Nicki Minaj
Rapper
BIO-Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982 ), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj , is a Trinidadian-born American rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago|Saint James, Port of Spain and raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, she enrolled in performing art schools as a child. After success with three mixtapes released between 2007 and 2009, Minaj signed to Young Money Entertainment. Her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010) peaked atop the U.S. Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Billboard 200|200 and was certified RIAA certification|Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the month after its release. Its most successful single " Super Bass " has been certified quadruple-platinum and has sold more than four million copies, becoming one of the List of best-selling singles in the
United States|best-selling singles in the United States. She became the first female solo artist to have seven Single (music)|singles on the Billboard Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100 at the same time.
Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982 ), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj , is a Trinidadian-born American rapper, singer,
songwriter, actress, and television personality. Born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago|Saint James, Port of Spain and raised in
Jamaica, Queens, New York City, she enrolled in performing art schools as a child. After success with three mixtapes released
between 2007 and 2009, Minaj signed to Young Money Entertainment. Her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010) peaked atop the
U.S. Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Billboard 200|200 and was certified RIAA certification|Platinum by the Recording Industry
Association of America (RIAA) the month after its release. Its most successful single " Super Bass " has been certified quadrupleplatinum
and has sold more than four million copies, becoming one of the List of best-selling singles in the United States|bestselling
singles in the United States. She became the first female solo artist to have seven Single (music)|singles on the Billboard
Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100 at the same time.
Minaj's second album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) topped charts internationally; it became one of the best-selling albums
of that year and sold one million copies worldwide. "RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America Its lead single " Starships
(song)|Starships " became her highest-peaking single on the Billboard Hot 100 and one of the best-selling singles of 2012. She
embarked on the Pink Friday Tour and the Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour and reissued the album as Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded –
The Re-Up . As of 2013, Minaj has sold over 5 million albums worldwide. Minaj served one season as a judge on the American Idol
(season 12)|twelfth season of American Idol . She has tentatively announced plans for a third album to be released later that year.
Minaj's artistry features fast-paced rapping, alter ego s and accents, notably Cockney speech|British cockney. Her outlandish and
colorful costumes, wigs and clothing have given her recognition as a fashion icon. She featured as a voice actress in Ice Age:
Continental Drift and is making her acting debut in the film The Other Woman (2014 film)|The Other Woman . She has endorsed
Adidas, MAC Cosmetics, and Pepsi. Minaj's work has earned her seven BET Awards, four American Music Awards, two MTV Music
Awards, an MTV Europe Music Awards|EMA, five Billboard Music Award s and Billboard 2011 Rising Star. She is the first female artist
included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List, with The New York Times suggesting that some consider her "the most influential female
rapper of all time." The Source (magazine)|The Source named Minaj the Woman of the Year for 2012. In April 2013, Minaj became
the most-charted female rapper in the history of the Billboard Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100, with over forty-four appearances.
Life and career
Early life and career beginnings
Onika Tanya Maraj was born to Carol and Robert Maraj on December 8, 1982 in Saint James, a suburb of Port of Spain, the capital
of Trinidad and Tobago. She is of mixed Indo-Trinidadian|Indian and Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian|Afro-Trinidadian ancestry and
has two siblings. McGarry, Kevin (2009) "", New York Times, June 4, 2009 Her mother held numerous jobs including accounting
clerk, foreign exchange teller, and gospel singer; her father worked for American Express. Her father drank heavily, took drugs, and
once tried to kill her mother by setting the house on fire. She lived in Saint James with her grandmother until the age of five, with
occasional visits from her mother; subsequently Minaj moved with her mother to Queens borough in New York City. " Although her
mother motivated her, Minaj's upbringing lacked discipline, causing her to "seek out and practice self discipline".
Minaj attended Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School 210, where she played the clarinet. She then graduated from LaGuardia High
School, which specializes in music and the visual and performing arts. Minaj participated in the drama program and initially planned
to sing at LaGuardia, but lost her voice on the day of the audition. Minaj described her high school life as being distracted from her
academics by “acting and boys”. Minaj wanted to become an actress, and in 2001, she was cast in the Off-Broadway play, "In Case
You Forget". After her acting career failed to take off, Minaj worked at Red Lobster in the Bronx at the age of 19 as a waitress. Minaj
was Firing|fired from Red Lobster because of her discourteousness to customers. She stated she had been fired from "at least
fifteen jobs" for similar antics. Other jobs Minaj held were administrative assistant, customer service and an Office Manager|office
manager position at an unknown business located on Wall Street.
Minaj briefly signed with Brooklyn group Full Force, in which Minaj Rapping|rapped in a foursome group called "Hoodstars," which
consisted of group members Lou$tar (son of " Full Force|Bowlegged Lou "), Scaff Beezy (Minaj's current hype man), and 7even Up.
In 2004 the group recorded the entrance song for WWE Diva Lisa Marie Varon|Victoria titled "Don't Mess With," it was featured on the
compilation album ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol. 6|ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol.6. Minaj left the group, unsatisfied with
their lack of success. During this time, Minaj uploaded a few songs on her Myspace profile and sent a few of her songs to people in
the music industry she was managed by Debra Antney. Fendi, CEO of the Brooklyn label Dirty Money Entertainment, who also found
rapper Jamal Woolard|Gravy, discovered the music and contacted Minaj, signing her to his label. Initially, Minaj adopted the
pseudonym "Nicki Maraj", later changing to "Nicki Minaj", stating "My real name is Maraj. Fendi flipped it when he met me because I
had such a nasty flow! I eat bitches!" Under Fendi's label, Minaj appeared on the popular street DVD " The Come Up Volume 11 "
that featured underground rappers from New York.
Onika Tanya Maraj was born to Carol and Robert Maraj on December 8, 1982 in Saint James, a suburb of Port of Spain, the capital
of Trinidad and Tobago. She is of mixed Indo-Trinidadian|Indian and Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian|Afro-Trinidadian ancestry and
has two siblings. McGarry, Kevin (2009) "", New York Times, June 4, 2009 Her mother held numerous jobs including accounting
clerk, foreign exchange teller, and gospel singer; her father worked for American Express. Her father drank heavily, took drugs, and
once tried to kill her mother by setting the house on fire. She lived in Saint James with her grandmother until the age of five, with
occasional visits from her mother; subsequently Minaj moved with her mother to Queens borough in New York City. " Although her
mother motivated her, Minaj's upbringing lacked discipline, causing her to "seek out and practice self discipline".
Minaj attended Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School 210, where she played the clarinet. She then graduated from LaGuardia High
School, which specializes in music and the visual and performing arts. Minaj participated in the drama program and initially planned
to sing at LaGuardia, but lost her voice on the day of the audition. Minaj described her high school life as being distracted from her
academics by “acting and boys”. Minaj wanted to become an actress, and in 2001, she was cast in the Off-Broadway play, "In Case
You Forget". After her acting career failed to take off, Minaj worked at Red Lobster in the Bronx at the age of 19 as a waitress. Minaj
was Firing|fired from Red Lobster because of her discourteousness to customers. She stated she had been fired from "at least
fifteen jobs" for similar antics. Other jobs Minaj held were administrative assistant, customer service and an Office Manager|office
manager position at an unknown business located on Wall Street.
Minaj briefly signed with Brooklyn group Full Force, in which Minaj Rapping|rapped in a foursome group called "Hoodstars," which
consisted of group members Lou$tar (son of " Full Force|Bowlegged Lou "), Scaff Beezy (Minaj's current hype man), and 7even Up.
In 2004 the group recorded the entrance song for WWE Diva Lisa Marie Varon|Victoria titled "Don't Mess With," it was featured on the
compilation album ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol. 6|ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol.6. Minaj left the group, unsatisfied with
their lack of success. During this time, Minaj uploaded a few songs on her Myspace profile and sent a few of her songs to people in
the music industry she was managed by Debra Antney. Fendi, CEO of the Brooklyn label Dirty Money Entertainment, who also found
rapper Jamal Woolard|Gravy, discovered the music and contacted Minaj, signing her to his label. Initially, Minaj adopted the
pseudonym "Nicki Maraj", later changing to "Nicki Minaj", stating "My real name is Maraj. Fendi flipped it when he met me because I
had such a nasty flow! I eat bitches!" Under Fendi's label, Minaj appeared on the popular street DVD " The Come Up Volume 11 "
that featured underground rappers from New York.
