History of Nicki Minaj in Timeline
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, is a highly influential Trinidadian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Widely recognized as the "Queen of Rap," she's celebrated for her unique rap flow, clever lyrics, and musical versatility. Minaj is also known for her use of alter egos and is credited with revitalizing female rap in the mainstream during the 2010s. She remains a prominent figure in contemporary music and pop culture.
1956: Robert Maraj's Birth
In 1956, Robert Maraj, Nicki Minaj's father, was born.
1981: "Super Freak" Release by Rick James
In 1981, Rick James released "Super Freak", which was later sampled in Nicki Minaj's 2023 song, "Super Freaky Girl".
December 8, 1982: Nicki Minaj's Birth
On December 8, 1982, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
December 1987: Arson Committed by Nicki Minaj's Father
In December 1987, Nicki Minaj's father committed arson on their house.
1995: Kenneth Petty's Conviction
In 1995, Nicki Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, was convicted of attempted rape at age 16, serving four years in prison and registering as a sex offender upon release.
1997: Aqua Releases "Barbie Girl"
In 1997, the Europop band Aqua released their single "Barbie Girl", which was later sampled in Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice's 2023 collaboration, "Barbie World".
1998: Second largest album sales week by female rapper
Nicki Minaj's album Pink Friday achieved the second-largest album sales week of all time by a female rapper, after Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill released in 1998.
1998: Reference to Lauryn Hill's Billboard achievement
Reference to Lauryn Hill being the last female rapper to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1998 with her song "Doo Wop (That Thing)"
2001: Cast in Off-Broadway Play
In 2001, a week after graduating, Nicki Minaj was cast in the Off-Broadway play In Case You Forget.
2002: Joins Hoodstars
From 2002, Nicki Minaj rapped in a New York hip hop group called Hoodstars, which included rappers Lou$tar and 7even Up and hype man Safaree Samuels.
2002: Comparison to Missy Elliott's Work It
In 2002, Missy Elliot's song "Work It" was mentioned as the highest-charting solo single by a female rapper at the time, before "Super Bass" reached higher in 2011.
2003: Relationship with Safaree Samuels
In 2003, Nicki Minaj began dating her hype man, Safaree Samuels.
2004: Recorded Entrance Song for WWE Diva Victoria
In 2004, the group Hoodstars recorded the entrance song for WWE Diva Victoria, "Don't Mess With", which was featured on the compilation album ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol.6.
2006: Signs with Dirty Money Entertainment
In 2006, Fendi signed Nicki Minaj to Dirty Money Entertainment under a 180-day contract after reaching out to her on Myspace.
July 5, 2007: Release of 'Playtime Is Over' Mixtape
On July 5, 2007, Nicki Minaj released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over.
2007: Early Recognition with Mixtapes
From 2007, Nicki Minaj began to gain recognition with her three mixtapes.
2007: Inception of Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list
In 2007, the Forbes "Hip Hop Cash Kings" list was created, and Nicki Minaj became the first woman to appear on the list in 2011.
April 12, 2008: Release of 'Sucka Free' Mixtape
On April 12, 2008, Nicki Minaj released her second mixtape, Sucka Free.
April 18, 2009: Release of 'Beam Me Up Scotty' Mixtape
On April 18, 2009, Nicki Minaj released her third mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty, which received favorable coverage. The track "I Get Crazy" reached number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart and number 37 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
October 2009: Performed at BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher
In October 2009, Nicki Minaj performed a freestyle at the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards cypher.
2009: Release of 'We Are Young Money'
In 2009, Nicki Minaj appeared on "BedRock" and "Roger That" on the compilation album, We Are Young Money. The singles peaked at numbers two and 56, respectively, in the U.S.
2009: Early Recognition with Mixtapes
In 2009, Nicki Minaj gained recognition with her three mixtapes.
2009: Mentions the release of the mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty
In 2009, Nicki Minaj released the mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty.
February 2010: Billboard Hot 100 Chart Appearances
In early February 2010, Nicki Minaj made her first two appearances on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart with her features on "Knockout" and "Up Out My Face" by Lil Wayne and Mariah Carey respectively. She also appeared on "BedRock" and "Roger That" on the compilation album, We Are Young Money (2009).
March 29, 2010: Release of 'Massive Attack'
On March 29, 2010, Nicki Minaj released "Massive Attack" featuring Sean Garrett. The song was dropped from her album due to poor performance.
November 2010: Assumes Alter Ego Nicki Teresa
In November 2010, Nicki Minaj assumed the alter ego Nicki Teresa, wearing a colorful headdress and calling herself "healer to her fans" during a visit to the Garden of Dreams Foundation at Fuse Studios in New York.
November 2010: Collaboration with MAC Cosmetics for "Pink 4 Friday" lipstick
In November 2010, Nicki Minaj collaborated with MAC Cosmetics to launch the "Pink 4 Friday" lipstick, which was sold for four consecutive Fridays to promote her debut studio album, Pink Friday.
November 2010: First Grammy Nomination
In November 2010, Nicki Minaj received her first Grammy Award nomination for her guest verse on Ludacris' song "My Chick Bad".
November 19, 2010: Release of Pink Friday
On November 19, 2010, Nicki Minaj released her debut album, Pink Friday, which debuted at number two and later reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 375,000 copies in its first week. It had the largest sales week for a female rap album in the 21st century.
