Deb Antney Thought Nicki Minaj & Cardi B Would "Lock In"

BY Erika Marie 4.3K Views
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2017 V-103 Car & Bike Show
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Deb Antney at 2017 V-103 Care & Bike Show at Georgia World Congress Center on July 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
She speaks on artists paving the way for a new generation and hoping that Cardi & Nicki would be close.

The impact that women in Rap have on the industry is unprecedented, and Deb Antney has been tracking its progression. As more ladies are staking their claims in Hip Hop, we're seeing a rediscovered unity—although, there are still moments when internet rifts get the best of them. Antney was instrumental in Minaj's rise to stardom, and on My Expert Opinion, she spoke about her former client.

"I wanted to put the whole thing together with women," said Antney. "But everybody always got something to say about the next woman."

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She also spoke about maturing artists who try to compete with the younger, rising generation.

"Bring these babies up and let them come out!" she added. "Let it keep passing on! What you look like on stage? That's just as bad as some of these 50-year-old rappers... You're dated! And you still wanna be up here doing this stuff. There's other things that you could be into. Bring up somebody else and let them come through."

Math Hoffa contested that there are rappers who do just that. When Deb asked for an example, Cardi B's name entered the conversation. The "Up" hitmaker is well-known for partnering with rising artists, especially young women, on collaborations or by giving them shout-outs.

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"Cardi is very good when it comes to stuff like that," said Antney. "She's very, very good... That's Cardi!" The conversation drifted to New York rappers having a 10 year stretch when artists weren't "putting nobody on."

Antney praised Minaj's grind, adding that people still don't know her sacrifices to get where she is. She also touched on Cardi and Minaj's beef, saying she doesn't get involved in those discussions.

"I don't get into that beef sh*t. That's people. See, the one thing that an artist gotta understand: it costs money to go to war. You don't wanna spend that money," said Antney.

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"I hated—I really thought Nicki and Cardi was really gonna lock into each other. They're two different people. I wanted that so bad. I wanted that bad to see them two get into each other."

There have been wars of words between Cardi and Nicki, but these days, it seems they actively avoid one another. However, their fanbases have been known to stir the pot, often creating unnecessary viral moments that place both women in an unfortunate spotlight.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.