2007–09: Mixtapes and Young Money
Minaj released her first mixtape Playtime Is Over in 2007 with Dirty Money Records. Her second mixtape, Sucka Free, was released
on April 12, 2008 under the label Be. She won the Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Underground Music Awards shortly
7/4/13 Nicki Minaj | Artistopia Music
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on April 12, 2008 under the label Be. She won the Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Underground Music Awards shortly
after. "", HipHopRuckus, August 28, 2008 On April 18, 2009, Minaj released her third mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty (mixtape)|Beam Me
Up Scotty under the label of Trapaholics Records; it received positive coverage on both Black Entertainment Television|BET and
MTV. Reid, Shaheem (2009) "", MTV, May 4, 2009 "", Black Entertainment Television|BET, May 1, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2012. She
also appeared in XXL (magazine)|XXL magazine during this time. "", XXL (magazine)|XXL, November 24, 2008
In August 2009, Minaj signed a record deal with Young Money Entertainment, with distribution from Universal Motown Records, after
fellow American rapper Lil Wayne discovered her on The Come Up DVD. Minaj generated significant attention when she first
appeared on Yo Gotti 's 5 Star Chick (song)|5 Star Chick video, which gave her mainstream success with the urban community. At
the request of Jay-Z, Minaj was asked to feature on Robin Thicke 's single Shakin' It 4 Daddy. Following the guest appearance, Minaj
was given a solo rap verse in the single " BedRock (song)|BedRock ". The record garnered huge commercial success, reaching
number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also appeared on " Roger That (song)|Roger That," which charted at number 56. The song,
particularly Minaj, received positive reviews from critics. In December 2009, both songs were included in Young Money
Entertainment's debut collaborative studio album We Are Young Money . The album charted in the top ten on the Billboard 200|
Billboard 200, reaching number 9 and later receiving a Gold Certification by the RIAA. Minaj was featured on Mariah Carey 's " Up Out
My Face " and its music video. The collaboration was well received by critics.
2010–11: Pink Friday and commercial breakthrough
After a major record label bidding war, Young Money Entertainment announced on August 31, 2009 that Minaj had been released
from a 360 deal with the label in which she retains and owns all of her 360 rights, including merchandising, sponsorships,
endorsements, touring and publishing. Minaj was featured on Rihanna 's " Raining Men (song)|Raining Men " from her album Loud
(Rihanna album)|Loud, which would lead to a second collaboration on Minaj's "Fly" from her album Pink Friday. . Capital FM.
Retrieved December 24, 2010. Hip-hop rap artist and producer Kanye West was also confirmed for the album. On August 3, 2010,
Minaj revealed on an Ustream.tv channel that the album's name would be Pink Friday, a nod to Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday.
Pink Friday was released on November 19, 2010. A buzz single, "Massive Attack", was released in April. In August, Minaj released "
Your Love (Nicki Minaj song)|Your Love " as the first official single from her debut album. The single peaked at 14 on the Billboard
Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100, 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and topped the Rap Songs chart. Minaj became the first female
artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List and the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002. In
October 2010, Minaj became the first artist to have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously. She released two
singles in September 2010; one a joint single with The Black Eyed Peas front man, will.i.am titled, " Check It Out (song)|Check It
Out," and the other " Right Thru Me." The music videos for both were released in late October. " Moment 4 Life " was released as the
fourth single on December 7, 2010, featuring Canadian rapper Drake (entertainer)|Drake, becoming a success on the Billboard Hot
100. The single peaked at number 5 on the Hot Rap Songs.
The album gained Platinum certification|Platinum certification in the United States a month after the release. On January 29, 2011,
Minaj appeared on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest, performing "Right Thru Me" and "Moment 4 Life". On February 9, 2011,
Pink Friday reached number one on the Billboard 200 in its eleventh week on the chart. Minaj turned down an offer to become a
judge on The X Factor (U.S.)|The X Factor, as rapped on her song " Roman Reloaded (song)|Roman Reloaded ", due to its salary. In
June 2011, Minaj was an opening act along with Jessie Malakouti|Jessie and the Toy Boys and The Nervo Twins|Nervo on Britney
Spears|Britney Spears' sixth concert tour, the Femme Fatale Tour, in support of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale (Britney
Spears album)|Femme Fatale . She and singer Kesha were featured on the remix of Spears' track " Till the World Ends," which
charted at number 3 in the US in April 2011.
" Super Bass " was released from Pink Friday in May 2011. The single charted within the top 10 in many countries including the
United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Canada, and later was certified as quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry
Association of America|Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song gained positive reviews from critics. Minaj went
on to attribute the success of the single in part to Taylor Swift, saying in an interview with American radio station 102.7 KIIS FM,
"Taylor Swift did her little interview about 'Super Bass' and took off in the States with the people sort of knowing it...It’s just really
uncanny how all that stuff happens...We didn’t plan it like that." Minaj voiced a character in the 3-D film|3D animated film, Ice Age:
Continental Drift, as List of Ice Age characters#Steffie|Steffie, a woolly mammoth. Minaj is also featured on French DJ David Guetta 's
2011 album, Nothing but the Beat, on the singles " Where Them Girls At " and " Turn Me On (David Guetta song)|Turn Me On ".
2012: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded and touring
Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, was announced in November 2011 through Twitter and was released
on April 2, 2012, two months later than initially planned. The album features collaborations with producers Hit-Boy, Dr. Luke, Rico
Beats, Kenoe, RedOne and Oak. Cash Money A&R Joshua Berkman told HitQuarters that Minaj was extremely particular about the
beats and music she used saying: "She wouldn't just rap or sing on anything – I could give her a thousand tracks and she may only
like one or two." Preceding the album's release, three promotional singles were released: " Roman in Moscow " (which did not
make the final cut of the album), " Stupid Hoe," and " Roman Reloaded." The first single, " Starships (song)|Starships," was
released on February 14. It peaked at a new best for Minaj of number 2 in the United Kingdom, and reached number 5 on the US
Billboard Hot 100, becoming her second top 10 success, after 2011's " Super Bass ". The music video was released on April 26,
2012.
On February 12, Minaj debuted " Roman Holiday (song)|Roman Holiday " at the 54th Grammy Awards, becoming the first solo
female rapper to perform a song on the Grammy stage. The exorcism-themed performance drew a mixed response online. Minaj
was featured on " Give Me All Your Luvin' " (with M.I.A. (artist)|M.I.A. ) and "I Don't Give A" from Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna 's
twelfth studio album, MDNA (album)|MDNA (2012); the trio performed the former during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in
February. The album's second single, " Right by My Side," which features Chris Brown (American entertainer)|Chris Brown, was
released on March 27, 2012. It peaked at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart and peaked at number 101 in the UK
singles chart. The third single, an Electropop|electro-hop song called " Beez in the Trap ", which features 2 Chainz was released to
U.S. urban radio on April 24, 2012. It peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs|Rap Songs Chart.
Minaj began her first worldwide tour, the Pink Friday Tour, on May 16, 2012. It was followed by the Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour, which
began in October. Minaj cancelled her appearance at the 2012 V Festival in the United Kingdom and the final show of her Pink Friday
Tour in Dublin due to the damage of her vocal chords. Minaj was scheduled to headline during Summer Jam|Hot 97 Summer Jam
in New Jersey on June 3, 2012 at MetLife Stadium, but pulled out of her performance the day of after one of the station's DJs (Peter
Rosenberg) criticized " Starships (song)|Starships " as not being "real hip-hop." Her mentor Lil Wayne heard the remark and pulled
his Young Money (group)|Young Money labelmates from the show. Minaj was scheduled to bring out hip-hop artists Nas, Lauryn Hill,
Cam'ron, Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown, among others. She spoke to WQHT|Hot 97 with Funkmaster Flex, ending the dispute.