December 7, 2010: Release of Moment 4 Life as a Single
On December 7, 2010, "Moment 4 Life" featuring Drake was released as the fourth single from Pink Friday, reaching number 13 on the Hot 100 chart.
December 2010: Introduces Alter Ego Rosa
In December 2010, Nicki Minaj introduced another alter ego, Rosa (pronounced with an exaggerated R), to commemorate her appearance on Lopez Tonight.
December 2010: Pink Friday Certified Platinum
In December 2010, Pink Friday was certified platinum by the RIAA for selling a million units in the United States, marking the first album by a solo female rapper to achieve platinum status in seven years.
2010: Minaj achieves Billboard Hot 100 milestone
In 2010, Nicki Minaj became the first female solo artist to simultaneously have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a significant achievement in her career.
2010: First Woman on MTV's Hottest MC List
In 2010, Nicki Minaj became the first woman to appear on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List since its inception in 2007, acknowledging her prominence in the rap scene.
2010: Performs at VH1 Divas Salute the Troops concert
In 2010, Nicki Minaj performed a cover of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", alongside Katy Perry, for service members during the VH1 Divas Salute the Troops concert.
2010: Debut Album 'Pink Friday' and 'Super Bass' Release
In 2010, Nicki Minaj released her debut studio album, Pink Friday, which topped the US Billboard 200 and achieved the largest female rap album sales week of the 21st century. The album spawned the global hit single "Super Bass".
2010: Minaj Discusses Her Artistry
In 2010, Nicki Minaj stated that she aimed to be a "balanced artist" and that animation and performance came naturally to her artistry.
2010: Minaj intends to subdue her sexuality in her work
In 2010, Nicki Minaj stated that she intended to subdue her sexuality in her work, wanting young girls to know that success shouldn't be based solely on sex appeal.
2010: Announces Pink Friday Docuseries
In 2020, on the 10th anniversary of her album Pink Friday released in 2010, Minaj announced a six-part docuseries.
January 29, 2011: Saturday Night Live Performance
On January 29, 2011, Nicki Minaj performed "Right Thru Me" and "Moment 4 Life" as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
February 2011: Lil' Kim Releases Black Friday Mixtape
In February 2011, Lil' Kim released the mixtape Black Friday, which referenced Minaj, including artwork depicting Lil' Kim decapitating Minaj with a sword. Lil' Kim sold the mixtape on PayPal.
March 2011: Minaj ranked on Billboard Social 50 chart
In March 2011, Billboard listed Nicki Minaj as the fourth-most-active musician on social media on its Social 50 chart, recognizing her strong online presence.
April 2011: Release of Super Bass as a Single
In April 2011, "Super Bass" was released as the fifth single from Pink Friday. It became a commercially successful sleeper hit, peaking at number three on the Hot 100.
July 2011: Murder of cousin Nicholas Telemaque
In July 2011, Nicki Minaj's cousin, Nicholas Telemaque, was murdered near his home in Brooklyn, an event that she referenced in her songs "All Things Go" and "Champion".
August 7, 2011: Wardrobe Malfunction on Good Morning America
On August 7, 2011, Nicki Minaj experienced a wardrobe malfunction during a live performance on Good Morning America, revealing her left nipple. Both ABC and Minaj apologized for the incident.
December 2011: Grammy Award Nominations
In December 2011, Nicki Minaj was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album for Pink Friday.
2011: Mentions the release of the single Super Bass
In 2011, Nicki Minaj released the single Super Bass from her album Pink Friday.
2011: Ranked on Rolling Stone's Kings of Hip Hop
In 2011, Nicki Minaj was ranked sixth on the Rolling Stone master ranking of the "Kings of Hip Hop", which is based on record sales and social media metrics.
2011: Minaj Discusses Early Career
In a 2011 interview, Nicki Minaj discussed how she stifled her playful and kooky side early in her career due to advice from someone spearheading her career, before deciding to just be herself after they parted ways.
February 6, 2012: Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Performance
On February 6, 2012, Nicki Minaj, along with M.I.A., joined Madonna to perform the single, "Give Me All Your Luvin" during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.
February 2012: Release of Starships
In February 2012, "Starships" was released as the lead single from Nicki Minaj's second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The song reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.
February 2012: Launch of MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam lip products
In February 2012, Nicki Minaj launched her own range of lip products for MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam.
April 2, 2012: Release of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
On April 2, 2012, Nicki Minaj's second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, was released. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 253,000 copies in its first week.
April 2012: Launch of Nokia Lumia 900
In April 2012, Nicki Minaj helped launch the Nokia Lumia 900 in Times Square.
May 16, 2012: Start of Pink Friday Tour
On May 16, 2012, Nicki Minaj began her headlining Pink Friday Tour.
September 2012: Launch of first fragrance "Pink Friday"
In September 2012, Nicki Minaj partnered with 'Give Back Brands' to launch her first fragrance "Pink Friday", which received three FiFi Awards nominations.
October 14, 2012: Start of Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour
On October 14, 2012, Nicki Minaj began her Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour.
November 19, 2012: Release of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up
On November 19, 2012, an expanded version of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, titled The Re-Up, was released, featuring seven new songs.
2012: Last Album To Top Billboard 200 Before Pink Friday 2
Before Pink Friday 2 in 2023, the last time Nicki Minaj had an album top the Billboard 200 was in 2012.
2012: Forbes includes Minaj in 30 Under 30 list
In 2012, Forbes recognized Minaj's achievements by including her in its 30 Under 30 list, highlighting her influence in music.
2012: Called Most Influential Female Rapper of All Time
In 2012, Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called Nicki Minaj "the most influential female rapper of all time".
2012: Release of 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded'
In 2012, Nicki Minaj explored dance-pop on her second US number-one album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which produced the top-five single, "Starships".
2012: Voice Acting Debut in 'Ice Age: Continental Drift'
In 2012, Nicki Minaj made her voice acting debut in the animated film Ice Age: Continental Drift.
2012: Most-followed rapper on Twitter
In 2012, Nicki Minaj was the most-followed rapper on Twitter, highlighting her significant influence on social media.
2012: Donation to Food Bank For New York City
In 2012, following Hurricane Sandy, Nicki Minaj donated $15,000 to the Food Bank For New York City and held a turkey drive at her alma mater, PS 45, to support those affected by the disaster.
February 2013: Starring in Bluewater Comics' Fame biographical-comic series
In February 2013, Nicki Minaj starred in Bluewater Comics' Fame biographical-comic series, with her comic book, titled Fame: Nicki Minaj.
April 2013: Introduction of "Pink Pill" speakers and "The Nicki Minaj Collection" for Kmart
In April 2013, Nicki Minaj partnered with Beats Electronics to introduce her "Pink Pill" speakers, appearing in a commercial with DeRay Davis. She also introduced her lifestyle product line, "The Nicki Minaj Collection" for Kmart, featuring clothing, accessories, and houseware.
June 2013: Launch of MYX Fusions
In June 2013, Nicki Minaj and Mona Scott-Young launched MYX Fusions, a line of fruit-infused moscato wine beverages, with Minaj as a co-owner, creative director, and ambassador.
September 2013: Launch of "Minajesty" fragrance
In September 2013, Nicki Minaj's fourth fragrance "Minajesty" was launched.
December 2013: Release of "Pink Friday: Deluxe Edition"
In December 2013, Nicki Minaj released "Pink Friday: Deluxe Edition", a flanker edition of her "Pink Friday" fragrance.
2013: Most-Charted Female Rapper on Billboard Hot 100
In 2013, Nicki Minaj became the most-charted female rapper on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, with 44 entries, and tied with Mariah Carey as seventh among all female artists.
2013: Judge on American Idol
In 2013, Nicki Minaj served as a judge on the twelfth season of American Idol.
2013: Launch of "Nicki 2" lip product collection
In early 2013, Nicki Minaj fronted the Viva Glam spring campaign by herself, which introduced her limited-edition lip product collection, "Nicki 2".
2013: Filming of The Other Woman
In spring 2013, Nicki Minaj filmed her first live-action theatrical film, The Other Woman.
April 25, 2014: Premiere of The Other Woman
Nicki Minaj's first live-action theatrical film, The Other Woman, premiered on April 25, 2014.
May 2014: Release of Pills n Potions
In May 2014, "Pills n Potions" was released as the lead single from The Pinkprint album.
June 2014: Release of "Minajesty: Exotic Edition"
In June 2014, Nicki Minaj released "Minajesty: Exotic Edition" exclusively to the Home Shopping Network.
September 2014: Launch of "Onika" fragrance
In September 2014, Nicki Minaj launched her sixth fragrance "Onika".
November 9, 2014: Hosts MTV Europe Music Awards
On November 9, 2014, Nicki Minaj hosted the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards in Glasgow, Scotland and won the Best Hip-Hop Award for a second time.
December 15, 2014: Release of The Pinkprint
On December 15, 2014, Nicki Minaj's album The Pinkprint was officially released and debuted at number two in the U.S.
2014: Final appearance on Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list
2014 marked the last of four consecutive appearances for Nicki Minaj on the Forbes "Hip Hop Cash Kings" list, highlighting her financial success in the music industry since 2011.
2014: Minaj's success acknowledged as exception for women rappers
In 2014, NPR's Erik Nielson recognized Nicki Minaj's success as an exception to the perceived decline of women in elite rap, highlighting her impact on the music industry.
2014: Acting Role in 'The Other Woman'
In 2014, Nicki Minaj acted in the comedy film The Other Woman.
2014: End of relationship with Safaree Samuels
In 2014, Nicki Minaj ended her relationship with Safaree Samuels, her hype man.
2014: Minaj Reinvented Her Image
In 2014, Nicki Minaj reinvented her image, adopting a more "natural" and "softer" look, reducing the use of wigs and colorful costumes, signaling a shift in her public persona.
2014: Release of 'The Pinkprint'
In 2014, Nicki Minaj returned to her hip-hop roots with her third album, The Pinkprint, which yielded the hit single "Anaconda".
2014: Controversy Surrounds "Anaconda" Release
In 2014, Nicki Minaj's cover art and music video for her single, "Anaconda", attracted significant media attention upon release, sparking discussions about sexuality and feminism.
2014: Mentions 'Bang Bang' performance
In 2014, Nicki Minaj's song 'Bang Bang' reached the sixth position.
