Lil’ Mama Addresses Nicki Minaj “Feud,” Compares It to Tupac and Biggie
In the spring of 2007, Lil’ Mama burst onto the scene with her hit single Lip Gloss, marking the beginning of what seemed to be a promising rap career. At a time when hip-hop was looking for the next wave of artists to carry the torch, New York’s emerging talent included Lil’ Mama and fellow rapper Mims. Though Mims saw immediate success with This Is Why I’m Hot, Lil’ Mama secured a strong industry co-sign from none other than Lil’ Kim. Not only did Lil’ Kim publicly endorse her as a rising star in female rap, but she also made an appearance in the Lip Gloss music video. Fast forward to June of this year and Lil’ Mama made a serious accusation about the NY female who would take over rap.
Following the release of her debut album VYP (Voice of the Young People) in 2008, Lil’ Mama’s presence in mainstream hip-hop began to fade. Meanwhile, on the mixtape circuit, another female MC was making noise—Nicki Minaj. While Lil’ Mama was struggling for mainstream longevity, Nicki Minaj independently sold over a million mixtape units, eventually catching the attention of Lil Wayne, who signed her to Young Money in 2009.
The Shift in the Female Rap Scene
Once Nicki Minaj signed with Young Money, her rise to mainstream success was rapid. Her music flooded radio stations, and her image became a dominant force in hip-hop. Meanwhile, Lil’ Mama found herself on the outside looking in. Her last major headline moment came in 2009 when she unexpectedly crashed Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ performance of Empire State of Mind at the MTV Video Music Awards. The incident instantly turned her into a polarizing figure, drawing comparisons to Kanye West’s infamous interruption of Taylor Swift at the same event.
Despite the media scrutiny, Lil’ Mama maintained that her actions were driven by a deep connection to her New York roots. However, this moment also marked the beginning of a narrative that often painted her as the “forgotten” female rapper.
The Alleged Feud with Nicki Minaj
Over the years, speculation about a rivalry between Lil’ Mama and Nicki Minaj has persisted. Much of this stems from comments Lil’ Mama made, suggesting that Nicki Minaj was imitating her style. The tension intensified when Lil’ Mama’s own mentor, Lil’ Kim, entered a high-profile beef with Nicki Minaj, further fueling speculation that Lil’ Mama also had issues with the Young Money star.
However, in a recent interview with XXL, Lil’ Mama cleared the air. She emphasized that there was never real animosity between her and Nicki Minaj.
“There was never any animosity. She came to my show…the greeting was beautiful. It was like, ‘Hi beautiful, how are you?’ It wasn’t like ‘Hi,’ and then the name-calling or screwed-up face or anything negative. If someone has something negative to say about you or they don’t like you, they wouldn’t greet you and say, ‘Hello beautiful.’”
Lil’ Mama pointed out that much of the so-called “beef” between them was fueled by media narratives and fan speculation rather than direct personal conflict.
Lil’ Mama Compares the Situation to Tupac and Biggie
Perhaps the most striking part of Lil’ Mama’s interview was her comparison of her situation with Nicki Minaj to the infamous East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry that led to the tragic deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. She reflected on how outside forces often manipulate artists into conflicts that can escalate unnecessarily:
“If we decided to go at each other and then somebody ended up dead, everybody in hip-hop would be like, ‘Oh my God, it’s so sad what happened to them.’ It’s just like what happened with Pac and Biggie. The same people that promote it, it’s sad.”
While some may find the comparison extreme, Lil’ Mama’s underlying message is clear—hip-hop should focus on unity rather than division. She believes the media plays a major role in pitting artists against one another, and she hopes that moving forward, there will be less emphasis on fabricated rivalries and more focus on artistry.
Lil’ Mama’s Re-Emergence in Hip-Hop
Though Lil’ Mama has not released another studio album since VYP, she has been steadily working on new music. Her latest release, Scrawberry, pays homage to hip-hop’s golden era. Therefore, showcasing her lyrical skills and love for the culture.
She has also hinted at more projects in the works. This includes a potential mixtape. However, she insists that she is taking things one step at a time. Thus, choosing to reintroduce herself to fans before committing to a full-length album.
“I’m just taking it step by step. I don’t want to rush into another album yet. I want to make sure I’m giving my fans the best version of myself.”
Media Scrutiny and Personal Growth
Lil’ Mama also spoke about the challenges of being under constant media scrutiny. She acknowledges that, at times, she has been misunderstood. However, she chooses to embrace both the positive and negative aspects of fame.
“I love the positive. Everybody loves the positive. If you hear something positive, you be like, ‘Oh, I’m doing my thing!’ But, this industry … it’s like being in my grandmother’s living room…there’s like 50 of us…some people try to put you down and then some people will lift you up. It’s not like we hate each other, it’s just that you might have a negative energy when you tell somebody how you feel about them because you’re just tired of their stuff, you know.”
She reflects on growing up in New York and how even the toughest situations have given her wisdom and perspective.
“Even the drug addicts could tell you something, and for someone else, they might be like, ‘Shut up, she don’t know what she’s talking about. She get high,’ and then you might be like, ‘Naw, but did you hear what she just said? That helped me.’ So, I take it all.”
The Future for Lil’ Mama
With a renewed focus on music and personal growth, Lil’ Mama is looking forward to reclaiming her space in hip-hop. She remains optimistic about the future. So, she continues to push forward despite industry setbacks.
She may not have immediate plans for an album. However, her steady stream of releases indicates that she’s determined to remind the industry of her talent. Lil’ Mama’s story is one of resilience. Thus, proving that she refuses to be counted out.
Conclusion
Lil’ Mama’s journey in hip-hop has been filled with highs and lows. However, she remains steadfast in her passion for the culture. Her comparison of her situation with Nicki Minaj to Tupac and Biggie may be controversial. But her broader point about media-driven feuds in hip-hop is worth considering.
As she continues to release new music and reintroduce herself to fans, Lil’ Mama is proving that she is still a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Whether she ultimately releases another album or not, her impact on hip-hop—both as an artist and as a cultural figure—remains undeniable.
