
Nicki Minaj Says Motherhood Inspired Her To Be Less Explicit In Her Music

Nicki Minaj is bouncing back into music after giving birth to her now one-year-old son whom she affectionately calls Papa Bear. However, being a new mother has influenced her to make some changes in her life and her music. While doing a press run for her new single “Do We Have a Problem?” featuring Lil Baby, the “Seeing Green” rapper stopped by The Dana Cortez Showto talk about how motherhood has made her more cognizant about what she raps about.
"There was a song—my label wanted me to go full out with a single and everything, right, when I was pregnant and I couldn't bring myself to put out a song about p–sy and d–ks and sucking and eating," she said. "I couldn't bring myself to put a record out like that while my son was growing in my body. Nothing wrong with anybody that was able to do it, but me, I just felt in a very different, new space."
Nicki was also offered an opportunity to be on Gunna’s song “P Power” which featured her labelmate Drake, but she turned it down due to the song’s explicitness. She said she "couldn't bring [herself]" to hop on the track.”
"It was like, the moaning and groaning on the track," she said. "To me, it felt like, do it or don't do it. So, I knew in order to get on the track, that I would have to be explicit and I would have to really kill it and be explicit and talk that real talk, and I wasn't ready. I just wasn't there."
Nicki is known to have raunchy lyrics in her songs as well as a visual to match, but the self-proclaimed “Queen” has been switching it up, like with her “Do We Have a Problem?” video for example. During her recent appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Nicki shared the concept behind the video and also dished on motherhood. “We just did something that is in my lane. Not me doing anything in anyone else’s lane, and I did not have the desire to bust it open and then drop it like it’s hot and all that stuff. No,” she explained.
She also gushed about being a mother. “When I look at my son, I’m reminded that I am so blessed. We are so blessed, y’all,” she said. “Because I realized, so many women, this is their dream, their dream is to have a child [and] not everybody gets that blessing so when you have a little baby, you’re reminded every day, thank you, God. Thank you for this little gift.”
How cute! Here are some other women in entertainment who shared how motherhood also changed them.
Serena Williams
“We’re not spending a day apart until she’s 18. Now that I’m 36 and I look at my baby, I remember that [becoming a mom] was also one of my goals when I was little, before tennis took over, when I was still kind of a normal girl who played with dolls. … Maybe this goes without saying, but it needs to be said in a powerful way: I absolutely want more Grand Slams. … And actually, I think having a baby might help.
"When I’m too anxious I lose matches, and I feel like a lot of that anxiety disappeared when Olympia was born. Knowing I’ve got this beautiful baby to go home to makes me feel like I don’t have to play another match. I don’t need the money or the titles or the prestige. I want them, but I don’t need them. That’s a different feeling for me,” via Vogue.
Beyoncé
“Something cracked open inside of me right after giving birth to my first daughter. From that point on, I truly understood my power, and motherhood has been my biggest inspiration. It became my mission to make sure she lived in a world where she feels truly seen and valued. I was also deeply inspired by my trip to South Africa with my family.
"And, after having my son, Sir Carter, I felt it was important to uplift and praise our boys and to assure that they grow up with enough films, children’s books, and music that promote emotional intelligence, self-value, and our rich history. That’s why the film is dedicated to him," via British Vogue
Ciara
“Having my son [Future] has just changed my life in such a great way and it's totally inspired me. It kinda grounds you and I’m just so expressive these days and I just feel like, I’m a woman and I’m embracing everything that comes with it. It just has given me a whole ‘nother level of confidence and it definitely has inspired me in such a great way in the recording process,” via Today
Featured image by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Billboard
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Celebrate International Women's Day With Wellness, Empowerment & More
International Women’s Day, celebrated on Saturday, March 8th, presents an excellent opportunity to honor and celebrate women. As March marks Women’s History Month, there are numerous chances throughout the month to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of women.
Both International Women's Day and Women's History Month serve as reminders of the progress made toward gender equality and the work still left to do.
They inspire ongoing advocacy for women's rights, fostering discussions on issues such as workplace discrimination, healthcare access, and representation in leadership. By celebrating women's contributions and amplifying their voices, these observances help pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Here are four ways to celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
Attend a Women History Month Event
This month, there are numerous events happening, particularly for International Women’s Day. One such event is organized by Media Girls Network, which will be held over a multi-day period starting on Thursday. The entire event is dedicated to celebrating women.
On Friday, the organization will honor prominent women in business and entertainment, including the OMG Girlz, celebrity restauranteur Gocha Hawkins, and more.
On Saturday, guests can indulge in a day of wellness and self-care, featuring a fitness class, massages, a journaling workshop, and other activities. For more information about these events, visit www.mediagirlsontour.com.
Support a Woman-Owned Business
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Reports indicate that women constitute 39.1% of business owners, and this percentage is steadily rising. In light of this, let’s celebrate and support women-owned businesses this month.
Here are a few ways to do so: shop at their establishments, leave positive reviews, follow and engage with them on social media, collaborate with them, or contribute to their crowdfunding efforts.
Support Women's Rights Groups
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Since President Trump took office, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented number of rights being reversed, including DEI programs. Women have been particularly concerned about his decision regarding abortion and reproductive rights. Recently, he dismissed the Idaho Emergency Abortion case, which was a legal battle to ensure Idahoans had access to emergency abortion care.
Writing in her Substack blog, Abortion, Everyday, journalist and abortion rights advocate, Jessica Valenti, said, “By dropping this case, the Trump administration is sending a clear message that anti-abortion states don’t have to adhere to [the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act] by giving pregnant patients life-saving care.”
Instead of waiting on Trump's next move regarding women's rights, support women's rights organizations and charities like In Our Own Voice Action Fund and Planned Parenthood.
Empower Others
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Use your voice to raise awareness about the challenges women encounter. This can be achieved through social media platforms or by speaking at local rallies and events. By leading by example, you can inspire others to get involved and contribute to the support.
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