Nicki Minaj
Artist
Background information
Birth nameOnika Tanya Maraj
BornDecember 8, 1982 (age 32)
Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago
OriginJamaica, Queens, New York, United States
Occupation(s)
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2004–present
Associated acts
More Information
Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982),[1][2] better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj (/mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is a Trinidadian-born American[3][4] rapper, singer, songwriter and actress. Born inSaint James, Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York, Minaj earned public attention after releasing three mixtapes between 2007–2009. She signed a recording contract with Young Money Entertainment in 2009.
Minaj's debut studio album, Pink Friday(2010), peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and spawned the top-three single "Super Bass". During that time, Minaj became the first female solo artist to have seven singles simultaneously charting on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100. Her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded(2012), also topped the chart and its lead single, "Starships", peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Minaj's third studio album, The Pinkprint (2014), was preceded by its second single, "Anaconda", which peaked at number two on the Hot 100 and is her highest-charting single in the United States to date. Minaj made her film debut in the 2012 animated film Ice Age: Continental Drift, and also had a supporting role in the 2014 film The Other Woman. In 2013, she was a main judge on the twelfth season ofAmerican Idol.
Minaj was the first female artist included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List, withThe New York Times saying that some consider her "the most influential female rapper of all time".[5] Her rapping is distinctive for its fast flow and the use of alter egos and accents, primarilyBritish cockney. Minaj is known for her colorful costumes and wigs. In April 2013, Minaj became the most-charted female rapper in the history of theBillboard Hot 100. Minaj has endorsedAdidas, MAC Cosmetics and Pepsi. She has won four American Music Awards, eight BET Awards, two MTV Music Awards, two MTV Europe Music Award, five Billboard Music Awards andBillboard 's 2011 Rising Star award.