Nicki Minaj Says She's Used To Rejection: "I've Been Told 'No' A Billion Times" [Video]

Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj recently talked about the motivation behind signing up for the upcoming season of "American Idol" and how she relates to the contestants' struggles.

Despite her current platinum success, the self-proclaimed Barbie discussed battling to get put on during the pre-fame days.

"It feels pretty amazing to me to judge. I'm still getting used to it and it's inspiring to kind of feel like you're finding someone right before they become a superstar and hopefully you're gonna help to mold that journey and help to make them a better artist. I'm excited for the chance that I get to come here. I have an opportunity to fulfill their dreams. My journey began in New York City. I was on the underground circuit of hip-hop culture and doing everything I possibly could to get myself seen and uploading music online and I was doing a lot of writing, locking myself in a room for hours at a time. Eventually the right person came along and the rest was pretty history. I've been told no a billion times and I think it's very important you have someone that knows what it's like to be disappointed and have to try again, and that's a big part of the audition process." ("American Idol" Promo)

Atlanta's Gucci Mane recently called out Minaj for not giving props on his involvement in her career.

"It's like when she came to Atlanta, she gave me a shout-out, said I helped her and her career," Gucci said referring to Nicki. "But at the end of the day, I think a lot of times you just keep it real with somebody, you can't expect them to keep it real with ! you. I told you man, this industry thing, they want to be famous and people forget how to keep it real and forget the people who helped them get to where they're at. As soon as that money starts coming in, the people start, that fame [is no joke.] It bothers like every artist when they first start coming in. They start thinking whatever they make is hot, every song they make is hot, everybody hate on them that don't play their records. I've seen so many people's careers go down so I tip my hat to Nicki for being a hard worker but at the same time, she knows she didn't keep it real." (Hot 107.9)

Last summer, Minaj credited her time running with Waka Flocka Flame for cementing their bond.

"Waka Flocka is my brother. People know that I go way back with him and whatever he needs me to do, it gets done," Minaj said. "He called me, he sent me a song, I said, 'It's nothing.' I was finishing up my album and I said, 'You know? I got you, it's nothing.'" When asked if her relationship with Waka has remained intact over the years, the Queens rapper seemed confused by the question, addressing Waka directly: "Still cool? Why wouldn't we be still cool, babe?" (MTV)

In May, Flocka said his past stints behind bars resulted in Minaj eventually siding with Lil Wayne's Young Money team.

"Yea, I can say that. 'Cause when I was around... I ain't tryin' sound like I'm some He-Man, n*gga. But, Nicki, that's my n*gga, like. If I probably never went to jail. I probably never would have been rappin'," Flocka said in an interview. "I'd be doin' the same thing I did with ! Gooch. Al! l the f*ckery she probably got, that sh*t [would] be to the minimum." (XXL Mag)

Check out Nicki Minaj's interview: