Rapper NICKI MINAJ is adamant she wasn't upset when she failed to score a single Grammy nomination this year (13), because the awards are not a "big deal".

The Starships hitmaker received three nods last year (12), but wasn't included in the shortlist for the upcoming 2013 ceremony.

However, Minaj insists she would rather boast a sell-out tour than another trophy for her mantelpiece.

She tells the Associated Press, "I think that the Grammys had a different reason (for not giving me a nomination), that I do not want to discuss... and that's just between me and them. But I respect their organization and I'll get a Grammy eventually. I'm not worried about it... I understand that artists and critics make a big deal over the Grammys. But when I go to my shows and I'm selling out arenas in London, and when I'm in Australia and Japan, there aren't any Grammys there. There are human beings who I've touched... That's what my career is based on...

"You do feel good when you get awards and accolades. Maybe if I had been doing this for 10 years and I thought like, 'Oh my God, I've put out 10 albums' - maybe it would have hurt my feelings. But I still feel so new that it's like... part of the game."

The Grammy Awards will be handed out in Los Angeles on 10 February (13).