Nicki Minaj Gushes About Foxy Brown Following Roseland Ballroom Duet
Though Nicki Minaj has often been accused of biting Lil Kim's style and flow -- which resulted in a whole lot of drama and a feud that hasn't really ended yet -- the Harajuku Barbie insists her biggest influence is actually Foxy Brown. When Minaj got to perform with Brown at her Roseland Ballroom show, it pretty much blew her own mind.
Minaj performed the show to make up her Summer Jam absence for her Barbz. She had a number of guests at the show, including Drake and Lil Wayne, but Foxy came first, complete with a fawning intro. Minaj brought out Brown by telling the crowd that the MC was "who has influenced me the most out of every female in the rap game."
Foxy and Minaj teamed up to perform 'Oh Yeah' and 'Tables Will Turn,' closing out her guest spot with more praise from Minaj, who told her, "I wanna thank you for being one of my biggest influences in the game. There isn't a female rapper in the world who has opened more doors for me than you." So sweet!
Minaj opened up to MTV News about her connection to Brown, both on- and offstage. "For her to be on my stage, it was emotional, and she was emotional," Nicki said. "This is what this is really about. When you get where you have arrived to, you give thanks to people who opened those doors and triggered something in your mind," she added. When I found out Foxy Brown was from Trinidad, that did something to me. In my mind, I felt like I could be proud of where I'm from."
Minaj explained that she wanted to tell Foxy about how much she changed her life while she was still around to hear it. "I never really told Foxy how much she has influenced me and how much she changed my life, and you've gotta tell people that when they're alive to even be able to take the compliment, instead of paying tribute to them when they're no longer here," she said. "I never really knew how she felt about me -- in the industry, with women, you kinda just tread lightly -- and I'm glad I was able to finally come out and say: 'You were the most influential female rapper to me.'"
It's so nice to see female rappers getting along and being willing to pass the torch instead of having pointless beefs and neverending feuds. Kudos to you, Nicki and Foxy! Now please, please, please record a song together.
Watch Nicki Minaj Talk About Foxy Brown