Nicki Minaj Doesn't Blame Teen Rapper For Viral Video Snub: "She's The Victim Here"

BY Erika Marie 18.1K Views
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Ricci Bitti spoke out and said she was young and impressionable at the time.

The Lifetime network partnered with Jermaine Dupri to deliver their hit series, The Rap Game. For five seasons, the famed So So Def founder and CEO auditioned thousands of young people in search to find the next teen (or younger) rap superstar. This week, a clip of 2017's fourth season went viral after it showed journalist Kim Ford criticizing Nicki Minaj while asking the panel of The Rap Game's female contestants who their influences are.

One girl, a rapper named Ricci Bitti who was 13-years-old at the time, regularly stated on the show that she was influenced by Nicki Minaj. However, in that moment, she was reluctant to say the Queen rapper's name and instead opted with Queen Latifah. In the clip, Jermaine noted that Ricci Bitti wasn't being truthful. Nicki shared the video on social media with a lengthy caption, criticizing the journalist for posing that question. Yet, Ricci was somehow reported as the target, and she received flak from the public for her answer.

She responded to the backlash by agreeing with another person who said the rapper was "bullied" into her response. "And people also aren't understanding that i was 13 years old when the show was filmed, and I'm 16 now...of course was a 13 y/o KID i felt the need to change my answer, considering there were adults pressuring me into thinking my original answer was wrong."

Nicki was made aware of Ricci's comment and made sure to let it be known that she doesn't fault the young rapper at all. "She's sweet & she's the victim here. Did nothing wrong. A whole kid. The grown bitter woman is simply sick." Swipe through to check out the clip below.

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.