By: A’daja J. White

Rising rapper Nikki Natural is putting on for her city in a major way. Having been casted as a recurring act on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Miami, she is using her platform to encourage women of color to be themselves, achieve new heights as a rapper and show the world how talented she truly is. With a rapidly growing fan base and authentic personality, Nikki Natural is Miami’s next big Hip Hop sensation!

I had the pleasure of catching up with the reality television star for a detailed interview surrounding the Love & Hip Hop Miami Reunion. She also openly talks about her journey through music and the importance of loving the skin that you’re in. Check it out below.      

Nikki Natural Interview

Respect: How has being on Love & Hip Hop boasted your rap career?

Nikki Natural: I just started rapping last year so it gave me a definite boast being so early in my rap career. Being on Love & Hip Hop during my second year in the game, is something I never expected. Now way more people know about Nikki Natural. I always had a big following on social media but since the show, I have gained over 70,000 new followers and I’m not even a main character on the show. So yes it really has helped me a lot.  

Respect: Why do you feel like the Love & Hip Hop Miami Reunion ended so explosively with you and Trina hashing things out?

Nikki Natural: I honestly feel like in that moment when I said “Trina and Trick Daddy are the King & Queen crabs of Miami” my words were misconstrued. Trick calls himself the mayor of Miami and Trina is supposed to be a role model for women. Trina even has a female empowerment organization. So yea I called them the King and Queen crabs of Miami because even on the show Trick was like “if you do not respect Trina you will never make it in this industry”. Let’s be clear, I never once disrespected Trina. The only thing I did was call her a b***h when I got jumped.

Trina and Trick were sitting right in the house watching me get jumped and neither one of them came out of the house to defend me. When Trina finally came out and questioned the girls from putting their hands on me, I could have approached her differently and had a civilized conversation with her. But, she came to me after those women put their hands on me expecting me to be all Kumbaya. No! In the heat of the moment your emotions and mouth are on 10. 

Just like in the heat of the moment, when Trina called my kids dirty on national television. When you are in the heat of the moment, you say things you don’t mean. That is why I was woman enough to reach out to her after I called her out of her name to apologize. Trina said that we would meet up off camera but never got back with me. So she tries to make it seem like I am disrespectful and have a problem with her and it’s not that at all. I don’t have a problem with Trina.

The only problem I have with Trina now, is the way she disrespected my family on national television. In this society my kids are in school and are at risk for being bullied everyday. Being that they are not in school due to the Coronavirus, my kids all have phones and are in group chats with their friends. Now they have to answer all of these questions about Trina calling them dirty. 

It doesn’t help that they are also getting little popups on their phone of Trina calling them dirty so now they are questioning me about what really is going on. They even asked me “Why would Trina call us dirty mom? We have clean clothes”. That is what really made me use my platform to do interviews, regardless of what people may say. I am not doing this for sympathy, I am trying to bring awareness to the fact that what Trina did was super wrong and she should never do that to anyone else ever again in life.

Respect: How did it make you feel knowing that Trina talked poorly about your children who had nothing to do with the situation? 

Nikki Natural: Like I said at the reunion I feel like Trina looked a mess. Bobby kept saying no she doesn’t referring to her looks thinking that I was talking about the way she looked. No, I was referring to the fact that she is supposed to be a role model but telling me things like “you are beneath me” and “you are a scum”.

That is not the way you empower a woman. Like why would you openly bring another black woman down on national television, trying to degrade and put a stigma on her as a black woman. Even the fact that she attacked me for being a grown woman who wears braces. Now you’re going to have all these young girls rushing out to get veneers, as if there is something wrong with wearing braces on your real teeth. 

As far as how it made me feel, I am a different breed. People think that I am a very cocky and arrogant person but I am actually very confident and sure of myself. I am not the type of woman who has to bring other women down to make myself look good. When you know your worth as a woman, you don’t do those types of things. Trina making those degrading remarks didn’t make me feel less than because I know my worth as a woman thankfully. But it could have been someone else who didn’t know their worth and that could have killed their desire to pursue their dreams.

One thing Trina could never do, is stop me from making my dream a reality. She is just making me go harder to show the world my greatness. We are both on the same show and have the same platform on Love & Hip Hop. I feel like Trina is scared of the impact that I have made. Whether it is good or bad comments, people are talking about Nikki Natural and it has never been like that before. It has always been the Trina show in Miami. I think she kind of knows that I took over that spotlight and she can’t stand it. 

Respect: Do you essentially feel like your sudden rise to fame is getting under her skin?

Nikki Natural: Yes. Her and Trick both actually because they don’t have a part in my success. Trick Daddy wanted me to sign a distribution deal with Slip N Slide Records and I declined it. That is when he was like “Im not filming with you anymore and your not having sex with me so you ain’t my real girlfriend anyways”. He wanted me to have no parts of Love & Hip hop anymore simply because he couldn’t be a part of my rap career.   

