Nicki Minaj Opens Up About The Struggles She Faced On Her Way To Becoming Queen Of Hip-Hop

Rapper Nicki Minaj was just interviewed for T Magazine’s Greats issue, and in it, she dropped some very harsh observations about how she was treated as a Black woman in her industry. According to Nicki, things were much harder for her: she was questioned more, criticized more, and had far more demands on her shoulders in regards to her behavior and looks.

She believes that her rhymes have been met with skepticism she would never have gotten if she'd been a man in hip-hop.

“I had so much going against me in the beginning: being black, being a woman, being a female rapper," Minaj told T Magazine. "No matter how many times I get on a track with everyone’s favorite M.C. and hold my own, the culture never seems to want to give me my props as an M.C., as a lyricist, as a writer. I got to prove myself a hundred times, whereas the guys that came in around the same time as I did, they were given the titles so much quicker without anybody second-guessing.”

Minaj's fans are backing this story up:

It can't be denied that there are far fewer women rappers out there than men, and though many male rappers crossover to make pop hits, few get called a traitor like Minaj does for "Starships." That's a great song, anyway, what's the problem? 

There will likely always be people who doubt and criticize her, but seeing Minaj on the cover of a magazine like T, talking about the challenges she's faced and the success she's still managed to have, will be an inspiration to young women coming up behind her. Maybe one day it won't be so freaking hard for talented female MCs. Minaj is doing the work not just for herself, but for all womankind. 

What do you think of her story?