Music

Minaj: 'I'd be lost without Lil Wayne'

Published Monday, Aug 9 2010, 18:14 BST | By Robert Copsey

Nicki Minaj has admitted that her success is largely down to the help of her mentor Lil Wayne.

The rapper, who is signed to Wayne's Young Money Entertainment label, believes that he is responsible for her sudden rise to fame.

She told Billboard: "He's been such a major part of my career, I can't imagine it without him. He definitely put the spotlight on me sooner than I could ever have imagined. Without Wayne, I don't know."

Minaj, who recently announced that her debut album is called Pink Friday, also said that she is surprised at how well the LP is coming along.

She added: "It's surprising me how good it's coming out. I didn't expect to listen to the album and actually have it sound like an album.

"I'm so used to doing mixed tapes and this sounds like a competitor in the real world."

Pink Friday is released in the US on November 23.