March 3, 2013 10:35

Nicki Minaj fires stylist in bid to be 'taken seriously'

Star has her sights set on making 'proper hip-hop album', say sources

Photo: Press

Nicki Minaj has fired both her stylist and her hairdresser in a bid to make people take her more seriously, according to reports.

Minaj has become renowned for her bizarre stage outfits and controversial antics, which include a high-profile feud with Mariah Carey on the judging panel of America's Got Talent and reportedly throwing a strop at last year's T In The Park festival because the grass outside her dressing room was too long. But according to The Sun, she has decided to sack the people responsible for creating her theatrical image so she can focus on music instead.

"Nicki is desperate to be taken seriously as an artist," said a source. "She's fired her long-standing hairdresser who has been responsible for some of her crazy hairstyles over the years. She's also fired her stylist."

They added: "Nicki feels that now she's done with American Idol she can finally be taken seriously and release a proper hip-hop album."

In April last year, Minaj admitted she was fed up of being compared to Lady Gaga, just because they shared a fondness for the outlandish. "First of all, I'm a rapper. I'm from south Jamaica, Queens," she said. "What are the similarities?... Wigs? Every female in this game wears wigs. Over the top costumes? Eh, try again. It's getting tired now, though, to me."

Her most recent studio album, 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded', was released in April 2012. It was the rapper's second studio LP and debuted at Number One in the Official UK Album Chart, giving her the first UK chart-topper of her career.

The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.

Share on Facebook