Nicki Minaj, the talented rapper, has recently opened up about her newfound courage to stand up for herself. In an interview for i-D’s The Royalty Issue, she revealed that she no longer fears the repercussions of speaking her mind, thanks to the unwavering support of her dedicated fans.
For years, Nicki experienced a level of fear, knowing that as an artist, she could potentially lose her career if she spoke out. This fear stemmed from the realization that, just like anyone else in a regular job, losing her job would mean inability to pay bills and support herself. However, as her career has progressed and she has paid her dues, this fear has diminished.
Nicki shares, “I guess there is a little less fear now at this point in my career because I realize that my fans aren’t going anywhere. If I never rap again, I will still leave this earth as an icon.” Her supporters have been by her side through thick and thin, giving her the confidence to be herself and express her thoughts freely.
One of the hurdles Nicki had to overcome was the hypocrisy she noticed within the hip-hop community. While many artists are lauded for speaking up for themselves, she felt that she faced backlash for doing the same. “Once I realized that there’s that double standard, I decided I don’t give a s–t anymore,” she boldly states. Nicki understands that she shouldn’t let others dictate her choices and is determined to stand up for what she believes in.
However, it’s important to note that even though Nicki has become more outspoken, it doesn’t mean that fear has completely disappeared from her life. She explains, “Just because a person fights back, doesn’t mean they’re not afraid. I have suppressed years’ worth of things that I’ve wanted to say. People have lied about me, and I didn’t respond.” This highlights the misconception that those who are perceived as strong are fearless. Everyone has their own battles to fight, and Nicki is no exception.
With her new mindset, Nicki Minaj is ready to embrace her true self and use her platform to make her voice heard. She wants to inspire others to be courageous and not let fear hold them back. Nicki’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to find your voice and make a difference.