Nicki Minaj: I want an empire

Nicki Minaj plans to leave "an empire" as her legacy.

The American Idol judge reflects on her successes in the latest edition of US Elle magazine.

Nicki shared her ambitions for the future, which she believes can easily be achieved.

"My goal in the beginning was to buy my mother a house. Now I realise, OK, if I really focus and become a key player in business, then I can build an empire," Nicki explained. "I'm thinking of a legacy that I can be proud of and wealth that my grandchildren can use to go to college. So world domination - in terms of providing for my family - is absolutely my goal."

The confident hip-hop star is known for her feisty attitude. She shared her tips on how other women can command respect.

"My advice to women in general: even if you're doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want - and don't allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge," she continued. "You want everyone to know, OK, I can't play games with her. I have to do right by this woman. That's what it's all about."

Nicki hasn't always been so thick-skinned. Like many children, she was picked on at school for being different.

"I went through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was very tough. So I've always put up this wall - it was a self-defence mechanism growing up - because I was almost expecting people to attack me. And I still have it. It's sad," she reflected.