S. Samuel
Grand Hustle affiliate Iggy Azalea discusses her short run in the rap game thus far and regretting passing up a rare record deal opportunity in the new issue of Complex.
Based on an excerpt from her cover story, Iggy explains why she is not down to go all-nude everything for mainstream publications in order to gain attention.
“I have to fight about visuals all the time because they don’t understand why I would be sexual in some contexts but not in others. They’ll say, “But you twerked in ‘Work’ and had your a** out, so why won’t you show your butt in this magazine?” I went topless in my new video for “Change Your Life.” I painted my nipples red and I know that will f*ck them up. I don’t consider it exploiting myself because everything I do is conceptual. It’s not just t*ts out for t*ts out. I consider it art. I’m only ever in a state of undress if it’s for my own project. I would never do it for your magazine because it doesn’t empower me to be naked in your magazine. [Ed. Note–except in Complex!]” (Complex)
She also speaks on passing up an opportunity to join Interscope Records.
“The lowest point was the day I didn’t take my deal with Interscope. I’d broken up with my boyfriend the day before. Because I’m a sicko, I was still at his house, in his bed. He wasn’t there, and I was on the phone, saying I’m not taking the deal. Everybody thinks I’m a lunatic and I’m sitting there crying, like, What the f*ck am I going to do? I have no deal. My management’s not on my side, and I have no boyfriend.” (Complex)
Earlier this year, female rap star Nicki Minaj talked about not using her body to gain leverage in the music industry.
“When I started being around Young Money, Wayne thought I was shy, but it wasn’t that I was shy, I just didn’t want anybody to think I was easy. No matter what my lyrics were saying, when I got around these guys, I was a prude, because I didn’t want anyone in this game to ever be able to say ‘I had s*x with her’ or ‘when she needed a deal, she had to…’ No,” Nicki explained in an interview. “And ’til this day, not one single man in this industry can say that and I pride myself on that. That’s the only bit of advice I would give the up-and-coming female rappers. You could be as sexy as you want, but just maintain your dignity around these guys.” (MTV)
Back in 2011, Brooklyn music veteran Foxy Brown revealed she had been offered $2 million to drop her top and appear in adult magazine Playboy.
“I live a different life,” she says. “I’m not at every party; I’m not seen everywhere. That’s why people still care about my brand. I’ve never whored myself out.” She says she’s still debating whether to accept Hugh Hefner’s $2 million offer to pose on the cover of Playboy. (New York Post)
