On Wednesday, a HipHopDX interview with rapper Trina began recirculating around the internet in which the Miami rapper named Beyoncé as the No. 1 female rapper who has helped pave the way for other Black women in rap. (Please make sure Nicki Minaj’s Barbs doesn’t hear this). The internet’s response to Trina’s comments basically was: Trina, if you want to collaborate with Queen Bey—just say that.
About naming Beyoncé, Trina explained: “Beyoncé, cause like she is the number one female rapper when she does rap … there’s no sleeping on the Queen.”
Of course there are many Black women who have blew the doors open for women in rap, from Lil Kim and Queen Latifah to Minaj and, of course, Trina, herself. But we kinda get it.
Trina continued, “It’s just one of those things, of course, it’s the Queen Beyoncé, but when you’re hearing a song and it’s rapping involved, it’s like, oh my God — it’s more inspiration.”
We all love bars from Bey, rather it’s on “Top Off” or “Apesh*t” alongside her hubby Jay Z. However, we all can hear that she has built her empire off of albums on which she sings, not raps. More importantly, Trina used this opportunity to overlook the current hip-hop girlies who have stood their ground in a male dominated genre.
Cardi B was the first solo woman rapper to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Nicki Minaj became the first female rapper to claim a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 in over a decade with her newest release “Pink Friday 2.” However, Trina said what she said—which of course led to Stan Twitter having a field day.
Fans have commented that Bey herself has called Minaj the Queen of Rap and clips have resurfaced of Trina paying homage to Nicki with a live rendition of her hit “Moment 4 Life.” Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, but deeming a pop icon one of the world’s most influential rappers was puzzling to say the least.
Full disclosure, the interview took place in Atlanta in October. Perhaps it was just the heat? Trina has since responded to comments about her comments by releasing a statement on Instagram basically saying, she said what she said.
“Now that I have y’all undivided attention ‼️ I am actually late to the party bcuz I wasn’t aware of this nonsense happening today bcuz Im too busy minding my business,” she wrote. “Let me just make myself CLEAR once again, since it’s a slow day for the blogs and bullshit, this interview was back in October at The One Music Festival.. I rlly don’t give a rats ass how anybody feel, I said what I said .. that’s the Queen Bey and I’m gonna STAN 🐝”
