5 Things We Learned From Nicki Minaj's 'Fader' Interview
Just when you thought the return of Remy Ma might have put a damper on Nicki Minaj’s trajectory, the international sensation comes out swinging. (Or should we say, “birthing b*tches” because "winning is her protocol"?) Clearly, Queen Nick still reigns supreme, remaining the most relevant female rapper in the world since she stepped foot in the game as Young Money's femme fatale.
The outspoken rapper took some time from her busy schedule to sit with The Fader for their Fall Fashion Issue and discuss the highs and lows of fame. Check out the five things we learned from Nicki Minaj’s informative interview.
Click next to get the deets on Minaj's cover story.
Photo Credit(s): Joao Canziani/ The Fader
1. There is more to Onika Maraj. She is not just a rapper. In a male-dominated industry, she is carving her rightful spot as HBIC.
"...Every time I do a business venture of something that isn't the norm for a female rapper, I pat myself on the back. It's important that corporate America can see a young black woman being able to sell things outside of music... A female rapper! With HSN!"
2. Minaj addressed some accusations during her BET Awards acceptance speech but quickly shut them down stating, "When you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it." So there you have it, authenticity is a part of her brand.
"My point of saying what I said was that women need to have a perspective. If we're out here saying that we're so confident, and we're so this and so that, but we don't even trust ourselves to write down our owns thoughts and spit it on a beat? It just doesn't add up."
3. When her Barbz speak, she listens. After all, without their love and support, she couldn't have made it to such an international level of stardom. So if they want that old mixtape Nicki back, she just may consider it.
"For my diehard fans from five or six years ago."
4. Remember the near death experience she spoke about during her BET Awards speech? She meant mentally, not physically; the circumstances of celebrity—the crash and burn. Minaj finds industry leaders to be dream killers, especially when it comes to self-esteem. To make it out alive, all you can do is stay away from the hype and do you.
"I was making a point to say that the business kills so many people and we don't even realize it. I can only imagine how many people in this business have died because they may not have wanted to...to be embarrassed publicly. We care so much about what the world thinks that we don't live, really."
5. Although she enjoys the limelight, family is her biggest priority. When it comes to speaking about her own, she gets very emotional, especially when it comes to her youngest brother Micaiah, as she's sacrificed a lot to pursue her dream.
"One day he asked my mother, 'Do you ever think there'll come a time we all live in the same house again, and Onika will be back and she'll have her room, and I'll have my room? And it just broke my heart."
