S. Samuel
Young Money's Drake recently talked about the level of competition he endures being a labelmate of rap stars like Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj plus how the colorful "Barbie" can hold her own against men and women emcees alike.
For Drizzy, he feels his Young Money team inspires one other to be better.
“As much as it’s loving it’s also competitive because competition pushes, we push each other. When I hear Nicki get on a verse and kill the way she does, it doesn’t even become a male/female thing because it’s beyond that,” Drake explained. “Like she’s rapping better than a lot of males out there period so it just becomes a verse thing.” (“Big Boy’s Neighborhood”)
Last month, Lil Wayne said the fact Drizzy falls under him makes the Canadian-bred emcee non-competition.
“Drake is my artist. If he wasn’t my artist, then yeah maybe. But that’s my artist. He’s not [just] a friend. We’re more than friends. It’s business. It would be impossible for it to be a competition. I mean, I’m the guy’s boss.” (VIBE)
A few weeks ago, Nicki Minaj opened up about not feeling pressured within the entertainment industry.
“In my downtime, I’m the most low-key person in the world. We all have insecurities, but you have to know you’re beautiful. I’m comfortable in my skin and I don’t feel the need to change for anyone.” (Glamour)
Last December, hip-hop veteran MC Lyte discussed Minaj’s genre-transcending abilities.
“Those who really need to be worried by Nicki’s record is Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado,” Lyte said in an interview. “Nicki is coming out to win. She’s not thinking of the block. She’s not just thinking of the city. So she’s able to handle so many areas of what it takes right now to be an international star. So hats off to everybody that’s doing it but, I see the vision that Nicki sees for herself that people probably didn’t see before.” (VH1)
Check out a recent Drake interview below:
