*Just in time for the holidays, Nicki Minaj has supplied her Barbz and Boyz with a new mobile game that allows them to step into her virtual world and even write and record their own raps.
Nicki Minaj: The Empire – which hit the iTunes store on Tuesday and arrives today (Dec 7) on the Google Play Store – allows fans the opportunity to climb the ranks of hip-hop super celebrity and win special awards from Minaj herself.
According to Billboard, the app was developed with gaming heavyweight Glu Mobile, the company responsible for Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, Britney Spears: American Dream and Katy Perry Pop.
In addition to the narrative gameplay where users can perform on virtual stages, customize their crib and host parties, Nicki Minaj: The Empire fosters creativity with functions for players to write and record their own songs in-app. For those just starting out, there’s a “raplibs” (think Mad Libs) function that helps write lyrics for you. And for those more advanced, there are recording functions where users can showcase their talent rapping over in-game beats — including Minaj’s own tracks — with the entire player network voting up their favorites.
“My favorite part of the game is obviously when my amazing fans get to rap with me,” says Minaj in a behind-the-scenes video. “I think is the one thing they would never have expected for me to add into my game. The first time I played it and I recorded a rap, I felt like a kid on Christmas.”
Minaj has also promised prizes like concert tickets to the game’s high scorers and special shout outs to her favorite rappers each month.
“It’s something that I would have loved to have when I was starting to rap,” she continues. “It’s something that will definitely build your skills and get you heard by a lot of people. I’m very excited to hear the raps my fans are going to upload. I know it’s going to be fun, I know there are some people who are actually going to be good and that’s also interesting and inspiring.”
Watch the behind-the-scenes video below:
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