Biography

When Lil Wayne chose Nicki Minaj to be the face of Young Money, there was no question why. With her sex appeal, talents, and confidence, Nicki obviously had a complete package that was destined for success. But long before her big breakthrough, Minaj was born in St. James, Trinidad and Tobago. She moved to the United States when she was five years old, residing in the New York City borough of Queens.

Nicki initially trained as an actress, but after hearing Nicki Minaj’s voice on her Myspace page, Fendi, of the label Dirty Money Records, had other plans for her.
Fendi choose Nicki Minaj for The Come Up DVD series, inevitably launched her career. “The Carter Edition,” which also featured segments with Lil Wayne and Jay-Z, featured Nicki Minaj right before Lil’ Wayne. The video was enough to impress Fendi into making an introduction, and Wayne and Nicki have been recording together ever since.

Today, Nicki Minaj is known as one of the era’s most recognizable performers and personalities. In April of 2012, Minaj released her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, an album which features collaborations with the likes of Rico Beats, Kenoe, Oak, Hit-Boy, and Oak. The single “Roman Holiday” debuted at the Grammy Awards in February of 2012, and established Nicki Minaj as the first solo female rapper to perform at the Grammies. “Right by My Side,” the second single, was released in March of the same year, and peaked at number twenty-four on the charts. Nicki Minaj followed up with the Pink Friday Tour, her first worldwide tour, in the summer of 2012. The album The Pinkprint followed in 2014.

Today, Nicki Minaj is known for adopting accents and alter egos, sporting incredibly colorful and outlandish attire, and presenting herself as a fashion icon. In addition to her music career, she has appeared in the films Ice Age 4: Continental Drift (voice), The Other Woman (2014), and Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016.). She has also served as a face for MAC Cosmetics, Adidas, and Pepsi, and has her own fragrance line.

Nicki Minaj’s talents have so far earned her an MTV Music Award, six BET Awards, ten Grammy Award nominations, and two American Music Awards. Even the New York Times has not been able to deny her influence in the industry, labeling her as perhaps “the most influential female rapper of all time.”