Nicki Minaj has hit back at the way people perceive women in rap, claiming that many assume that they are "stupid" because they are in touch with their sexuality.
The Anaconda hitmaker has discussed her competitive nature in a recent interview with Billboard, revealing that she works around the clock in a bid to be the best that's out there.
"You should always be competing," the rapper says in the cover story published today (Nov 7). "You should always be trying to show that you're the best." Minaj is currently busy promoting her third studio album, The Pinkprint, which is slated for release on Dec. 15 in the US. The artist also revealed that she plays a major role in the planning of her own career.
"I'm on 15 to 25 conference calls every few days strategizing with my team," she says. "I think a lot of artists sit back and have it done for them. Sometimes as women in the industry -- if you're sexy or like doing sexy things -- some people subconsciously negate your brain. They think you're stupid."
Nicki has hit back at the way people perceive women in rap (WENN)
Her latest track Anaconda peaked at No. 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Top 40, but the music video was the subject of some serious criticism for its portrayal of the female body. "Everything we see that's labeled as beautiful is very skinny," Minaj says. "In the song I kind of say, ‘;F--- them skinny girls.' But it's all love. I consider myself a skinny girl. I went overboard with the video to show that I'm not going to hide. And those big-booty dancers I have, they're not going to hide. Black girls should feel sexy, powerful and important too."
Beyonce, who recently featured Nicki on her Flawless remix, is a woman who Minaj said she admires."There's something about her work ethic that always made me feel like no matter how hard stuff gets, I'm not allowed to complain," says Minaj. "Some women give me the feeling that where there's a will, there's a way."
