Nicki Minaj reveals why she’s drawn to politics

Grammy-winning rapper and global music star Onika Maraj-Petty, professionally known as Nicki Minaj, has opened up about her growing interest in politics, saying it is rooted in a long-held sense of purpose that became clearer during the last U.S. presidential campaign.

The Queens-born artiste made the remarks during a recent appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast, in a clip shared on Instagram by XXL on Monday.

Asked what sparked her political engagement, Minaj said she had always felt destined for more than one calling, a belief she held even before achieving fame in music.

“I had this strong premonition my whole life that I had a second job to do,” she said, noting that the feeling existed long before her success in music.

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According to Minaj, her interest deepened during the most recent presidential race, when she found herself reacting strongly to political decisions and accurately predicting how certain actions would play out.

“I was saying, ‘This is a bad idea’ or ‘This is a good idea,’ and the things I was saying were coming to fruition. It made me think, if it’s this easy, then maybe I should do it,” she said.

She added that a more recent, undisclosed experience further strengthened her resolve, noting that resistance and criticism can sometimes push people toward their next phase of purpose.

“Sometimes people can push you so much that they push you all the way into your next calling, your next blessing,” Minaj added.