Culture
JT Interviews Nicki Minaj for i-D Magazine
As she begins the final touches on NM5, Nicki Minaj sat down with City Girls’ JT for a candid interview on the latest issue of i-D Magazine.
During the sit down, Nicki Minaj opens up about her upcoming endeavors, where she is with her anticipated album, her influences and more. JT even opens up to to the Queen native on what it felt like as a fan with Nicki went pop.
“I was a delusional little girl who had this love/hate relationship in my mind with Nicki Minaj,” JT tells a moderator from i-D when asked if she remembers when she first heard Nicki’s music. “It was because I knew how to rap always, and Nicki knew too. I was so deep in the gutter when Nicki first started. She was the round-the-way girl. She did the ‘Jump Off’ remix, and I was like, ‘She’s so pretty, she’s so hood.’ A couple of years later, you went into your more pop era.”
“It was a heartbreak moment for a hood girl. It was like, ‘Damn Nicki, you left us.’ Then you came back with your straight hair and your sexy look, and I was like, ‘Okay, so she still f**k with us.’ If you were to ever look down my tweets, there would always be good tweets and bad tweets. That was the disconnection.”
“‘Super Bass’ wasn’t even supposed to be a single, but it became huge. Rather than going back to point A, I thought, ‘I now need something to be a continuation of ‘Super Bass.” And so I put out ‘Starships.’ That’s when people in the hip-hop community really felt, ‘Oh my God, we lost her,’” Minaj admitted to JT.
“No one in my life or career has ever explained what you just explained to me that way. You articulated that so well that I was finally able to understand the disconnect and some of the heartbreak that my really hood fans must’ve felt seeing me come from The Come Up DVD and mixtapes and Pink Friday to doing “Starships” and “Pound the Alarm.”
On her new album:
The fifth album. I’m not gonna say when it’s gonna come out, but the album will be out soon. And I am working on a nail design company, where people will be able to buy my press-on nail with dope designs. I was already working on that before someone auctioned my press-on nail for $50,000 or whatever they spent on it.
On being outspoken:
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.
Once I realized that there’s that double standard, I decided I don’t give a shit anymore. The last part of it is that if I never rap again, I will still leave this earth as an icon. 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. I’ve paid my dues.
Well, there’s a huge misconception with people who come across as outspoken. The misconception is that we’re so strong. 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. There’s always been a level of fear there because this is a business. This is not walking down the block and jumping double dutch. This is a job. And the same way people at a nine-to-five can lose their job, and won’t be able to pay their bills, an artist can lose their job. They can lose their spot; they can lose their money. So, there’s always some reservation there. But I’ve decided that I have to speak up now. You know, I see the hip-hop community praise so many other people for speaking up for themselves, but for some reason they seem to have an issue when I do it.
On her influences:
Foxy Brown. I still probably at times sound similar to her. I would listen to this woman non-stop. Finding out she was from Trinidad was so freaking amazing to me, because I never imagined that a rapper could be from my country. She’s so precise with her delivery, and so clear. And I really love clarity in raps. The other ones that shaped my overall style a lot are Lil Wayne, especially in the beginning, I used to do a lot of things that were similar to him and Jay-Z. One of my first faves actually was Slick Rick. I’ve always loved the British accent, I still do.
Nicki Minaj has just released her brand new album, Pink Friday 2.
The 22-track album boasts a star-studded lineup featuring collaborations with Drake, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Tate Kobang, Lourdiz, Lil Uzi Vert, Skillibeng, Skeng, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Future while production is handled by Atl Jacob, Murda Beatz, Boi-1da, Slade Da Monsta, Dr. Luke, BNYX, Bone Collector and more. Just out the full list of production credits below.
Nicki Minaj Pink Friday 2 Production Credits
1. Are You Gone Already
Prod. by FINNEAS
2. Barbie Dangerous
Prod. by Hollywood Cole, Tate Kobang and YG! Beats
3. FTCU
Prod. by Atl Jacob
4. Beep Beep
Prod. by Murda Beatz and OJ Finessey
5. Fallin 4 U
Prod. by Atl Jacob and DB!
