Nicki Minaj Talks Travis Scott Chart Battle, Performs Medley on 'Ellen'
The Queen takes over “Ellen.”
After opening up about her love life, Nicki Minaj got candid about her chart showdown with Travis Scott during her full sit-down with “Ellen,” which aired during Tuesday’s season premiere.
Queen debuted at No. 2 behind Travis Scott’s Astroworld on the Billboard 200. When Ellen suggested that she was upset about coming in the runner-up spot, Nicki responded, “Why do people say things like upset or angry? When someone says how they feel, they’re not always upset or angry.”
But she was still feeling some type of way. “I felt like I wanted to punch him in his fu**ing face,” she said, adding, “It’s not anger. It’s just what’s right and what’s wrong.”
She continued, “I’ve had a No. 2 album and I never cared. It’s just that when you have a No. 2 album to someone who’s selling shirts and merch and selling passes for a tour that’s not even announced yet, it feels like you’re being tricked. It feels like someone is playing a game as opposed to just selling music. I wanna sell music.”
However, she won’t stand for it. “I don’t like being bullied and I don’t like being taken advantage of, and sometimes people use scare tactics against you because they know, especially as a black woman, that people will call you angry or bitter. So now, it’s almost like we’re not allowed to defend ourselves or stand up for ourselves. I’m not gonna have that.”
Nicki also surprised three lucky fans by partnering with Ellen and Walmart to give away $50,000 to help them pay off their student loans. She got emotional while presenting a check to one of her scholarship winners, who didn’t respond to her original DM. She also presented a check to a nursing student, joking that she’s “coming to her in three years.”
Plus, the Queen graced the stage by performing a medley of tracks off her new album including “Barbie Dreams,” “Ganja Burn,” and “Fefe.” Ellen joined her on stage at the end, rocking an orange wig of her own. “Make some noise for the queen of daytime!” said Nicki.