Nicki Minaj Credits Her “Barbz” Fanbase For Bringing Stan Culture To Hip-Hop

Nicki Minaj gushed about her fierce fanbase, The Barbz, which she credited for influencing “stan culture” in Hip-Hop. While speaking at Vogue‘s Forces of Fashion event in NYC on Wednesday (Oct. 16), the Young Money vet explained how she set the standard for rap artists to connect with their fans.

“Before I had a record deal, my fans were making a moment for themselves on Twitter. I had already given them a name,” she said. “When I started calling my fans the Barbz, there were no rappers naming their fans. There were only two people at that time, and I don’t know which came first — Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, they had Beliebers and Monsters. That was it!”

She added, “Now, every single human being that becomes an artist gives their fans a name. Even artists in other countries. Some of the African artists that I love, when I would look into them, they would have names for their fanbase. And I was like, ‘Woah.’ I didn’t think it was something that would spread to the Hip-Hop community at all. But it doesn’t matter because the Barbz are still superior.”

And speaking of movements, she also hyped up her Pink Friday 2 Tour, which has turned into the highest-grossing tour for any female rapper. “Honestly, I wasn’t even expecting that! But whether or not I had the highest numbers, the moments with the Barbz have been healing for me,” she said of the milestone to moderator Eva Chen, the vice president of fashion at Meta. “They said it’s healing for them too, but trust, it’s been a vibe for me, as well.”

Further expressing her love for her Barbz, she said, “I feel super grateful. The way they ride for me always hits me right in the feels.” And The Barbz will go to lengths to protect their queen, no matter what.

Earlier this year, Minaj reflected on when the fanbase first formed in the early 2000’s, taking to X to share a few things she’s learned about her supporters over the years. “I be tryna tell y’all nobody is exempt. #ACGI ANYBODY CAN GET IT,” she wrote at the time. “It don’t matter WHO start it, the barbz ALWAYS finish it. I been doin this sh*t for a long time now & every-time I ever tried to warn ppl that the barbz are different, they had to learn the hard way.”

Listing her revelations, she said: “1. They NEVER Forget 2. They don’t care how long it take to get a OPP bakk 3. They NEVER stop once they start. They’ll be in that a** #ForLife (moment 4 Life voice) 4. They beat everyone @ their OWN game while laughing & supporting Onika. 5. They make a fun sport out of giving ppl a taste of their own medicine. So if you do something, they will patiently wait for their turn & chiiiiiiii. WooWEE 6. It’s never business with the barbz. Once they feel that line is crossed, it’s personal.”

She concluded: “Read #6 again. It wasn’t a typo. I’m not their fave, I’m their family. Know the difference & then… Play @ your own risk #PinkFriday2 #GagCity WORLD TOUR begins in 10 days.”