Tue 7 Sep 2010
Nicki Minaj defends her grind: “I’m not gonna feel guilty for anything I’m getting now”
Posted by Miss Info under concerts , for fashion-hounds and obsessive consumers , photos , quotes , videos[57] Comments
(Nicki Minaj in a leather jumpsuit at ATL’s Club Traxx)
Nicki Minaj was in Atlanta over the weekend for their annual gay-”Pride Weekend” (see photos after the jump) and called DJ Drama to chat on his Hot107.9 show. Nicki talked about her hectic schedule, her verse on Kanye’s “Monster,” her and Drake’s twitter-marriage prank, and the recent BET doc on female emcee’s (“My Mic Sound Nice,”)….
DJ Drama talks to Nicki Minaj by miss info
“[I turned on the show right when they started talking about me, and I heard] ‘Yeah. they just Kim Kardashian with a mic in her hand,’…it’s funny in the black community, when you get popular, people forget that you were an underground struggling artist at one time. I saw so many of these girls saying stuff, ‘We grindin’,‘….
Boo, I grinded for the past 7 years of my life and I’m not gonna feel guilty for anything I’m getting right now. They’re just uneducated about how many dues I’ve paid…..but I love that I was talked about on the show.“
Zing. It would be foolish for anyone to claim she hasn’t worked hard for her spot whether you like her work or not.
Meanwhile, Nicki will be one of the main draws (for me at least) at this weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards….
Watch her VMA promo, see photos/video from her Atlanta Pride Weekend gigs, and more….
after the jump
Nicki’s performance at Club Traxx in Atlanta for Pride Weekend.
(photos via PrinceWilliams/ATLPics)
Nicki’s VMA promo clip….Pleasantville reference?
(Unrelated/Related: I was thoroughly confused about this new MTV press release I got today which hallelujah’ed this lineup: “CHER, ELLEN DEGENERES, KATY PERRY, THE “JERSEY SHORE” CAST, ROSARIO DAWSON, THE CAST OF “GLEE,” CHRIS PINE, THE CAST OF JACKASS, KIM KARDASHIAN, JOE MANGANIELLO of “TRUE BLOOD,” RICK ROSS AND ROMEO OF AVENTURA TO APPEAR AT THE “2010 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS”…..um, Cher? Maybe Cher will do like a handing off of the “sheer bodysuit” torch to Katy Perry….that should be drag-alicious. Also….I feel like I’ve asked this before, wtf is Aventura?)
September 7th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Isnt aventura a spanish male group?
I belive so…but i could be wrong lol
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Miss Info Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
that is the worst press release of all time.
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September 7th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Aventura is the Latin bachata music band. Literally shut it down. Ladies go crazy for these guys. Don’t mind me tho, while I’m Rican, I hate the weird hustla/street references they make lol. But they do get that money, and usually when they drip their album, damn near every song is a top 10 Latin single lol. New York/New Jersey infamous.
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Miss Info Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
thank you. now I have a clue. However….still…..worst press release ever.
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k-dubb Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
I dont follow those dudes but I read that they are something the the only group of any kind of music that sold out MSG for a few nights straight. (dont know how many) Madonna & them all! Thats kinda big. They got the Ladies on lock, I give them that. (The DR Chicks go nuts for them from what I saw!)
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k-dubb Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
…on another note, are the backshot pics for us to see the booty pads?
September 7th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
…funny I thought the words towards Nicki were more positive on the BET program then she makes them sound. The fact is she IS unproven in the grand scheme of things yes she’s hot NOW but that’s while no album so their is a right to question what her real imprint in the game will be.
I don’t think anyone questioned her grind but merely asked legitimate questions about her in relation to the many other deserving MC’s out there.
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Miss Info Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
seems like she went off on a different tangent by mentioning how she hears other females complain that they’ve been grinding….
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Nightfall Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Yeah. I think she’s been pretty humble and hasn’t really spazzed out on the topic, not counting her “monster” verse, so it’s only a matter of time.
I think both her and Drake hold a lot in regarding the shots they received (some just some unjust)….
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September 7th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Funny thing is they weren’t talking about her working hard on that special. They were talking about the actual talent she brings to the table (or lack thereof). I thought the “Kim Kardashian with a mic” analogy was appropriate. She basically getting by on her looks and “unique” personality. That’s what was being said. Funny, everyone always goes to the “they’re just haters” defense when they know what was being said is true.
