Nicki Minaj has made a big entry into the field of entrepreneurship, announcing that she has set up her own record label. Although she did not reveal the name of the record label, she said on her Queen Radio show for Amazon Music’s AMP platform on March 3 that it will be a subsidiary of Republic Records.
She also announced that songwriter Patty Lauren will serve in an A&R role at the label, adding that Dutch-Ghanaian singer Nana Fofie will release music on her label.
Nana Fofie’s father inspired her to do music. Growing up, he exposed her to various music genres including R&B, traditional Ghanaian music and modern soul. Her well-known tracks include Désolé, It’s alright, Gonn do and Carefully. Mad Over You, which was her first Afro mash-up, became one of the most-watched songs on YouTube.
Tate Kobang, Rico Danna and London Hill are also among the first signees to Minaj’s label. “I have a record label now. When I get behind an artist, y’all know how I do shit for people that’s not even signed to me,” Minaj said of her label, according to The Fader. “Imagine what Imma do for the ones that’s signed”.
She also noted that the label will branch out to include genres outside of rap. “Don’t think my label is just rap, or Black, or anything. We got some other genres of music,” she said.
The revelation of her record label comes on the heels of the first single of 2023, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” which dropped last Friday through Young Money/Republic. According to Billboard, it is a follow-up to her last year’s Billboard Hot 100-topping smash “Super Freaky Girl.”
She also revealed how rapper Lil Wayne has been influential in her music career. According to her, she wants to reciprocate that by helping to nurture young talents.
“When I came in this game I didn’t have no paperwork with Lil Wayne. But he had us on tour, he had us in a studio, he was getting on my mixtapes,” she said. “So I understand the importance of having somebody else doing the heavy lifting for you.
“I understand why people are coming out and they’re so, you know, microwaveable and they’re here today and gone tomorrow because there’s no structure. There’s no real person that believes in them. That’s like, ‘Nah, I’m gonna make it my business to see you shine.’”
