Born – December 8, 1982
St. James, Trinidad and Tobago
Birth name – Onika Tanya Maraj

Singer, Rapper, wig collector.

Born in a suburb of Trinidad and Tobago's capital, Port of Spain, to working-class parents.

Lived with Grandma until mom took her to New York when she was five.

Graduated from LaGuardia High, worked at Red Lobster, dreamed of becoming an actress.

Began rapping in a group called "Hoodstars," then uploaded her own music to Myspace back when Myspace was cool. CEO of Dirty Money Entertainment signed her and she changed her name from Nicki Maraj to Nicki Minaj.

Signed with Young Money Entertainment and saw commercial success with the release of her album "Pink Friday" in 2010.

Became an "American Idol" judge for the 2012 season despite some player-hatin' from the Mariah Carey camp.

Nicki Minaj Says Cardi B Fight Has Made Her the Winner in Album Sales and Radio

Common Says Blackface is Never Appropriate, Even for Hollywood Stand-ins

Common Backs Serena Williams, 'Yes, She's Being Discriminated Against'

Karl-Anthony Towns to LeBron, 'Call Me!'

Common Says He'd Love To Do A Movie With LeBron (Again)

Common Agrees Papa John's Founder Had to Go After Using N-Word

Common Says Beyonce and Jay-Z's Album Celebrates Love and Creativity

Common Says NFL Anthem Policy Is Un-American

Common Says Serena Would've Smashed on John McEnroe

Common Still Loves Kanye West, Says Country Has Way Bigger Problems

Kanye West to Launch Donda Social to Help City of Chicago

Common to NFL: Don't Blackball Colin Kaepernick, 'This Is America'