Black Eyed Peas Star Will.I.Am Defends Nicki Minaj Amidst Hip-Hop Credibility Criticsm
Thursday, 05 July 2012
Written by Elliott Batte
Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has hit out at critics of Nicki Minaj, who’ve claimed that the 29 year-old star isn’t a credible hip-hop artists.
will.i.am has worked with the star before (on her 2010 single ‘Check It Out’) and is a big fan of the star - unlike some critics, who don’t rate her crossover style. Now, the rapper has claimed that hip-hop should broaden its horizons, rather than ‘limit itself’.
“I'm proud of Nicki,” will.i.am told Vibe. "You can't listen to this stuff about not being real hip-hop. You gotta go and get it. Whatever the music is called that's what it's called whether it's hip-hop, pop, rock, gospel or a freaking musical, who cares? Nicki is an artist and she is expressing herself. Why limit yourself?
“Hip-hop was broadening itself in the '90s. You had A Tribe Called Quest and Death Row. You had Lauryn Hill singing and rapping. You had Too Short, Outkast, Nas and the Roots. Hip-hop was broadening itself. Now hip-hop is limiting itself. If hip-hop is going to continue to limit people I say, 'fuck hip-hop'. It's like the most unhealthiest community.”
He added: “I want Nicki to continue to show the world what hip-hop can be. It doesn't have to always be about fucking this stripper girl or getting money. I would rather be interested to hear what Chuck D thinks than some blogger or radio host.”
Fortunately for Minaj, she has millions of fan across the world, and a couple of critics won’t do much damage to the superstar. If you’re one of her many fans, you can catch her on her UK tour - for which Minaj has just added more dates. Check the dates and details below to find tickets through Stereoboard.
Tue August 21st 2012 - Olympia Theatre Dublin
Sun October 21st 2012 - Arena Nottingham
Mon October 22nd 2012 - Manchester Arena
Wed October 24th 2012 - Liverpool Echo Arena
Thu October 25th 2012 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Sat October 27th 2012 - LG Arena, Birmingham
Sun October 28th 2012 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Tue October 30th 2012 - O2 Arena, London
Fri November 2nd 2012 - Arena, Manchester
Sat November 3rd 2012 - Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Mon November 5th 2012 - The O2 Dublin
Wed November 7th 2012 - Motorpoint Arena Cardifff
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will.i.am has worked with the star before (on her 2010 single ‘Check It Out’) and is a big fan of the star - unlike some critics, who don’t rate her crossover style. Now, the rapper has claimed that hip-hop should broaden its horizons, rather than ‘limit itself’.