An expanded version of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded subtitled Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up|The Re-Up was
released on November 19, 2012. The first single from the re-release, " The Boys (Nicki Minaj and Cassie song)|The Boys ", with
Cassie Ventura|Cassie, was released on September 13, 2012. Its music video debuted on VEVO on October 18, 2012. " Va Va
Voom " was released as the fifth single from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded on October 23, 2012; the second single from The Re-Up,
" Freedom (Nicki Minaj song)|Freedom ", was released on November 3, 2012. Minaj won the award for Best Female Video at the
2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and performed " Girl On Fire (Alicia Keys song)|Girl on Fire " with Alicia Keys and special guest
gymnast Gabby Douglas. In November, Minaj was featured in the three-part E! documentary special Nicki Minaj: My Truth. At the 2012
MTV Europe Music Awards, Minaj was nominated for MTV Europe Music Award for Best Hip-Hop|Best Hip-Hop, MTV Europe Music
Award for Best Female|Best Female, and Best Look; she won the former, but lost the latter two to Taylor Swift.
2013–present: American Idol, The Other Woman, and third studio album
In September 2012, Minaj was confirmed to join the judging panel of the American Idol (season 12)|twelfth season of American Idol,
alongsidge fellow new hires Mariah Carey and Keith Urban and returning judge Randy Jackson, with a salary of $12 million.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22728040 Minaj and Carey have received much media attention for their on-set tension, most notably
with a Internet leak|leaked video of the two in the midst of a heated argument during Charlotte, North Carolina auditions. The
following day, Carey alleged that Minaj had threatened to "shoot her" during the aforementioned incident, though Minaj and producer
Nigel Lythgoe denied such claims. Minaj left the series upon the conclusion of the season. On April 12, 2013, Minaj became the
most-charted female rapper in the history of the Billboard Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100, with forty-four appearances.
Minaj has confirmed plans to launch her own record label, having signed Parker Ighile, Brinx, and Keisha. The title "Pink Friday
Records" was intended, but was scrapped because it was "Not fair 2 (sic) the dudes", with the new name to be released "very soon".
. 3 News. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:27p.m. Minaj is currently working on her third studio album, which she describes as "a continuation of
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up|The Re-Up with a lot more". It is tentatively scheduled to be released in 2013. Minaj has
announced plans to appear in her first live-action theatrical film The Other Woman (2014 film)|The Other Woman ; filming began in
spring 2013, with an anticipated release date set for April 25, 2014. Minaj is set to appear as actress Cameron Diaz assistant. Minaj
led nominations for rap musicians at the Billboard Music Awards|Billboard Music Awards 2013 having seven nominations. Minaj
won BET Award for Best Hip-Hop Artists|Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards 2013, making history as the first female
rapper to win the award consecutively.
Minaj has been noted by the media for her curvaceous figure. In an interview with Vibe (magazine)|VIBE, Minaj discussed her sexual
image, stating, "When I grew up I saw females doing certain things, and I thought I had to do that exactly. The female rappers of my
day spoke about sex a lot... and I thought that to have the success they got, I would have to represent the same thing. When in fact I
didn’t have to represent the same thing," later adding, "I made a conscious decision to try to tone down the sexiness, I want people
—especially young girls—to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sexual intercourse|sex appeal. You got to have
something else to go with that." Minaj has made "signing breast|boobs " part of her movement to empower women. In an interview
with The Guardian, Minaj says she is competing with both male and female rappers. "That's why I say stuff like, 'Dick in your
fellatio|face ', because I don't even wanna refer to female genitalia any more. I just feel I have bigger balls than the boys," Minaj said,
referencing the song " Come on a Cone " from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. In her song " Moment 4 Life ", she refers to herself as
referencing the song " Come on a Cone " from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. In her song " Moment 4 Life ", she refers to herself as
a king instead of a "queen".
Minaj is known for wearing outlandish costumes and wigs, which leads to comparisons to Lady Gaga, and she is often called "the
black Lady Gaga"; Minaj refutes comparisons between the two. She cites Alexander McQueen, Gianni Versace and Christian
Louboutin as her favorite designers. The Huffington Post described Minaj's fashion as "risk-taking", "bold sartorial choices", and "farout",
with Yahoo! commenting that her costume was "colorful" and "crazy", and stated that "the world would certainly be very quiet
without Ms Minaj". Minaj has been invited to attend various events for fashion designers. Donatella Versace invited Minaj to perform
for the launch of the collaboration of Versace for H&M alongside Prince (musician)|Prince. She also performed " Super Bass " at a
Victoria Secret fashion show in November 2011. Minaj was personally invited to be seated with Vogue (magazine)|Vogue editor-inchief
Anna Wintour during New York Fashion Week to see designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera (fashion
designer)|Carolina Herrera.
With over 17,000 tweets and 16 million followers, Billboard ranked Minaj the sixth-most active user of microblogging website Twitter.
In March 2011, Billboard named Minaj the fourth most active musician on social media, through their Social 50 Billboard
charts|chart. The chart tracks Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, and Instagram usage. On Twitter, she is the most followed rapper
in the world. Use of Twitter by public figures|Upon Twitter and in public appearances and interviews, Minaj refers to her Stan
(fan)|fans collectively as "Barbz" and her male heterosexual and LGBT following as "Boyz" and "Ken Barbz", respectively, alluding to
her "Harajaku Barbie" persona. Minaj deleted her Twitter account for eight days in April 2012, following a dispute between her and
her fans who wanted to leak snippets of her then-unreleased album. At the time, she possessed 11 million followers and lost over a
million followers as a result of the ordeal.
In 2012, amateur cartoonist David Monger authored a popular web series based on Nicki Minaj called The Nekci Menij Show .
Featuring pop singer|pop icons from Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna to Marina and the Diamonds, the characters are illustrated in
an intentionally crude manner accompanied by SMS language so as to mirror the Internet meme Dolan Duck. Since September
2012, the show has garnered more than 600,000 views on YouTube. Primarily crafted using Paint (software)|Microsoft Paint, the
show is intended as a satire of celebrity|celebrity syndrome and Stan (fan)|stan culture. Minaj is the first, and only, female rapper to
reach over one billion video views on YouTube. For the 2013 Met Ball|Met Gala, designer Tommy Hilfiger gifted Minaj a Rolex watch
valued at $32,000.
Alter egos
While growing up, Minaj's home life was often chaotic, with her parents constantly fighting. As a means of escape, she would create
characters and live her life through them, saying, "To get away from all their fighting, I would imagine being a new person. 'Cookie'
was my first identity – that stayed with me for a while. I went on to ' Japanese fashion|Harajuku Barbie,' then 'Nicki Minaj'. Fantasy
was my reality." Minaj also introduced "Point Dexter" on her skit on Saturday Night Live|SNL as an alter-ego, but she has since
mentioned Point Dexter as one of her alter-egos.
On November 18, 2010, Minaj assumed an alter ego named "Nicki Teresa". Wearing a colorful scarf around her head, she went
around as the "healer to her fans" as she visited them at The Garden of Dreams Foundation at Fuse studios in New York City. Minaj
made an appearance on Lopez Tonight on December 6, 2010 and presented a different alter-ego for the Spanish-inspired occasion,
named "Rosa" (pronounced Rrrrrosa).
