Leona Lewis: The Next Nicki Minaj?

Nicki Minaj had better watch out - somebody is after her crown.

British pop sensation Leona Lewis has boasted that her rap skills are better than the Young Money rapper.

The former X Factor winner is so confident that she is now planning to trade in her romantic ballads for rap on her new album, Glassheart.

Lewis, 27, told The Sun: "On my new album I will be rapping. I've discovered my voice for rapping.

"I could probably go up against Nicki Minaj now. I'm that good, so I'm coming for you Nicki. London-style MCing."

Her album is also said to feature dubstep and dance tracks, as well as a song called Trouble written by Emeli Sandé.

A source said: "The Syco team have asked songwriters to hand them dubstep and dance tracks with traditional lyrics for her.

"And they've specifically stated: no ballads. It's a big change for her."

The Hackney-born Bleeding Love hitmaker debuted a couple of tracks at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend.

Glassheart is due for release on 15 October.