Nicki Minaj rightfully earned her place on the Mount Rushmore of Rap.
Following a heated debate on social media, the rapper was awarded the fourth and final spot on the Spotify x RapCaviar Mount Rushmore of the 2010s, joining Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole.
Fans weighed in on who deserved the final spot. Nicki won with nearly 40 percent of the vote, followed by Kanye West, Future, and Lil Wayne.
While promoting her new single “Do We Have a Problem?” on Power 106, Nicki admitted that everyone has a different Mt. Rushmore and that it’s all “subjective.” However, there’s no denying her impact on the culture.
“But do I know that Onika Tanya is supposed to be there? Yes, I do because influence is key,” she said. “If you go on social media and if you pull up any female rapper, you can see Nicki Minaj is influencing them, then of course I should be on the Mt. Rushmore because I mean that’s freakin’ obvious.”
She continued, “That would be like asking should Lil Wayne be on Mt. Rushmore for the previous Mt. Rushmore. It’s no denying it. It’s not bragging, it’s not nothing, it is what it is.”
She’s grateful that she’s been able to build a successful career while also commanding respect. “Even people that come on the scene and they’re scorching hot, they still are fighting and dying to be respected,” said Nicki. “I don’t have that problem, so I feel thankful and grateful.”
After 15 years in the game, Nicki no longer feels that she needs validation from others. “What I’ma do from now is just enjoy and I’m gonna experience my life from here on out with the people who rock with me. That’s all.”
With her fifth album on the way, the queen is ready to conquer the next decade. “I can only hope and pray that I do,” she said. “If that’s God’s will, then so be it.”