Nicki Minaj Approached Kanye For Potential Yeezy Partnership, He Turned Her Down

BY Erika Marie 7.6K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Johnny Nunez / Contributor / Getty Images
Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj
Minaj says she asked Ye about a possible collaboration in fashion, but he allegedly said, "I think my wife probably wouldn't love that idea."

We've all been bombarded with Nicki Minaj soundbites now that the rapper has sat down for an in-depth discussion with Joe Budden. The interview has been picked apart for the better part of the day, and we're back with another highlight from the interview. Minaj's Fendi partnership was extremely lucrative for the Rap icon and the luxury brand, and Nicki told Budden that just prior to the deal, she approached Kanye West about a potential Yeezy partnership.

“‘Chun-Li’ said ‘Fendi prints on’ and that changed everything,” said Minaj. “Once ‘Chun-Li’ came out and I said ‘Fendi prints on,’ all the girls started posting and saying ‘Fendi prints on,’ so Fendi gave me a deal.”

Craig Barritt / Stringer / Getty Images

Although she approached West about a fashion collaboration, things never materialized because Ye had some concerns.

“He was like, ‘Well, if I did something with you, I think my wife probably wouldn’t love that idea because I should be giving that to my wife instead. If I was doing a female version of the Yeezys or whatever, it probably should go to my wife,'" said Nicki. She took it all in stride but did offer a few more thoughts.

“Kanye was very vocal about the fashion industry not letting him in at one time, so if a Black female who you know has just shown herself to be sellable in that space," she added. "I come to you as a Black man that I look up to, I’m doing that because you inspired me, because you said the fashion industry didn’t want to let us in even though we’re so influential.”

However, Minaj admitted that she is unaware if Kim actually took issue with the possibility, but hearing West say it may be a problem was enough for her to let it go. If you haven't already, check out the interview between Budden and Nicki Minaj 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.

Comments 8
Page was generated in 0.13153600692749