Nicki Minaj's Mom Carol Maraj "Would Love" To Collab With Daughter On Gospel Track

BY Erika Marie 7.4K Views
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Carol Maraj, Nicki Minaj
She recently released a pop single about self-love.

Could a mother-daughter collaboration be in the works? Over the summer, Carol Maraj took a bold step and released her single "What Makes You." The mother to famed rapper Nicki Minaj's track was initially being reported to be a gospel record, but Carol chatted with PEOPLE Now and shared it's more pop than anything she's worked on in the past.

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"It kind of encourages people to love themselves," Carol said. "To build your self-esteem. It's really a feel-good song." Because "What Makes You" is about self-love, the host asked Carol what she loves most about herself. She said no matter what people feel about her, it doesn't change her opinion about herself.

Carol added that she "would love to"' collaborate with Nicki on a song in the future and that it would probably "be more gospel." The proud mother shared that she believes Nicki's love for music was inspired by her, as Carol "sang all the time when they were young." Wherever her children were in the home, Carol said if they heard her belting out a tune, they would come to listen. "They always heard me singing around the house," she added.

Watch Mama Maraj's interview below and check out what else she had to say about The Carol Maraj Foundation Against Domestic Violence and how, as a survivor herself, Carol wanted to help others in need.


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.