21 May, 2012 (updated 9 minutes ago).
| Nicki Minaj | |
|---|---|
 Minaj at 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fall/Winter Fashion Week in New York |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Onika Tanya Maraj |
| Born | December 8, 1982 [1] Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Origin | South Jamaica, Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B, pop |
| Occupations | Rapper, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Cash Money Records, Young Money Entertainment, Universal Republic Records, Universal Motown |
| Associated acts | Young Money |
| Website | mypinkfriday.com |
Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj (
/mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is a Trinidadian-born American musician. She was born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago and when she was 5 years of age she moved to the New York City borough of Queens, where she grew up.
After releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009 and being signed to Young Money Entertainment in August 2009, Minaj released her debut album, Pink Friday, in November 2010. It quickly became a commercial success, peaking at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) a month after its release.[2][3] She became the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time.[4] Her second single, "Your Love", reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, making Minaj the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002.[5] She also became the first female artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List.[6] Minaj was named the 2011 Rising Star by Billboard.[7] Her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded was released on April 3, 2012.
Contents |
Maraj was born in 1982[1][note 1] in Saint James, a suburb of Trinidad and Tobago's capital city Port of Spain.[8][9][10] Her parents are of mixed Indian and Afro-Trinidadian ancestry[11][12] and she lived in Saint James with her grandmother until age five, because her parents were looking for a place to live in the Queens borough of New York City at the time. Her mother would occasionally visit, and one day, when Minaj was five, her mother picked her up to move to Queens.[13] According to Minaj, her father drank heavily, took drugs, and once tried to kill her mother by setting the house on fire.[14]
She attended Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School 210, where she played the clarinet.[13] She graduated from LaGuardia High School.[15][16] At LaGuardia, a school specializing in music and the visual and performing arts, Minaj participated in the drama program.[15] She had initially planned to sing at LaGuardia but lost her voice on the day of the audition.[15]
Minaj released her first mixtape in 2007 after releasing Playtime Is Over with Dirty Money Records. She released another mixtape on July 7, 2008, titled Sucka Free, under the label Be. On April 18, 2009, Minaj released a third mixtape and appeared in XXL magazine.[17] She won the Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Underground Music Awards.[18] Minaj released Beam Me Up Scotty, another mixtape, in April 2009 under the label of Trapaholics Records; it received positive coverage on both BET and MTV.[19][20]
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 and secured the record deal.[17][21] She then had a solo rap verse in their single "BedRock," which became a commercial success, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Minaj also appeared on "Roger That", which charted at number 56. The song, and in particular Minaj, received positive reviews from critics.[22] Both songs were included in Young Money Entertainment's debut collaborative studio album We Are Young Money, which was released in December 2009. The album charted in the top ten on the Billboard 200, reaching number 9 and later receiving a Gold Certification by the RIAA. She was then chosen by Mariah Carey to be featured on her single and music video for "Up Out My Face". Critics praised her collaboration for helping to maintain Carey's feminine image and providing a polite track for the female R&B singer.[23]
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.[24] In an interview with 95.8 Capital FM, Rihanna stated that after the two collaborated on "Raining Men" from her album Loud that the duo would be teaming up together for a possible second collaboration on Minaj's Pink Friday.[25] Hip-hop rap artist and producer Kanye West was also confirmed for the album.[26] On August 3, 2010 Minaj revealed on a Ustream.tv channel that the album's name would be Pink Friday, in reference to Black Friday.[27]
Pink Friday was released on November 19, 2010 in both standard and deluxe versions.[28][29] A buzz single, "Massive Attack", was released in April.[30] In August, Minaj released "Your Love" as the first official single from her debut album. The single peaked at 14 on the 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[6] and the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002.[31] In October 2010, Minaj became the first artist to have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously.[4] Minaj released a joint single with The Black Eyed Peas front man, will.i.am titled, "Check It Out", which is Minaj's most successful single to date in Europe. "Right thru Me" was released September 24, 2010; the music video was released in late October. "Moment 4 Life" was released as the fourth single. The track featured Canadian rapper Drake and was released on December 7, 2010, becoming a success on the Billboard Hot 100. The single peaked at number 5 on the Hot Rap Songs.[32] The album gained a Platinum certification in the United States a month after the release.[3]
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, it was announced that Pink Friday had reached number one on the Billboard 200 in its eleventh week on the chart.[33] It was hinted by Simon Cowell that Minaj would join the judging panel of the American version of the The X Factor.[34] Starting in June 2011, Minaj will be supporting Pink Friday by serving as an opening act along with Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo on Britney Spears' sixth concert tour, the Femme Fatale Tour, in support of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale.[35] She also was featured on the official remix of Spears' track "Till the World Ends" along with Spears and singer Kesha, which charted at number 3 in the US in April 2011.[36] "Super Bass" was released from Pink Friday in May 2011, the single charted within the top 10 in many countries including; United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada and more.[37] The song gained positive reviews from critics.[38][39] Minaj will voice a character in the 3D animated film, Ice Age: Continental Drift, as an unknown character.[40][41] Minaj is also featured on French DJ David Guetta's 2011 album, Nothing but the Beat on "Where Them Girls At" and "Turn Me On".
Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, was first announced through Twitter in November 2011 and was released on April 2, 2012 in the United Kingdom and April 3, 2012 in the United States. 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."[42] Preceding the album's release, three promotional singles were released: Roman in Moscow (which didn't make the final cut of the album), "Stupid Hoe," and "Roman Reloaded." The album's first single, "Starships", was released on February 14.[43] "Starships" became Minaj's best-peaking single in the United Kingdom, when it reached a peak of 2. It has also peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it her second top 10 arrival following, "Super Bass" in 2011. The music video was released on April 26th, 2012.[44]
On February 12, 2012, Minaj debuted her song "Roman Holiday" at the 54th Grammy Awards. It was the first song ever performed on the Grammy stage by a solo female rapper.[45]The exorcism-themed performance drew a mixed response online.[46] Due to the controversy of the performance, it was halted as being released as the third promotional single and "Roman Reloaded" was chosen instead.[47]
She was featured on Madonna's twelfth studio album, titled MDNA, alongside M.I.A. on its lead single "Give Me All Your Luvin'", for which a music video has been directed by Megaforce.[48] The trio performed the song for the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.[49] She was also featured on a song called "I Don't Give A", another track from the album.
She released her second single, "Right by My Side", which features Chris Brown, on March 27, 2012, after premiering on Minaj's website on March 20, 2012.[50] Following the album's release, it peaked at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. It also peaked in the lower regions of the UK singles chart, at position #101. The third single, "Beez in the Trap", which features 2 Chainz was released to U.S. Urban radio on April 24, 2012. It was premiered on DJ Flex's radio show at Hot 97 on March 20, 2012. It has peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Rap Songs Chart.[51] The video was premiered on April 6, 2012 on Minaj's official VEVO account.[52]
In an interview with Vibe Minaj discussed her sexual image stating, "[w]hen 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."[53] In an interview with Interview, Minaj commented on her sexual image again stating, "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 sex appeal. You’ve got to have something else to go with that.”[54] Minaj has a tattoo in Chinese characters that reads "上帝與你常在" (shangdi yu ni chang zai)[55] on her left arm, meaning, "God is always with you."[56]
While growing up, Minaj's home life was often chaotic, with her parents constantly fighting.[57] As a means of escape, she would create characters and live her life through them.[57] In an interview with New York she stated, "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 'Harajuku Barbie,' then 'Nicki Minaj'. Fantasy was my reality."[57]
On November 18, 2010, Minaj assumed a different alter-ego named "Nicki Teresa".[58] 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.[58] 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).[59]
In April 2012, Nicki was asked if Roman, Martha and Rosa come out in the bedroom saying “No, they don’t come out in the bedroom, but other people come out in the bedroom,” she told Big Boy during his “Backstage Breakfast,” adding, “And there’s only one person that would know who that personality is". Nicki did not name her alter-ego.[60]
For her debut album, Minaj created another alter-ego named "Roman Zolanski".[61] She stated that in songs like "Bottoms Up" with Trey Songz it is not Minaj rapping, but instead Roman Zolanski, and claims that Roman is her "twin brother". She claims that he 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.[62] 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."[63] Roman also has a "mother" called "Martha Zolanski",[64] who also appeared on the song Roman's Revenge, with a British accent,[65]and on Roman Holiday, singing for the first time.[66][67] Martha appears in the video for "Moment 4 Life" where she appears to be Minaj's magical Godmother. In songs such as "All I Do Is Win (Remix)" it is Minaj rapping.[61] Minaj stated that on her debut album, fans will get to "meet" Nicki, Roman and Onika.[61]
Minaj has stated that artists who have influenced her musical style include Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Lil Wayne, Lauryn Hill, Jadakiss, Natasha Bedingfield, Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim and Missy Elliott.[68][69] She was also inspired by Janet Jackson,[70] Madonna, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Jones,[71] M.I.A. and Cyndi Lauper.[72][73][74]