For Pink Friday, Minaj created another alter ego, "Roman Zolanski," which Minaj claims is her "twin brother" that was born inside her,
out of rage, and becomes him when she is angry. She has also said he is "a demon inside her." Roman has been compared to
Eminem 's alter ego Slim Shady, and on the song " Roman's Revenge " from Pink Friday, Minaj and Eminem collaborate, using
these alter egos. On the collaboration, she said "The new album is going to have a lot of Roman on it... And if you're not familiar with
Roman, then you will be familiar with him very soon. He’s the boy that lives inside of me. He's a lunatic and he's gay and he'll be on
there a lot." Roman also has a "mother" called "Martha Zolanski," who also appeared on "Roman's Revenge," with a British accent,
Retrieved July 24, 2012. and on " Roman Holiday (song)|Roman Holiday ", singing for the first time. Martha appears in the video for
"Moment 4 Life" where she appears to be Minaj's Fairy godmother|magical godmother. In songs such as " All I Do Is Win|All I Do Is
Win (Remix) " it is Minaj rapping. Minaj stated that on her debut album, fans will get to "meet" Nicki, Roman and Onika. Minaj also
produces with her management team and personal friends as Pink Friday Productions, most notable for producing in her second
studio album.
on April 12, 2008 under the label Be. She won the Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Underground Music Awards shortly
7/4/13 Nicki Minaj | Artistopia Music
www.artistopia.com/nicki-minaj?autoplay=0 2/8
on April 12, 2008 under the label Be. She won the Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Underground Music Awards shortly
after. "", HipHopRuckus, August 28, 2008 On April 18, 2009, Minaj released her third mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty (mixtape)|Beam Me
Up Scotty under the label of Trapaholics Records; it received positive coverage on both Black Entertainment Television|BET and
MTV. Reid, Shaheem (2009) "", MTV, May 4, 2009 "", Black Entertainment Television|BET, May 1, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2012. She
also appeared in XXL (magazine)|XXL magazine during this time. "", XXL (magazine)|XXL, November 24, 2008
In August 2009, Minaj signed a record deal with Young Money Entertainment, with distribution from Universal Motown Records, after
fellow American rapper Lil Wayne discovered her on The Come Up DVD. Minaj generated significant attention when she first
appeared on Yo Gotti 's 5 Star Chick (song)|5 Star Chick video, which gave her mainstream success with the urban community. At
the request of Jay-Z, Minaj was asked to feature on Robin Thicke 's single Shakin' It 4 Daddy. Following the guest appearance, Minaj
was given a solo rap verse in the single " BedRock (song)|BedRock ". The record garnered huge commercial success, reaching
number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also appeared on " Roger That (song)|Roger That," which charted at number 56. The song,
particularly Minaj, received positive reviews from critics. In December 2009, both songs were included in Young Money
Entertainment's debut collaborative studio album We Are Young Money . The album charted in the top ten on the Billboard 200|
Billboard 200, reaching number 9 and later receiving a Gold Certification by the RIAA. Minaj was featured on Mariah Carey 's " Up Out
My Face " and its music video. The collaboration was well received by critics.
2010–11: Pink Friday and commercial breakthrough
After a major record label bidding war, Young Money Entertainment announced on August 31, 2009 that Minaj had been released
from a 360 deal with the label in which she retains and owns all of her 360 rights, including merchandising, sponsorships,
endorsements, touring and publishing. Minaj was featured on Rihanna 's " Raining Men (song)|Raining Men " from her album Loud
(Rihanna album)|Loud, which would lead to a second collaboration on Minaj's "Fly" from her album Pink Friday. . Capital FM.
Retrieved December 24, 2010. Hip-hop rap artist and producer Kanye West was also confirmed for the album. On August 3, 2010,
Minaj revealed on an Ustream.tv channel that the album's name would be Pink Friday, a nod to Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday.
Pink Friday was released on November 19, 2010. A buzz single, "Massive Attack", was released in April. In August, Minaj released "
Your Love (Nicki Minaj song)|Your Love " as the first official single from her debut album. The single peaked at 14 on the Billboard
Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100, 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and topped the Rap Songs chart. Minaj became the first female
artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List and the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002. In
October 2010, Minaj became the first artist to have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously. She released two
singles in September 2010; one a joint single with The Black Eyed Peas front man, will.i.am titled, " Check It Out (song)|Check It
Out," and the other " Right Thru Me." The music videos for both were released in late October. " Moment 4 Life " was released as the
fourth single on December 7, 2010, featuring Canadian rapper Drake (entertainer)|Drake, becoming a success on the Billboard Hot
100. The single peaked at number 5 on the Hot Rap Songs.
The album gained Platinum certification|Platinum certification in the United States a month after the release. On January 29, 2011,
Minaj appeared on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest, performing "Right Thru Me" and "Moment 4 Life". On February 9, 2011,
Pink Friday reached number one on the Billboard 200 in its eleventh week on the chart. Minaj turned down an offer to become a
judge on The X Factor (U.S.)|The X Factor, as rapped on her song " Roman Reloaded (song)|Roman Reloaded ", due to its salary. In
June 2011, Minaj was an opening act along with Jessie Malakouti|Jessie and the Toy Boys and The Nervo Twins|Nervo on Britney
Spears|Britney Spears' sixth concert tour, the Femme Fatale Tour, in support of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale (Britney
Spears album)|Femme Fatale . She and singer Kesha were featured on the remix of Spears' track " Till the World Ends," which
charted at number 3 in the US in April 2011.
" Super Bass " was released from Pink Friday in May 2011. The single charted within the top 10 in many countries including the
United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Canada, and later was certified as quadruple-platinum by the Recording Industry
Association of America|Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song gained positive reviews from critics. Minaj went
on to attribute the success of the single in part to Taylor Swift, saying in an interview with American radio station 102.7 KIIS FM,
"Taylor Swift did her little interview about 'Super Bass' and took off in the States with the people sort of knowing it...It’s just really
uncanny how all that stuff happens...We didn’t plan it like that." Minaj voiced a character in the 3-D film|3D animated film, Ice Age:
Continental Drift, as List of Ice Age characters#Steffie|Steffie, a woolly mammoth. Minaj is also featured on French DJ David Guetta 's
2011 album, Nothing but the Beat, on the singles " Where Them Girls At " and " Turn Me On (David Guetta song)|Turn Me On ".
2012: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded and touring
Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, was announced in November 2011 through Twitter and was released
on April 2, 2012, two months later than initially planned. The album features collaborations with producers Hit-Boy, Dr. Luke, Rico
Beats, Kenoe, RedOne and Oak. Cash Money A&R Joshua Berkman told HitQuarters that Minaj was extremely particular about the
beats and music she used saying: "She wouldn't just rap or sing on anything – I could give her a thousand tracks and she may only
like one or two." Preceding the album's release, three promotional singles were released: " Roman in Moscow " (which did not
make the final cut of the album), " Stupid Hoe," and " Roman Reloaded." The first single, " Starships (song)|Starships," was
released on February 14. It peaked at a new best for Minaj of number 2 in the United Kingdom, and reached number 5 on the US
Billboard Hot 100, becoming her second top 10 success, after 2011's " Super Bass ". The music video was released on April 26,
2012.
On February 12, Minaj debuted " Roman Holiday (song)|Roman Holiday " at the 54th Grammy Awards, becoming the first solo
female rapper to perform a song on the Grammy stage. The exorcism-themed performance drew a mixed response online. Minaj
was featured on " Give Me All Your Luvin' " (with M.I.A. (artist)|M.I.A. ) and "I Don't Give A" from Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna 's
twelfth studio album, MDNA (album)|MDNA (2012); the trio performed the former during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in
February. The album's second single, " Right by My Side," which features Chris Brown (American entertainer)|Chris Brown, was
released on March 27, 2012. It peaked at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart and peaked at number 101 in the UK
singles chart. The third single, an Electropop|electro-hop song called " Beez in the Trap ", which features 2 Chainz was released to
U.S. urban radio on April 24, 2012. It peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs|Rap Songs Chart.
