Nicki Minaj (born Onika Tanya Maraj)
Trinidadian-American
Rapper + Singer + Songwriter
Instagram: @nickiminaj
Trinidadian-born, Nicki Minaj is the world’s biggest female rapper and a pop star all in one breath. Since the age of five, she was raised in South Jamaica, Queens, NY and got a taste of the arts while attending LaGuardia High School for the visual and performing arts in Manhattan.
Although Nicki began her rap career in 2004, she didn’t pick up steam until 2008 when she released her second mixtape and was named Female Artist of the Year at the Underground Music Awards. A year later, Nicki released her third mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty, which received positive attention from BET, MTV and even rapper Lil Wayne, who would go on to sign her onto his record label, Young Money Entertainment. 2010, would be Nicki’s breakthrough year: becoming the first female solo artist to have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously and the first woman to appear on MTV’s Annual Hottest MC List. And by November 2010, she released her album, Pink Friday, which was certified platinum, and reached the #1 position on Billboard within 2 short months! By 2012, Nicki released her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, and once again, achieved the #1 status on Billboard. By the time Nicki dropped her third album, The Pinkprint, in 2014, her second single anaconda set a 24-hour VEVO record of 19.6 million views; breaking the record previously held by Miley Cyrus for Wrecking Ball.
Whether laying metaphors and punch lines on tracks, negotiating endorsement deals or headlining tours, Nicki continues to stack her chips and build on a career that has garnered her numerous awards. We look forward to seeing what 2017 has in store!
Interesting fact: Nicki perfected her British accent by listening to Mel B from the Spice Girls and other UK celebrities.