Entertainment
14 Feminist Quotes From Nicki Minaj On Everything From Speaking Your Mind To Her $500 Million Goal
Nicki Minaj is feeling herself — and she's not afraid to say it! It takes a lot of work to establish yourself as a main player in one of the most male-dominated entertainment fields, but if anyone could do it, it's Nicki Minaj. It takes guts, though. And willpower. And it definitely takes feminist motivation, whether conscious or not. While Nicki Minaj has shied away from actually labeling herself as feminist, it cannot be denied that many things she says are, in fact, feminist.
Think of all the times the "Anaconda" performer was unapologetic about her image and sexuality. Think of all the times the Queens native effortlessly shut down sexism from both the entertainment industry and critics alike. And think of the Trinidadian emcee's fearless mission to be true to herself, no matter what kind of critiques are shot her way. So here's a round-up of some of her Minajesty's best feminist quotes.
On Pursuing Her Dreams
“I just say the truth about what I feel: I feel like women can do anything that they put their minds to. That’s really the truth — I started off with just a dream,” she said in an interview with Vogue in a February interview this year.
On Inspiring Other Women
“I think of myself as a woman who wants other women to be bosses and to be strong and to be go-getters,” she said in the same Vogue interview.
On Feeling Herself
“There are sexual things that I do that aren’t for a man. I feel empowered sometimes by being sexy and being comfortable enough to be sexy on camera — a lot of woman struggle with that,” she also said in Vogue.
On Her Many Sides
“Every woman is multifaceted. Every woman has a switch, whether she’s going to be maternal, whether she’s going to be a man-eater, whether she has to kick ass, whether she has to be one of the boys, whether she has to show the guys that she’s just as smart or smarter, she’s just as talented or creative. Women suppress a lot of their sides,” she said in an interview with Complex in a December 2014 interview. Luckily for us, Minaj doesn’t suppress any of her sides!
On 'The Pinkprint's Message
“It’s important as a woman to be vulnerable and be strong at the same time. The album is a dope balance of vulnerability and strength, of inspiration and of not being politically correct,” she said in that same Complex story.
On Keeping Her Mind On Her Money
“I feel like when I reach my 500-million-dollar goal, then no other woman in rap will ever feel like they can’t do what these men have done,” she said in a Dazed interview in 2014.
On Taking Chances
“I experiment with fashion, with my look, with everything. I’m a multidimensional woman, like all women are. The difference is that I have the balls to take chances,” she said in the same Dazed interview.
On Making Herself Happy
“I’ve spent my life living for people. Going forward, I just want to live for me. I want to make myself happy and not be held back by people’s opinions of me. That’s a big part of why I put (the “Anaconda” cover) out. I had pictures like that out in the beginning of my career. I’ve been a successful rapper and people wouldn’t expect me to do that at this stage, but I don’t want to be a predictable rapper. When I think of the female icons I love and look up to, I don’t think they were ever predictable. I just want to be unpredictable and fearless,” she continued in the Dazed interview.
On Her Work Ethic
“People don’t know how heavily involved I am in my own career. I’m on 15 to 25 conference calls every few days strategizing with my team. I think a lot of artists sit back and have it done for them. Sometimes as women in the industry — if you’re sexy or like doing sexy things — some people subconsciously negate your brain. They think you’re stupid,” she said in a November 2014 interview with Billboard.
On "Anaconda" & Black Beauty
“I went overboard with the video to show that I’m not going to hide. And those big-booty dancers I have, they’re not going to hide. Black girls should feel sexy, powerful and important too,” she said in that same Billboard interview.
On What Beyoncé Taught Her
“There’s something about her work ethic that always made me feel like no matter how hard stuff gets, I’m not allowed to complain. Some women give me the feeling that where there’s a will, there’s a way,” she said of the “***Flawless” singer in Billboard.
On Taking Charge
“I always feel it’s important for me to show females that they can be in charge of their own situation. I came into the game creating my own brand. I was doing things very early on that set me apart from people who just took orders and allowed their brand to be created for them. I love women who take control, who set standards, and who believe in themselves enough to lead the way in terms of their career,” she said in an interview with V magazine.
On Owning Her Work
“When I win and when I lose, I take ownership of it, because I really am in charge of what I do,” she said in the same V magazine story.
On Always Speaking Her Mind
“There’s nothing wrong with speaking my mind, as long as when the song cuts off I’m still a businesswoman and I still respect myself. That’s where the true balance lies in my life. Women should be allowed to be as hardcore and sexual as we want, because men do it all the time,” she said to V.
