Nicki Minaj is determined to remind the world that she is to thank for its renewed interest in Hip-Hop’s ladies.
Ten years after she became an Urban household name, the now world-renowned rapper reflects on the period with XXL in an interview which offers exciting insight into her mind as she readies the release of her next musical era.
My role in hip-hop has been super unique because when my first album came out, there had been so much time where there wasn’t a female rap album out that went platinum. There wasn’t a big female rap presence right before I got in. So, my role was really reintroducing the female rapper to pop culture.
I don’t think [female rappers] got that much credit. I think female rappers have always been dope and influential, but I think I sort of came in at a time where big business was paying attention, so I was able to capitalize off of a lot of deals and business ventures. I aligned myself with a lot of brands, and I was able to show that a female rapper was able to sell products.
Minaj has sold more records (via pure sales) than any other female rapper in chart history but now finds herself tasked with ensuring the next steps she makes in her career ensure her impact on Pop culture is irrefutable.
How? Balance.
The balance between being a credible artist and one who is smart enough to play the industry’s game to ensure her material impacts her fans on a global scale.