Nicki Minaj is a Christian, and on Christmas Day in 2011, she indicated her faith in Jesus by tweeting John 3:16.[75][76] In addition, she states that after her father went to rehab and started attending church, "he got saved and started changing his life."[77] Minaj states that her heroes are "God. And my mother."[78][79]
While some songs and interviews have implied that Minaj is bisexual,[80][81] she has said that she does not date nor have sex with women,[15] but added in an interview with Out magazine, "I don’t date men either."[82] In an interview with Vibe she commented, "I just embrace all people of all lifestyles and I don’t tell them they are bad people. And I say girls are beautiful and girls are sexy and they need to be told that, and if they don’t have anyone to tell them that and mean it, I’m gonna tell them that. But I feel like people always wanna define me and I don’t wanna be defined."[83] She reiterated her dislike of being labeled in an interview with Out, saying: "The point is, everyone is not black and white. There are so many shades in the middle, and you’ve got to let people feel comfortable with saying what they want to say when they want to say it."[82]
During an interview in the May 2010 issue of Details, Minaj was asked if she felt hip-hop was becoming more gay-friendly. She responded, "I think the world is getting more gay-friendly, so hip-hop is too. But it's harder to imagine an openly gay male rapper being embraced, people view gay men as having no street credibility. But I think we'll see one in my lifetime."[81]
In July 2011, Minaj's cousin Nicholas Telemaque was murdered near his home in Brooklyn, New York City.[84] Telemaque was referenced in Minaj's song "Champion" in her second studio album.[85]
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Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Starships (Explicit) . © 2012 Cash Money Records/Young Money Ent./Universal Rec. Buy It Now! iTunes - bit.ly Amazon - bit.ly
Nicki Minaj Starships (Explicit)
Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Beez In The Trap (Explicit). © 2012 Cash Money Records/Young Money Ent./Universal Rec. Buy It Now! iTunes - bit.ly Amazon - bit.ly
Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Your Love. (C) 2010 Cash Money Records Inc.
Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Moment 4 Life. (C) 2010 Cash Money Records Inc.
Music video by will.i.am, Nicki Minaj performing Check It Out. (C) 2010 Interscope Records iTunes UK bit.ly - includes a version featuring Cheryl Cole
Buy at iTunes: goo.gl New album on sale now! turtleneckandchain.com The 2nd Single from The Lonely Island's upcoming 2nd album! Featuring Nicki Minaj and John Waters! The Lonely Island is Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer & Jorma Taccone As seen on Saturday Night Live (SNL Digital Short) Twitter @thelonelyisland
There are few people our girls from the UK are more excited to see than Nicki Minaj! Since the rapper was here, Ellen couldn't resist bringing Sophia Grace & Rosie on to see their idol.
ellen degeneres nicki minaj sophia grace & rosie reunite The Ellen Show
Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Super Bass. © 2011 Cash Money Records Inc., Manufactured and Marketed by Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Massive Attack. (C) 2010 Cash Money Records Inc.
Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Fly. (C) 2011 Cash Money Records Inc.
"Starships" --► StarshipsRingtone.blogspot.com ◄-- Nicki Minaj - Starships (Lyrics) Nicki Minaj - Starships Nicki Minaj - Starships Nicki Minaj - Starships Nicki Minaj - Starships Nicki Minaj - Starships
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Nicki Minaj ft. Chris Brown - Right By My Side LYRICS Nicki Minaj feat. Chris Brown Right By My Side With lyrics on Screen HD Video Nicki Minaj Right By My Side Nicki Minaj Right By My Side Nicki Minaj Right By My Side Nicki Minaj Right By My Side Nicki Minaj Right By My Side Nicki Minaj Right By My Side
Nicki Minaj Right By My Side ft Chris Brown Lyrics On Screen official video
Download the hit single "Turn Me On" on iTunes: goo.gl Music video by David Guetta performing Turn Me On featuring Nicki Minaj. (P) 2011 What A Music Ltd, Licence exclusive EMI Music France
Nicki Minaj on TODAY Show - Performs "Starships" & "Right By My SIde" Nicki Minaj Today Show Nicki Minaj Today Show Nicki Minaj Today Show Nicki Minaj Today Show Nicki Minaj Today Show
"ITTY BITTY PIGGY" OFF THE MIXTAPE "BEAM ME UP SCOTTY" YOU CAN PURCHASE THE MIXTAPE AT MYSPACE.COM/NICKIMINAJ
autocorrects: Nicki Minaj: Pink Hair, Katy Perry: Blue Hair, Rihanna: Red Hair & Lady Gaga: Green Hair...THE FU^KING POWER RANGERS ARE BACK!
