Nicki Minaj Unabashedly Called Out Other Artists For Ruining This Hip Hop Industry Trademark

Highlights

• Nicki Minaj believes that rap and hip-hop have been watered down by other artists.
• She predicts that the industry’s downfall is a result of letting everyone in.
• Nicki Minaj firmly believes that she is one of the best rappers and has set the pace in the industry.

Nicki Minaj — the Queen of Rap in the music industry and the queen of drama. Although Nicki Minaj has her fair share of heartwarming moments that show her authentic, lovable side (like her sweet and funny interview with Stephen Colbert), it can sometimes be confusing when she finds herself engulfed in drama, especially with other artists.

Such is the case with a recent comment she made regarding the state of rap and hip-hop. Being the trailblazer that she is, her expertise and insight can be viewed as sincere or a bit harsh. Either way, she wasn’t afraid to shine light on something she believed was an issue in the industry.

Nicki Minaj Blames Other Artists For ‘Watering Down’ Hip-Hop

Nicki Minaj forged her way in a male-dominated industry at just 24 years old after signing with music icon Lil Wayne’s label, Young Money Entertainment.

Nicki Minaj released her debut album “Pink Friday” in November 2010, after many mix tapes that gained popularity.

The rest, as they say, was history. However, instead of simply being known as a phenomenal lyricist and rapper with an animated personality, Nicki Minaj is often associated with being malicious.

In an interview with Joe Budden after the release of her recent album “Pink Friday 2,” Budden asserted that most people think that female rap is currently in the best place that it has ever been. Before Budden could completely finish his sentence, The Queen of Rap abruptly… laughed.

Nicki Minaj’s Career Timeline

• April 2007: Nicki Minaj released her first mixtap, “Playtime Is Over.”
• April 2008: Nicki Minaj released her second mixtape, “Sucka Free.”
• April 2009: Nicki Minaj released her third mixtape, “Beam Me Up.” (This mixtape landed in the hands of Lil Wayne, which secured her a spot in his Young Money camp)
• December 2009: Nicki Minaj received praise for her verse in Young Money’s “Bedrock” which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop charts.
• January 2010: Nicki Minaj’s “I Get Crazy” featuring Lil Wayne peaked at number 37 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart.
• November 2010: Nicki Minaj released her debut album “Pink Friday.”

For context, this moment in the interview was preceded by Joe Budden acknowledging Nicki Minaj’s success and role in opening the door for female rappers. He then highlighted the responsibility that comes with setting the tone as a music veteran such as Minaj, and since The Queen of Rap agreed with Budden’s assessment, she expressed her disappointment with seeing the industry she contributed so much to go to shambles.

“Rap is 40% down. We was at number one genre in the world. Because the more rap albums that come out and are not selling, it goes into the average pool, the average number.”

During this exchange, Minaj remained unapologetic in her stance because, as she views it, she has every right to comment on an industry she’s a part of.

The “Barbie Tingz” rapper then referred to this situation as other hip-hop artists “watering down” the genre, and it should be noted that she didn’t name any specific artists. However, as she later implied: if the shoe fits, then wear it.

Nicki Minaj Believes the Hip-Hop Industry Should Gatekeep

After voicing her opinion about the state of the rap and hip-hop industry, Nicki Minaj said that she predicted its downfall. She told Joe Budden that:

“I just want to make it be known that I predicted this… Remember ‘the gatekeeper convos?’ Well, if you let everybody into the f***ing gate, guess what? One day you wake up and there’s just a pile of sh**.”

Minaj left no room for interpretation as to what she was putting down. Simply put: she believes the practice of gatekeeping is a good thing and that, because anyone can become an internet sensation nowadays, the hip-hop industry has lost its most valuable trademark of excellence and notoriety.

What Minaj also didn’t neglect to clarify is that she isn’t solely targeting female rappers. “And please don’t make it seem like I’m speaking about females…that’s what y’all always do,” Minaj said. “Don’t make it seem that I’m speaking about women because, in fact, women are some of the best spitters right now actually.”

Nicki Minaj Says She Is The Best In The Game After Years Of Being In The Hip-Hop Industry

Joe Budden later acknowledged Nicki Minaj’s recent project “Pink Friday 2,” saying that she called out a lot of other artists for not being able to rap. She agreed with that statement, responding with only two words: “They can’t.”

According to The Queen of Rap, the standards for female rappers have drastically lowered since she entered the industry. Although Nicki Minaj gave credit to current female rappers that inspire her today, she continues to believe that she was, is, and will continue to be one of the best female rappers.

“Damn right, I don’t need nobody to set the pace. I set the pace right in your face… I’m that b**** period. Not if, when, just period.”

And with that, what else is there for the Queen of Rap to say?