Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj ( /mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is a Trinidadian-born American rapper and singer-songwriter. 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. She became the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. 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. She also became the first female artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List. Minaj was named the 2011 Rising Star by Billboard. Her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded was released on April 3, 2012. Maraj was born in 1982
Nicki Minaj's father is completely torn up over the rapper's recent comments -- that she wanted to "kill" him when she was a child -- and now, he wants the world to know he's not some violent… READ MORE >
Nicki Minaj has perfect timing -- because her chesty "American Idol" performance was the perfect table-setter for National Cleavage Day! Thanks NIcki ... we'll take it from here.Check out TMZ on… READ MORE >
We here at TMZ ... have a dream. That Nicki Minaj's butt will bring the races together in America -- and we're pretty sure this video will begin the healing. Yes it can.Check out TMZ on TV --… READ MORE >
For once, Nicki Minaj left all her ridiculous Lady Gaga wannabe costumes (minus one lime green wig) at home and stripped down to flaunt her curves in a simple pink bikini on the set of her latest… READ MORE >
The only thing worse than Nicki Minaj's wretched Grammy performance -- is our camera guy shamelessly lying right to Nicki's face ... about said wretched Grammy performance. READ MORE >
Millions of people think the best part of Nicki Minaj's insane Grammy performance was the moment it ended -- and her musical ode to "The Exorcist" left us with one burning question ... READ MORE >
Don't expect to catch Nicki Minaj's latest music video "Stupid H*e" on BET -- because TMZ has learned the network is REFUSING to air it. We spoke with a rep for BET who wouldn't specify exactly… READ MORE >
Sucks that a guy with no genitals is about to get a shot with Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry ... because TMZ has learned they are both about to become Barbie Dolls!!Sources close to the plastic… READ MORE >
Nicki Minaj is lashing back at the maid who claimed she was forcibly removed from the rapper's house last week -- telling friends, the housekeeper in question is making up the entire story for… READ MORE >
There was a big confrontation at Nicki Minaj's house in Hollywood moments ago ... and it got so bad the cops came ... TMZ has learned.Here's the backstory. Law enforcement tells us, a couple of… READ MORE >
