But, by just being myself, I end up touching a lot more people who might never have paid much attention to a female rapper.
Interpretation
Authenticity can resonate with others and create unexpected connections.
In this quote, Nicki Minaj highlights the importance of being true to oneself and how this authenticity can reach and inspire a wider audience, particularly those who may not have previously engaged with her art as a female rapper. It illustrates the power of individuality and the impact it can have in breaking barriers and attracting attention in unexpected ways.
In practice
In a speech about embracing individuality at a music festival.
When you're a girl, you have to be everything, You have to be dope at what you do, but you have to be super sweet, and you have to be sexy, and you have to be this and you have to be that and you have to be nice, and you have to - it's like, I can't be all of those things at once. I'm a human being.
I want to show little girls that the possibilities are endless. That's my goal - to not only do it for myself, but to show them I can do whatever I put my mind to.
I don't mind being called a weirdo. There are a lot of people in hip-hop who are probably never going to get what I do. But, by just being myself, I end up touching a lot more people who might never have paid much attention to a female rapper.
As a little girl growing up in Southside Jamaica Queens, if anyone would've told me I'd have my own perfume one day, and be able to inspire young black girls everywhere, to go into Macy's or Nordstrom's and see their face staring back at them - I wouldn't believe them.
I identified in a very deep way with the individuals I was writing about because the theme that runs through this story is of extraordinary hardship and the will to overcome it.
Never lose the childlike wonder. Show gratitude... Don't complain; just work harder... Never give up.
I want young people to see me and think you can be feminine and smart and successful, all at the same time.
Oh, Alexander Hamilton fell short of his best self every now and again, and he still managed to do these wonderful things - well, so do I. So what am I capable of?
Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen.
If it excites you, if it makes you feel good, it's God speaking to you.
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