Minaj began her first worldwide tour, the Pink Friday Tour, on May 16, 2012. It was followed by the Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour, which
began in October. Minaj cancelled her appearance at the 2012 V Festival in the United Kingdom and the final show of her Pink Friday
Tour in Dublin due to the damage of her vocal chords. Minaj was scheduled to headline during Summer Jam|Hot 97 Summer Jam
in New Jersey on June 3, 2012 at MetLife Stadium, but pulled out of her performance the day of after one of the station's DJs (Peter
Rosenberg) criticized " Starships (song)|Starships " as not being "real hip-hop." Her mentor Lil Wayne heard the remark and pulled
his Young Money (group)|Young Money labelmates from the show. Minaj was scheduled to bring out hip-hop artists Nas, Lauryn Hill,
Cam'ron, Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown, among others. She spoke to WQHT|Hot 97 with Funkmaster Flex, ending the dispute.
An expanded version of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded subtitled Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up|The Re-Up was
released on November 19, 2012. The first single from the re-release, " The Boys (Nicki Minaj and Cassie song)|The Boys ", with
Cassie Ventura|Cassie, was released on September 13, 2012. Its music video debuted on VEVO on October 18, 2012. " Va Va
Voom " was released as the fifth single from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded on October 23, 2012; the second single from The Re-Up,
" Freedom (Nicki Minaj song)|Freedom ", was released on November 3, 2012. Minaj won the award for Best Female Video at the
2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and performed " Girl On Fire (Alicia Keys song)|Girl on Fire " with Alicia Keys and special guest
gymnast Gabby Douglas. In November, Minaj was featured in the three-part E! documentary special Nicki Minaj: My Truth. At the 2012
MTV Europe Music Awards, Minaj was nominated for MTV Europe Music Award for Best Hip-Hop|Best Hip-Hop, MTV Europe Music
Award for Best Female|Best Female, and Best Look; she won the former, but lost the latter two to Taylor Swift.
2013–present: American Idol, The Other Woman, and third studio album
In September 2012, Minaj was confirmed to join the judging panel of the American Idol (season 12)|twelfth season of American Idol,
alongsidge fellow new hires Mariah Carey and Keith Urban and returning judge Randy Jackson, with a salary of $12 million.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22728040 Minaj and Carey have received much media attention for their on-set tension, most notably
with a Internet leak|leaked video of the two in the midst of a heated argument during Charlotte, North Carolina auditions. The
following day, Carey alleged that Minaj had threatened to "shoot her" during the aforementioned incident, though Minaj and producer
Nigel Lythgoe denied such claims. Minaj left the series upon the conclusion of the season. On April 12, 2013, Minaj became the
most-charted female rapper in the history of the Billboard Hot 100| Billboard Hot 100, with forty-four appearances.
Minaj has confirmed plans to launch her own record label, having signed Parker Ighile, Brinx, and Keisha. The title "Pink Friday
Records" was intended, but was scrapped because it was "Not fair 2 (sic) the dudes", with the new name to be released "very soon".
. 3 News. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:27p.m. Minaj is currently working on her third studio album, which she describes as "a continuation of
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up|The Re-Up with a lot more". It is tentatively scheduled to be released in 2013. Minaj has
announced plans to appear in her first live-action theatrical film The Other Woman (2014 film)|The Other Woman ; filming began in
spring 2013, with an anticipated release date set for April 25, 2014. Minaj is set to appear as actress Cameron Diaz assistant. Minaj
led nominations for rap musicians at the Billboard Music Awards|Billboard Music Awards 2013 having seven nominations. Minaj
won BET Award for Best Hip-Hop Artists|Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards 2013, making history as the first female
rapper to win the award consecutively.
Minaj has been noted by the media for her curvaceous figure. In an interview with Vibe (magazine)|VIBE, Minaj discussed her sexual
image, stating, "When I grew up I saw females doing certain things, and I thought I had to do that exactly. The female rappers of my
day spoke about sex a lot... and I thought that to have the success they got, I would have to represent the same thing. When in fact I
didn’t have to represent the same thing," later adding, "I made a conscious decision to try to tone down the sexiness, I want people
—especially young girls—to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sexual intercourse|sex appeal. You got to have
something else to go with that." Minaj has made "signing breast|boobs " part of her movement to empower women. In an interview
with The Guardian, Minaj says she is competing with both male and female rappers. "That's why I say stuff like, 'Dick in your
fellatio|face ', because I don't even wanna refer to female genitalia any more. I just feel I have bigger balls than the boys," Minaj said,
referencing the song " Come on a Cone " from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. In her song " Moment 4 Life ", she refers to herself as
referencing the song " Come on a Cone " from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. In her song " Moment 4 Life ", she refers to herself as
a king instead of a "queen".
Minaj is known for wearing outlandish costumes and wigs, which leads to comparisons to Lady Gaga, and she is often called "the
black Lady Gaga"; Minaj refutes comparisons between the two. She cites Alexander McQueen, Gianni Versace and Christian
Louboutin as her favorite designers. The Huffington Post described Minaj's fashion as "risk-taking", "bold sartorial choices", and "farout",
with Yahoo! commenting that her costume was "colorful" and "crazy", and stated that "the world would certainly be very quiet
without Ms Minaj". Minaj has been invited to attend various events for fashion designers. Donatella Versace invited Minaj to perform
for the launch of the collaboration of Versace for H&M alongside Prince (musician)|Prince. She also performed " Super Bass " at a
Victoria Secret fashion show in November 2011. Minaj was personally invited to be seated with Vogue (magazine)|Vogue editor-inchief
Anna Wintour during New York Fashion Week to see designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera (fashion
designer)|Carolina Herrera.
With over 17,000 tweets and 16 million followers, Billboard ranked Minaj the sixth-most active user of microblogging website Twitter.
In March 2011, Billboard named Minaj the fourth most active musician on social media, through their Social 50 Billboard
charts|chart. The chart tracks Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, and Instagram usage. On Twitter, she is the most followed rapper
in the world. Use of Twitter by public figures|Upon Twitter and in public appearances and interviews, Minaj refers to her Stan
(fan)|fans collectively as "Barbz" and her male heterosexual and LGBT following as "Boyz" and "Ken Barbz", respectively, alluding to
her "Harajaku Barbie" persona. Minaj deleted her Twitter account for eight days in April 2012, following a dispute between her and
her fans who wanted to leak snippets of her then-unreleased album. At the time, she possessed 11 million followers and lost over a
million followers as a result of the ordeal.
In 2012, amateur cartoonist David Monger authored a popular web series based on Nicki Minaj called The Nekci Menij Show .
Featuring pop singer|pop icons from Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna to Marina and the Diamonds, the characters are illustrated in
an intentionally crude manner accompanied by SMS language so as to mirror the Internet meme Dolan Duck. Since September
2012, the show has garnered more than 600,000 views on YouTube. Primarily crafted using Paint (software)|Microsoft Paint, the
show is intended as a satire of celebrity|celebrity syndrome and Stan (fan)|stan culture. Minaj is the first, and only, female rapper to
reach over one billion video views on YouTube. For the 2013 Met Ball|Met Gala, designer Tommy Hilfiger gifted Minaj a Rolex watch
valued at $32,000.
Alter egos
While growing up, Minaj's home life was often chaotic, with her parents constantly fighting. As a means of escape, she would create
characters and live her life through them, saying, "To get away from all their fighting, I would imagine being a new person. 'Cookie'
was my first identity – that stayed with me for a while. I went on to ' Japanese fashion|Harajuku Barbie,' then 'Nicki Minaj'. Fantasy
was my reality." Minaj also introduced "Point Dexter" on her skit on Saturday Night Live|SNL as an alter-ego, but she has since
mentioned Point Dexter as one of her alter-egos.
On November 18, 2010, Minaj assumed an alter ego named "Nicki Teresa". Wearing a colorful scarf around her head, she went
around as the "healer to her fans" as she visited them at The Garden of Dreams Foundation at Fuse studios in New York City. Minaj
made an appearance on Lopez Tonight on December 6, 2010 and presented a different alter-ego for the Spanish-inspired occasion,
named "Rosa" (pronounced Rrrrrosa).