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NoNo Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
“They’re just haters” is a just a tired phrase that’s used when you don’t want to really reflect on what the person said. Everyone is a “stan” or a “hater” these days and you can’t be in-between. Nobody can be a respectful critic these days. SMDH
Nicki Minaj is cool to me. I think she’s fun and sometimes I can even love her. But if she came out when Missy, Kim, Foxy and Eve were dropping albums regularly (around 1998-2003), she wouldn’t be getting this sort of attention.
And I see a lot of Kim (wigs, Barbie, vampiness), Missy (crazy videos) and others in her.
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I B Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
I feel what you saying but I think Missy elliot is way overated. Those timbo beats carried her through out her career
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kamar Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
I don’t understand wjy people don’t accept nicki she is very talented and your a fool to say she’s not …regardless she will keep going and people will keep hating because that’s what is. She is not in the game because of her looks if y’all actually listen you might learn something …but like she says if she don’t make it all the female aspiring rappers can book it.
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SavannahChitlinPimp Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 6:58 am
wtf am I gonna learn from Nicki’s lyrics? And it’s funny how you resorted exactly to what I was talking about. I’m a hater and a fool. Wow, that’s original. And as for that female rapper propaganda people are trying to use, gtfoh. There was femcees before her and there will be one’s after her. Female rap don’t end if/when Nicki flops.
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September 7th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
How is calling her Kim Kardashian with a mic an insult ?
You get back what energy you put out.
If anything its insulting to Kim at least that chick is a established brand smh
I hope she sells a lot of records not for all women emcees, but for herself, cause when this 15 min is over its gonna suck like a white blonde bimbo over 30 still trying to get into the (it) club in LA lls
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DC Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:34 am
But for what tho? She famous for nothing basically…Kim Kardashian is the most overrated chick ever. Nothing special about her…plus now she starting to look just like Lil Kim. Nicki is a musician..so,i believe its an insult getting compared to someone who has no talent or personality..hell,even Kims sextape was wack..
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mustafa Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
every negative thing you just said about Kim is exactly what people are saying about NM. You actually just made my point.
As for Kim she maximize everything that happen and built a career for herself, where her money makes more money for her. If anything i’d place her above NM. Nicki she plays a barbie doll bimbo Kim plays the role of a mogul. You make the call homie I’ll take the mogul and if your a black athlete the K name seems to be bit of a good luck charm (Superbowl, NBA finals)
SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT
that pussy has championship written on it smh
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DC Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
If you believe Kim K is the reason a team will win a championship, I got some magic beans to sell you (grabs bag of pinto beans out the cabinet). Kim K is no good luck charm sir..she married a guy who aint had a bit of luck since he wifed her or divorced her..dated Ray J,he aint have much success either..Nick Cannon at the time & Nick Lachey either. There is only one guy that she dated that won something (Reggie Bush). Khloe started dating Lamar when he was a champ already,that dont count. Thats athletes hard work..not anything to do with her. So,If this guy she dates and the Cowboys doesnt win one, will yall STFU about that?
Now,back to Nicki…shes an artist,homie..not putting out sextapes, not leaning on popularity of other celebs,just a woman that started out underground and grinded her way to the top..dont even have an album out yet and she caked up. Kim K damn near prostitutes herself for what she got. Say what you will about her annoying voice or whatever you dont like..her flow is different. All yall can say is “she rock her hair like Lil Kim”.But Lil Kim couldnt display that level of lyricism even if she switched ghost writters. Kim K net worth is around 12mil..Nicki just got in the game,she will catch up to that easy.
mustafa Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Dude you obviously can’t take a joke but since you wanna get serious
the chick you idolize is a talentless hack !!!
The bitch would be better off doing a sextape, but then again she might autotune that shit too.
Her contribution to hip hop is the continuation of the dumbing down of a entire generation . Which is hard to do considering Hip Hop overcame the Ying Yang twins. Lets be clear no one hates Nicki, no one is Jealous of Nicki. I, like a lot of people are just wondering. (out loud) Why is this the only female artist allowed to flourish when there are so many other voices out there with as much or more talent. I mean young voices. Why must the only the only voice allowed to be heard be the most ignorant and slow and degrading. I mean Barbie ? You think women burned there bras or fought for the right to vote to refer to themselves as barbies? You come from Queen Latifah to Lil Kim who called herself Queen bitch to some chick who Channels Anna Nicole Smith
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
NM is a Dullard a Brick
listenening to her records is like watching paint dry
If you wanna love her by all means this is America but please spare me this bullshit about hottest chick in the game when you should say only chick allowed to play in the game.
I doubt any other female Emcee wants to play in that game because the rules say you gotta lose 90 IQ points in order to be eligible
YOU FUCKING MORON!!
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DC Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Ok,is calling me a “FUCKING MORON” really necessary? Over Kim K and Nicki? Im actually not a “fan” of Nicki to that extent but there are obviously people who are..this is the music biz, nobody is “allowed” to do nothing. It comes down to people feeling you or not..where are the other female artist? Are they dropping mixtapes? Are they on their grind creating buzz? Name the female artist that you are talking about? Hell, Keys the Problem is grinding harder than a lot of the women that are established in the game. With that being said,i am not gonna argue with someone on a computer. Have a good one,homie.
Oh, shoutout to Nightfall for putting this point in the proper and intelligent perspective. I do agree, she did have to create a character persona in order to appeal. I read a interview when she was first starting to buzz where she mentioned this herself, that shes normally “a jeans and tims type chick” when not performing.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Nicki’s got a point about people forgetting that successful mainstream artists were underground once upon time. I still find her range of personalities on one track annoying but good on her.
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Nightfall Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I think the thing with her is that yeah she was underground……but her success persona isn’t what her underground character was so it feeds that “made up barbie doll” for commercial marketing issue (i.e selling out) that many of the other underground artist don’t want to do.
It always comes down to can you be successful being yourself??
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londoner Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Good point. Very good point actually. I’ve been saying for a while that the whole Barbie thing seems to be taking women back a lot of years. It’s a shame she has to take this route on order to be successful. This says more about hip hop fans I guess, right?
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Nightfall Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 12:01 am
Her image only takes back females who have no real leadership in their life. I’ve always said that those following the moves of entertainers have issues far greater to deal with.
londoner Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 2:25 am
I typed, ‘on order to be successful’. I meant, ‘IN order…’ Typing on these BB’s is so annoying sometimes! Anyway, I digress. Back to your point-I think you’re speaking the truth. Can’t really argue with you there!
vee Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
@nightfall exactly how does barbie set women back do you even you what barbie that means a independent woman that can do anything ” have you ever heard the barbie theme song and stuff APPARENTLY not and you must not no anything about nicki either cuz she stresses to her fans to focus on school and THEIR BUSINESS and be indepedent.. dont need a man to do things for you …i just feel like people like you judge her without ever actually listening to what she says and stuff trust me if young women listened to nicki and what she says to her fans they be better off at life ….thats why nicki fans myself included get so mad when ppl say comments like yours ..you dont make sense nicki is really smart and a good role model and again saying BArbie sets women ahead not behind and nicki has sed in plenty of interviews in 07 and 08 when she was rapping the guy fendi who was her manager told her she had to rap hardcore and rough to succeed and when ever she would make something fun or laugh and stuff on a record he would tell her nobody will like that and funny thing is when she left fendi and started having fun on records being herself making fun voices and stuff and singing rapping how she wanted too..soundig how she wanted 2 thats when she people started getting nocticed hence nicki is being herself nw and being herself is what got her famous again found out about a person before making statements
SavannahChitlinPimp Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Hit the nail on the head!
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mustafa Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
@Nightfal I usually have differing opinions on stuff with you, but you got it this time. smh
The thing is she totally missed the point and didn’t acknowledge women like Lauryn Hill who succeeded (at being herself)and YoYo who was conflicted and stuck in between with that same issue of being more sexual (selling out)
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Nightfall Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Hey respectful differing of opinions is always welcome with me man.
Yeah that Yoyo part really hit the point, Lady of Rage too.
It’s crazy cuz I’ll youtube Total’s “All I Want I is You” just to see kim, foxy, da brat and remember that time in hip hop when there was room for everyone.
Malik Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I’m not sure how fair of a criticism that is though. Because image is part of the reason we get into/remember many rappers or musicians as a whole. The biggest and newest pop act right now is Lady Gaga, nuff said.
Outkast stands out to many people because of the way Andre dresses. MF DOOM stands out because he wears his mask all the time. And to go back to “selling sex” the only reason Nelly has been around so long is because women loved him taking his shirt off all time.
It’s too early to write Nicky Minaj off as just a sex kitten right now. I haven’t been too impressed with anything I’ve heard from her thus far, but I’m willing to give her album a listen to see if there is something a little more to Nicky then her persona.
