Much to the contempt of many of Lil Wayne‘s naysayers, he has risen to become one of entertainment’s elite characters, responsible for birthing the careers of cash cows Nicki Minaj and Drake.
Both signed to his Young Money Entertainment imprint, the last two years has seen the pair join Wayne to become three of Pop’s highest selling acts.
All three of them surpassing the commercial efforts of their respective rivals in recent months.
Now find out why Drake feels that both Rappers have reached icon status and why this inspires him to ‘step it up’, below…
On Lil Wayne’s blockbuster sales for ‘Tha Carter IV‘:
There was no ‘Lollipop’ .There was no ‘A Milli.’
Obviously Wayne kept their attention and kept that excitement going because it takes a lot to put that many people in the stores. That is serious. That’s like diamond in a year, if we’re talking back in the day
Going onto say:
He and Nicki are iconic.
Like Nicki is such a character and Wayne is such a character. There’s people who dress up as them for Halloween. There’s people that talk like them, want to be like them—get tattoos like Wayne, do their hair like Nicki.
I feel like I gotta work harder because these guys are like real icons, stars, and sometimes I feel I gotta step it up a bit.
Though we here at That Grape Juice are all for Mr. ‘Over‘s support for his Young Money family, we can’t help but wonder if he is perhaps confusing the word ‘iconic’ with the word ‘influential’.
Yes, both Carter and Minaj are two of the world’s easily recognizable performers and their impact on recent music is undeniable, but labeling the latter as iconic may be a tad bit premature, especially as she has only has one multi platinum album under her belt.
What do you think?
Are Nicki Minaj And Lil Wayne Icons?
50 COMMENTS
Tehara
October 12, 2011 at 1:17 pm
So i guess that word has completely lost it’s meaning uh ? …Rebecca Black is Iconic .
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Lifee
October 12, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Iconic? lmao
what new thing has she brought to the game when she’s “inspiried” by so many other artist? Instead of bringing back female rap, this record label puppet is digging its grave because she opening doors for the Kreyshawns and other talentless gimmicks.
As for the Wayne comment. Drake get off your knees. Sales don’t make an artist any better. History has shown us that billboard doesn’t equal talent. Wayne haven’t been the same ever since GILLIE THA KID stopped writing for him.
I’m out
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MaZ
October 12, 2011 at 1:19 pm
He was probably IRONIC saying she’s iconic! Nothing with her, her career or her sens of Fashion is iconic. She has a lot to prove! (I’m a fan).
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TWITTER.COM/ESSENCE_OF_SEAN
October 12, 2011 at 1:19 pm
THE WORDS
ICONIC
LEGEND
LEGENDARY
TIMELESS
OF ALL TIME
QUEEN
KING
PRINCE
PRINCESS
ETC
HAVE ALL BEEN LOST. LOL ANYBODY WITH A LIL BIT OF FAME OR THAT IS POPPIN AT A CERTAIN MOMENT ARE THESE THINGS! IT’S SAD. BUT IT’S THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.
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tyra
October 12, 2011 at 1:20 pm
DRAKE IMA NEED YOU TO GET OUTTA NICKI PUSSY FOR A MINUTE
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ASAP (As Sincere As Possible)
October 12, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I’m used to his blatant ass kissing habits, so I won’t even read it because nothing can surprise me.I know his game and how he praises people who can help his career.
The real question is: What is fat, big, wide and powerful enough to make Drake’s mouth do what it does in the picture of the article??
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TWITTER.COM/ESSENCE_OF_SEAN
October 12, 2011 at 1:22 pm
LEGENDS
WHITNEY
JANET
MARIAH
MADONNA
MICHAEL JACKSON
PRINCE
TUPAC
BIGGIE
JAY-Z
LIL KIM
MISSY
LAURYN
NOW
BEYONCE = ICONIC
BRITNEY = ICONIC
LADY GAGA = ICONIC
RIHANNA = ICONIC
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>U Mad.
October 12, 2011 at 1:24 pm
this is the reciper for the nicki haters to do what they do hate,anyways whatever drake meant,i can only see that he was simple giving is label mates props simple as that keep doing yall thing.
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mel
October 12, 2011 at 1:26 pm
lol drake you’re hilarious Nicki is iconic?
Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Prince, Diana Ross, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Britney, Whitney, Janet, Madonna, old school lauryn hill is iconic BUT Bubble gum Minaj isn’t!!!
He needs his head checked, he’s nose been all up in Minaj’s big ass….
I think he’s trying to get some ass from her….
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Lovely
October 12, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Uh, I hate my generation. Sucking the life out of everything!
Nicki is doing her thing, but what has she done that’s iconic? Hell, what has she done that’s going to be remembered? Before Nicki was signed to Young Money, she was a pretty, around the way girl, with polished rap skills, and actually had music with substance. Nicki had to copy and paste someone’s personality, and become a circus act to get noticed, watered down her talent for the fickle masses. She has stated that this whole barbie act wasn’t her, but she’s going to continue doing it because that’s what her fans want. She has the mainstream, no doubt but that audience is very fickle. The second they get tired of her, they’re going to throw her to the side like yesterday’s paper. She won’t be able to capture her urban audience, because she has distanced herself too far away from that. I miss Nicki’s mixtape days. I really do.
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Those That Cannot Do, Stan
October 12, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Misuse of the word icon aside Drake has a point. Wayne and Nicki have made an impact, people line up to have them on their songs and videos. Drake…he really could disappear and after a minute folks would forget about him.
He fades into the background a bit too easilly.
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KWAME
October 12, 2011 at 1:38 pm
DRAKE AKA MR IGNORANT TWAT, YOU’RE ONE OF THE REASON WHY ARTIST DON’T ACTUALLY PROGRESS FURTHER AFTER THEIR DEBUT EFFORT. GET REAL, n****!!!!!!!
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...baa, so I'm obsessed with him......what?
October 12, 2011 at 1:41 pm
“Who the f*ck wants war” *Lil Kim voice*
Now let me get this right, with only one studio CD under her belt Nicki Minaj is now an ICON? Big head, light-skinned Frankenstein looking fool, SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW!!
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...baa, so I'm obsessed with him......what?
October 12, 2011 at 1:46 pm
“Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Prince, Diana Ross, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Britney, Whitney, Janet, Madonna, old school lauryn hill is iconic BUT Bubble gum Minaj isn’t!!!”
*****************
Dude, I was with you until I read those names a bit more carefully!! *side-eye* o_0
MC, MJ, P, M, W, J, LH <—- absolutely!!
B & B are on their way!
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Pop Royalty (RUDE BOY)
October 12, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Nicki minaj is iconic ?!!!!8O
then MY PENIS is legendary !!!
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Lifee
October 12, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I’m back….
@U.MAD- Know te difference between giving propos and just being DELUSIONAL. How iconic can she be with one autotuned-filled POP album? c’mon now…
It doesn’t take a “hater” to know this.
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RHI RHI IS QUEEN
October 12, 2011 at 2:02 pm
NIKKI>>>>KRIMberly
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JohnVidal
October 12, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Sometimes I only think as legendary or iconic Michael, Prince or Whitney (not even my girl Mariah sometimes, maybe cos she is still doing her thing). So no, absolutely not Beyonce or Gaga, and of course not untalented people like Britney or Rihanna. But really Nicki Minaj???????????????????????????????????? You can guess how I feel about it LOLOL
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VA STAND UP!!!
October 12, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I respect Drake as an aritst but I can’t take anything the says seriously, especially when it comes to Lil Gremlin & Nicki cause he is ALWAYS gonng kiss thier asses. It’s his opinion and he is entitled to it but since he reps Young Money you can always bet he is gonna act like they are the greatest rappers walking the earth…even though they are not.
Drake gets on my nerves but I respect the fact that he goes so hard for the people who put him on. He seems loyal, but I wonder if it is always gonna be that way between him and Drake. I see Drake surpasses Wayne in a few years at the rate he is going and I wonder if they will always be as tight. *shrugs*
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busta
October 12, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Saaaaaaaaaaam
Get your quotes true, he actually said “Nicki minaj is Chronic” lmao
and Rihanna is shambolic!!
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The Naked Truth
October 12, 2011 at 2:12 pm
“especially as she has only has one multi platinum album under her belt.”
MULTI PLATINUM??? TGJ We need to see some RECEIPTS!?
And is this Nicki Day….?
I mean I know it’s a slow news day and all, but damn!
all this ASS ASS ASS ASS ASS Kissing and STILL no Interview nor mention by Nicki….
Give it Up!!! #PromNight
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Gilberto
October 12, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Nicki Minaj is far from being iconic. Actually, is she THAT relevant these days? I don’t think so. The only thing Nicki did was swagger jack the Harajuku style which Gwen Stefeani did years before.
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CRAZYWORLD
October 12, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Her album is nit multi platinum lmao
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 2:21 pm
I feel like he is saying that because of the status and popularity nicki has acheived in the game cuz of her establishment as an artist. I mean everyone has their opinions. I don’t agree or disagree. But I will say she is an icon in the urban community since she’s promoted everywhere. As for the whites, not that much. But everyone has their opinions but if you would see how many people have dressed up like nicki, imitated the way she raps on youtube, it isn’t hard to see where Drake is coming from.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@Gilberto harajuku was made by japanese people. Gwen made it popular in the american market, smart ass.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Ppl are seriously deluded if they think gaga isn’t an icon. Beyonce is an icon. So is britney. Nicki is an urban icon. I would say rihanna is an icon but she has never been looked at in a positive light. Her singing is always trashed and so is the way she dresses half naked with no class. But I like rihanna tho. They haven’t been around long enough to be called “legends” but they are legends in the making!
Nicki is a good rapper and she has a fun personality! What is wrong with that? Stop the hate!
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LMAO
October 12, 2011 at 2:31 pm
LMMFAO!!!! Drake has lost his damn mind!!!
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The Naked Truth
October 12, 2011 at 2:31 pm
So it’s “ICONIC” to wear a Pink Chicken Wing necklace? I Fucking CANNOT!!!
More like “ic***ic” to me…..
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Auntie Jackie
October 12, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Yeah, I guess. They are like cartoon characters that distract people from having “okay” music with smoke and mirrors. That’s not always the case for their songs, but everything they do IS NOT epic, especially little wayne in the last four years.
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Army Of Queen A (Aaliyah) & Queen Bee (Lil Kim)
October 12, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Drake First You Said Rick Ross Is A Legendary Rapper Like BIGGIE The This……………………………THE BUFFOONERY ! I CANT !
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Late
October 12, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Why am I the only one who noticed Drake’s “How You Doin’” look in this picture? He’s the king of making funny faces, but this one takes the cake. I see you, Drake!
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JohnVidal
October 12, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@I’ma have to send her to her maker
Sorry but Rihanna and a few more you mentioned are not legends in the making. What they are doing now others have done it decades before, and have they become legends? No. Olivia Newton John or Paula Abdul had great succes with #1 songs, etc and didn´t become legends. For that you need to have HUGE talent, something a little out of this world. That´s why Beatles, Michael, Whitney and not many more can be called LEGENDS. Rihanna is so not going to be one. Hell, Britney is not going to be and you know the succes she had so you can imagine where Rihanna is going to be in people´s minds in a few years
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B_STANNING AND LOVING ADELE
October 12, 2011 at 2:53 pm
NEVER ICONIC SORRY
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@John vidal and that’s where you misread cuz I never said rihanna was a legend I said probably not cuz of certain reasons. Beyonce, gaga, nicki are icons. That’s not the same as legend to me but in a few years or more, believe me someone will be trying to imitate them cuz that’s how life works.