Respect: What do you think sparked the initial feud between you and Trina? 

Nikki Natural: I honestly feel like a lot of people misjudged me and my looks. I feel that way because Trina made a comment in the scene that captured me performing for her saying “sexiness is not going to get you by in this music industry”. The thing is, I am a smart, and educated woman. I don’t think being sexy is going to get me by, my talent will.

I really feel like Trina just made her own judgement of me judging a book by the cover. Although I have an uninviting look, I am the sweetest and goofiest person. The people that know me, hate seeing me on Love & Hip Hop and the way I am being portrayed. They always say things like “that isn’t you”. I had to calm my family down from cursing people out and trying to fight folks. Trina formed an opinion of me based off of the scene when I snatched that microphone out of her hand. I felt like she relieved that scene at the reunion and that is what influenced her to not want to rock with me at all. 

They cut out a lot in these shows. They didn’t show Trina trying to downplay me and not let me talk resulting in me snatching the mic out of her hand. That is why at the Reunion I let her talk and destroy herself because It was unnecessary for me to try to trade insults with her as I have no ill feelings towards her. At the reunion I was at a loss for words and couldn’t believe the way she was snapping at me.      

Respect: What are some things people have you misunderstood on?

Nikki Natural: That I look down on people and that I am disrespectful and hard to work with. None of this is true as I actually work with Birdman hand and hand. I have his direct line and can hit him anytime for mentorship. I also work with Big Fendi who discovered Nicki Minaj. They both love me to death. I am the coolest and have never had to sleep with any of these men. They know that I am very humble, smart, and an overall good woman who knows her worth.

In this industry knowing your worth means a lot because when you know your worth you don’t have to sleep around to get ahead. I have been around music for a very long time as my sister had a record deal with Universal and my baby daddy was signed with Polo Grounds. He is also one of my writers. I already know how the industry works but because of how I am portrayed on the show, it makes it seem like I am hard to work with.

 I am a very genuine person and would give you the clothes off of my back.  I have even sent some of my followers clothes, and shoes for their kids, but that is the stuff that doesn’t make it to social media. I am a very private person so before Trick mentioned my kids on the show, no one even knew I had kids. People were shocked, so when I introduced them on Love & Hip Hop I wanted to do so in a tasteful manner.

A lot of people didn’t get to see the genuine energy I have. They also didn’t get to see how educated I am. I have a whole Bachelor’s degree and I am a licensed medical massage therapist working privately with cancer and arthritis patients. I also am a basketball coach. It is a big misconception that I am this girl who used Trick Daddy to get on the show and pretended to like him. In real life we were actually in a REAL relationship and there wasn’t anything fake about it.

We just hadn’t had sex yet becasue we had started dating only two months before the show started. I genuinely did like him and was never trying to use this man. Despite the way he looks he is a very sweet and misunderstood person.        

Respect: What is up net for Nikki Natural?

Nikki Natural: As an artist I recently signed a management deal with Bankroll Freddie and his management team. We are working very close together and before the coronavirus we had 8 shows booked that are now on hold due to the virus. But you will definitely see a lot of promo for that when all of this blows over. Mona Scott-Young told me to make sure to use the show as a pitstop and for me to never stop.

Currently I am continuing to push my new single “That’s Me” which is the first song I ever recorded. When I recorded it last year I knew it would be the song to put me on the map and show a different side to me. I am having fun with this. Outside of rapping, I went to school for drama and theatre so acting is a big part of who I have become today. 

Respect: Would you say you are far more than just an artist?

Nikki Natural: I am so much more than just an artist. I have my “That’s Me” foundation that I will be rolling out soon. It is a platform to encourage women to be themselves no matter what. No matter how you look,or the amount of money you have, GOD created you the way he did for a reason, and there’s only ONE of you!

That is what my single is about. I am me and am not trying to be like anyone else and I don’t care if people don’t like it. This is me and this is how I’m rocking. I am using my platform to let the brown skin baddies know that we rock! And I am doing this as a mother of three, college educated, independently doing it the right way.

As Nikki Natural continues her rise to stardom, be sure to tap in with her on Instagram @Nikkinatural and stream her “That’s Me” music video below. 

The post Nikki Natural Talks Love & Hip Miami Reunion, Finding Success As A Female Rapper & The Importance Of Knowing Your Worth appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Meek Mill has been releasing visuals from his latest project Wins and Losses for the last few weeks and finally outside the shorts, Meek has dropped a video for the led single “We Ball.”

The video for the Young Thug collaborative track serves as an audio in memoriam to “all of those we lost to the streets.” The visual opens featuring fallen rapper Lil’ Snupe freestyling over a classic Dr. Dre beat before going into a video which features footage of a funeral, the streets, and glimpses of Meek’s continued push for success.

