Nicki Minaj pays tribute to Juice WRLD during emotional award show speech
13 December 2019, 12:33
Rapstress Nicki Minaj has reflected on her friendship with the late Chicago rapper Juice WRLD, during her 'Women In Music' award speech.
Nicki Minaj attended the Billboard Awards on Thursday (Dec 12) where she received the Game Changers award. The 37-year-old dedicated her acceptance speech to Juice WRLD, who tragically died from suffering a seizure last week.
Juice WRLD's ex-girlfriend details rapper's tragic ‘lean & Percocet' addiction
Earlier this year, Nicki Minaj and Juice WRLD toured together for the Nicki WRLD Tour overseas. The pair grew an incredible bond and had spent a significant amount of time together.
The Queen rapper recalled a special moment she shared with the 21-year-old Chicago artist. Although Minaj was being honoured with a Women in Music award, she felt it was right to make a tribute to her friend Juice WRLD.
"I recently had the pleasure of working and touring with Juice WRLD," she said.
"I had a great conversation with him one day and while we walked to the stage he held my hand and told me to stay calm and to pray. He said he had been trying to do just that."
"I was shocked to hear him of all people tell me that, but right there in that moment with him telling me that, I actually did feel calm and I felt like, 'Hm, what am I actually worried about?'"
"I felt like he was a kindred spirit, and looking back now, I wish I did something differently or said something to help," Nicki added.
Nicki Minaj dedicating her Women in Music speech to Juice Wrld. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/zFcShtPtlF
— 🦄 (@HARDWHlTE) December 13, 2019
Nicki continued "He spoke to me in detail about how in love he was with his girlfriend and how passionate he was about music. And when he was in the studio with me he did so many songs so quickly."
She added "He was honest and pure about what he felt and that inspired me."
Nicki revealed that although it was an event honouring women in music, she didn't feel comfortable talking about herself when "someone so important to our culture just died".
The "Barbie Dreamz" rapper sent her condolences to Juice WRLD's loved ones before saying, "Drugs isn't the problem, it's the way we fix our problem."
"So, it's so important that we don't pass judgment so that people don't feel ashamed to speak up and ask for help."
Check out a clip of Nicki's Women in Music speech above.
