Zonnique Shares Advice Her Mother Tiny Gave Her About Dating a Rapper

BY Erika Marie 15.6K Views
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Zonnique Pullins
Zonnique has been enjoying her relationship with Bandhunta Izzy, and she shared the romance advice that her mother gave her.

T.I. and his wife Tiny have lived their lives out loud as they've not only spoken openly about their struggles but broadcasted their lives on reality television. It's not surprising that the Grammy Award-winning couple has produced children that also have dreams of making it big in the industry, but when Tiny's daughter Zonnique began dating a rapper, some people didn't think that T.I.'s step-daughter would get the seal of approval from her parents. Zonnique and Bandhunta Izzy have been enjoying their unproblematic relationship, and in a recent interview, Zonnique shared what she feels is the most difficult part about being loved up with a rap star.

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"I would say just knowing that so many girls are after your boyfriend is just something that's always in the back of your head," she said. "You just have to have this trust thing on, but that, just seeing so many people after him, in comments [and] at shows. Just wanting to be there, not being able to be there like, what is going on." Zonnique added that she knows how shameless some women can be because she's seen it "first-hand" with her step-father T.I.

"My mom gives me a lot of great love advice," Zonnique continued. "You just have to know who—my grandma says the same thing. You just have to know who you're willing to go through the problems with. Not just the happy times, which is what I'm used to. I'm not really used to heartbreak and staying in a relationship... My mom's like, if you wanna go, then maybe they're not the person for you, but if you wanna fight for it, then fight for it."

This is the first time Zonnique has ever lived with a boyfriend, even though her aunt, her mom's sister, told her never to cohabitate with a partner. She said sharing a space with Bandhunta Izzy is much better than expected. "I like to be alone, but I really enjoy living with my boyfriend." Watch a clip of her interview below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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