Nicki Minaj announced on Friday (March 3) on an episode of her live podcast Queen Radio that she has started her own label. She did not reveal the name of the company, but gave some personal information.
As the first A&R, she named her long-time creative partner Patty Lauren aka Paddy Duke, with whom she has, among other things, written lyrics together. With her label, Onika Tanya Maraj, as the rapper’s real name is, will not concentrate exclusively on hip-hop, but will operate in different genres. Four artists are reportedly signed: Nana Fofie, Tate Kobang, Rico Danna and London Hill.
Nicki Minaj’s influence
In her show, she also reported that the idea of founding a company had existed for a long time. However, it is important to her to be able to fully concentrate on the career development of her protégés. As a role model, she named Lil Wayne, who signed her to his label “Young Money Records” in 2009. He had also nurtured her career before and given her opportunities to develop.
The case of G Herbo proves that the support of the 40-year-olds can be the key to success. He looked back on his journey in an interview in 2021. His feature on Minaj’s song “Chi-Raq” from her 2009 mixtape BEAM ME UP SCOTTY was decisive for his own success.
Minaj isn’t the first rapper who has decided to pursue her music career through a career in the industry. Among other things, Lil Kim and Missy Elliott founded their own labels in the 90s: “International Rockstar Records” and “The Goldmind Inc.”. Since then, however, the scene has undergone major changes. This includes the contemporary, historically unique dominance that female rappers have over the charts and the evolution of culture. Given that fact, for which Minaj is largely responsible, her move to the business level may be deserving of greater success.
Success that is greater than music
Billboard magazine recently published a list of the best and most important rappers of all time. Minaj took tenth place in this lineup, with Jay-Z taking first. Both placements are largely based on the influence that the named had on the present. However, Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam mogul Shawn Carter secured his place at the top largely through the financial and organizational reach of his actions. Through his label stints, he helped some of today’s highest-earning stars on the scene, including Rihanna and Kanye West, achieve that status. Nicki Minaj’s founding of the label could make her own legacy even more meaningful if she proceeds with the focus she has promised.
The company will operate as a subsidiary of Republic Records, where Minaj himself is signed through their ownership of Young Money Records. Republic, in turn, belongs to the “Universal Music Group”.
On March 3, just prior to her announcement, the New Yorker released “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” her first solo single since August 2022’s “Super Freaky Girl.”