Translation: There are too many new artists and I couldn't keep gatekeeping. Now it's not fun anymore.
#Loser
Nicki Minaj opens up on The Bryce Crawford podcast about powerful music figures making talented artists “almost invisible,” herself included, if they don’t play by their rules:
“In the beginning, it was a lot of fun, honestly. We had so much fun rooting for each other [and wanting each other to win]. I thought that’s how it would always be. I started realizing people are really vindictive in this industry…‘Oh my gosh, what did I sign up for?’ […] It started to feel like everyone was staking their claim to human beings, like, they were property. And if you don’t abide by their rules or put money in their pocket, they would actively try to stop you from making money to feed your family, or from prospering in the industry you love […] It was constant spiritual warfare. I wish I kind of knew sooner that this music industry was such a spiritual experience because I felt like I brought a knife to a gunfight.”