My goal the whole time has been for people to see me as a stand-alone artist. I came out with Young Money, the biggest hip-hop label in the world at the time. And then it was, 'How do I branch away from Lil Wayne?'
— Nicki Minaj
My goal in the beginning was to buy my mother a house. Now I realize, okay, if I really focus and become a key player in business, then I can build an empire.
I've always had this female-empowerment thing in the back of my mind - because I wanted my mother to be stronger, and she couldn't be.
I can rap in a London accent, make weird faces, wear spandex, wigs, and black lipstick. I can be more creative than the average male rapper.
People always want to talk about who I was, but I've always been singing, always been experimenting with pop music.
But, by just being myself, I end up touching a lot more people who might never have paid much attention to a female rapper.
So, my happiness doesn't come from money or fame. My happiness comes from seeing life without struggle.
I cannot hold a grudge against Mariah Carey. What people don't understand is that I've looked up to her for so many years.
My advice to women in general: Even if you're doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want - and don't allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge.
I don't need to Google myself.
I've constantly tried new things, even as a child, and have always been obsessed with pink. Now I'm just a little more ladylike and fearless. You should never feel afraid to become a piece of art. It's exhilarating.
I don't want children cursing. I'm very strict on my nieces and my little brother. They have to listen to clean versions of music. Even my music.
I don't mind being called a weirdo.
People face difficulties, no matter who you are. I faced difficulties with a lot of things. I face opposition every day, but I didn't kill myself and now, thank God, I'm here.
I'm thinking of a legacy that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to college. So world domination - in terms of providing for my family - is absolutely my goal.
I went through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was very tough.
I look at rap as an opportunity to act. My head is full of different characters - in each song I'm auditioning a character.
I want to show little girls that the possibilities are endless. That's my goal - to not only do it for myself, but to show them I can do whatever I put my mind to.
I want people - especially young girls - to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sex appeal. You've got to have something else to go with that.
I've always been the type of person to make everybody happy and get things done. I want everything to be 100% perfect.
