Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj started off by singing background vocals for local rappers in New York. Like many aspiring artists in search of a big break, she uploaded her music to MySpace. Dirty Money Entertainment head honcho Fendi spotted Nicki Minaj’s music on the social networking site and was instantly sold. 

Shortly after, she was signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. Since then, she has appeared on numerous videos, mixtapes, and albums. Minaj has released three mixtapes in three years. Her debut LP, Pink Friday, peaked atop the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America the month after its release. 

Its most successful single “Super Bass” has been certified quadruple-platinum and has sold more than four million copies, becoming one of the best-selling singles in the United States. Minaj’s second album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) topped charts internationally; it became one of the best-selling albums of that year Minaj’s artistry features fast-paced rapping, alter egos and accents, notably British cockney. 

Her outlandish and colorful costumes, wigs and clothing have given her recognition as a fashion icon. She featured as a voice actress in Ice Age: Continental Drift. She has endorsed Adidas, MAC Cosmetics, and Pepsi. Minaj’s work has earned her six BET Awards, four American Music Awards, two MTV Music Awards, an EMA and Billboard‘s 2011 Rising Star. She is the first female artist included on MTV’s Annual Hottest MC List, with The New York Times suggesting that some consider her “the most influential female rapper of all time.” The Source named Minaj the Woman of the Year for 2012. In April 2013, Minaj became the most-charted female rapper in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, with forty-four appearances.