6ix9ine, Nicki Minaj, Murda Beatz - "FEFE"

Watch It's Official Music Video on YouTube
Video has been removed.

LYRICS

It's f*ckin' TR3YWAY!
It's King of New York, lookin' for the Queen
Uh, you got the right one, mm
L-let these-l-let these b-b-b*tches know, n*gga
Queens, Brooklyn, brr, ah!
Murda on the beat so it's not nice!

P*ssy got that wet, wet, got that drip, drip
Got that Super Soaker, hit that, she a Fefe
Her name Keke, she eat my d*ck like it's free, free
I don't even know like "Why I did that?"
I don't even know like "Why I hit that?"
All I know is that I just can't wife that
Talk to her nice so she won't fight back
Turn around and hit it from the back, back, back
Bend her down then I make it clap, clap, clap

I don't really want no friends
I don't really want no friends, no

Draco got that kick-back, when I blow that, they all do track
They don't shoot back, one shot, close range, red dot
Head tight, yeah, I did that, yeah, I live that
Call a Uber with my shooter, with a Ruger, we gon' do ya
Niggas say they killin' people, but I really fuckin' do it

I don't really want no friends
I don't really want no friends, no

He-he tryna 69 like Tekashi, call him papi
Word to A$AP, keep me Rocky, I'm from New York, so I'm cocky
Say he f*ckin' with my posse, copped me Chloé like Kardashi'
Keep this p*ssy in Versace, said I'm pretty like Tinashe
Put-put it all up in his face, did I catch a case?
Pussy game just caught a body, but I never leave a trace
Face is pretty, *ss for days, I get chips, I ask for Lay's
I just sit back and when he done, I be like, "Yo, how'd it taste?"
(Yo, how'd it taste?)

I don't really want no friends
I don't really want no friends, no

Ayo, Draco got that kick-back
When it kick-back, you can't get yo sh*t back
In fact this that b*tch that
"I hate small talk, I don't f*ck with chit-chat"
AC just stopped workin'
So they hit me, told me bring my wrist back
Come through rockin' fashions
That got all these bitches like "Yo, what's that?"

I don't really want no friends
I don't really want no friends, no

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
I catch a h*e right by her toe
If she ain't f*ckin' me and Nicki
Kick that ho right through the door (TR3YWAY)
I don't really want no friends, my old ho just bought this Benz
Nicki just hopped in this sh*t, now I won't see that b*tch again
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe (no)
I catch a ho right by her toe (no)
If she ain't f*ckin' me and Nicki (no)
Kick that ho right through the door (no, TR3YWAY)

Mmm, Young Money, Young Money bunny
Colorful hair, don't care
I don't really want no friends, I don't really want no friends, no
I don't really want no friends, I don't really want no friends, no
Scum Gang!

Songwriters: Onika Tanya Maraj / Shane Lee Lindstrom / Daniel Hernandez

FEFE lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group

About the Song

"Fefe" (stylized in uppercase) is a song by American rapper 6ix9ine. It was released on July 22, 2018, through TenThousand Projects, LLC; and was included as a bonus track on Minaj's fourth studio album, Queen (2018). The song was written by Murda Beatz,Cubeatz, Andrew Green, 6ix9ine, and Minaj; and was produced by Cubeatz, as well asMurda Beatz, who is also listed as a featured artist.

"Fefe"

Commercially, the song reached at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, marking 6ix9ine's highest peaking song on the chart.^[1]It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

A track with the title "Fefe" has leaked in snippet prior to the song's official release. During his European tour in June 2018, 6ix9ine revealed that he planned to release the song featuring a surprise guest, when he returns to the United States. "I got a really cool feature on it. It’s a surprise," he said. On July 18, he shared on Instagram a lo-fi audio clip of the song, with the caption, "Subscribe before Sunday." A verse from it made some listeners advance that it would possibly feature Nicki Minaj.

On July 20, he announced that the track would be released two days later, and said, "Watch this shit go 8 for 8 on Billboard." On July 22, the song was officially released as a single fordigital download. On July 24, 6ix9ine claimed that he will donate a portion of sales from the single to New York youth programs. Although 6ix9ine is credited as the main artist, the track was included as a bonus track on Minaj's fourth studio albumQueen (2018).

The "Fefe" cover art features a 3D cartoon artwork that finds 6ix9ine and Minaj sharing an ice cream cone. Minaj's cartoon is dressed in a G-string.