TheSource: Video: DJ Khaled Ft. Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne - Take It To The Head http://t.co/ACZmohYO
damnitstrue: Nicki Minaj: Pink hair. Katy Perry: Blue. Rihanna: Red. Lady GaGa: Green. Power Rangers are back! (See Photos) http://t.co/OJYA5DRJ - sp
jannu566: I liked a @YouTube video http://t.co/6OHB19Vv Nicki Minaj - Right By My Side (Explicit) ft. Chris Brown
LoudpackMush: I liked a @YouTube video http://t.co/GBhaHPqw Nicki Minaj - Starships (Lyrics)
iReloaded: @ryerye You like the performer of NICKI MINAJ?
iBieberSweden: OOOOMMMMGGG JUSTIN IS DOING A SONG WITH NICKI MINAJ?!?!? NOW I CAN DIE HAPPY
sophiee_m: Nicki Minaj swears so much In that songgg
_jamesburgess: Even worse if you're singing turn me on nicki minaj
YO_stay_loud: nicki minaj needs to come out with a mixtape that she is straight spittin of other niggas beats she would kill it
Miche285: RT @autocorrects: Nicki Minaj: Pink Hair, Katy Perry: Blue Hair, Rihanna: Red Hair & Lady Gaga: Green Hair...THE FU^KING POWER RANGERS ARE BACK!
Henry_Comer: nicki minaj at VFestival?! better get KFC up moulsham in shape then!
TheLotteryPick: RT @MayneZane: New Video: @djkhaled Ft. @rickyrozay Nicki Minaj, @LilTunechi & @chrisbrown “Take It To The Head” http://t.co/jiQRpegU RT!..
AshReading: Anyone got Nicki Minaj's new album? If so, is it any good?
carrrrmen_: Nicki Minaj - Starships (Kenneth & Rowin 'Aliens Go Mad' Bootleg) #np
ccretagnt1241: DJ Khaled - Take It To The Head (Official Video) Ft. Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne http://t.co/Jl5kYQRQ
xNessz: DJ Khaled - Take It To The Head (Official Video) ft. Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne
Sabatina Prudent: Stupid hoe
Jayk Winters: I love nicki minaj :] <3
Anieano Ating: How can Lil Kim say Nicki Minaj stole her style when she stole michael jackson's nose and miss piggy's face?
Kati Brooks: Nicki Minaj wants to adopt the squish! And I have the tweet to prove it :) x
Tevin Gates: Reputation for bustin pussy open it nufin.... -nicki minaj
Irene Miller: yes i am wearin my uion jack legging wae ma nicki minaj t-shirty n ma lepord print cardi n it doesnt go but quess what a dont care! Wis up all last nite:/
Mauro Sergio Gouveia: Bom Dia Novo Video de DJ Khaled
Donald Lewis: nicki minaj she a cutey
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Jamal KidCrazy Childs: i love take it to the head video https://vimeo.com/42510686 vimeo.com/42510686
Nic Nice: OFFICIAL SAYY NO MOREE!
Hit Maker Q: DONT BE SCARED TO TAKE IT TO DA HEAD
Anjo Cruz: "Reputation for tastin’ I’m killin’ ‘em hoes like Jason" Tunechi
© 2012 Nicki Minaj. All rights reserved. Powered by ground. Privacy Policy; Terms & Conditions; Support
Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian-born American musician. She was born in Saint James, Trinidad and ...
Nicki Minaj's official profile including the latest music, albums, songs, music videos and more updates.
Chart-topping rap minx Nicki Minaj will be finally be guiding her Starships toward these shores this summer, for the North American leg of her globe-trotting
Influenced by the unpredictable rhymes of Missy Elliot along with the sexually charged attitudes of Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown , Queens native Nicki Minaj was discovered ...
Get all of the latest Music, Media, and News on Nicki Minaj
Ultimate resource for Young Money Artist - Nicki Minaj with the latest news, photos, multimedia, tour dates and much more!
Music video by Nicki Minaj performing Super Bass. © 2011 Cash Money Records Inc., Manufactured and Marketed by Universal Records, a Division of UMG ...
Nicki Minaj (born Onika Tanya Maraj) has much more to offer than just a cute face, a sassy attitude, and a hot verse. With songs like "Your Love" and " ...
Having made it very clear just what Starships are meant to do, Nicki Minaj has come out with her new Pepsi commercial. In the ad, the eccentric artist sings a remixed ...
Nicki Minaj on the Graham Norton Show is quite amusing. Nicki gives the reasons for deleting her account and tells if she will return or not.
Nicki Minaj is having her photo taken. I've never seen anything quite like it – so incisive, dramatic and bossy. "No close-ups," the rapping pop star ...
She's one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, NICKI MINAJ is here! Her countless hits and larger-than-life personality has kept her at the top of the charts!
» Nicki Minaj | The official entertainment news site of American Idol host and American Top 40 on air radio personality!
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![Nicki Minaj Hysteria Hits London [PHOTOS] Nicki Minaj – I Need My ...](http://www.ineedmyfix.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/full_nicki_minaj_hotel_arrival_31_wenn3176262.jpg)
