Nicki Minaj surrounded by 'lyrical beasts'

Nicki Minaj says she surrounds herself with "lyrical beasts" who have made her tough.

The 'Check It Out' rapper feels honoured to have been included on records made by some of her peers - such as Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil' Wayne - and that they have helped toughen her up as a rapper.

She told DJ Semtex on Britain's Radio 1 station: "I surround myself with lyrical beasts, all the male artist are lyrical beasts, that's like growing up in a house with all brothers, and becoming tough and I thank God for that.

"It's always intimidating working with these big guys - I'm rapping on the same records as Kanye and Wayne and Drake and Jay, but it's the good kind of intimidating, because it's ,making me push my pen and it's better like that."

Talking about Eminem's verses on her track 'Roman's Revenge', Nicki added: "Well of course it was intimidating, it was freaking Eminem! He definitely didn't go easy because I am a girl!"

Nicki, 26, is presently in London and during a tour of the English capital yesterday (23.01.11) she ran into trouble with the police, as they moved her and her entourage on for trying to take photos in a strict no stopping zone outside of Buckingham palace.

Nicki tweeted: "Trying to take a picture by the Buckingham Palace. Got chased by the police the first time but the paparazzi helped us get pics from a different angle of the palace."

The tour of London also took in the Big Ben and the Houses Of Parliament.

Nicki was also reportedly asked to leave her five star hotel, The Dorchester, on Friday (21.01.11) after her fans allegedly became disruptive.

The rapper's 'Pink Friday' album is out now.