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Kali reveals Nicki Minaj & Aaliyah Influence on her music career and mentions Cardi B supporting her rap videos after 'Rhythm + Flow.'

Toxic Chocolate , which dropped Friday (March 11). The MMM MMM rapper spoke on five women whove influenced her in the music industry, ranging from Rap royalty Nicki Minaj to the late R&B sensation Aaliyah. Kali was also sure to name her mother, grandmother and momager among her most cherished influences, along with other women in Rap who have championed her blossoming career, from Cardi Bto 2022 HipHopDX Rising Star Bia First off, Ive got to give props to my mom, Kali told DX. Shes so tough, shes so hardworking and she made me, obviously . She made me to be the person I am today. Also, Nicki the queen she has definitely inspired me musically and creatively and Aaliyah. She was one of my favorites and just like her swag and how she carried herself was just really dope and I want to embody that. Also, my grandmother raised me to a certain extent, she continues. I love her. Shes the person that pushed me to just do me and do what I want to do. I would also have to say my manager, shes a mom to me, so my momager, shes my best friends mom and is the person who was like, you know what? We gonna do this thing, Im gonna make sure your business handled, Ill make sure nobody play with you and were gonna take over. A post shared by toxic chocolate (@kaliii) As Hip Hop is becoming less of a male dominated genre, Kali spoke on the pressures and expectations she feels as a young Black woman making strides in the industry. Honestly, it really is a lot that is expected of me, Kali expressed. I feel like a lot of the time people compare every female rapper to another one, or try to us against each other like as if we cant all be great or we cant all be making hits like somebody has to be better than the next person, or we cant do this and that. So I feel like its really hard for women who want to do music or want to be in the industry. Theyre probably like, dang, I dont know if I should because I kind of sound like this, or I dont want anybody to say I look or Im trying to do or be like this person. I feel like a lot is expected. You have to stand out, be yourself, and create your own wave, your own sound and just ignore all the loud noise thats going on in the background, Kali continued. Read more