Leona Lewis will be rapping on her new album. Pic via Bang Showbiz

London singer and former X Factor winner Leona Lewis will be heard rapping on her new album – and has boasted she is as good as Nicki Minaj.

The Collide singer famed for her ballads is putting the finishing touches to third record Glassheart.

She has promised fans will hear a different side to her, and she’s even confident enough to take on New York based Nicki.

In a live-streamed Q&A session, Lewis said: “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 actually that good, so I’m coming for you Nicki! London style MCing.”

It has also previously been claimed Lewis - who won The X Factor in 2006 and is signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label - will go in a dubstep direction on Glassheart.

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.”