'This Is Love' superstar Will.i.Am has defended Nicki Minaj's crossover style of music and exclaimed that people shouldn't slam her for deviating from the hip-hop genre.

Speaking to Vibe magazine, the 'Boom Boom Pow' sensation explained that critics are far too judgmental of Minaj's sound because it's often hard to classify and admitted he thinks it's great she can express herself without musical boundaries:

"I'm proud of Nicki. You can't listen to this stuff about not being real hip-hop. You gotta go and get it. Whatever the music is called that's what it's called whether it's hip-hop, pop, rock, gospel or a freaking musical, who cares? Nicki is an artist and she is expressing herself. Why limit yourself."

Will.i.Am, who collaborated with Minaj on 'Check It Out' back in 2010, added that he hopes she continues to bend the rules because it's where her talent is:

"I want Nicki to continue to show the world what hip-hop can be. It doesn't have to always be about fucking this stripper girl or getting money. I would rather be interested to hear what Chuck D thinks than some blogger or radio host."