2014: Reference to Iggy Azalea's Billboard achievement
Reference to Iggy Azalea being the last female rapper with a collaboration that had reached number one in the U.S. since 2014 with her song "Fancy" featuring Charli XCX.
2014: Clothing collections for Kmart
Throughout 2014, Nicki Minaj released spring, summer, and fall-themed clothing collections for Kmart.
March 2015: Co-ownership of Tidal
In March 2015, Nicki Minaj became a co-owner of the music streaming service Tidal, alongside other artists like Beyoncé, Madonna, and Rihanna.
March 2015: The Pinkprint Tour Begins
In March 2015, Nicki Minaj embarked on her third world tour entitled The Pinkprint Tour and also became the first female artist to chart four songs simultaneously in the top 10 of Billboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart.
May 2015: Minaj to Feature in Barbershop: The Next Cut
In May 2015, it was announced that Nicki Minaj would feature in the third installment of the Barbershop film series, titled Barbershop: The Next Cut.
August 2015: Madame Tussauds Unveils Wax Figure
In August 2015, Madame Tussauds unveiled a wax figure of Nicki Minaj, depicting a pose from the "Anaconda" music video.
September 2015: Minaj to Produce Comedy Series
In September 2015, it was announced that Nicki Minaj would executive produce and appear in a scripted single-camera comedy series for ABC Family (now Freeform) based on her life growing up in Queens, New York City, titled Nicki.
November 2015: Holiday capsule clothing collection for Kmart and ShopYourWay
In November 2015, Nicki Minaj released a holiday capsule clothing collection for Kmart and its affiliated e-commerce platform, ShopYourWay, along with a limited-edition couture collection.
2015: Relationship with Meek Mill
In 2015, Nicki Minaj began dating rapper Meek Mill.
2015: Release of "The Pinkprint" fragrance
In 2015, Nicki Minaj released her seventh fragrance, "The Pinkprint", named after her third studio album.
2015: Minaj discusses feminism
In 2015, Nicki Minaj spoke about feminism in an interview with Vogue, expressing that she does not label herself but believes women can achieve anything they set their minds to.
2015: Minaj Featured on Forbes Celebrity 100 List
In 2015, Nicki Minaj was featured in Forbes magazine's Celebrity 100 list, acknowledging her popularity and financial success.
2015: Ranked among top celebrities on Twitter
In 2015, Nicki Minaj was ranked among the forty most-followed celebrities on Twitter, underscoring her broad appeal and influence on the platform.
2015: Named World's Biggest Female Rap Superstar
In 2015, Vanessa Grigoriadis from The New York Times Magazine called Nicki Minaj "the world's biggest female rap superstar".
January 2016: Filming of Nicki Pilot Episode
In January 2016, the pilot episode of the TV series Nicki was filmed in Minaj's hometown.
March 2016: Pink Friday Certified Triple Platinum
As of March 2016, Pink Friday has been certified triple-platinum by the RIAA.
April 15, 2016: Release of Barbershop: The Next Cut
On April 15, 2016, the film Barbershop: The Next Cut, featuring Nicki Minaj, was released.
October 2016: Postponement of Nicki Filming
In October 2016, Nicki Minaj stated that the filming of the TV series Nicki was postponed for undisclosed reasons.
December 2016: Release of Nicki Minaj: The Empire mobile game
In December 2016, Nicki Minaj and Glu Mobile released Nicki Minaj: The Empire, a role-playing mobile game for IOS and Android, featuring an exclusive song "Ain't Gone Do It".
2016: Last Won Best Female Hip Hop Artist Award
Before winning in 2024, Nicki Minaj last won the Best Female Hip Hop Artist award in 2016. In 2024, she earned her seventh win in the category at the BET Awards.
2016: Acting Role in 'Barbershop: The Next Cut'
In 2016, Nicki Minaj acted in the comedy film Barbershop: The Next Cut.
2016: Ranked among top celebrities on Twitter
In 2016, Nicki Minaj continued to be ranked among the forty most-followed celebrities on Twitter, demonstrating her sustained popularity on social media.
2016: Release of "Trini Girl" fragrance
In 2016, Nicki Minaj released her eighth fragrance, "Trini Girl".
2016: Minaj featured in Time 100
In 2016, Time Magazine included Minaj in its annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world, recognizing her cultural impact.
2016: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2016, Time named Nicki Minaj one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2016: RIAA to include streams in certification process
In 2016, the RIAA announced that it would modernize the certification process for albums, including on-demand audio and video streams, following Nicki Minaj's vocal advocacy for streams counting towards sales and RIAA certifications.
January 2017: End of relationship with Meek Mill
In January 2017, Nicki Minaj ended her relationship with rapper Meek Mill.
February 2017: Features on 'Make Love' and 'Swalla'; Remy Ma releases 'Shether'
In February 2017, Nicki Minaj was featured on Gucci Mane's song "Make Love" and Jason Derulo's single "Swalla" alongside Ty Dolla Sign. Also in February 2017, rapper Remy Ma released the diss track "Shether", alleging that Minaj used a ghostwriter and was in a 360-record deal.
March 20, 2017: Breaks Billboard Hot 100 Record
On March 20, 2017, Nicki Minaj broke the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries for a female artist, previously held by Aretha Franklin, with the release of three songs.
May 2017: Minaj offers to pay college tuition fees for fans
In May 2017, Nicki Minaj offered to pay college tuition fees and student loans for 30 of her fans via Twitter, providing financial assistance and promising to launch an official charity for student loans and tuition payments in the future.
May 2017: Opens Billboard Music Awards
In May 2017, Nicki Minaj opened the 2017 Billboard Music Awards with a medley performance.
August 2017: Donation to Red Cross after Hurricane Harvey
In August 2017, Nicki Minaj donated $25,000 to the Red Cross after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas, answering a social media challenge by Kevin Hart and expressing her prayers for the city.
September 2017: Release of lipsticks with MAC Cosmetics
In September 2017, Nicki Minaj released two lipsticks called "Nicki's Nude" and "The Pinkprint" (named after her third studio album) in collaboration with MAC Cosmetics.
November 2017: Starring in H&M's holiday campaign
In November 2017, Nicki Minaj starred in H&M's holiday campaign along with Anna Ewers, Mariacarla Boscono, Jesse Williams, Charlee Fraser, and Elibeidy Dani.
2017: Billboard Ranks Super Bass
In 2017, Billboard ranked "Super Bass" as the second-biggest US Hot 100 hit by a female rapper of all time, behind Iggy Azalea's Fancy.
2017: Collaboration with Katy Perry on "Swish Swish"
In 2017, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry collaborated on the song "Swish Swish".
2017: Feud with Cardi B
In 2017, Nicki Minaj began a widely publicized feud with fellow rapper Cardi B.
2017: Minaj breaks record for most Hot 100 entries by a female artist
In 2017, Nicki Minaj surpassed Aretha Franklin to hold the record for the most Hot 100 entries by a female artist, solidifying her presence in the music charts.
March 2018: Commercial for Mercedes-Benz A-Class
In March 2018, Nicki Minaj appeared in a commercial for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class car.
April 12, 2018: Releases 'Chun-Li' and 'Barbie Tingz'
On April 12, 2018, Nicki Minaj simultaneously released "Chun-Li" and "Barbie Tingz" from her fourth studio album Queen.
June 11, 2018: Releases 'Rich Sex'
On June 11, 2018, Nicki Minaj released "Rich Sex" featuring Lil Wayne as the first promotional single from Queen.
June 14, 2018: Releases 'Bed'
On June 14, 2018, Nicki Minaj released "Bed" featuring Ariana Grande alongside the album pre-order.
August 10, 2018: Releases 'Queen'
On August 10, 2018, Nicki Minaj's album Queen was released after multiple delays and debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200.
August 2018: Starring in Madden NFL 19 trailer
In August 2018, Nicki Minaj starred in the trailer for EA Sports' Madden NFL 19 video game alongside Lil Dicky, Quavo and other celebrities.
September 4, 2018: Appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
On September 4, 2018, Nicki Minaj appeared as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, performing several songs and participating in giving out over $150,000 in donations to fans with Ellen Degeneres and Walmart.
October 12, 2018: Features on 'Woman Like Me'
On October 12, 2018, Nicki Minaj featured on the song "Woman Like Me" by British girl group Little Mix.
November 2018: Co-starring in Madden NFL 19 holiday campaign
In November 2018, Nicki Minaj co-starred with Quavo and Saturday Night Live member Chris Redd in the holiday campaign for Madden NFL 19.
December 2018: Relationship with Kenneth Petty
In December 2018, Nicki Minaj began dating her childhood friend, Kenneth Petty.
2018: Minaj achieves 100 entries on the Hot 100
In 2018, Nicki Minaj became the first woman to accumulate 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a new milestone for female artists in the music industry.
2018: Minaj discusses sex workers and sexuality
In 2018, Nicki Minaj discussed sex workers, her own sex appeal, and sexuality in music and on social media, during an interview, which attracted criticism.
2018: Queen Radio Launch
In 2018, Nicki Minaj launched the radio show Queen Radio.
2018: Lyric reference in "Chun-Li"
In 2018, Nicki Minaj references a lyric that would become a clothing line with Fendi in her single "Chun-Li".
2018: Release of 'Queen'
In 2018, Nicki Minaj released her fourth album, Queen, which yielded the hit single "Chun-Li".
2018: Altercation at New York Fashion Week
In 2018, the feud between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B escalated at a New York Fashion Week after-party where Cardi B threw a high heel shoe at Minaj, leading to a physical altercation and subsequent accusations of cyberbullying and career manipulation on Minaj's Queen Radio show.
2018: Nicki Minaj explains Roman's Revenge inspiration
In a 2018 interview, Nicki Minaj revealed that she wrote the song "Roman's Revenge" after a veteran artist criticized her, leading to her response with the song.
January 2019: 'Queen' certified Platinum
In January 2019, Nicki Minaj's album Queen was certified Platinum by the RIAA.
April 2019: Surprise appearance at Coachella; parts ways with management
In April 2019, Nicki Minaj made a surprise guest appearance at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival during Ariana Grande's set, and she parted ways with her longtime management team.
June 2019: Releases 'Megatron'
In June 2019, Nicki Minaj released a standalone single titled "Megatron" along with an accompanying music video.
August 2019: Features on 'Hot Girl Summer' and appears in 'The Angry Birds Movie 2'
In August 2019, Nicki Minaj featured on the song "Hot Girl Summer" alongside Megan Thee Stallion, and had a voice role as Pinky in The Angry Birds Movie 2.
October 14, 2019: Release of "Fendi Prints On" capsule collection
On October 14, 2019, Nicki Minaj's capsule collection with Fendi, titled "Fendi Prints On", was released.
October 2019: Marriage to Kenneth Petty
In October 2019, Nicki Minaj announced her marriage to Kenneth Petty, hyphenating his last name to hers.
2019: Minaj Receives Game Changer Award at Billboard Women in Music
In 2019, Billboard Women in Music honored Nicki Minaj with the Game Changer Award for her impact and influence in the music industry.
2019: Ranked Among Best Rappers of the 2010s
In 2019, Complex ranked Nicki Minaj eighth on their list of best rappers of the 2010s, calling her "the most important female rapper of this decade".
2019: Minaj achieves 100 million certified units by RIAA
In 2019, Nicki Minaj became the first female rapper to achieve 100 million certified units by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) across her albums and songs, marking a significant milestone in her career.
2019: Pulling out of Saudi Arabia concert
In 2019, Nicki Minaj cancelled her headlining performance in Saudi Arabia following criticism due to the detainment and arrest of women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul. She stated that it was important for her to make clear her support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community, and freedom of expression.
2019: Voice Acting in 'The Angry Birds Movie 2'
In 2019, Nicki Minaj voice acted in the animated film The Angry Birds Movie 2.
2019: Honored with Billboard Women in Music Game Changer Award
In 2019, Nicki Minaj was honored with the Billboard Women in Music Game Changer Award.
2019: "Tusa" tops Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart
In 2019, Nicki Minaj's collaboration with Karol G, "Tusa", became the first song by two lead female artists to debut at the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, highlighting her crossover appeal.
2019: Queen Radio most listened radio show
In 2019, the Queen Radio show on Apple Music became the most listened to radio show on the platform.
January 2020: Featured on 'Nice to Meet Ya'
In January 2020, Nicki Minaj was featured on "Nice to Meet Ya" by Meghan Trainor.
February 2020: Indictment of Kenneth Petty
In February 2020, Kenneth Petty, Nicki Minaj's husband, was indicted for failing to update his residence on the sex offender registry after moving to California; he registered in the state's database by the following month.
February 2020: Queen Radio ends
Queen Radio, Nicki Minaj's Beats 1 radio show, ran for 17 episodes until February 2020.
July 2020: Pregnancy Announcement
In July 2020, Nicki Minaj announced that she was expecting her first child.
August 2020: Featured on 'Expensive'
In August 2020, Nicki Minaj was featured on Ty Dolla Sign's track "Expensive".
September 30, 2020: Birth of Son
On September 30, 2020, Nicki Minaj gave birth to her son, publicly referred to as Papa Bear.
December 2020: Minaj holds record for most Hot 100 entries by a female artist
As of December 2020, Nicki Minaj previously broke the record for the most Hot 100 entries by a female artist.
2020: Called Best Rapper of the Past Ten Years
In 2020, Nick Soulsby of PopMatters called Nicki Minaj the "best female rapper and the best rapper of the past ten years – no gender preposition required." Billboard also said she "redefined success for women in hip-hop" in the decade.
2020: Billboard Hot 100 Number-One Singles
In 2020, Nicki Minaj achieved her first two Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles with the duets "Say So" and "Trollz"; the former was the first female rap collaboration to top the chart.
2020: Donation to St. Jude's Home for Girls and "Trollz" proceeds to Bail Project
In 2020, Nicki Minaj donated $25,000 to St. Jude's Home for Girls in Trinidad. Following the release of "Trollz", a collaboration with 6ix9ine, Nicki Minaj announced that a portion of the song's proceeds, along with profits from all merchandise, would go towards the Bail Project amid the Black Lives Matter protests.
February 2021: Death of father Robert Maraj
In February 2021, Nicki Minaj's father, Robert Maraj, died in a hit-and-run accident in Long Island. Charles Polevich was charged in the incident.
May 2021: Releases Beam Me Up Scotty Reissue
In May 2021, Nicki Minaj released a reissue of her mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty (2009), which debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200.
August 2021: Lawsuit Filed Against Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty
In August 2021, Jennifer Hough, who accused Kenneth Petty of rape when they were both 16, filed a lawsuit against Nicki Minaj and her husband alleging harassment, intimidation, and infliction of emotional distress. The case against Minaj was voluntarily dismissed after she responded to the allegations, calling them "blatant falsehoods".
September 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy and Controversy
In September 2021, Nicki Minaj cited concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and her infant child's health as reasons for her lack of public appearances. She revealed she had tested positive for COVID-19 and would get vaccinated after research, also tweeting a controversial claim about vaccine side effects from her cousin in Trinidad, which was later denied by Trinidad and Tobago's health minister.
October 2021: Surprise host for 'The Real Housewives of Potomac' Reunion
In October 2021, Nicki Minaj appeared as a surprise host for the season six reunion of the reality television show The Real Housewives of Potomac.
November 2021: 'Super Bass' Receives Diamond Certification and Wins MTV Europe Music Award
In November 2021, Nicki Minaj's 2011 Pink Friday single "Super Bass" received a Diamond certification by the RIAA, and she won the Best Hip Hop award in the MTV Europe Music Awards 2021.
2021: Death of Robert Maraj
In 2021, Robert Maraj, Nicki Minaj's father, passed away.
2021: Beat Selection Move To Refined Production
In 2021, Zoe Johnson of XXL, stated that in recent years Minaj's "beat selection has moved to refined production full of grit and hip-hop flare".
2021: "Anaconda" music video surpasses one billion views
In 2021, the music video for Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" became the first female rap solo song to surpass one billion views on YouTube, setting a new record in the music industry.
February 4, 2022: Releases 'Do We Have a Problem?'
On February 4, 2022, Nicki Minaj released a song collaboration with Lil Baby titled "Do We Have a Problem?", which debuted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.
March 2022: Fronting campaign for Marc Jacobs' "Heaven" collection
In March 2022, Nicki Minaj fronted the campaign for the "Heaven" spring 2022 collection by Marc Jacobs.
May 2022: Attendance at the Met Gala
In May 2022, Olivia Truffaut-Wong of The Cut speculated that Nicki Minaj had likely been vaccinated against COVID-19, as proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 PCR test were required for attendance at the 2022 Met Gala, which Minaj attended.
July 2022: Collaboration with Rap Snacks for "Barbie-Que Honey Truffle" potato chips
In July 2022, Nicki Minaj collaborated with Rap Snacks and released her own potato chip flavor, "Barbie-Que Honey Truffle".
December 2022: MaximBet shutting down
In December 2022, MaximBet, a sports betting brand for which Nicki Minaj served as creative director, global ambassador, and advisor, was shut down.
2022: First Solo Number-One Hit with 'Super Freaky Girl'
In 2022, Nicki Minaj had her first solo US number-one song with "Super Freaky Girl", the lead single from her fifth studio album.
2022: Releases "Queen Radio: Volume 1" and Collaborates on Several Songs
In 2022, Nicki Minaj released her first greatest hits album, "Queen Radio: Volume 1", which included a new track, "Likkle Miss (Remix)" with Skeng. She also collaborated on "Love in the Way", "The Fine Nine Remix", "I Admit", and "Tukoh Taka", the official 2022 FIFA Fan Festival anthem with Myriam Fares and Maluma.
2022: "Super Freaky Girl" debuts atop Hot 100
In 2022, Nicki Minaj's single "Super Freaky Girl" debuted at number one on the Hot 100, making her the first solo female rapper to achieve this since Lauryn Hill in 1998 and the first female rapper to debut a solo song at number one in the 21st century.
2022: Pink Friday Docuseries Dropped
In 2022, it was confirmed that HBO Max dropped the unreleased Pink Friday docuseries.
2022: Pink Friday Included in Rolling Stone's List
In 2022, the album Pink Friday was included in Rolling Stone's list of "200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time" at number 31.
March 3, 2023: Announcement of record label launch
On March 3, 2023, Nicki Minaj announced the launch of her record label imprint on her radio show, "Queen Radio", with Patty "Patty Duke" Lauren as the label's A&R, and unveiled her starting roster: Nana Fofie, Tate Kobang, Rico Danna, and London Hill.
March 5, 2023: Surprise Performance at Rolling Loud California
On March 5, 2023, Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance during Lil Wayne's set at the Rolling Loud California festival.
March 13, 2023: Reveal of "Heavy On It Records" label name
On March 13, 2023, Nicki Minaj revealed the name of her record label imprint as "Heavy On It Records", which has a venture with Republic Records.
March 2023: Release of "Nocho Nachos" flavor with Rap Snacks
In March 2023, inspired by her 2023 single, "Red Ruby Da Sleeze", Nicki Minaj released a "Nocho Nachos" nachos flavor with Rap Snacks.
July 2023: Playable character in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
In July 2023, A playable character model of Nicki Minaj in her "Red Ruby" persona was released as downloadable content for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II to commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music's origin.
August 2023: Release of "Super Freaky Girl"
In August 2023, "Super Freaky Girl", the lead single from Pink Friday 2 which samples Rick James's 1981 song, "Super Freak", was released. It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, marking Minaj's third US number-one and her first solo chart-topper.
September 2023: Release of "Last Time I Saw You"
In September 2023, "Last Time I Saw You" was released as the third single from the album Pink Friday 2.
October 2023: Queen Radio Discontinued
Nicki Minaj's radio show Queen Radio was revived on Amp, but was discontinued in October 2023 due to the closure of Amp.
December 8, 2023: Release of Pink Friday 2
On December 8, 2023, Nicki Minaj's birthday, her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2, was released. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 228,000 album-equivalent units.
December 2023: Introduction of virtual world Gag City on Roblox
In December 2023, Nicki Minaj and Roblox introduced the virtual world Gag City on the game platform to promote her fifth album, Pink Friday 2 (2023).
December 2023: Martha's Death Confirmed
In December 2023, Nicki Minaj confirmed that Martha, Roman Zolanski's mother, had died of old age.
December 2023: Release of "Pink Friday 2" fragrance
In December 2023, Nicki Minaj's tenth fragrance "Pink Friday 2" was released to JCPenney and Amazon, in support of her fifth album of the same name.
2023: Minaj wins Best US Act at MTV Europe Music Awards
At the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards, Nicki Minaj became the first black artist and first female rapper to win the MTV Europe Music Award for Best US Act.
2023: Ranked as Greatest Female Rapper of All Time
In 2023, Billboard and Vibe ranked Nicki Minaj as the greatest female rapper of all time.
2023: Minaj earns three number-one albums on Billboard 200
In 2023, Nicki Minaj became the first female rapper to earn three number-one albums on the Billboard 200 chart, further establishing her dominance in the music industry.
2023: Founded Record Label Heavy On It
In 2023, Nicki Minaj founded the record label imprint Heavy On It.
2023: Emcees MTV Video Music Awards and Hosts Ceremony
In 2023, Nicki Minaj hosted the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony. At the previous ceremony in 2022, she received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and performed a medley of her hits.
2023: Release of 'Pink Friday 2' and Tour Success
In 2023, Nicki Minaj's album Pink Friday 2, debuted at number one in the US, making her the female rapper with the most US number-one albums (three) in history. Its concert tour became the fourth-highest grossing tour for a rapper and highest-grossing tour for a female rapper in history.
January 2024: Releases "Everybody" and "FTCU"
In January 2024, Nicki Minaj released "Everybody" and "FTCU" as singles.
January 26, 2024: Megan Thee Stallion releases Hiss
On January 26, 2024, Megan Thee Stallion released the song "Hiss", which was believed to include jabs at Minaj and her husband, starting a feud between the two artists.
March 2024: Launch of Pink Friday Nails and sneaker collection with Loci
In March 2024, Nicki Minaj launched her press-on nails line, Pink Friday Nails, and released a sneaker collection with Loci, where she is an investor and co-owner.
March 2024: Pink Friday 2 Certified Platinum
In March 2024, Nicki Minaj's album, Pink Friday 2, was certified platinum by the RIAA.
April 2024: Alleged Assault on Tour Employee
In April 2024, Brandon Garrett, a former tour employee, alleged that Nicki Minaj struck him multiple times on her Pink Friday 2 tour after he had another employee collect her prescription in his place.
April 2024: Signing open letter on AI use in music
In April 2024, Nicki Minaj joined over 200 artists in signing an open letter advocating for safety from the "predatory use of AI" within the music industry.
May 2024: "Bang Bang" Certified Diamond
In May 2024, "Bang Bang" was certified diamond by the RIAA, recognizing sales of 10 million units, becoming the first all-female collaboration to achieve the certification.
September 2024: Scraps Gag City Reloaded Album
In September 2024, Nicki Minaj announced that she had scrapped the deluxe version of the album, titled Gag City Reloaded, in favor of making her sixth studio album.
October 2024: Super Bass Music Video Views on YouTube
As of October 2024, the music video for "Super Bass" has surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. Billboard also ranked it as the biggest Hot 100 hit of Minaj's career.
October 2024: End of Pink Friday 2 World Tour
In October 2024, Nicki Minaj concluded the Pink Friday 2 World Tour, which was her most extensive tour yet. The tour included her headlining slots at ten festivals.
November 2024: "Starships" Certified Diamond
In November 2024, "Starships" was certified diamond by the RIAA, for moving over ten million units in the US.
November 2024: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Certified Four-Times Platinum
In November 2024, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded was certified four-times platinum by the RIAA, becoming Minaj's highest-certified album yet.
2024: Ranked Among Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century
In 2024, Billboard ranked Nicki Minaj at number 13 on its "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century" list. Her success as a female rapper "has been a landmark step towards gender equality in the rap industry."
2024: Recognized as Queen of Rap
In 2024, Billboard stated that Nicki Minaj "remains at the apex of the rap mountain 15 years after the release of her breakout mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty".
2024: Multiple Diamond-Certified Solo Songs
In 2024, Nicki Minaj became the first female rapper with multiple diamond-certified solo songs by the RIAA.
2024: Minaj's Citizenship Status
In 2024, Nicki Minaj stated that she is not a US citizen.
2024: Pink Friday 2 World Tour grosses over US$108 million
In 2024, Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday 2 World Tour grossed over US$108 million, marking it as the fourth-highest-grossing tour by a rap or hip hop artist of all time, the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper, and the first among female rappers to surpass US$100 million in revenue.
2024: Pink Friday Named One of the Greatest Black Albums
In 2024, Vibe named Pink Friday as one of the "50 Greatest Black Albums of the Modern Era".
January 2025: Lawsuit Filed by Former Tour Employee
In January 2025, a lawsuit was filed against Nicki Minaj by Brandon Garrett, a former tour employee, alleging assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress related to an incident in April 2024 on her Pink Friday 2 tour. Minaj's lawyer denied the allegations as false and frivolous.
2025: Billboard ranks Minaj among top women artists of the 21st century
In 2025, Billboard ranked Nicki Minaj at number 16 on its "Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century" list, recognizing her significant contributions to music.
2025: Nomination for Hip-Hop Tour of the Year
In 2025, Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday 2 tour was nominated for Hip-Hop Tour of the Year at the Pollstar Awards.
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