Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty on December 8, 1982, is a Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter renowned for her distinctive rap style and provocative lyrics. Her career spans over two decades, marked by numerous chart-topping albums and singles, as well as her bold persona and versatile performances. Here is a timeline of her life and career milestones.
Main Milestones
Birth
December 8, 1982
Nicki Minaj was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, to an Afro-Trinidadian mother and an Indo-Trinidadian father.
Move to New York
1987
At the age of five, Minaj moved to Queens, New York, with her family, where she would later attend LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
First Mixtape
2007
Minaj released her first mixtape, "Playtime Is Over", which marked the beginning of her professional music career.
Rise to Fame
2008-2009
She released two more mixtapes, "Sucka Free" (2008) and "Beam Me Up Scotty" (2009), which garnered attention and led to her signing with Young Money Entertainment, founded by Lil Wayne.
Debut Album
2010
Minaj released her debut album, "Pink Friday", which topped the Billboard 200 chart and earned her three Grammy nominations.
Second Studio Album
2012
Her second studio album, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded", was released, featuring the hit single “Starships” and reaching the top of pop, R&B, and rap charts.
Third Studio Album
2014
Minaj released "The Pinkprint", which included several breakup songs and the hit single “Anaconda,” showcasing her return to her earlier rap style.
Fourth Studio Album
2018
Her fourth studio album, "Queen", was released, featuring collaborations with Eminem and the Weeknd, and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Chart-Topping Collaborations
2020
Minaj was featured on two songs that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “Say So,” a collaboration with Doja Cat, and “Trollz,” with 6ix9ine.
Historic Single Release
2022
Minaj released “Super Freaky Girl,” a humorous and raunchy take on Rick James’s classic 1981 hit “Super Freak,” which debuted at number one on the Hot 100 chart, the first song by a solo female rapper to do so since 1998.
Soundtrack and Album Sequel
2023
Minaj appeared on the soundtrack for the film "Barbie", teaming up with rapper Ice Spice for the song “Barbie World,” and released "Pink Friday 2", a sequel to her 2010 studio album.
