Nicki Minaj: Surprised Kids Like Her Music, Finding Her Own Niche with Them

In the midst of her billboard chart success for her latest album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and recent release of her strip club-inspired video "Beez in TheTrap," Nicki Minaj has commented that she is surprised her younger fans have supported her music.

"I've always been kind of racy," Minaj said, according to the Associated Press. "Don't expect that to change, but I love children and I respect children so much. ...I'm big on them remaining, you know, kids. I don't want them to go around cursing and acting crazy."

"I didn't expect the kids to gravitate to me like that," the artist said in an interview last week before performing in New York's Times Square, reported the Associated Press. "I'm finding my own niche with them."

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In its first week, Minaj's sophomore album sold 253,000 units, making it a No.1 album on the charts, and exceeding expected sales figures. It has surpassed Madonna's "MDNA," the record set by Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," with its hit single "Starships," climbing up the chart to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Since Minaj was discovered and signed by Lil Wayne's "Young Money" label, she has changed up her look, been criticized for her over sexualized image and her controversial songs like "Super Bass," which has been mimicked by some of her young fans on YouTube.

"I don't want to offend moms or children, when they come and pay their money to see a show," Minaj said in an interview this week when asked if her music was appropriate for her young fans, reported CNN. "But I didn't come in the game to be an artist that appealed to kids either."

Minaj has attributed the need for innovation as her reason for constant switches in style, from her princess-like ball gowns and multicolored wigs and her revealing outfits in her latest video to the non-traditional infusions of dance-pop, hip-hop, R&B and Reggae in her music. The new album reportedly has numerous different sounds to match her multiple personalities.

"Once I did [the album] I was like, 'Why aren't all albums like this? Why does every artist have to give you one thing?'" said Minaj, who is known for eclectic style and draws inspiration from the Harajuku Barbie as well as catholic sacraments and rituals. "I like going to restaurants because I can order a little bit of salad, a little bit of bread, a little bit of chicken, some sushi. I like variety. I get very, very bored, if I have to keep things the same."