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"All of my young and teenage early years we lived in fear that my mother would be killed by my father," Nicki explained. "It was ridiculous. It made me act out to guys and be evil to them when I was growing up."
While her father's abuse may have damaged her early relationships, Nicki also said that her difficult childhood made her stronger. "It made me tough. Of course it did," Nicki continued. "I am an emotional person, but I am a tough person. It was very tough emotionally for me to have a parent who was an alcoholic and a drug addict. I had a mum with no money."
Ultimately, the lesson Minaj said she learned from her mother was to "keep it moving" and be prepared to walk away from any situation when things aren't working out.
"I will cry about something but I never let anything stop me. I can't be like my mum. I know I can cut ties and still make it," Nicki said. "She didn't cut ties when I felt like she should have done. That's been my whole thing. I've been able to say, 'This isn't working anymore. You need to get out of my life.' I keep it moving and it has worked."
Nicki's platinum-selling debut 'Pink Friday' is in stores now.
Watch Nicki Minaj's 'Right Thru Me'
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