Nicki Minaj has said Kanye West has become a mentor since the pair first worked together.

The rapper, who released her debut album ‘Pink Friday’ last month, said West was always on hand to advise her.

"When it came to me putting my album out, I was like 'I can't have an album without Kanye, he has to be a part of it'," she told RWD magazine.

"He's become my mentor, he gives me advice, he hits me, he takes random pictures off-line and says 'Oh this is a good picture of you'."

“He's really into fashion so he's a good person to have a well-rounded conversation with."

Minaj also made a guest appearance on the track ‘Monster’ from West’s recent album ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’.

(by Jason Gregory)