In other Meek Mill news, as previously reported, Meek responded to Trick Daddy‘s recent demand for an apology following comments Meek made on Ebro in the Morning while promoting his new album. Trick Daddy called out the Philly-bred rapper for his comments on Dreamchasers’ influence on Miami youth.

“Ever since you lost your girl, you been tripping,” he said on Instagram. “As a matter of fact, your visa has expired. You owe me and my city an apology.”

During an interview with Cosmic Kev on Power 99, Meek said there will be no apology and stated that if anyone had a problem with him, they should contact him directly and not vent on social media, specifically Instagram.

“I come from Philadelphia, all our OGs, they don’t get on Instagram where we’re from,” he said.

Wins and Losses, which dropped last week, is Meek’s third album via MMG and Atlantic. The heavily anticipated project features appearances by Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Quavo, Future, Rick Ross and The-Dream, among many others.

Check out the video and Meek’s response below.

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The post Meek Mill Drops “We Ball” Video Feat. Young Thug [Watch] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We’ve all heard the stories of record labels and the ups and downs being contracted with one may cause.  Here and now BET network is taking us all behind the scenes of some of the greats.  Tonight, May 17th at 8:00 ET and 9:00 ET make sure to tune into the first part of the eight-episode-docs-series.  Uptown Records is the first up in the spotlight to dig into all the dirt, good and bad with a Part I and Part II episode of the journey.  Some of Hip Hop’s most iconic labels will be featured  in the eight-week series for one-hour long like, Grand Hustle, Loud Records, Slip-N-Slide, Terror Squad, Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP), and Murder Inc.  

Founder, Andre Harrell will be among the industry insiders like, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Guy’s Teddy Riley and Damion Hall giving they’re unique takes on Uptown’s success, legacy, and so much more.  We can expect to see some never-before-seen footage in an up close, first-person narrative kinda way.  The series is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu, and Jeff Dixon.

“The dreams and visions; the successes and failures … we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes,” says DTP’s Dixon of the inspiration behind the series. “We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”

According to Billboard, these are some of the other power players that will be “playing” in each episode of Inside the Label:

Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.

Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.

Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.

Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.

Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.

Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, DJ Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.

Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.

Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

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The post BET Network Takes us ‘Inside the Label’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Slip N Slide Records head honcho, Trick Daddy Dollars, is finna take us to the house for the upcoming season of Love & Hip Hop. Mona Scott is extending her popular VH1 franchise to another city. This go round Love & Hip Hop is taking over the M.I.A.

Trick Daddy, who’s real name is Maurice Young confirmed with Bossip that he’s part of the Miami version of the show. “I just met with Mona last week and we’re trying to do this thing right,” Trick told Bossip.  “Put some real Miami b***hes and real Miami n***as on the show.” Trick’s storyline is set to chronicle him managing his two upcoming artists, Premadonna and Mike Smith.  Trick is set to start filming at the end on the month or early May.

“I’m really doing Love & Hip Hop Miami because there’s a difference between Old Cutler (a sleepy highway that connects Miami to the Everglades) money and South Beach money.  Old Cutler money is grandfathered in South Beach is investors.”  The self-proclaimed 305 mayor also made a promise to stay true to who himself.  “One thing I won’t do is make a fool of myself,”  Trick said. “If we gone make a fool of somebody it won’t be me, so it’ll be interesting.”

In addition, Trick’s protege, Trina The Baddest B!tch is confirmed to join the cast as well. Far as her storyline, we hope that it’s an attempt for her to promote her upcoming studio album.

Will you be tuning in?

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The film traces the history of the five major hubs in the South — Miami, New Orleans, Memphis, Houston and Atlanta — and how each region impacted Hip-Hop culture and the significant artists who rose to fame. Exclusive never-before-seen interviews from a star-studded cast of artists, producers, DJs, CEOs and music industry professionals, make this film a MUST SEE!

WATCH THE TRAILER: The Takeover: What You Really Know About the Dirty South?

The 90-minute documentary is co-produced, directed and written by industry heavyweight Andre “Jack Frost” Stephens, with a film score by Memphis-based DJ Jus Borne and film soundtrack by executive producer and multi-platinum music producer Drumma Boy.

Find out where to watch it at www.thetakeovermovie.com.

The post Southern Rap Greats Team Up for New Hip-Hop Documentary “The Takeover: What You Really Know About the Dirty South?” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Blunt in hand, singing Cassidy and R.Kelly‘s infamous song “Hotel”, Freddie Gibbs shows off his personality in this edition of Pitchfork’s Selector Series. He talks about the European tour he just came off of with Madlib, switching up his flows, his love for Trick Daddy and  his upcoming projects with insane names like “Cocaine Pinata”. He also rips a freestyle over an Erick Arc Elliott beat. Check out the video below.

The post Video: Freddie Gibbs Freestyles on Pitchfork’s Selector Series appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.