Nicki Minaj has warned aspiring rappers not to take their chances on American Idol because she is convinced hip-hop fans need “credible” and “authentic” stars.
The rapper/singer has joined the panel for the latest series of the TV talent show alongside Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and long-time judge Randy Jackson.
However, Minaj is adamant fellow rappers should not be included in the competition and urges aspiring hip-hop stars not to bother auditioning for the show.
During a press junket this week to promote the latest series, Minaj told reporters, “This is definitely not a rap competition, and when I got involved with (American Idol) I specifically said I hope they didn’t try to do that because I was on the show. America loves that it’s an honest singing competition and I’m not here to change that, I’m here to judge.
“I definitely don’t think a rapper should be in this competition. Rap and hip-hop is completely different from American Idol. I started off in the streets, selling mixtapes out of my car. It’s a different situation.
“The hip-hop community wants you to be credible. With singing, people don’t really necessarily care what you’ve gone through. If it’s a great song, they are going to love it, ’cause it’s going to touch them or inspire them. But with rap, it’s different. I would never go on a show like this as a rapper. I wouldn’t encourage anyone else as a rapper to come on. I don’t think it’s authentic. If you’re really looking for people to see you as an authentic rapper, you wouldn’t do it.”
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