For Pink Friday, Minaj created another alter ego, "Roman Zolanski," which Minaj claims is her "twin brother" that was born inside her,
out of rage, and becomes him when she is angry. She has also said he is "a demon inside her." Roman has been compared to
Eminem 's alter ego Slim Shady, and on the song " Roman's Revenge " from Pink Friday, Minaj and Eminem collaborate, using
these alter egos. On the collaboration, she said "The new album is going to have a lot of Roman on it... And if you're not familiar with
Roman, then you will be familiar with him very soon. He’s the boy that lives inside of me. He's a lunatic and he's gay and he'll be on
there a lot." Roman also has a "mother" called "Martha Zolanski," who also appeared on "Roman's Revenge," with a British accent,
Retrieved July 24, 2012. and on " Roman Holiday (song)|Roman Holiday ", singing for the first time. Martha appears in the video for
"Moment 4 Life" where she appears to be Minaj's Fairy godmother|magical godmother. In songs such as " All I Do Is Win|All I Do Is
Win (Remix) " it is Minaj rapping. Minaj stated that on her debut album, fans will get to "meet" Nicki, Roman and Onika. Minaj also
produces with her management team and personal friends as Pink Friday Productions, most notable for producing in her second
studio album.
Musical style
Minaj is known for her animated rapping style, particularly her Flow (music)|flow. She often combines metaphor s, Punch
line|punchlines, and wordplay into her work, which has received comparisons to her mentor, Lil Wayne. The New York Times
described Minaj as "a sparkling rapper with a gift for comic accents and unexpected turns of phrase. She's a walking exaggeration,
outsize in sound, personality and look. And she's a rapid evolver, discarding old modes as easily as adopting new ones." While
many critics describe her technique as Bubblegum pop|bubblegum Rapping|rap, Minaj explained, "What people don't know is that
before I was doing that craziness I was doing me, I was just doing regular sounding rap that anyone could hear and identify with. But
once I started doing all that weird shit—im not mad at it because it got everyone’s attention". Widely recognized as a rap artist, Minaj
heavily lends herself to Electronic dance music|electronic music genres, especially electropop. Her debut album Pink Friday marked
her exploration of the genre, spawning a string of electro-hits, including " Super Bass ". Following the same conventions of her exploration of the genre, spawning a string of electro-hits, including " Super Bass ". Following the same conventions of combining rap with electronic synths, Minaj's second album pervasively toiled in the electropop genre and generated various songs,
including "HOV Lane", " Whip It (Nicki Minaj song)|Whip It ", " Automatic (Nicki Minaj song)|Automatic ", " Come On A Cone ", "Young Forever", and "Fire Burns", and the Billboard charts| Billboard hits, "Roman Holiday" and "Beez in the Trap". At this stage in Minaj's
career, she adventured into collaborations with other artist, producing additional electronic hits " The Boys (Nicki Minaj and Cassie song)|The Boys " with " Me & U (song)|Me & U " singer Cassie Ventura|Cassie and " Beauty and a Beat " with Canadian pop singer
Justin Bieber.Her verse in Kanye West 's " Monster (Kanye West song)|Monster " was well received by critics, stating she had the best verse in the song. Her alter egos are incorporated in her lyrics through her use of British accent s (Roman Zolanski) and being soft-spoken
(Harajuku Barbie.) Ice-T says of Minaj's rapping style, " does her thing. She has her own way of doing it. She has an ill vocal delivery.
She kind of reminds me of a female Busta Rhymes, like how she throws her voice in different directions."
line|punchlines, and wordplay into her work, which has received comparisons to her mentor, Lil Wayne. The New York Times
described Minaj as "a sparkling rapper with a gift for comic accents and unexpected turns of phrase. She's a walking exaggeration,
outsize in sound, personality and look. And she's a rapid evolver, discarding old modes as easily as adopting new ones." While
many critics describe her technique as Bubblegum pop|bubblegum Rapping|rap, Minaj explained, "What people don't know is that
before I was doing that craziness I was doing me, I was just doing regular sounding rap that anyone could hear and identify with. But
once I started doing all that weird shit—im not mad at it because it got everyone’s attention". Widely recognized as a rap artist, Minaj
heavily lends herself to Electronic dance music|electronic music genres, especially electropop. Her debut album Pink Friday marked
her exploration of the genre, spawning a string of electro-hits, including " Super Bass ". Following the same conventions of her exploration of the genre, spawning a string of electro-hits, including " Super Bass ". Following the same conventions of combining rap with electronic synths, Minaj's second album pervasively toiled in the electropop genre and generated various songs,
including "HOV Lane", " Whip It (Nicki Minaj song)|Whip It ", " Automatic (Nicki Minaj song)|Automatic ", " Come On A Cone ", "Young Forever", and "Fire Burns", and the Billboard charts| Billboard hits, "Roman Holiday" and "Beez in the Trap". At this stage in Minaj's
career, she adventured into collaborations with other artist, producing additional electronic hits " The Boys (Nicki Minaj and Cassie song)|The Boys " with " Me & U (song)|Me & U " singer Cassie Ventura|Cassie and " Beauty and a Beat " with Canadian pop singer
Justin Bieber.Her verse in Kanye West 's " Monster (Kanye West song)|Monster " was well received by critics, stating she had the best verse in the song. Her alter egos are incorporated in her lyrics through her use of British accent s (Roman Zolanski) and being soft-spoken
(Harajuku Barbie.) Ice-T says of Minaj's rapping style, " does her thing. She has her own way of doing it. She has an ill vocal delivery.
She kind of reminds me of a female Busta Rhymes, like how she throws her voice in different directions."
Influences
Minaj has stated that artists who have influenced her musical style include Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Lil Wayne, Smokey Robinson,
Lauryn Hill, Jadakiss, Natasha Bedingfield, Lil' Kim and Missy Elliott. She was also inspired by Janet Jackson, Madonna
(entertainer)|Madonna, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Jones, M.I.A. (artist)|M.I.A., and Cyndi Lauper.
Minaj cites Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown and Jay-Z as major influences, saying, "I really loved as a female rapper. I was really
interested in her mind and her aura, I was really, really into Jay-Z. Me and my friends in high school, we were reciting all of the Jay
lyrics. His words were our words in our conversations all the time. I never really told Foxy how much she has influenced me and how
much she changed my life, and you've gotta tell people that when they're alive to even be able to take the compliment, instead of
paying tribute to them when they're no longer here." She has said that Foxy Brown was "the most influential female rapper" and that
her album Broken Silence (Foxy Brown album)|Broken Silence changed her life.
Jada Pinkett Smith is one of Minaj's role models in her acting career. Minaj was inspired by R&B singer Monica (entertainer)|Monica,
and used to sing her song " Why I Love You So Much " at every talent show she was in. Minaj referred to Monica as one of her
biggest musical influences of all time whilst performing in Atlanta on her Pink Friday Tour. Kanye West, Trina, and Drake
(entertainer)|Drake have been named as influences to Minaj. Betsey Johnson is another one of Minaj's fashion icon, saying, " is a
free spirit. When I met her the other day, I felt like I knew her for my whole life. She's so warm and considerate and caring. She's
amazingly talented and I've been wearing her clothes forever, so to meet her was like, 'Yay!' bowing down to her; she's dope!"
Speaking on Cyndi Lauper, Minaj has expressed her love for Laupers style and how her video's inspired her image as a teenager
saying "When I first went to get my hair colored, I was about 14 and I wanted blonde highlights. The beautician said, 'No, you have to
get your mother on the phone,' and I was just crying and begging. I've always been experimenting. Cyndi Lauper's videos - that's
what intrigued me." http://www.contactmusic.com/news/nicki-minajs-style-inspired-by-cyndi-lauper_1295675
Lauryn Hill, Jadakiss, Natasha Bedingfield, Lil' Kim and Missy Elliott. She was also inspired by Janet Jackson, Madonna
(entertainer)|Madonna, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Jones, M.I.A. (artist)|M.I.A., and Cyndi Lauper.
