Nicki Minaj's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 22, 2026

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Nicki Minaj. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, is a highly influential Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Recognized as the "Queen of Rap," she's celebrated for her unique rap flow, clever lyrics, versatility, and use of alter egos. Minaj is widely credited with spearheading the revival of female rap's popularity in mainstream music from the 2010s onward.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

November 2010: First Grammy Award Nomination

In November 2010, Nicki Minaj received her first Grammy Award nomination for her guest verse on Ludacris' song "My Chick Bad".

2012: Called the 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".

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".

2016: Time 100 Most Influential People

In 2016, Time named Nicki Minaj one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2016: Won Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Nicki Minaj won Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the BET Awards 2024, her seventh win in the category, and first since 2016.

January 2019: Queen Certified Platinum

In January 2019, Nicki Minaj's album Queen was certified Platinum by the RIAA for moving over 1 million equivalent units.

2019: Ranked among the best rappers of the 2010s

In 2019, Complex ranked Nicki Minaj eighth on their list of best rappers of the 2010s, recognizing her as the most important female rapper of the decade.

2019: Billboard Women in Music Game Changer Award

In 2019, Nicki Minaj was honored with the Billboard Women in Music Game Changer Award.

2020: Called Best Female Rapper

In 2020, Nick Soulsby of PopMatters called Nicki Minaj the best female rapper and the best rapper of the past ten years, regardless of gender.

2020: Billboard Hot 100 Number-One Singles

In 2020, Nicki Minaj achieved her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles with the duets "Say So" and "Trollz"; "Say So" was the first female rap collaboration to top the chart.

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November 2021: "Super Bass" Receives Diamond Certification

In November 2021, Nicki Minaj's 2011 Pink Friday single "Super Bass" received a Diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Also, Nicki Minaj won the Best Hip Hop award in the MTV Europe Music Awards 2021.

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2023: Billboard and Vibe rank Nicki Minaj

In 2023, Billboard and Vibe ranked Nicki Minaj as the greatest female rapper of all time.

2023: Release of Pink Friday 2

In 2023, Nicki Minaj released her fifth album, Pink Friday 2, which made her the female rapper with the most US number-one albums (three) and spawned her first solo US number-one single, "Super Freaky Girl".

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2023: Ranked as a top rapper of all time

In 2023, Nicki Minaj was ranked as the tenth-greatest rapper and greatest female rapper of all time on Billboard and Vibe's list of the 50 greatest rappers.

March 2024: Pink Friday 2 Certified Platinum

In March 2024, Nicki Minaj's album, Pink Friday 2, was certified platinum by the RIAA.

October 2024: End of Pink Friday 2 World Tour

In October 2024, Nicki Minaj concluded the Pink Friday 2 World Tour, which became the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper in history.

2024: Ranked on Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century list

In 2024, Billboard ranked Nicki Minaj at number 13 on its "Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century" list, recognizing her influence on pop music, fandom, and pop star perception.

2024: Billboard states Minaj remains at the apex of the rap mountain

In 2024, Billboard stated that while "hip-hop has continued to cycle through rappers looking to knock Minaj off the throne", she "remains at the apex of the rap mountain 15 years after the release of her breakout mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty".