In the interview, the writer discusses younger artists Missy is a fan of and it’s when they bring up Nicki Minaj that things seem to get a little awkward.
Billboard writes:
Elliott doesn’t watch much TV, and when she listens to the radio it’s usually an underground hip-hop station rather than chart-busting hits, which she thinks have grown safe and same-y. “There are some great records out there,” she says. “But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to hear that a lot of songs sound alike.” She does like Kendrick Lamar, Drake and J. Cole. When asked about Nicki Minaj, who is clearly influenced by Elliott, she mock-innocently replies, “Oh, she is?” (Speaking to her influence generally, she adds, “Unfortunately, breaking news, there is only one Missy.”) Still, she would love to see more woman MCs on the charts — when she was coming up, that was much more common. “It was me, [Lil’] Kim, Lauryn [Hill], Eve, Foxy [Brown], Trina,” she says. “There’s room for so many. It’s important.”
We’re not so sure we feel this was shade, but Nicki’s fans sure do. They have been in Missy’s mentions something serious so much so that Missy took to Twitter to clear up any confusion.
She tweets:
I didn’t catch the shade. Missy has the credentials to back up her shade if she really did though! JMO.
Agreed!!!
It was shade but people need to remember Missy is very close to Lil Kim. Nicki shouldn’t take this too seriously.
I don’t think this was shade. She always says this when people bring up other female rappers from the younger generation.
She only said the truth. There will never be another Missy.
Missy is one of a kind!
Missy > Nicki
I think Missy is more annoyed at Nicki being the only female rapper getting any love than actually being annoyed with Nicki. Queen Latifah said something similar. They don’t have a problem with Nicki but they come from a time where there was multiple women in Hip Hop doing well.
Shade! *giggles*
I don’t see the shade.
I’d have to hear her tone but I can see how this could be shady. It’s possible Missy was like oh I inspire her, really?! on some she’s not dope enough to be my protégé type of situation.
I don’t care if it’s shade or not I’m just happy Missy is back.
It’s shade. Missy did the same mess to Lil Mama then when folks caught on she tweeted something similar. She does not like when people compare younger rappers to her.
Smh
It’s shade and I don’t mind it.
It has to bug Nicki that so many of the old heads aren’t fans. I think beefing with Kim burned a lot of bridges.
The barbs are overreacting.
They need to be telling Nicki to dump Meek!
I think Nicki was more inspired by Kim than Missy…
I hope Nicki doesn’t try to respond. Missy is a legend. She deserves respect.
Nicki better keep it cute. Her music can never compare to Missy’s.
Uh oh LOL! This could get ugly.
Hmm I did detect just a little bit of shade!!
She wasn’t nasty, she just didn’t feel the need to sugar coat the truth. She is one of a kind.
Subtle shade.
lmao
Team Missy!