Was he serious or was it all a joke? DJ Khaled is speaking out about his love for Nicki Minaj. In a new interview, the We the Best CEO explains why he went public with his proposal and why he won’t give up until she says yes.

Earlier this week, Khaled proposed to his YMCMB labelmate and presented her with a 10-carat engagement ring via a videotaped message with MTV News. The clip went viral and even his friend Rick Ross weighed in on the situation.

During an interview with DJ Felli Fel on Power 106, Khaled says he was not kidding when he asked for Nicki’s hand in marriage. “I just had to be honest. I always liked her. She’s my friend, of course. And I like her. It’s more than a crush,” he confessed.

The hard-working DJ feels like he can relate to her. “I feel like I understand. I know she’s out there hustling and I respect that. I feel like I can take care of her and not just that, she’s beautiful.”

So how would he feel if she turned him down? “If she says no, it’s all love. She’s my friend. She might not be ready for marriage. I want kids, I want a lot of things, but you gotta be ready for this.”

But he won’t give up easily. “She might say yeah tonight or tomorrow, she might say yeah next year. What am I gonna do, give up? Never. I ain’t never give up on nothing I do.”

To show just how serious he is, the infatuated Khaled proposed again on air. “Nicki Minaj, I love you. Nicki Minaj, will you marry me? I ain’t changing that.”

Nicki has still yet to respond to his proposal.