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SavannahChitlinPimp Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Outkast makes INCREDIBLE music too. A good image is cool. I mean look at Busta back in the day. But niggas also had to be able to go hard on the mic too. And Nelly made hella hit records. The image can help but it shouldn’t be everything. The MUSIC should be primary.
mustafa Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
@Malik respectfully the chick is a brick. A talented one, but a brick none the less. At least when you watched Trina in the Doc she was aware of it and seems to be more in line with pimping the system and controls her image Nicki seems manufactured and with the trappings of fame a willing participant in her own Mantan (bamboozled) Coonery smh
Nightfall Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Yes marketing IS a major factor but in the examples u give, Outkast makes timeless music and their images haven’t departed that much from I don’t know “southenplayalisticcaddilacmusic” and no I scooped them up to mold them into a profitable group. MF Doom is never seen mainstream success so his image is still underground, Nelly is very much a sex symbol to many BUT he over shadowed that by ushering in St Louis as a music city.
I don’t write Nicki off by any means. The girl can spit. I just wonder if she’ll live up to the pre-created hype. Not just as the HOT chick of the moment but as a SOLID ARTIST period. Will her music can play in 5-10 yrs. I just pose the questions cuz only time will answer them.
londoner Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 2:21 am
Nicki is only going with an image which works well for her. There is nothing wrong with looking sexy; she’s a beautiful, curvy sexy woman with a lot of talent. She can actually spit. I may not totally understand the Barbie gimmick but she can hold her own with other (male) rappers. Listen to Monster. Let’s keep the criticism fair and constructive, guys.
mustafa Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Yeah, the Lady Rage part was so heart breaking, because I remmeber her being that chick!
Like before Lady Luck or Remy Ma even Rah Digga Rage was that chick and everything just fell apart around her. I still copped her joint but I new it was never gonna be the same
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londoner Reply:
September 9th, 2010 at 2:59 am
Lady of Rage- my favourite femcee ever!!!!
September 7th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Oh! And that arse… Bloody hell, that arse!
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September 7th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I wish nick puts her p£$$Y on my sideburns
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September 7th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
*looks at pic*
*struggles to find words*
*fails, moves on*
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September 7th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
you do you that nicki didnt say it was an insult abotu the kim kardasian thing she sed she thought it was funny actually listen to the interview the only thing she though was a insult was that girl saying us femals grinding and trying to act like nicki didnt do anything to get where she was at
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September 7th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
“zing” is for when you retort with something witty and piercing, not for anytime you make a counter-point. That wasn’t really a “zing” moment. Minaj is kinda fresh, and she killed “Monster.” Sometimes her accents are a little much but hey. I’m just sick of the obsession with being hated on. it is what it is, people have opinions that they vocalize, shut the fuck up about it.
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September 7th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Did any of you Illietrates listen to the interview. She gave Lauryn hill so many prps cuz she’s an inspiration, even said she would kiss her feet if she saw her. She said she loves her and always will.
She didn’t say anything about the kim kardashian line, just turned on the tv to see dat part. She was mentioning how some of the people on that showed mentioned “she didn’t pay her dues” That’s what she was defending to because that is far from the truth.
She did say the show was good and necessary for female rappers. Educate ya self before going off on a tangent. Assholes.
Twitter- @minajsecurity
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September 7th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I wonder what wig she will put on next and fake voice she will use she think she big barbie big jason whats next larry hoover she sold out to get famous yes she did grind back when she was spiting like a real mc now she just barbie this and a new color wig every week she pretends so much i dont think she even know lil wayne told her to sell sex act gay and you on your way and look whhere she is on top and as far as hate what has she done to hate no album no ring tone sell just like drake alot of hype boosted by a gimic and sex appeal i think she also got lucky that remy ma is in jail and there is no other mc that can call her out on her bs enjoy it why you can barbie niki minaj whatever
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September 7th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
C yall lookin down on her and not even doi yall research…Nicki has the flo ability of the greats b4 her bt she has 2 goes wit wat sells…and she has acknowledged Lauryn and Kim and a lot of other female Mc’s on many occasions did yall kno her n Foxy did an interview 2getha? About her improved look,smh, everybody been gettin butt shots strippers 2 broads wit $$ 2 regular hood chicks! N unlike Kim she stressd Step Ya Pussc’s up ladies meanin make a nigga work hard don’t just give it 2 him! Nicki grinded 4 her spot Kim f’d the rite nigga who signed her(RIP BIG) so ont judge so easily! She’s diverse check more of her underground work then judge…btw ITS BARBIE BITCHES! N my nicki voice!
