Minaj << mih NAHJ >>, Nicki (1982-…), is a Trinidadian-born American rap artist, singer, and songwriter. She is known for her colorful and wild costumes. Minaj became the first female rap artist to have two number-one albums as a solo artist on Billboard magazine’s “Billboard 200” music chart. Her first two studio albums, Pink Friday (2010) and Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), both reached number one.
Onika Tanya Maraj was born on Dec. 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago. At age 5, she moved with her family to the Queens borough (district) of New York City. At age 12, Minaj began writing rap songs. She later began singing backup for local rap performers. Minaj attended a performing arts high school where she studied acting. In 2007, Minaj began releasing recordings of her songs. In 2009, she signed a recording contract with the Young Money record label (brand).
Minaj sang on a number of recordings by other artists before gaining notice in 2010 with Pink Friday. A bonus track on Pink Friday, “Super Bass,” also became a hit. Minaj’s second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, included the hits “Starships” and “Pound the Alarm.” Her other albums include The Pinkprint (2014), featuring the hit “Anaconda,” and Queen (2018).
In 2012, Minaj voiced the character of a woolly mammoth in the animated motion picture Ice Age: Continental Drift. In 2013, Minaj was a judge on the singing competition television show “American Idol.” With the American rapper Ice Spice, Minaj recorded the song “Barbie World” for the soundtrack of the motion picture Barbie (2023).
