Nicki Minaj says "She Makes No Apologies" for the ANACONDA Cover!!!

Nicki Minaj isn't apologizing for the cover art to her single "Anaconda" -- you know, the one featuring her squatting, booty out, in a pink thong and matching sports bra.

She tells Ryan Seacrest that the blowback -- and all the parodies -- caught her off guard. "Well first of all, I was shocked. I’m still shocked,. I mean, I never saw that one coming. I mean, it’s hilarious. I’m like, ‘Why would people do that?’”

Nicki adds that her manager Gee Roberson suggested the photo might be a bit much, but she defended her choice by saying, "In the beginning of my career, I did photo shoots like that. I feel like one of the people I look up to the most was Madonna, and she’s never stopped pushing the envelope. She’s never stopped taking risks, and I don’t ever want to stop doing that either.”