Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj (real name Onika Tanya Maraj) was born 8th December 1982 and is from Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago.
The young singer moved to New York when she was a child and built her reputation up as a top singer in the pop, R&B and Hip-Hop world. She was also known as "Cookie" and "Harajuku Barbie” before she chose the name Nicki Minaj.
After graduating from specialist music, arts and visuals college LaGuardia, Nicki Minaj started producing music and released her first mixtape in 2007, Playtime Is Over (Dirty Money records).
Raising her profile as a top singer using Myspace, Nicki Minaj went on release a further two mix-tapes and became the word on everyone’s lips. Signing to Young Money Entertainment in 2009, the upcoming star went on to collaborate with other young rap and hip-hops stars such as Drake, Will.i.am, Rihanna, Lil Wayne and many more.
Her first debut album, Pink Friday (2010) was well received by all music critics, reaching #16 in the UK Album Chart. Her first single "Your Love" pushed her into the top 10 on the Billboard 100. She won Best Hip-Hop Female at the annual BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards in 2010.
Nicki Minaj also appeared with pop star Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour alongside Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo in 2011. She has also appeared on a variety of TV shows including Saturday Night Live and interviewed on London’s Capital FM.
Her album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded features a number of collaborations with various dance, hip-hop and R&B producers including David Guetta and RedOne. The album reached #1 in the US, UK and Canada.
At the end of March 2012 Nicki Minaj brought out her second single “Right by My Side" with Chris Brown and then her next single "Beez in the Trap" proved to be another popular hit in both the UK and US.
Nicki Minaj released her second album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded in April 2012 and her single “Starships” reached Platinum and Gold Status across the world – propelling her into the world of pop stardom.
In May 2012 Nicki Minaj began her Pink Friday Tour worldwide tour, kicking off in Australia and due to carry until into autumn 2012. Nicki Minaj tickets were in demand and extra dates added to her Pink Friday Reloaded Tour. Nicki Minaj also went on to sign an exclusive deal with fragrance company Give Back Brands LLC, with her own perfume due to launch in Autumn 2012.
Nicki Minaj performed alongside Madonna and M.I.A for Madonna’s MDNA show at the Superbowl which was seen by over 114 million TV viewers as they performed the song "Give Me All Your Luvin”. Nicki Mianj also featured on Madonna’s song "I Don't Give A".
Nicki Minaj won "Best Female Hip-Hop Artist” at the BET Awards (Black Entertainment Television) for third time in the row which took place at the Shrine Auditorium in LA on 1st July 2012.
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