Minaj cites Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown and Jay-Z as major influences, saying, "I really loved as a female rapper. I was really
interested in her mind and her aura, I was really, really into Jay-Z. Me and my friends in high school, we were reciting all of the Jay
lyrics. His words were our words in our conversations all the time. I never really told Foxy how much she has influenced me and how
much she changed my life, and you've gotta tell people that when they're alive to even be able to take the compliment, instead of
paying tribute to them when they're no longer here." She has said that Foxy Brown was "the most influential female rapper" and that
her album Broken Silence (Foxy Brown album)|Broken Silence changed her life.
Jada Pinkett Smith is one of Minaj's role models in her acting career. Minaj was inspired by R&B singer Monica (entertainer)|Monica,
and used to sing her song " Why I Love You So Much " at every talent show she was in. Minaj referred to Monica as one of her
biggest musical influences of all time whilst performing in Atlanta on her Pink Friday Tour. Kanye West, Trina, and Drake
(entertainer)|Drake have been named as influences to Minaj. Betsey Johnson is another one of Minaj's fashion icon, saying, " is a
free spirit. When I met her the other day, I felt like I knew her for my whole life. She's so warm and considerate and caring. She's
amazingly talented and I've been wearing her clothes forever, so to meet her was like, 'Yay!' bowing down to her; she's dope!"
Speaking on Cyndi Lauper, Minaj has expressed her love for Laupers style and how her video's inspired her image as a teenager
saying "When I first went to get my hair colored, I was about 14 and I wanted blonde highlights. The beautician said, 'No, you have to
get your mother on the phone,' and I was just crying and begging. I've always been experimenting. Cyndi Lauper's videos - that's
what intrigued me." http://www.contactmusic.com/news/nicki-minajs-style-inspired-by-cyndi-lauper_1295675
Products and endorsements
Minaj has signed contracts with a variety of corporate interests and manufacturing companies. Minaj created her own Application
software|app titled after her official website " MyPinkFriday " which featured her self-created slang dictionary the "Nictionary" for
Android phone|Android and iPhone users in 2010. In April 2011, she helped launch Casio|Casio's TRYX digital camera in Times
Square, along with The Roots. In April 2012, Minaj launched the Nokia Lumia 900 in Times Square followed by a performance of "
Starships (song)|Starships," " Super Bass," and " Right by My Side." Minaj contracted a promotional deal with Pepsi in February
2012, in which she appeared in a commercial, which was shot in Argentina for the global LiveForNow campaign, and internet
advertisements. The commercial featured a remix of " Moment 4 Life." In December 2011, Mattel produced a custom Nicki Minajthemed
Barbie to be auctioned on charitybuzz and was valued at an estimate of $US 15,000 dollars.
MAC Cosmetics collaborated with Minaj on many business ventures, such as a limited edition lipstick called Pink 4 Friday that went
on sale for four consecutive Fridays starting November 26, 2010 to promote the release of Pink Friday,
Launches "Pink 4 Friday" Lipstick With MAC Costmetics and also as part of the MAC AIDS Fund|Viva Glam campaign with Ricky
Martin in Latin America, which has raised $US 270 million dollars for MAC AIDS Fund. Minaj fronted their Viva Glam 2013 campaign,
releasing a new shade of lipstick "Nicki 2" and matching lip-gloss. Minaj announced that her clothing line would be launched
through retailer Kmart on January 9, 2013. Minaj has collaborated with OPI Products on a six-piece nail polish collection with colors
named after her songs.
With designer Jeremy Scott, Minaj signed an endorsement deal with Adidas ' fall and winter 2012 campaign to appear in Internet
advertisements and commercials for Adidas Originals. The ad was filmed in a disclosed location in Brooklyn, also featuring Big
Sean, Derrick Rose, Sky Ferreira and 2NE1, all around the world wearing Adidas attire. The commercial used Minaj's song
"Masquerade" as the theme song for the ad. Minaj plans to launch her clothing line " Nicki Minaj Collection|The Nicki Minaj Collection
" in Fall 2013, and described it as "Harajuku Barbie." Minaj's line includes fashion, Fashion accessory|accessories, and houseware,
announced January 2013 with Adam Levine on the same contract, that it would be sold in mass retail stores such as WalMart and
Target Corporation|Target. Minaj's clothing line " The Nicki Minaj Collection " will be exclusively sold at K-Mart, announced January
2013. Minaj revealed via Twitter that she is working on two books. In September 2012, Minaj launched her first fragrance Pink Friday
(fragrance)|Pink Friday with Give Back Brands; the bottle resembles Minaj as she appears on the cover of the album Pink Friday . It is
7/4/13 Nicki Minaj | Artistopia Music
www.artistopia.com/nicki-minaj?autoplay=0 6/8
(fragrance)|Pink Friday with Give Back Brands; the bottle resembles Minaj as she appears on the cover of the album Pink Friday . It is
sold under exclusive license to Macy's in the United States and Elizabeth Arden internationally. In April 2013, the limited version Pink
Friday Special Edition was launched. On February 14, 2013, Bluewater Comics revealed Minaj would star in the " Bluewater
Productions|Fame " biographical comic series, and would make her debut in the comic book titled Fame: Nicki Minaj that was
released to stores February 13, 2013. In April 2013, Minaj partnered with Beats Electronics to launch the "Pink Pill" speaker, sold exclusively through AT&T ; she and actor DeRay Davis appeared in its commercial later that month. On June 6, 2013, Minaj released
a press release regarding the Muscato|moscato beverage called "Myx". The press release revealed that Minaj would not only front the campaign, but also has shared ownership of the company.
software|app titled after her official website " MyPinkFriday " which featured her self-created slang dictionary the "Nictionary" for
Android phone|Android and iPhone users in 2010. In April 2011, she helped launch Casio|Casio's TRYX digital camera in Times
Square, along with The Roots. In April 2012, Minaj launched the Nokia Lumia 900 in Times Square followed by a performance of "
Starships (song)|Starships," " Super Bass," and " Right by My Side." Minaj contracted a promotional deal with Pepsi in February
2012, in which she appeared in a commercial, which was shot in Argentina for the global LiveForNow campaign, and internet
advertisements. The commercial featured a remix of " Moment 4 Life." In December 2011, Mattel produced a custom Nicki Minajthemed
Barbie to be auctioned on charitybuzz and was valued at an estimate of $US 15,000 dollars.
MAC Cosmetics collaborated with Minaj on many business ventures, such as a limited edition lipstick called Pink 4 Friday that went
on sale for four consecutive Fridays starting November 26, 2010 to promote the release of Pink Friday,
Launches "Pink 4 Friday" Lipstick With MAC Costmetics and also as part of the MAC AIDS Fund|Viva Glam campaign with Ricky
Martin in Latin America, which has raised $US 270 million dollars for MAC AIDS Fund. Minaj fronted their Viva Glam 2013 campaign,
releasing a new shade of lipstick "Nicki 2" and matching lip-gloss. Minaj announced that her clothing line would be launched
through retailer Kmart on January 9, 2013. Minaj has collaborated with OPI Products on a six-piece nail polish collection with colors
named after her songs.
