(Photo: Fader Magazine, August/September 2014)

Nicki Minaj has done so much maturing over the past year. Not only is her style much classier than when she first came on the scene, but her antics have also toned down quite a bit. In her cover story for The Fader magazine's Fall Fashion issue, the rapper talks about the changes she's made to improve her career.

“I think early on in my career, I was… I was… just a little bit crazy. I took everything personally. That’s just not good, and it’s not healthy. I think one of my best attributes now, as a businesswoman and an artist and a professional person, is being able to think before I speak. I’ve learned that everything I think doesn’t necessarily need to be stated," she said.

She also explained why it was important to expand her empire and dive into new territories as a businesswoman.

"I've done things where people are like, 'Uhhhh,' but every time I do a business venture or something that isn't the norm for a female rapper, I pat myself on the back. It's important that corporate America can see a young Black woman being able to sell things outside of music," she said before mentioning her deal with the Home Shopping Network, for which she debuted her fragrance, Minajesty, last month. "A female rapper! With HSN!" she quipped.

Minaj also displayed her vulnerable side when she admitted needing help, but being hesitant to reach out for assistance simply because of her fame.

"The other day, I really thought I was about to die… And I didn't call the ambulance, because I thought, 'Well, if I call the ambulance, it's going to be on TMZ,'" she said. "And it made me realize: I don't care what anybody gotta say. I'ma do me. I'ma do me."

"I was making a point to say that the business kills so many people and we don't even realize it," she continued without ever revealing what had caused the health scare. "I can only imagine how many people in this business have died because they may not have wanted to… to be embarrassed publicly. We care so much about what the world thinks that we don't live, really."

To read the entire interview, click here.

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