"Fefe" was both composed and produced by Murda Beatz and duo Cubeatz, consisting of Kevin and Tim Gomringer, while its lyrics were written by Andrew Green, 6ix9ine, and Minaj. The track is two minutes and fifty-nine seconds long. Minaj explained the making of the song saying, "6ix9ine sent me this song & we got on the phone to discuss. 5 mins after the call I sent him this voice note. True story. He sent me a voice note back making fun of my voice. I was literally in bed half sleep! […] I was inspired tho cuz it reminded me of a song I did wit Gucci years ago."6ix9ine said about the recording, "We go in the studio and just be having fun and then it's a hit… I didn’t put no effort into that shit." The cadence used by both rappers in the song was noted to be similar to Valee's feature verse on Z Money's song "Two 16's" (2017), with 6ix9ine particularly seeming to stray from his usual aggressive rapping style to a calm, more melodic autotuned flow. Lyrically, the song features 6ix9ine boasting about his street cred, while Minaj is bragging about her jewelry, fashion, and sexual prowess. The latter namechecks rapperASAP Rocky, television personality Khloé Kardashian, and singer Tinashe.

In Noisey, Kristin Corry expressed discomfort about the song, "not because of who the two polarizing rappers happened to be but because of the imagery," referring to 6ix9ine's sexual misconduct case involving a minor while the song's visuals and cover art are childlike. For Idolator, Mike Wass was more neutral in his review, writing "[Minaj's] new era hasn’t exactly gone to plan and she seems to be losing ground against her main rivals [...] Time will tell if Nicki’s latest feature does more harm to her career than good". Nylon's Taylor Bryan added the collaboration to Minaj's list of controversies during 2018, writing "if 2017 was the year of questioningKaty Perry, 2018 is the year of questioning Nicki Minaj." In a positive review, Peter A. Berry of XXL said its beat "serves as an appropriate audio canvas for the song", with 6ix9ine's rap "showcasing a much gentler delivery than the one he used on tracks like "Gummo" and "Keke". He concluded that "with some authentic NYC confidence and a memorable hook, "Fefe" is definitely a slapper".

The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number four, with 24,000 copies sold and 45.7 million streams during its first week. The following week, it ascended to number three. It became 6ix9ine's highest-charting single by succeeding the peak of "Gummo" at number 12, and is Minaj's seventeenth top 10 on the chart, extending her record for the most among female rappers. The song marks also the highest bow of Minaj's Hot 100 entries as a featured artist, besting the number 6 start of "Bang Bang", with Jessie Jand Ariana Grande, in 2014. It was certifiedplatinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.^[2]

Outside the United States, the song also reached the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Hungary, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Background and releaseEdit

6ix9ine has shared during his European tour in June 2018, that he planned to release a music video for the song when he returns to the United States. After teasing the song on July 19, he wrote in a separate post, "I'm giving you guys one last music video this Sunday before I go to jail forever," referencing his legal troubles during that period. The same day,TMZ reported that 6ix9ine rush-ordered a newMy Little Pony chain in order to wear it during a scheduled video shoot with Minaj. The music video was released through YouTubeon July 22, a few hours after the song's release. It was directed by TrifeDrew and William Asher of Figure Eight Creative Group, with additional direction from 6ix9ine. It features toddler-sized lollipops and a variety of pink, yellow, and red balloons.

The music video amassed more than 32 million views in its first three days online, and more than 70 million views in less than a week. A vertical music video for the song was subsequently released on Spotify. As of August 2018, the music video on YouTube has over 200 million views.

SynopsisEdit

The music video opens with 6ix9ine and Minaj playing a clapping game on a balloon-filled set. 6ix9ine then raps his verse laced in a cheetah print top and pink shorts, when Murda Beatz makes a cameo appearance holding a heavy-duty water gun. Minaj reintroduces herself shortly after for an extended cameo, rapping two verses and shouting out 6ix9ine's Treyway gang. The couple sits face-to-face once again and share an ice-cream cone with their arms interlocked. According to Peter A. Berry ofXXL, the music video "looks sort of like a Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory".

Critical receptionEdit

In Noisey, Kristin Corry argued "the visuals were childlike and reminiscent of Candyland, an ill-fitting choice for 6ix9ine, who was charged with the "use of a child in a sexual performance" in 2015". Similarly, Idolator's Mike Wass described, "[it] finds the duo playing childhood games, which has been deemed unsavory given 6ix9ine's criminal history".

