Beyond Christmas songs, the top charts at the moment include Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2” debuts at No.1 on the Billboard 200 charts, as well her homonymous album which is also a top-selling. She has made a record for the most No.1 albums ever for a female rapper. It is also the biggest debut sales week for a rap album by a woman in the last four years. Often referred as the “Queen of RAP.” Let’s encapsulate the odyssey from the woman behind this big title and gigantic numbers.
Born Onika Maraj, Nicki's early life in Jamaica, Queens, New York, was infused with the rich cultural backdrop of her Afro-Trinidadian gospel singer parents. Her artistic flair emerged early, with an audition success at Manhattan's LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. By the age of 12, she was already penning her first rap song.
After graduation, Minaj briefly pursued acting, landing a role in the Off-Broadway play "In Case You Forget" in 2001. However, her acting aspirations faced hurdles, leading her to various waitressing jobs, each ending in termination due to her alleged discourtesy to customers—disappointments that would ultimately fuel her determination.
In 2004, Minaj's foray into music began with a brief stint in the Brooklyn group Full Force, rapping in the quartet "The Hood$tars." They contributed the entrance song for WWE Diva Victoria, "Don’t Mess With," featured on "ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol. 6." Subsequently, her departure from Full Force marked a pivotal moment as she uploaded her songs on MySpace, catching the attention of Fendi, CEO of Dirty Money Entertainment, who signed her in 2007.
Her early mixtapes, including "Playtime is Over" (2007) and "Sucka Free" (2008), showcased her rising talent. By 2008, she earned the title of "Female Artist of the Year" at the Underground Music Awards. Recognition continued with her third mixtape, "Beam Me Up Scotty," attracting favourable coverage on BET and MTV in 2009. This marked the year when Lil Wayne, impressed by her talent, invited her to join "Young Money," solidifying her place in the industry as the first woman in it.
The turning point came in 2010 with her debut album, "Pink Friday," topping the Billboard 200 and garnering international acclaim. Boasting eight hit singles, including "Super Bass," the album's success was monumental, selling 375,000 copies in its first week. Minaj's achievements were further recognized with Grammy nominations and a historic feat of having seven singles simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100.
Minaj's impact extended beyond her musical prowess. Her bold fashion choices and outspoken advocacy on gender equality, cultural appropriation, and race in the music industry marked her as a cultural icon. Her lyrics, characterized by clever wordplay, explicit references, and themes of empowerment, resonated in an industry often criticized for objectifying women. Instead, she celebrates themes of empowerment and confidence like “Super Bass” and “Anaconda.” These made her a beacon for women in the hip-hop and RAP industry, which is known by the sexism, objectifying them in the lyrics and music-videos. In her music videos, she stands out as the central figure and empowers her audience. In her lyrics, she talks about sex, a taboo, and an oppressed marginalized voice of a Black woman. She auto declared as "Harajaku Barbie" with her appeareance with bright over-the-top clothing and exaggerated feminity, reinforcing the empowerment with a girlhood's icon.
The release of "Starships" in 2012, from her second album "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded," propelled her further into global stardom. While the album received mixed reviews for its blend of hip-hop and mainstream pop, Minaj's accolades included MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards.
Her 2014 album, "The Pinkprint," maintained her chart dominance, with hits like "Anaconda" peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music accumulated 19.6 million views on its first day of release. Minaj received two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song (“Anaconda”) Minaj's impact on the industry was further highlighted by her consecutive wins at the BET Awards, solidifying her as the female rapper with the most wins in the Best Female Hip-Hop Artist category.
In 2017, Minaj continued her chart-topping success with features on singles like Jason Derulo’s “Swalla” and her own releases, breaking records for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries for a female artist. Her 2018 album, "Queen," showcased her versatility and collaborations with artists like Tekashi 6ix9ine and BTS.
Beyond the world of music, Nicki Minaj has ventured into various business opportunities, further solidifying her financial independence and influence. This includes her own fragrance line, fashion collaborations, and involvement in other entrepreneurial pursuits. She was a judge from 2012 American Idol, participated of films and documentaries, signed with Wihelmina Models.
On the other hand, Nicki Minaj is known due to controversies. She has been involved with public feuds with other artists gained attention on social media and press, generating debates about professionalism and interpersonal relationships in the music industry. Some critics have accused her of being disrespectful, particularly in her interactions with other artists, industry professionals or fans. Some of her controversial statements on social media about feminism, race, bisexuality and cultural appropriation caused backlash. Her female rivalry with Cardi B. Her persona generates a buzz too, some see her vulgarity as an objectification of women and not empowering.
Like aforementioned, Nicki Minaj is a beacon for a whole generation of young women. As well as a bridge with contributions with old-school icons like Madonna, Britney Spears and Ariana Grande to contemporary names like Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, M.I.A, and Karol G.
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