By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Though his role has been greatly reduced from his days as a Def Jam executive and the head of the ever-popular Murder Inc., home of Ja Rule, Irv Gotti still holds weight in the industry. The reported deal between Diplomat Records and Interscope Records was revealed to have been brokered by Irv Gotti. Because of his knowledge of the industry, many wanted him to be the man hired to take over Def Jam.
Nicki Minaj is also a native of Queens and she has done what few newer Queens artists have been able to do. For her latest music video, “Right by My Side,” Nicki Minaj got Nas to play the role of the male lead, opposite her. Nas, who rarely does collaborations, is also featured on Nicki’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Aside from working with Nas, Nicki Minaj appeared in several promos for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards with LL Cool J, another Queens legend.
Before officially meeting, Irv Gotti praised Nicki Minaj’s talent, saying she was the female version of Lauryn Hill. Months after his statement, Nicki Minaj accepted those comparisons. When she spoke with The Insider, Nicki revealed she and Irv have officially met. During the time she was working on her original Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj revealed she was having a conversation with Irv Gotti, who she calls a close friend. She said Irv Gotti told her to enjoy this moment because she will never have it again. After the conversation, she heard what would become the instrumental for “Moment 4 Life.”
