Nicki Minaj facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicki Minaj
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Minaj in 2018
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Onika Tanya Maraj
December 8, 1982 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
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| Years active | 2002–present |
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Works
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| Spouse(s) |
Kenneth Petty
(m. 2019) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | New York City, US |
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Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian-born rapper, singer, and songwriter. Many people call her the "Queen of Rap" because she is one of the most influential rappers of all time. She is famous for her energetic rapping style, clever lyrics, and ability to sing in many different styles.
Minaj is also known for playing different characters, or alter egos, in her music. She helped make female rap popular again in the 2010s. She started her career by releasing three popular mixtapes between 2007 and 2009.
Her first album, Pink Friday (2010), was a huge success. It went to number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and included the hit song "Super Bass". Her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), was also a number-one album and had the popular dance-pop song "Starships". She returned to her hip hop style with her next albums, The Pinkprint (2014) and Queen (2018). These albums featured hits like "Anaconda" and "Chun-Li".
In 2020, Minaj had her first two number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Say So" and "Trollz". In 2022, her song "Super Freaky Girl" became her first solo number-one hit. It was the main single from her fifth album, Pink Friday 2 (2023). When this album also reached number one, Minaj became the female rapper with the most number-one albums in U.S. history.
Nicki Minaj is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 100 million records sold. She has won many awards, including nine American Music Awards, eight MTV Video Music Awards, and a Brit Award. In 2016, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Besides music, Minaj has a fragrance line and has acted in movies. She was a voice actor in Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) and The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019). She also appeared in the films The Other Woman (2014) and Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016).
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Onika Tanya Maraj was born on December 8, 1982, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Her parents, Robert and Carol Maraj, were both gospel singers. She has an older brother, a younger brother, and a younger sister.
As a young child, Minaj lived with her grandmother and brother in Trinidad. Her mother, Carol, moved to New York City to attend college and find work. When Minaj was five, her mother brought her and her brother to live in Queens, New York.
Minaj attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. This special school focuses on music and acting. After graduating, she was in an Off-Broadway play called In Case You Forget in 2001. She also had several jobs, including working as a waitress and in an office.
Career Journey
2002–2009: Starting Out with Mixtapes
From 2002 to 2004, Minaj was part of a hip hop group called Hoodstars. In 2004, the group recorded a song for WWE Diva Victoria called "Don't Mess With." After the group, Minaj started working on her own music.
She uploaded her songs to Myspace, where she was discovered by Fendi, the owner of a production company. He signed her to a contract and helped her change her stage name from Nicki Maraj to Nicki Minaj. She released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over, in 2007.
Her music caught the attention of rapper Lil Wayne. He asked her to join his new record label, Young Money. She released two more mixtapes, Sucka Free in 2008 and Beam Me Up Scotty in 2009. The song "I Get Crazy" from Beam Me Up Scotty became a chart hit. In August 2009, she officially signed a record deal with Young Money.
2010–2011: Pink Friday and Rise to Fame
In 2010, Minaj's career took off. Her single "Your Love" became a top 20 hit in the U.S. and reached number one on the Rap Songs chart. She was also featured on songs with other famous artists like Christina Aguilera and Kanye West. Her verse on West's song "Monster" was highly praised by critics.
Her first album, Pink Friday, was released on November 19, 2010. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and later went to number one. The album sold 375,000 copies in its first week. It included the hit song "Roman's Revenge" with Eminem.
In 2011, she released the single "Super Bass". The song became a huge international hit, reaching number three on the Hot 100 chart. Its music video has over one billion views on YouTube. That year, Minaj was an opening act for Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour. She also won her first MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video for "Super Bass".
2012–2013: Roman Reloaded and American Idol
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Minaj released "Starships" in February 2012. It was the lead single from her second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The song was a massive pop hit, reaching number five in the U.S.
The album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded was released on April 2, 2012. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album mixed hip hop songs with pop music, which received mixed reviews from critics. That same year, Minaj performed with Madonna at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.
In September 2012, Minaj became a judge on the twelfth season of American Idol. She judged alongside Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson. She also voiced a character named Steffie in the animated movie Ice Age: Continental Drift.
2014–2017: The Pinkprint and Movie Roles
Minaj appeared in her first live-action movie, The Other Woman, which was released in 2014. She described her third album, The Pinkprint, as a return to her hip hop roots.
In July 2014, she was featured on the song "Bang Bang" with Jessie J and Ariana Grande. The song was a worldwide hit. Her own single, "Anaconda", came out in August and peaked at number two in the U.S. Its music video broke records on Vevo for the most views in 24 hours.
The Pinkprint was released on December 15, 2014. It debuted at number two in the U.S. and received positive reviews. In 2015, she went on The Pinkprint Tour. She also won her sixth straight award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the 2015 BET Awards. In 2016, she acted in the movie Barbershop: The Next Cut.
2018–2019: The Queen Album
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On April 12, 2018, Minaj released two singles, "Chun-Li" and "Barbie Tingz". "Chun-Li" became a top-ten hit. Her fourth album, Queen, was released on August 10, 2018. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
Before the album's release, she launched her own radio show on Apple Music, called Queen Radio. The show was very popular and featured guests like Ariana Grande and 50 Cent.
In 2019, Minaj released the single "Megatron". She also had a voice role as Pinky in The Angry Birds Movie 2. She collaborated with Colombian singer Karol G on the song "Tusa", which became a huge hit in Latin America.
2020–2021: New Music and Milestones
In May 2020, Minaj was featured on a remix of Doja Cat's song "Say So". The remix went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving both artists their first number-one single. A month later, her song "Trollz" also debuted at number one. This made her the first female rapper since Lauryn Hill in 1998 to have a song debut at the top of the chart.
In May 2021, Minaj re-released her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty to streaming services. It included new songs and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. This was the highest chart debut ever for a female rap mixtape.
2022–Present: Pink Friday 2
In February 2022, Minaj released "Do We Have a Problem?" with rapper Lil Baby. The song debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. In August, she released "Super Freaky Girl". The song debuted at number one, becoming her first solo number-one hit.
On December 8, 2023, her 41st birthday, Minaj released her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. This made her the female rapper with the most number-one albums in U.S. history. The album included collaborations with artists like Drake and Lil Uzi Vert.
In 2024, Minaj embarked on the Pink Friday 2 World Tour. The tour was a massive success, becoming the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper in history.
Artistry and Influence
Musical Style
Minaj is known for her fast and animated rapping style. She often changes her speed and uses different accents, like a British accent. She also creates different characters, or alter egos, in her music. One of her most famous alter egos is Roman Zolanski, a character she describes as a "demon" living inside her.
Her music often blends hip hop with other genres like pop and electronic dance music. She is praised for her clever wordplay, metaphors, and funny lines. Critics have called her a "nimble, evocative rapper" and an "intricate lyricist."
Legacy and Impact
Many publications call Nicki Minaj the "Queen of Rap". She is considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. She broke down barriers for female artists in hip hop. The New York Times called her "the most influential female rapper of all time" in 2012. In 2023, Billboard and Vibe named her the greatest female rapper ever.
Minaj's success helped bring female rap back into the mainstream. She has inspired many younger artists, including Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, and Ice Spice. Her unique style, colorful wigs, and bold fashion choices have also made her a fashion icon.
Personal Life
Minaj began dating her childhood friend Kenneth Petty in 2018. They got married in October 2019. In September 2020, she gave birth to their son.
Charity Work
Minaj has been involved in many charitable activities. In 2011, Mattel created a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll in her likeness. It was auctioned to raise money for Project Angel Food, a charity that helps people with serious illnesses.
In May 2017, she offered on Twitter to pay college tuition and student loans for some of her fans. She also revealed that she had been donating money to a village in India for several years. Her donations helped the village get a computer center, a reading program, and two water wells.
In 2020, she donated $25,000 to a home for girls in her home country of Trinidad. She encouraged the girls to overcome challenges in their lives.
Discography
Studio albums
- Pink Friday (2010)
- Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012; later reissued as The Re-Up)
- The Pinkprint (2014)
- Queen (2018)
- Pink Friday 2 (2023)
Filmography
- Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- The Other Woman (2014)
- Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
- The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
Tours
Headlining
- Pink Friday Tour (2011–2012)
- Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour (2012)
- The Pinkprint Tour (2015–2016)
- Pink Friday 2 World Tour (2024)
Co-headlining
- The Nicki Wrld Tour (with Juice Wrld) (2019)
Opening act
- Lil Wayne – America's Most Wanted Tour (2008)
- Lil Wayne – I Am Music II Tour (2011)
- Britney Spears – Femme Fatale Tour (2011)
Images for kids
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Minaj in 2011
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Minaj in a 2016 interview
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Katy Perry (left) and Minaj perform for service members during the 2010 VH1 Divas Salute the Troops concert.
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Minaj promoting her first fragrance "Pink Friday" in 2012
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See also
In Spanish: Nicki Minaj para niños
- List of Trinidadians
- East Coast hip hop
- List of most-followed Instagram accounts
- List of best-selling music artists
