Rap-Up.com || Rap-Up TV: Karmin Gets Kanye Co-Sign, Inspiration from Nicki Minaj

It’s hard not to love Karmin. The swag-pop duo, comprised of Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, became a viral sensation with their rap-sung covers of popular hip-hop hits including “Look at Me Now” and “6 Foot 7 Foot” before grabbing the attention of L.A. Reid, who signed them to Epic Records.

On the eve of their major label debut Hello, the quirky twosome sat down with Rap-Up TV (on a piano, no less) to discuss how they got into hip-hop, meeting Kanye West, taking inspiration from Nicki Minaj, and their embrace by the hip-hop community.

The engaged couple, who met at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, recalled their encounter with Kanye, who was interested in signing them to G.O.O.D. Music. “Meeting our idol Kanye was surreal,” said Amy, who calls My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy her favorite rap album. “We kinda talked about our songwriting and recording process and it turns out they’re very similar creatively.”

Another superstar they’ve met is Nicki Minaj, whose song “Super Bass” they covered on YouTube with The Roots’ ?uestlove. “I have a huge girl crush on her,” admitted Amy. “She’s one of the people who inspired me to jump into it and start rapping.”

One of the highlights of their career so far has been performing at the 2011 BET Awards. “Amy secretively wants to be a black person,” joked Nick, while his other half added, “Being embraced by the hip-hop community is just priceless.”

Posted in Kanye West, Karmin, Nicki Minaj, Rap-Up TV | Permalink

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26 Comments

CarlosBonegro
May 7th, 2012 at 8:11 am
“It’s hard not to love Karmin” well i dont like them and i find it very easy

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cma Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 8:46 am
@CarlosBonegro, hahaha, right? I don’t have any trouble not liking them…

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Ramon Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 9:29 am
@cma, No one cares.

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Triniti Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 9:28 am
@CarlosBonegro, I hardly think they’re losing any sleep over your preference of artist.

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CarlosBonegro Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 10:33 am
@Triniti, i never said they do?

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Randy Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@Triniti, she never said they should. she was commenting on the story.

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James Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@CarlosBonegro, LOL same here.

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Shade
May 7th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Damn I really like them but anyone who takes inspiration from Nicki is doomed to fail

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Treyy Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 9:11 am
@Shade, RIGHT! Because Nicki is failing nowadays! Oh wait…

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briann
May 7th, 2012 at 9:12 am
@cma, @CarlosBonegro, what a pair of demented losers you two are. jeez.

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Morgan Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 9:30 am
@briann, Demented losers who also sound HELLA jealous and bitter.

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Randy Reply:
May 7th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@briann, you guys are the losers. not only that but you are haters. you act like intolerant nazi’s thinking you can you scold people simply because they dont have the same views as yourself. so they dont like them, that’s their opinion and that’s their right. the comment section was made for people to have opinions, not suck everybody’s dick. stop being haters just because you cant handle criticism. if it bothers you that bad stop commenting altogether.

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uhuh
May 7th, 2012 at 9:17 am
Yeezy stays winning.

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Wonderland19
May 7th, 2012 at 9:40 am
Love these two. fingers crossed their album goes top 5! Very talented :)

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IllerBrown
May 7th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Good stuff.. Don’t change

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Sara
May 7th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Thanks for sharing this interview! I’m personally very excited for “Hello” and I think their songs are hella catchy.

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Oh Please
May 7th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Too Many Fish is my jammmmmm! i love karmin!

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queen beyonce
May 7th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
i really like them and brokenhearted is my jam lol

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YOYOMA
May 7th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
KARMIN X G.O.O.D. MUSIC!

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OnikaCarter
May 7th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Wow Karmin, i love your personality!!!

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TheDreamer
May 7th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
WOW…they spoke with Kanye? Good for them.

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Hugh
May 7th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
They are great people

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plus your Time & lvUb
May 8th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
what music do they have out now nice for them that they spoke to KW

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bosinova
May 8th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
We need more artists like karmin! They support others and are inspired by what happening in music. I find this refreshing! Amy style is dope! I love Nick! They seem genuine not like phonies in the biz. Its nice they are not pros. Comes off refreshing and creative. Too many fish is a great track.

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dallas daniel hessler junior
May 9th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
amy is smokin hot

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John
November 24th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Just checked her videos out today she is very talented go white girl it’s your birthday!

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