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Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz
Nicki Minaj plans to level up on an executive level in 2023. The Queens rapper has announced she is launching her own record label.
As spotted on Complex the rapper’s return to Queens Radio not only released her newest single “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” but also made a major reveal. While sharing some updates she said “there’s a big announcement coming. Well, I have a record label now,” she explained. “I believe so strongly in loyalty, and because I’ve spend my whole life giving to others that turn around and sh*t on me.”
She went on to give some detail on her conversation with Republic Records’ co-president Wendy Goldstein who she was texting during the show. “I said, ‘Wendy, we got to do this big. I’m a female; you a female, mamma. You got to do this right. We gotta do it right. I don’t want no little itty-bitty ting ting. I want to do it right,” Nicki Minaj said. The “Bang Bang” MC also made it clear that her unnamed label will be very diverse and confirmed her starting artist roster of Nana Fofie, Tate Kobang, Rico Danna, and London Hill.
In discussing her newest venture she recalled her early days at Young Money Records and how that pushed her to start a label. “When I came in this game, I didn’t have no paperwork with Lil Wayne” she said. “But he had us on tour, he had us in a studio, he was getting on my mixtapes.” She added, “I understand the importance of having somebody else doing the heavy lifting for you. I understand why people are coming out and they’re so, you know, microwaveable and they’re here today and gone tomorrow, because there’s no structure.”
At this time there is no date on when she will release the label’s first project.
Photo: Bernard Smalls
Nicki Minaj is officially launching her own record label.
The superstar rapper announced the big news during her Queen Radio show on Friday (March 3), revealing that the new label’s artist roster includes Nana Fofie, Tate Kobang, Rico Danna and London Hill.
“I have a record label now,” Minaj said, teasing that the company’s name will be revealed at a later date. “When I get behind an artist, y’all know how I do s— for people that’s not even signed to me. Imagine what I’ma do for the ones that’s signed.”
Minaj said that her longtime affiliate Patty Lauren (aka Patty Duke) will serve in an A&R role at the new label.
The Queen of Rap’s first single of 2023, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” dropped Friday through Young Money/Republic. It marks her first solo song since last year’s Billboard Hot 100-topping smash “Super Freaky Girl.”
On Friday’s Queen Radio show, Minaj told listeners that she was texting with Republic Records co-president Wendy Goldstein, who was encouraging her to make the label announcement during the program.
“I said, ‘Wendy, we got to do this big. I’m a female; you a female, mamma. You got to do this right. We gotta do it right. I don’t want no little itty-bitty ting ting. I want to do it right,’” the rapper said.
Minaj added that her new record label will feature a variety of musical acts. “Don’t think my label is just rap, or Black, or anything,” she said. “We got some other genres of music.”
Minaj also touched on the influential role Lil Wayne played early in her career, and how she hopes to do the same for up-and-coming artists on her label.
“When I came in this game I didn’t have no paperwork with Lil Wayne. But he had us on tour, he had us in a studio, he was getting on my mixtapes,” she said. “So I understand the importance of having somebody else doing the heavy lifting for you. I understand why people are coming out and they’re so, you know, microwaveable and they’re here today and gone tomorrow, because there’s no structure. There’s no real person that believes in them. That’s like, ‘Nah, I’m gonna make it my business to see you shine.’”
Listen to a replay of Queen Radio through Amp, and check out in-studio photos from Friday’s show on Minaj’s Instagram below.