Whether people believe it or not, M.I.A is a big co-sign to have in the industry. I have a lot of respect for her as an artist because she is so diverse. Just look at the amount of people who have sampled from her over the years, she is definitely underrated in the industry. So for Nicki Minaj to get co-signed from someone such as M.I.A is very interesting, especially since Nicki Minaj isn’t exactly respected for her diversity in music.

The following is from Rap-Up:

M.I.A. will be the first to tell you if she doesn’t like someone, just ask Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. But luckily for Nicki Minaj, the outspoken artist has nothing but respect and admiration for her.

The omnipresent Minaj guests on the remix to M.I.A.’s /\/\/\Y/\ album cut “Teqkilla,” rapping, “Yo Maya, your shit is on fire.”

M.I.A. returned the compliment to her collaborator in an interview on 102.7 KIIS-FM’s “New Music Show.” “Nicki Minaj runs hip-hop,” she told DJ Skee of the Harajuku Barbie, whose debut album is due November 23.

She also shared why she thinks there’s so much buzz surrounding the Young Money femcee. “She works hard and that’s what it is. She’s focused and that’s good,” she explained. “It’s been a while since a female rapper has come up with that much… She’s got a really good work ethic, and I get her.”