Culture
Cyphers to Sit-Downs: Watch Joe Budden’s New Interview With Nicki Minaj
Joe Budden’s interview with rapper, singer, songwriter, actress Nicki Minaj — one of the highest-grossing female rappers of all time was recently uploaded to Youtube. The setup was quite a positive change from Budden’s previous podcast with Nicki and two other guests where tensions were sky-high. The interview kicks off with Nicki and Budden reflecting on the ’09 BET Cypher and how much has changed since then.
Nicki Minaj (2022) From Nicki Minaj (2008)
In response, Nicki wishes that she had been more appreciative of herself from her image and her raw talent. For context, it’s pretty important to note that Nicki’s rise to stardom began at the start of social media. She also reflects on the confines of desirability, with regard to getting ass shots. Very few people can fully fathom how jaded Nicki became — especially as a Black woman whose brand was colorful, quirky, and unapologetic.
Nicki the Pinkprint: “pink wig, thick ass, give ‘em whip-lash”
Nicki and Budden transition into a conversation about the standards set for aspiring female rappers and whether or not the pop star has a hand in this “starter kit.” As we know, there is a clear image and sound that is almost requisite to recognition and success in the industry — the doll. The same image that Nicki spearheaded at the start of her music career (as the Harajuku Barbie with colorful hair and full bangs) has been replicated by a lot of today’s newest female rappers.
Nicki the Mogul
As Nicki and Budden speak about music moguls like Jay-Z, Budden inquires about Nicki’s steps toward cementing her name as a music mogul. She speaks of ‘Queen Radio,’ which will be headed to Amazon. Nicki also sheds light on the makings of her documentary, her management company and also a record company. She also mentions that she will be taking on a role in an upcoming film that will be bigger than her previous cameos.
Nicki the All-Time Influencer
Nicki and Budden spoke about the importance of Black women speaking up about their cultural impact. History has shown time and time again that black women’s creativity is often imitated and of course, their brilliance cannot be duplicated (i.e. Coi Leray, FKA Twigs). Unfortunately, though, Black women typically have to demand their flowers.
“You have to mention it or they’ll act like it never happened!”
Time after time, Nicki has had to advocate for herself after being snubbed from Grammy awards.
She’s even had to speak out against the other networks (BET) for snubbing her accomplishments as this generation’s pink print for women in hip hop. Nicki also asserts that she and Lil’ Kim shouldn’t have already been on the cover of American Vogue for their dominant influences in pop culture.
How does Nicki navigate through this new age of rap?
Toward the end of the interview, Nicki speaks about how she has remedied writer’s block in the midst of motherhood and the pandemic. Nicki says that the privilege of having “sparring partners” like Drake and Lil Wayne on ‘Seeing Green‘ has helped her get back in the ring. Many fans have mentioned that the song is very consistent with the trio’s sound from the late 2000s into the 2010s. Nicki and Budden two spoke about navigating the new era of music where artists are trying to solidify their sound but are also looking to score a hit single with today’s rap trends.
The two end the interview with discussions about the perks of parenthood and the momentum that Nicki will be picking up on shortly. Many people are excited to see the new heights that Nicki will be experiencing soon.
Rihanna has crossed 200 million RIAA singles certifications in the United States, becoming the first Black vocalist and first female artist in the organization’s 73-year history to reach the milestone. Her total now stands at 200.5 million.
Two certification updates on April 10 pushed her over the mark. “Unfaithful,” track three on her 2006 album A Girl Like Me, was certified 4x Platinum in celebration of the album’s 20th anniversary. Her 2005 single “If It’s Lovin That You Want,” the second single from her debut album Music of the Sun, also crossed the 1x Platinum threshold more than two decades after its release. Platinum status represents one million equivalent units in the United States, with the RIAA counting 150 on-demand streams as the equivalent of one digital purchase.
Among all artists, she ranks third behind Drake at 277.5 million and Morgan Wallen at 215 million.
Rihanna hasn’t released an album since Anti in 2016. Catalog staples like “Umbrella,” “We Found Love,” “Only Girl (In the World),” and “Don’t Stop the Music” continue to accumulate certifications without new music driving them. Outside of her Super Bowl halftime show in 2023 and contributions to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Smurfs soundtracks, she has released no new solo music in nearly a decade.
As previously reported by miixtapechiick.com, Rihanna was spotted in the studio at 2 a.m. earlier this year and told Harper’s Bazaar in 2025 that she had “cracked the code” on the direction for her next project.
J. Cole made his debut with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association on Saturday night, finishing without a point in eight minutes off the bench as Nanjing lost 95-81 to the Guangzhou Loong Lions.
Cole went 0-for-5 from the field, with all five attempts coming from behind the three-point line. He finished with one rebound and one assist. Cole addressed the outing on his blog afterward, keeping it straightforward. “I got to play 8 minutes in one of the top leagues in the world, got a few good looks but wasn’t able to hit one,” he wrote. “A couple more games and maybe those shots would have started to fall! Either way I’m fulfilled and grateful! Sh*t, I feel like I dropped 20!!!”
He also explained why he only appeared in one game. “Initially I was scheduled to play in at least 3 games for the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the CBA. The work visa process took way longer than expected, so I was only able to play in one before heading back.”
Saturday’s game was Cole’s third time suiting up for a professional team. He played for the Rwanda Patriots in the Basketball Africa League in 2021 and the Scarborough Shooting Stars in Canada the following year.
Rihanna was spotted in Paris last week with her daughter Rocki Irish Mayers, marking one of the baby girl’s first public outings since her birth in September 2025. A$AP Rocky was also present, spending the day with their eldest son RZA. Their youngest son Riot did not appear in photos from the outing.
Rocki was dressed in a vintage Dior green-and-black John Galliano beanie from 2002, a gray pleated Dior dress layered over jeans and sneakers. Rihanna wore a Carhartt hat, a Prada striped polo shirt, and carried her “Dracula” Dior bag. Rocky and RZA were photographed walking hand in hand nearby, with RZA in a pink-striped tee and dark shades.
Rihanna announced Rocki’s birth on Instagram on September 24, 2025, posting a photo holding her newborn alongside pink silk baby boxing gloves. “Rocki Irish Mayers Sept 13 2025,” she captioned it. During the Smurfs premiere earlier this year, she spoke about her sons’ reaction to having a little sister. “I’ve always wanted a girl,” she said. “But God knows best, right? And I love my boys.”
Rihanna and Rocky welcomed RZA in May 2022, Riot Rose in 2023, and Rocki Irish in September 2025.
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