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September 7th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
OMG (usher voice)
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September 8th, 2010 at 12:40 am
I have to say Nicki has been grinding for a very long time, I remember first hearing her in like 2006 or 2007. I always love Nicki she reminded me of Kim, but when she got a little famous off her “Beam Me Up Scotty” mixtape. She changed a little bit, and I am not saying it was a bad thing, but it is what most artist do to keep there name in the game. She has been out for a while and I remember her long nails and thin bangs day. I think what all the female rappers out do not understand is that she along with everybody else is working hard. She should give her thumbs up for what she is doing because you guys are not being heard, nor are you putting out anything that is making someone say lets notice this female rapper over Nicki. Let her have her fame, you never know when it may end so I def will love her while she is here. I would not call these females haters, just bitter because they are not in her place; they are also stating their opinions which is okay to have. Everyone does not have to like Nicki, and her fans have to understand that. Being one myself even though when I heard what they said I did not agree with it I respected it, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
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SavannahChitlinPimp Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 7:09 am
How in the same sentence do you say it’s cool to have your own opinion on her, but say that the females that do are bitter because they are not in her place? Bit contradictory…
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September 8th, 2010 at 1:24 am
@ Gia some1 mya possibly read something here and youtube or google an old song an develop a new love 4 Nicki u Neva kno my point was attemptin 2 enlighten others on how talented tha woman is, they thought lil wayne was a fad and he been on top 4 yrs well @ least n my book(Free Weezy) Young $$!
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September 8th, 2010 at 1:58 am
The problem isn’t Nikki, it’s US: The Active Consumers of Celebrity Culture.It’s enough to make Lauryn Hill & Joaquin Phoenix go crazy!
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September 8th, 2010 at 7:03 am
I wanna see what happens when another female really jumps with both feet into the rap game. It’s easy for Nicki now because of the lack of (mainstream) competition. What happens when another female or two starts coming out and making some noise?
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September 8th, 2010 at 7:34 am
nikki’s buzz and what she has to offer dont add up. where are the hits? how can one have 6 bet nominations with no album or hits? man its all good marketting. she got a good company behind her
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September 8th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Laguardia highschool … most of those kids have different personalities .
Stop saying shes not being herself, if you dont know how she is in the first place, your basing your reasoning after others ,but everybody is different.
I said this before and I’ll say it again , There doesnt seem to be any dispute that she is writing her own rhymes, this nixes Foxy and Kim out the picture . She has the Magnetic personality that wouldve got her attention if she came out back then and the skills to stand on her own .
As for the Doc, I thought it was very good, I did see a Backhand compliment from one of the Underground chicks, not from the established Femcees. Which probably wasnt different from what they had to say about Lil Kim and Foxy back then either .
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September 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
this is why people dont respect woman in hiphop because they get by on everything except talent
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September 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
ITS JUST AS BAD AS THEM CORNY FAKE GANGSTA NIGAS
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September 8th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
minaj security Says:
September 7th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Did any of you Illietrates listen to the interview…
————-^^^————————————————————————————————————
This was the funniest post of ‘em all!!!
*smdh & reaches for a dictionary*
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September 8th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
nicki has sed in many inteview when she rapped in 07 08 the guy she worked with fendi told her she had to rap hardcore and serious or nobody would like her or take her serious and when he stopped being her mangaer she started having fun in her music being her self making fun accents and thats wen she started gettiing reconigzed this proves being youself will get you places i rather nicki have fun and be herslf with her music that act all harcore and plz other people #THATISALL ppl keep trying to saw nicki a gimmick when you dont no nothing about her she talks to her fans all the time like on a persoanal level and i aint talking bout twitter im talking bout phone calls she really humble goofy and fun her personatlity is identical to her music
even when you watch nicki old interview you will see she would start acting goofing or changig her voice or singing in the middle of them but in her music she be dead ass hardcore thats didnt add up now everything adding up she have fun being herself and living life
o yea and i love the fact that in the vma commercial the man doing the cooking and cleaning and has on a apren and nicki sitting back chilln #LOVETHAT
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Trevor Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Cosign!, How Can you not like a person having FUN with their Craft , meaning they’re enjoying what they’re doing. You cant do that by pretending. Missy used to do sound effects and what not , and she was having FUN, which is why (plus writing R&B hits for peeps) her career lasted a very long time , and could drop a hot lyrical 16 if she wanted . Fake would be her(Nicki) acting like she 100 percent gangsta mistress 300 percent of the time all serious. There was toooooo many of those and more trying to come up.
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