With designer Jeremy Scott, Minaj signed an endorsement deal with Adidas ' fall and winter 2012 campaign to appear in Internet
advertisements and commercials for Adidas Originals. The ad was filmed in a disclosed location in Brooklyn, also featuring Big
Sean, Derrick Rose, Sky Ferreira and 2NE1, all around the world wearing Adidas attire. The commercial used Minaj's song
"Masquerade" as the theme song for the ad. Minaj plans to launch her clothing line " Nicki Minaj Collection|The Nicki Minaj Collection
" in Fall 2013, and described it as "Harajuku Barbie." Minaj's line includes fashion, Fashion accessory|accessories, and houseware,
announced January 2013 with Adam Levine on the same contract, that it would be sold in mass retail stores such as WalMart and
Target Corporation|Target. Minaj's clothing line " The Nicki Minaj Collection " will be exclusively sold at K-Mart, announced January
2013. Minaj revealed via Twitter that she is working on two books. In September 2012, Minaj launched her first fragrance Pink Friday
(fragrance)|Pink Friday with Give Back Brands; the bottle resembles Minaj as she appears on the cover of the album Pink Friday . It is
7/4/13 Nicki Minaj | Artistopia Music
www.artistopia.com/nicki-minaj?autoplay=0 6/8
(fragrance)|Pink Friday with Give Back Brands; the bottle resembles Minaj as she appears on the cover of the album Pink Friday . It is
sold under exclusive license to Macy's in the United States and Elizabeth Arden internationally. In April 2013, the limited version Pink
Friday Special Edition was launched. On February 14, 2013, Bluewater Comics revealed Minaj would star in the " Bluewater
Productions|Fame " biographical comic series, and would make her debut in the comic book titled Fame: Nicki Minaj that was
released to stores February 13, 2013. In April 2013, Minaj partnered with Beats Electronics to launch the "Pink Pill" speaker, sold exclusively through AT&T ; she and actor DeRay Davis appeared in its commercial later that month. On June 6, 2013, Minaj released
a press release regarding the Muscato|moscato beverage called "Myx". The press release revealed that Minaj would not only front the campaign, but also has shared ownership of the company.
Personal life
In July 2011, Minaj's cousin Nicholas Telemaque was murdered near his home in Brooklyn, New York City. Minaj referenced
Telemaque in the song " Champion (Nicki Minaj song)|Champion " through the lyrics, "Cause they killed my little cousin, Nicholas/
But my memories only happy images."
Minaj is the only female rapper to be featured on Forbes 's Hip Hop Cash Kings list, she ranks at No. 8, having earned $US 15.5
million from May 2011 to May 2012. In the aftermath of the catastrophic Hurricane Sandy in New York|Hurricane Sandy, Minaj
donated $15,000 to the Food Bank For New York City and held a turkey drive at her alma mater, International School 45|P.S. 45 in
New York.
Minaj is a Christianity|Christian. She stated that after her father went to Drug rehabilitation|rehab and started attending church
service|church, "he got saved and started changing his life."
Critics have noted Minaj's use of various sexual identities within her music, with some implying that she is Bisexuality|bisexual.
However, she has said that she does not date or have sex with women, but added in an interview with Out (magazine)|Out
magazine, "I don’t date men either." In an interview with Vibe (magazine)|Vibe she commented, "I just embrace all people of all
lifestyles and I don't tell them they are bad people. But I feel like people always wanna define me and I don’t wanna be defined."
Controversies
Lil' Kim
Minaj has been embroiled in a Hip hop rivalry|feud with veteran rapper Lil' Kim since her success with Pink Friday. Kim accused
Minaj of copying her image saying, "If you are going to steal my swag, you gonna have to pay. Something gotta give. You help me, I
help you. That's how it goes to me." Minaj's single " Roman's Revenge " with Eminem was believed to be a response to Kim's
comments, although she later denied this, she responded to the situation in an interview with WQHT|HOT 97 's Angie Martinez
saying, "She picked a fight with Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy, then she picked a fight with Eve (entertainer)|Eve, then she picked a fight
with Remy Ma|Remy, then it was Faith Evans|Mrs. Wallace, then it was Nicki Minaj. Every time you in the news, it’s 'cause you gettin'
at somebody! Where’s your music? Put your music out, and when I see your name on Billboard Hot 100|Billboard, that’s when I’ll
respond to you. Other than that, goodbye. It’s Barbie, bitch."
Lil' Kim reignited the feud with the release of her mixtape '' Black Friday (Lil' Kim mixtape)|Black Friday '' (the title of which directly
referenced Minaj). The artwork portrays Lil' Kim decapitating Minaj with a sword. A fragment of a diss track called "Tragedy" was
released in response by Minaj in April 2011. Following the release of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, critics suggested that the track "
Stupid Hoe " may have contained attacks directed at Kim. Lil' Kim later suggested in an interview with ''105's Breakfast Club'' that the
song "Automatic" was similar to her unreleased material, also calling Minaj "obnoxious" and "catty".
The feud has drawn attention from various other recording artists and rappers. Minaj's labelmate and rapper, Drake
(entertainer)|Drake said " didn't give a f--- what Lil Kim or nobody else is talking about." 50 Cent commented on the situation in an
online interview with Power 98.3 FM remarking, "It's obvious... she was inspired by some of Kim's . But that's not bad. There's not a
whole lot of female artists that you can make reference to, so you'll see those little influences even stronger. I think she's hot – I think
she's got a good little thing going right now, as far as Nicki Minaj is concerned." Sean Combs|Diddy spoke of his love and respect for
Kim, attributing his personal success, in part, to her, however he defended working with Minaj stating that "I wouldn't be around Nicki
if I ever heard anything negative said about Kim. I've never heard anything like that." Mary J. Blige commented on the rivalry, saying,
"Kim is my friend and I love and respect Nicki, just met her and got to know the young lady and she's a sweetheart," adding that the
feud had arisen because of "crews" behind it.
Mariah Carey
In October 2012, a video was Internet leak|leaked to TMZ (website)|TMZ that showed Minaj and fellow American Idol judge Mariah
Carey in the midst of a heated argument during auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina. Minaj was alleged to have been heard saying
off-camera, "If I had a gun, I would shoot that bitch", which she denied. Host Ryan Seacrest commented that the dispute "went a little
too far", while fellow judge Keith Urban jokingly said "I was the UN ". The feud elicited a comment from President Barack Obama that
Carey and Minaj will "sort it out".
In January 2013, Carey claimed in an interview with Barbara Walters on The View (U.S. TV series)|The View that Minaj created an
"unsafe work environment" and increased her personal security. She later commented that she had since made up with Minaj.
Carey's husband Nick Cannon claimed that the feud was used by producers to generate interest and ratings, though producer Nigel
Lythgoe denied responsibility for leaking the video or that it was a publicity stunt, adding that they had no plans the use the footage.
Fox executive Mike Darnell described the buzz due to the feud as being great, but later said that "a rogue crew member probably took
the video and sent it to TMZ. We did not encourage it." The episode in which Charlotte auditions were aired did not show the tirade;
the minor conflict shown appear to have no linear connection with the leaked footage.
In April 2013, Carey noted during an episode of American Idol that Minaj had yet to earn a number one song on the US Billboard Hot
100| Billboard Hot 100. Minaj later responded through Twitter, labeling Carey as "insecure" and "bitter". She also referred to
speculation that former judge Jennifer Lopez was asked to replace Carey halfway through the season after a significant ratings
decline.
Discography
; Studio albums
2010: Pink Friday
2012: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ( Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up|The Re-Up )
Collaboration albums
2009: We Are Young Money (with Young Money (group)|Young Money )
2013: Rich Gang (album)|Rich Gang
; Official mixtapes
2007: Playtime Is Over (mixtape)|Playtime Is Over
2008: Sucka Free
2009: Beam Me Up Scotty (mixtape)|Beam Me Up Scotty
Tours
Opening act
America's Most Wanted Tour (2009)
I Am Music II Tour (2011)
Femme Fatale Tour (2011)
Headlining
Pink Friday Tour (2012)
Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour (2012)
> Ep. Royal16
My Time Now MTV Special
VH1 Divas : Salute the
Troops Performed " Girls Just Wanna Have Fun " with Katy Perry
2011
'' New Year's Eve with
Carson Daly Save Me " cite web
Fashion Police Guest judge
Saturday Night Live Season 36, episode 693)
Americas Next Top
Americas Best Dance
Crew Season 6,
2012
Dick Clark's New
Year's Rockin' Eve with
Ryan Seacrest 2012
Turn Me On ", " Super Bass ", and " Roman in Moscow " cite web
Nicki Minaj: A Day in
the Life 4Music special
The Cleveland Show "Menace II Secret Society" ( The Cleveland Show (season 4)
American Idol Judge season 12 ) cite web
ition)
Herself Dirty Money Entertainment, cameo appearance, Pre-fame
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