2010 09:21 pm
M says: AS TALENTED AS LAURYN HILL ? BWAHHAHAHAHAHA some good cocaine he's been taking
Posted 08-05-2010 11:43 am
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