Deb Antney Didn't Know Nicki Minaj & Safaree Dated: "I Thought He Was A Gay Guy"

BY Erika Marie 4.1K Views
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Deb Antney, Nicki Minaj, Safaree Samuels, Drink Champs, Hype Man, Gay
When she worked with Nicki, she fully believed Safaree was her hype man and "helper."

She's known for being instrumental in developing the careers of major artists including Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka, but Deb Antney deserves her flowers for her work with Nicki Minaj early on in the rapper's career. The Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta star worked with the rising rapper before she was a worldwide sensation, and Antney also had a firsthand look at Nicki's romantic relationship with Safaree Samuels—except she now claims she had no idea that the pair were a couple. Instead, Deb told Drink Champs that she believed Safaree was the Queen emcee's gay friend and hype man.

"Craziest sh*t is—I know I really shouldn't say this, bless my heart—I never knew that her and Safaree was going together," admitted Deb. "Yeah, I thought Safaree was...I thought Safaree was a gay guy that she hung out with and he was her helper." Everyone began speaking over each other as some agreed with Antney. 

"Listen! We went when I was booking her out, she's like Deb, 'I need two rooms,'" Deb continued. "But the two rooms wasn't for him 'cause she would get dressed in the other room. But Safaree was—I didn't know that they were together. I never knew until he took my car from her and she called me to lock him up and then he called me and that's when he broke down everything."

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"He broke down everything, that they was together for the year. I didn't even know. She never—that's one thing about her, she never gave any inkling that anything was going on with them," said Antney. "I just thought he was...God forgive me. I thought he was just a gay guy that was helping her and he was her hype guy or something. I just never knew anything."

Antney did note that Safaree "put his career on" hold for Nicki so she could get her shine. Check out the clip of Deb Antney speaking about Safaree and Nicki's relationship with Drink Champs 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.