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ASAP (As Sincere As Possible)
October 12, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@I’MA HAVE TO SEND HER TO HER MAKER
With all due respect, I really don’t think Nicki is an urban icon.It’s hard for a female rapper to become an icon, let alone do it in 2 years.She’s not an icon for any audience.I know you’re a fan of hers and I don’t mean to discredit her, but I think her fans, her stans, her peers and her ass-kissers should give her some much needed time to grow as an artist.She may become an icon if she keeps evolving, but isn’t it too early now?We don’t really have to put labels on everyone since their first 2 years in the business
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JohnVidal
October 12, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@I’ma have to send her to her maker
You said they are legends in the making and I refered to that. I explained why they are not going to make it
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MadonnaLover
October 12, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Nicki is not an icon. end of story.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@Johnvidal you acted like I said rih was an icon when that wasn’t that case. @Asap nicki is wining awards from the left to right, one an underground hiphop award and wasn’t even mainstream, has a hardcore fanbase that got pink friday to number one, is constantly in the news, is so powerful rite now that she’s making most female rappers almost irrelevant. And she’s NOT an urban icon?? Really? Cuz any urban website you go to nicki is mentioned. Along with tv.
So u were saying???
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RICHANDBLACK11
October 12, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Hell If Nicki is a icon so is Rihanna.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@asap as for the longevity thing, that’s not important. Like I said she’s established and once you are, you don’t have to prove much other than prove to ppl how long you’ll be around and there’s no telling. She’s the one bringing female hiphop to life. If anyone else was doing it I’d give them their props but no, nicki is the one doing it and drake is acknowledging it.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@richandblack an icon where? Majority agrees she’ll never be at beyonce’s level and she’s too pop to be considered a REAL icon in the urban community and has not made that much of an impact on people, in my opinion. So she’s just another extra. Fill in the blank____ Idk.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
October 12, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I’ll give rihanna her props. She is an icon in the carribean but hardly in america. In america, she’s generic.
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Theman
October 12, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Lol this is a crock of sh*t.
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KAT DELUNA FAN
October 12, 2011 at 4:34 pm
BEYONCE FETUS IS ALSO ICONIC
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ASAP (As Sincere As Possible)
October 12, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@I’MA HAVE TO SEND HER TO HER MAKER
So, just because she’s getting good press that means she’s an icon??An icon is MUCH different than an award winning blog darling.Taylor Swift gets mass coverage and loads of awards.Is she an icon too??Successful =/= Icon.So, you were saying…
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HALF AMAZIN
October 12, 2011 at 6:07 pm
I need Drake to STFU and try to remain relevant HIMSELF cuz who the fuck cares about his ass??? His album pushed back!! And that shameless PR spin about finalizing legal details of samples on the album and that being the reason for the delay is BULLSHIT.COM. Like EVERY rap camp, Young Money will fade into obscurity. Get the $ now tho Drake suckin dick and tellin lies!
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PYTFROMAL
October 12, 2011 at 6:22 pm
The Naked Truth
October 12, 2011 at 2:31 pm
So it’s “ICONIC” to wear a Pink Chicken Wing necklace? I Fucking CANNOT!!!
More like “ic***ic” to me
*************
LMAO @ these comments.
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lovely
October 13, 2011 at 4:52 am
How is Nikki multi platinum when her album is sitting at 1.5. Wayne and Nikki iconin, how are these buffons iconin when they are making a mockery of the black culture.
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swagg
October 13, 2011 at 2:33 pm
lol yea wayne is a icon he been in the game almost 15 and only getting better nicki hell naw she came out a couple months after drake so no…nobody in the game less than 5 years with 1 platinum (not multiplatinum) cd is not an icon
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Malibu Barbie
October 13, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Nicki Minaj is the most overrated and unoriginal female rapper that has ever existed.
she stole gwen stefani, lil kim and lady gaga’s style and now shes being called iconic ??? REALLY ??? shes been out for 2 years and has only one wack ass POP album out..my generation is BULLSHIT. Nicki aint no icon , shes flavor of the month. she aint sittin with no legends. the only person shes sitting with is Kreayshawn and her fellow gimmicks. child PLEASE
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