Lil’ Kim has said her fans have inspired her to highlight the similarities between her and Nicki Minaj.

The two rappers have been involved in a growing feud since Minaj released her debut album ‘Pink Friday’ last November.

Lil' Kim has accused Minaj of ripping her off and labelled her a “clone clown”.

In an interview with MTV News, Lil’ Kim said she felt compelled to speak out and vowed to continue doing so, highlighting the power of Minaj’s label, Universal.

"I'm gonna do me. They're the ones that brought this about. It could have been that simple. But what they did was underestimate me,” she said.

“They thought I was gonna sit back and let them do what they were doing. I'm gonna let everybody know: I'm on my Hollywood sophisticated, but I'll bring it back if I have to. And that's in life. I can't help it.

“I'm G'd up from my feet up. If I have to handle my business, I'mma handle my business. And I have to fight for my fans."

She added: “What kind of message would that send to my fans if I just sit back and watched? Let this girl do what she's doing. My fans were more fumed than I was.”

Minaj's 'Pink Friday' was one of the biggest selling albums of last year in the US.

(by Jason Gregory)