50 Things You Didn’t Know About Nicki Minaj

1. Birth Name: Nicki Minaj was born Onika Tanya Maraj on December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago.

2. Early Life: She moved to Queens, New York, with her family when she was five years old.

3. Musical Family: Her father, Robert Maraj, was a financial executive and part-time gospel singer, while her mother, Carol Maraj, is a gospel singer as well.

4. Stage Name: The name "Nicki Minaj" originated from her original stage name "Nicki Maraj," which was changed by her first producer, who thought "Minaj" would be more memorable.

5. Drama School: She attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City, where she studied acting.

6. First Job: Before her music career took off, Nicki worked as a waitress at Red Lobster but was fired for being rude to customers.

7. Mixtapes: Her early career was marked by three influential mixtapes: "Playtime is Over" (2007), "Sucka Free" (2008), and "Beam Me Up Scotty" (2009).

8. Young Money: Lil Wayne discovered Nicki Minaj through her mixtapes and signed her to his Young Money Entertainment label in 2009.

9. Breakthrough Album: Her debut studio album, "Pink Friday," was released in 2010 and went triple platinum.

10. Alter Egos: She is known for her various alter egos, including "Roman Zolanski," a character she describes as a demon inside her.

11. First Female Artist: Nicki Minaj was the first female solo artist to have seven singles simultaneously charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

12. Record Breaker: She holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries by a female artist in history.

13. Grammy Nominations: Despite numerous nominations, Nicki Minaj has yet to win a Grammy Award.

14. Voice Acting: She has lent her voice to animated films like "Ice Age: Continental Drift" and "The Angry Birds Movie 2."

15. American Idol: Nicki Minaj served as a judge on the 12th season of "American Idol" in 2013.

16. Fashion Icon: She is known for her bold fashion choices and has been a frequent attendee of the Met Gala.

17. Fragrance Line: Nicki Minaj launched her first fragrance, "Pink Friday," in 2012, followed by several other successful scents.

18. Acting Career: Besides voice acting, she has appeared in live-action films such as "The Other Woman" and "Barbershop: The Next Cut."

19. First Female Rapper: She was the first female rapper to perform at Yankee Stadium.

20. VMA Awards: Nicki Minaj has won multiple MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Hip-Hop Video for "Super Bass."

21. Business Ventures: She has ventured into various business deals, including her own mobile app game, "Nicki Minaj: The Empire."

22. Influential: She has been included in several influential lists, such as Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

23. Feuds: Nicki Minaj has had notable feuds with other artists, including Lil' Kim, Remy Ma, and Cardi B.

24. Charity Work: She is involved in numerous charitable activities and has helped students pay off their college tuition.

25. Music Awards: She has won over 100 major music awards, including American Music Awards and BET Awards.

26. Queen Radio: She launched her own radio show, "Queen Radio," on Apple Music's Beats 1 in 2018.

27. Anaconda Success: Her hit single "Anaconda" made headlines for its provocative music video and broke the Vevo record for most views in 24 hours.

28. Marriage: Nicki Minaj married Kenneth Petty in 2019, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2020.

29. Historical Feat: She was the first woman to appear on the annual MTV Hottest MC List.

30. International Tours: Nicki has embarked on multiple international tours, selling out arenas worldwide.

31. Collaboration Queen: She has collaborated with numerous artists across various genres, from pop to rap to EDM.

32. Fashion Influence: She has influenced fashion trends with her colorful wigs, bold makeup, and eccentric outfits.

33. Billboard Milestone: Her song "Super Bass" is one of the best-selling singles by a female rapper.

34. Advocate: She has spoken out about issues like racism, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.

35. Songwriter: In addition to performing, she writes most of her own music and has penned songs for other artists.

36. Producer Role: She served as an executive producer for her reality show, "Nicki Minaj: My Time Again."

37. Real Estate: She owns several luxurious properties, including a mansion in Beverly Hills.

38. Album Success: All of her studio albums have debuted in the top two spots on the Billboard 200 chart.

39. Brand Endorsements: She has had lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Pepsi, MAC Cosmetics, and Adidas.

40. Diverse Background: Nicki Minaj has African, Trinidadian, and Indo-Asian ancestry, which she embraces and often highlights.

41. YouTube Star: Her YouTube channel has billions of views, making her one of the most-watched female rappers on the platform.

42. Animated Alter Ego: She created an animated alter ego, "Nicki Lewinsky," which she uses in her music and videos.

43. Social Media Influence: She has a massive social media following, with millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

44. Pioneer: She paved the way for a new generation of female rappers, influencing artists like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Doja Cat.

45. Unique Sound: Nicki is known for her distinctive voice, versatile flow, and ability to switch accents and alter her vocal style.

46. Philanthropy: She donated $25,000 to St. Jude's Children's Hospital and has supported several other charitable organizations.

47. Netflix Docuseries: Nicki Minaj announced a six-part docuseries about her life and career, set to be released on Netflix.

48. Political Engagement: She has been vocal about political issues and endorsed various candidates and causes.

49. Trailblazer: Nicki Minaj was the first female artist to have 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100.

50. Legacy: She continues to be a trailblazer in the music industry, breaking barriers and setting new records for female rappers.