Azealia Banks On Nicki Minaj And Her “Ugly Wigs And Ugly Costumes”

Becky Bain | March 13, 2012 5:26 pm

We’re currently in the middle of a resurgence of female rappers to take the music scene by storm — Azealia Banks, Iggy Azalia, Rye Rye, and even Karmin’s Amy Heidemann — and it’s obvious that most people would credit Nicki Minaj for paving the way. But not 20-year-old Banks, who told told VIBE, “I don’t think Nicki necessarily opened the door for anyone else but herself.” Allow Azealia to make her case below.

“I don’t think the door was ever closed for urban female artists,” said the “Needsumluv” MC. “There has always been a female killing it. Have we forgotten about Eve? Eve had hot records, movies, a TV show, fashion line, ad campaigns, etc. Right before Remy Ma went to jail, she was killing it, and was well on her way to the top. She had bars on bars on bars. Lil Mama also made a splash with ‘Lipgloss.’ Plus all the other alternative chicks like M.I.A. and [Santigold]. I don’t think Nicki necessarily opened the door for anyone else but herself,” she laughed.

She continues: “I think she’s doing a great job with what she’s doing. But I don’t think any of the current female rappers’ success’ are contingent upon anything Nicki Minaj did. It’s contingent upon our talents and creativity.”

She goes on to praise Pink Friday‘s beats, hooks and lyrics, and even calls Nicki “mad sexy”. But her main criticism is the “Stupid Hoe” rapper’s wild style. “I think a lot of the things she started doing with her look were distracting,” she says. “I think she’s talented enough to sustain a very fruitful career without the ugly wigs and ugly costumes.”

Is Banks throwing shade, or does she make a good point about Nicki’s theatricality? Let us know what you think on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments below.

[Via VIBE]