I can sum this entire post up in one sentence…

WHEN YOU STAY READY – YOU DON’T EVER HAVE TO GET READY!

But instead, I’m going to break down for you three important brand lessons you can apply to your business right now from the now viral Remy Ma vs Nicki Minaj “rap beef”.

Now, just looking at the numbers – we can say this beef is easily won. Nicki Minaj was able to use the years that Remy served her prison term to her advantage. Her record label positioned Nicki Minaj as the leader of the pack (when it came to female emcees) and with no competition in sight – she not only won, she WON BIG.

What makes this “rap beef” so interesting is what Nicki has won in numbers is proof that while money and fame are great – what does winning mean when your talent is in question.

Remy’s ShEther is going to go down as one of the best rap diss songs in history.  I’m already claiming it and giving it the value of $69.5M.  So let’s do the math… okay?

Nicki’s $70M – Remy’s $500K – the value of ShEther = Tied Score

Don't be Nicki in #ShEther... always be Remy via @mskimmccarter http://bit.ly/blfpc-remy-nicki Click To Tweet

Listen, I’m a Remy Ma fan. I always have been.

Nicki…. I like.

It’s kinda like how I feel about Target vs Wal-Mart… Wal-Mart is great when I need something quick, but that damn Target has me so spun I created an entire webinar on “How To Activate Your Target Effect”.

I am in no way comparing Remy and Nicki to Target and Wal-Mart… well maybe a little when it comes to who is the better lyricist.

Let me explain.

They are from the same industry but their brands are completely different. The “beef” between Remy Ma and Nicki Minaj dates back to 2007. And outside of the fact they just happen to be two female emcees who hit the scene around the same time – there is absolutely no reason for them to even have “beef”. They have completely different styles of rap. Live completely different lifestyles and when you factor in Minaj’s level of success – there is no comparison.

The very things that set Remy apart and in some sense ahead of Minaj are the very things that makes them so different – her rap style and her no bullsh!t factor. Before her inceration, Remy set herself ahead of a dozen other female hip-hop artists because she is one of the few females who can out rhyme most of her male counterparts. Remy’s raps are hard. They are no fluff and not filled with pop-style lyrics and beats. Remy puts out pure hip-hop.

Are you still wondering what this has to do with brand and business? Well, if you haven’t figured it out… keep reading.

3 Brand Lessons You Can Learn From The Remy Ma vs Nicki Minaj Beef

1 – Being the face of your brand doesn’t mean you are allowed not to be the boss of your business.

Nicki Minaj is the face of her brand – but she is NOT the boss of it. It’s been reported over the years, that she doesn’t write her own lyrics nor owns any vital specifics when it comes to her business dealings (including her name or domain) and she is rumored to be signed to a “360” deal – one of the worst the music industry has to offer. EPIC Femalepreneurs are leaders and bosses. I will be the first to tell you, you must own a personal brand. Being the face of your business is vital to the online success of small business ownership. However, being the face should not remove you from ownership. Ghostwriters and the leadership of Young Money and Cash Money Records have been great for Nicki’s career. The numbers tell us that but she isn’t prepared to deal with the likes of Remy Ma. Nicki’s subliminal diss on Gucci Mane’s “Make Love” doesn’t even come close to the Remy’s “ShEther”.

My tip: You have to master your craft. There are no ifs, and’s, or buts about it, you have to continue to master your craft. Would you go to a doctor who isn’t up on the latest techniques in medicine? Probably not. The same should be said when it comes to your performance in your industry. Being a leader does not mean you should quit learning. There should never be a moment that you are unprepared to snatch edges¹ and take names. It doesn’t matter the setting, the time or moment. You are required to be prepared and send a direct reminder that you are a leader in your industry for a reason.

2 – Study your competition and learn how to predict their next move.

Remy Ma was released from prison in 2015 and that has not stopped her from doing whatever she needed to do in order to reclaim her position at the top of the hip-hop charts. In fact, she was unapologetic about her intentions during every interview she did from prison. Don’t get me wrong, Nicki’s team has worked their tails off and she has dominated the industry and her domination outmatched every other artist in her category. The fail was not taking Remy’s claim seriously and not knowing the inner workings of their competition. Whenever asked Remy warned, “I have no beef with her and if I did – I’d say her name”. There is absolutely no way, Nicki thought she was going to send those strong subliminal bars and Remy wasn’t going to respond. And not only did Remy respond, she did it over a 7-minute diss track that went viral within hours. Remy followed brand lesson #1 – she was ready. She knew her competition – her lyrics confirm that and she predicted that Nicki would make a move sooner than later.

My tip: Never get comfortable being #1 because that is the spot everyone is coming for. We all want to be leaders in our industries. So forget that BS about there being no competition because there is. I know. I know. “They” tell you there is no competition… and you are your own competition. I’ve even told you that on free webinars, in emails, and on social media posts. That doesn’t mean you can remain in ignorance with what’s happening in your industry. If you want to operate in EPIC Femalepreneur status — study your market, conduct a SWOT analysis and stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your industry.

3- Have a loyal tribe that will tell you the truth in private but supports you in public.

Nicki’s Barbz have suddenly jumped off the Barbz bandwagon and they are in awe of ShEther. Under normal circumstances, they will stand up and by Nicki under any circumstances. Today, the biggest Nicki’s fans are #TeamRemy.

If Nicki was going to hit an active bees’ nest – she was to make sure she had her bee suit on.

Nicki may have won by numbers – but where it counts the most in the hip-hop community – she has already lost.

My tip: Do not create a movement that will lose its spark when others in your industry rise. By activating your ‘Target Effect’ to its full capacity you lead in three areas: new opportunities for your village, operating in your zone of genius and leading a loyal tribe. When your village sees you as their leader and is willing to tell the world about your movement, they will stand up for you even when you fail.

And I’m out!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out ShETHER, you should. Explicit language warning.

1 A commonly used phrase or some variation of it is often lovingly associated with praising someone’s actions. In the case of Remy Ma’s ShETHER she snatched all of Nicki Minaj’s edges in her diss track. Even the infamous Barbz, are wondering “what’s next” and telling their fave artist not to respond.

Images via Getty Images: Kevin Winter/BET; Christopher Polk/Getty Images