The latest issue of The New York Times Magazine profiles Nicki Minaj. In the article, the star discusses her recent dust-up with Miley Cyrus, the reason she maintains a relentless work schedule, and her feelings on "drama." Read the highlights from the conversation below.
On Miley Cyrus: ‘‘The fact that you feel upset about me speaking on something that affects black women makes me feel like you have some big balls. You’re in videos with black men, and you’re bringing out black women on your stages, but you don’t want to know how black women feel about something that’s so important? Come on, you can’t want the good without the bad. If you want to enjoy our culture and our lifestyle, bond with us, dance with us, have fun with us, twerk with us, rap with us, then you should also want to know what affects us, what is bothering us, what we feel is unfair to us. You shouldn’t not want to know that.’’
On her work ethic: ‘‘Since I was 15, I came out of one relationship and went into another relationship. In my relationships, I’ve been told, ‘You don’t have to work that much.’ But I can’t stop working, because it’s bigger than work to me. It’s having a purpose outside any man.’’
On the role she plays for other black women: ‘‘Back in the day, in hip-hop, the thick girl was glorified. Now the rappers are dating skinny white women. So it’s almost like, ‘Wait a minute, who’s going to tell the thick black girls that they’re sexy and fly, too?’”
On recent disputes between Meek Mill/Drake and Lil Wayne/Birdman: ‘‘They’re men, grown-ass men. It’s between them. I hate it. It doesn’t make me feel good. You don’t ever want to choose sides between people you love. It’s ridiculous. I just want it to be over.’’
On if she “thrives off drama.” ‘‘Why would a grown-ass woman 'thrive off drama?’ What do the four men you just named have to do with me thriving off drama? Why would you even say that? That’s so peculiar. Four grown-ass men are having issues between themselves, and you’re asking me do I thrive off drama?... Women blame women for things that have nothing to do with them.’’ The rapper then ended the interview: “I don’t care to speak to you anymore.”
Read the full story here, and revisit FADER’s cover story on Minaj.
