Rap-Up.com (and later, MTV News) wrote up this synopsis of Nicki's recent interview with V103.
With the recent deficit of femcees in the game, the future of females in hip-hop depends on the success of Nicki Minaj’s debut album Pink Friday. The Young Money starlet spoke with V103’s Greg Street about how important it is for her album to succeed, and hopes that it will encourage more ladies to pick up the mic.
“They won’t look to sign other female rappers because they’ll say, ‘Her buzz was so crazy and if she couldn’t do it, then no one can do it.’ And I don’t want that to happen, so I’m doing this as well for all the girls,” explained the “Your Love” hitmaker. “I hope that with the success of the album—because I know it will be successful, I believe it will be successful—I hope that this opens doors for all of the girls everywhere.”
She also shared that she was initially scared to be a solo artist after associates warned her that female rap was over and that record companies wouldn’t give her proper support. “Even as far as I’ve come right now, it’s a testament in my mind,” she said. “So I hope the female rappers will understand how big it is, just for our culture, that the album does well.”
In addition, Nicki spoke about her excitement regarding Lil Wayne’s November release from jail, and that his absence has made her realize how important he is to the Young Money family. “He didn’t deserve to go in in the first place, and it’s kind of crazy how much of a void it’s been without him,” she stated. “We really didn’t realize that Wayne is the glue that holds Young Money and Cash Money together, I feel, so I’m just very thankful that he’s finally coming home.”
Pink Friday is slated for a November 23 release, and is expected to include contributions from will.i.am, Swizz Beatz, and Alex Da Kid.
And from MTV News...
Nicki Minaj has a lot to be excited about these days. Not only is the Young Money MC gearing up for the release of her debut album in November, she's also featured on a new track with Jay-Z and Kanye West and celebrated a Twitter marriage (and divorce) with Drake.
But while the animated rapper remains busy, she is also anticipating Lil Wayne's release from prison. In a recent radio interview, Minaj spoke about her mentor and why she feels the need to make Pink Friday a success.
"Can you only imagine what he's been holding and what's building up in that brain?" Minaj asked Greg Street of Atlanta radio station V-103. "I'm afraid for anybody ... any of his competition when he gets out, because I just feel like it's going to be monumental. He's in a great state. When I speak to him, he sounds like he has some sort of clear understanding of everything now, almost like he's had some weird sort of epiphany since he's been there, so I'm sure his stuff is only going to get better."
When Lil Wayne left for prison, Minaj realized just how much he meant to his rap crew. "He didn't deserve to go in the first place, and it's kind of crazy how much of a void it's been without him," she said. "We didn't realize Wayne is really the glue that holds Young Money and Cash Money together, I feel. I'm just very, very thankful that he's finally coming home."
The 25-year-old MC is ready for the whole Young Money crew to take over the rap game. "We're just really, really hard workers, and you know what? At some point, I would hope the hard work pays off, at least on my end," she said. "It's definitely already paid off for Wayne and for Drake, so I want to thank everybody for supporting Young Money, period."
So what happens if the New York native falters with her debut album? "They won't look to sign other female rappers if the project doesn't do well, because they're going to say, 'Well, her buzz was so crazy, and if she couldn't do it, then no one can do it,' and I don't want that to happen. So I'm doing this as well for all the girls."
The Young Money darling is staying positive as she hopes to pave the way for the females to come in the rap game. "I hope it will open doors for all girls everywhere who ever wanted to pick up a mic and rap and who have been kind of afraid to do it," she said. "For a long time in my life, I was afraid to be a solo female rapper, because everyone told me, 'It doesn't work. It's not going to happen. Record companies are never going to invest in you just to get it. Just be part of a group.' "
Nonetheless, Minaj values her pre-album success, saying, "Even as far as I've come now is already a testament in my mind, so I hope the female rappers understand how big it is for our culture that the album does well."
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