6. Let Me Calm Down (Feat. J. Cole)
Prod. by Atl Jacob, Hendrix Smoke and Kuji
7. RNB (Feat. Lil Wayne & Tate Kobang)
Prod. by Dystinkt Beats, Tate Kobang and YG! Beats
8. Pink Birthday
Prod. by 116, Apollo Parker, Boi-1da and Fierce
9. Needle (Feat. Drake)
Prod. by Boi-1da and YogiTheProducer
10. Cowgirl (Feat. Louridz)
Prod. by Dr. Luke
11. Everybody (Feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
Prod. by DJ Smallz 732 and Tate Kobang
12. Big Difference
Prod. by BoogzDaBeast, FNZ, Keanu Beats and Slade Da Monsta
13. Red Ruby Da Sleeze
Prod. by Cheeze Beatz and Go Grizzly
14. Forward From Trini (Feat. Skillibeng & Skeng)
Prod. by Basbeats and Melio Sounds
15. Pink Friday Girls
Prod. by J Reid
16. Super Freaky Girl
Prod. by Aaron Joseph, Dr. Luke, Malibu Babie and Vaughn Oliver
17. Bahm Bahm
Prod. by Jess Carp and Tate Kobang
18. My Life
Prod. by Don Cannon and Sean Momberger
19. Nicki Hendrix (Feat. Future)
Prod. by B Ham and Vincent “Life” Shaw
20. Blessings (Feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard)
Prod. by BNYX, Beau Nox and SADPONY
21. Last Time I Saw You
Prod. by Alex Bak, Atl Jacob, Frankie Bash, Hendrix Smoke and TooDope!
22. Just The Memories
Prod. by Bone Collector and Habib Defoundoux
After announcing an upcoming joint tour with J. Cole titled “It Was All a Blur – Big As The What?,” Drake returns with disc 2 of his previously released album ‘For All The Dogs,’ titling it Scary Hours 3.
Featuring six new tracks, the third installment of the Scary Hours series contained a new verse from J. Cole on ‘Evil Ways.’ With production handled by Lil Yachty, The Alchemist and more, it’s no surprise that this project is making noise.
Check out the full list of production credits below.
Drake Scary Hours 3 Production Credits
1. Red Button
Prod. by Lil Yachty, ovrkast.
2. Stories About My Brother
Prod. by Conductor Williams
3. The Shoe Fits
Prod. by Lil Yachty, ovrkast.
4. Wick Man
Prod. by The Alchemist
5. Evil Ways
Prod. by Boi-1da, FNZ, Fierce, Vinylz
6. You Broke My Heart
Prod. by FNZ, Vinylz
Culture
Cassie and Diddy Amicably Settle Rape and Abuse Lawsuit
In a statement, Ventura expressed, “I have chosen to resolve this matter amicably, securing terms that afford me a measure of control. I extend my gratitude to my family, fans, and legal team for their unwavering support.”
Just a day after Cassie, born Cassandra Ventura, initiated legal proceedings against Diddy, born Sean Combs, alleging years of control and accusing him of rape and prolonged physical abuse spanning over a decade, the two parties have reached a settlement.
In a statement, Ventura expressed, “I have chosen to resolve this matter amicably, securing terms that afford me a measure of control. I extend my gratitude to my family, fans, and legal team for their unwavering support.”
Combs also issued a release acknowledging the amicable resolution, stating, “I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
The lawsuit detailed a distressing pattern of control and abuse by Diddy, encompassing substance coercion, physical assault, and coercive sexual encounters.
Specifically, the legal document outlined a troubling practice termed “voyeurism,” where Diddy allegedly coerced Cassie into engaging in sexual activities with male prostitutes while he watched, recorded, and took photographs. These encounters, referred to as “freak offs,” occurred in high-end hotels and Diddy’s residences across the United States and involved elaborate costumes.
The legal filing ended with an account of an alleged rape in 2018, following a dinner meeting between Diddy and Cassie. The suit claimed that Diddy forced himself into her apartment, despite her repeated objections, and raped her. The relationship ended shortly after.
“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” Cassie stated on Thursday. “With the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life.”
Subsequently, Cassie married personal trainer Alex Fine the following year and now has two children. According to the complaint, her association with Bad Boy Records concluded in 2019.
Wigdor, Ventura’s lawyer, commended his client for her courage in coming forward with her claims. “I am very proud of Ms. Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit,” he said in a statement on Friday.
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