Nicki Minaj has a record label now. “I have a record label now”, she said on her Queen Radio show on Friday.
Although she did not reveal the name of the new label venture, she did let slip that artists she has already signed include Nana Fofie, Tate Kobang, Rico Danna and London Hill. She also announced that she and longtime associate Patty Duke will handle A&R for the company, and that it will operate as an imprint of Universal Music’s Republic Records.
“When I get behind an artist, y’all know how I do shit for people that’s not even signed to me”, said Minaj. “Imagine what I’ma do for the ones that’s signed”.
She added that she’s always been inspired to support newer artists thanks to the backing Lil Wayne gave her when she was starting out in the music industry.
“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. 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”, she went on. “There’s no real person that believes in them. That’s like, ‘Nah, I’m gonna make it my business to see you shine’”.
As well as all that, Minaj also released a new single of her own last week, ‘Red Ruby Da Sleeze’: