Backstage at Billboard’s 2019 Women in Music event, Game Changer award recipient Nicki Minaj shared advice for women who are struggling to find their self-worth, and she discussed what positive changes she has seen in the music industry — and which changes she still hopes to see.
Asked to share some words of wisdom for women who are having difficulty finding their self-worth, Minaj told Billboard that she would recommend taking time to make yourself think.
“I find that when there’s a lot of chaos or when I’m confused about who I am or feeling low…taking time away to not be around other people and just get yourself focused, I think that’s always great,” she explained.
The rapper added that for artists, spending time alone to reflect can help in everything else that they do. “Your peace is the most important thing and knowing you’re beautiful and knowing you’re great is extremely important,” she shared. “You shouldn’t need anyone to tell you that; you should just know it and feel it every single day. You are that bi—.”
In the interview, Minaj also discussed what positive changes she has seen in the music industry and where it can still improve. She praised the emergence of female rappers, noting that the industry is going in a positive direction in that sense.
However, she hopes to see less politics and less of a mentality that it’s all about who you know. Instead, she said, there should be a focus on the talent. “I would love for rappers to be so passionate about rap that we feel it,” she stated. “Everyone that has just come into the game, I’m proud of you guys ’cause it’s not easy and I know that. So keep on doing your thing.”
You can watch the full video interview with Nicki Minaj above, and take a look back at her acceptance speech for the Game Changer award below.