American singer Tinashe and television personality Khloé Kardashian expressed their excitement about being name checked on the track on their social media pages. 6ix9ine and Minaj faced accusations of biting American rapper Valee’s feature verse on Z Money's 2017 song "Two 16’s". The producer of the song ChaseTheMoney also accused 6ix9ine and Murda Beatz of copying the track, after hearing a snippet of the song, and asked them on Twitter to "pay homage." Justin Credible of Power 106 radio station announced on air on July 23, 2018, that he refuses to play 6ix9ine’s verse on "Fefe", attributing his decision to the latter disrespecting Los Angeles. He remained willing to play Minaj’s verse. Fellow American rapper Azealia Banks criticized Minaj in a series of tweets and Instagram posts dated July 24, for collaborating and touring with 6ix9ine, who pleaded guilty to use of a minor for a sexual performance in 2015. She said, "I'm sorry. Dude gets convicted and you ’re still trying to help him out of it? That is very dark," and described working with 6ix9ine as a "slap [to] all of your 8-15 year old fans and their moms in the face". She added that "pedophilia is absolutely gross and evil. Anyone who supports that shit is a lunatic".

About the Song

Daniel Hernandez (born May 8, 1996), known professionally as 6ix9ine (pronounced "six nine") or Tekashi 6ix9ine, is an American rapper. He is known for his unconventional appearance, controversial behavior and brute-force screaming technique in his songs.

6ix9ine
6ix9ine in 2018

Hernandez rose to fame in late 2017 with the release of his debut single "Gummo". The song peaked at number 12 on the US BillboardHot 100 and was certified platinum by theRIAA. In early 2018, Hernandez released his debut mixtape, Day69, which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart. He earned his first top-ten entry on the Hot 100 with "Fefe", featuring Nicki Minaj andMurda Beatz, which peaked at number three.

His legal issues have been a subject of controversy. In 2015, Hernandez pled guilty to using a 13-year-old child in a sexual performance when he was eighteen years old.

Early life

Daniel Hernandez was born on May 8, 1996 inBushwick, Brooklyn to a Mexican mother and a Puerto Rican father. He was raised by both his mother and father until the age of thirteen and grew up alongside his brother.

Hernandez was expelled from school in 8th grade, and did not return. In 2009, his father was murdered, which led to Hernandez working various jobs and selling marijuana in order to help his mother financially.

Career

2014–2016: Early career

Hernandez began releasing rap songs in 2014. Over the next three years, he released multiple tracks and videos with titles such as "Scumlife", "Yokai", and "Hellsing Station", drawing attention due to his aggressive rapping style and the use of anime as music video visuals. Many of his early songs were released by FCK THEM, a music label based inSlovakia. Gathering fame as an internet meme for his rainbow-dyed hair and rainbow-plated grills, he eventually became an associate of fellow New York rapper Zillakami who later began a feud with the rapper following Hernandez allegedly stealing instrumentals and songs they had made together.

The release of the song "POLES1469" in April 2017, which featured Hernandez alongside rising Ohio sing-rapper Trippie Redd, was the first song performed by Hernandez to receive significant views on YouTube.

2017–present: Breakthrough andDay69

Hernandez rose to prominence on social media due to a July 2017 Instagram post that went viral on both Reddit and Twitter, where Hernandez's eccentric appearance (rainbow-dyed hair, a rainbow grill, and multiple versions of the number 69 tattooed on his body) turned him into an internet meme.

Hernandez's commercial debut single "Gummo" was released on November 10, 2017 and eventually peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was certified platinum by the RIAA on March 5, 2018. His next single "Kooda" debuted at 61 on the Hot 100 the week of December 23, 2017. On January 14, 2018, Hernandez released his third single "Keke" with Fetty Wap and A Boogie wit da Hoodie.

Shortly afterwards, Hernandez announced his debut mixtape, Day69. The mixtape was released on February 23, 2018, and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart with 55,000 album-equivalent units, of which 20,000 were pure sales. According to Jon Caramanica of The New York Times, the tape was an outgrowth of the "SoundCloud rap explosion", and was notable for its willingness to deviate from hip-hop's prevailing sound. After the release of Day69, two songs from the album, "Billy" and "Rondo" both debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Billy" peaking at number 50 and "Rondo" at number 73.

In April 2018, Hernandez released the song "Gotti", a remix of a previous feature he did for artist Packman titled "Got it, Got it", the song had a music video released on April 16, 2018 which involved Hernandez donating bundles of $100 notes to poor citizens in the Dominican Republic. The song was added to Day69 as a deluxe song and debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 before dropping off the following week, making it his sixth consecutive Hot 100 entry.

Hernandez stirred up controversy in May 2018 when he was involved in a shooting with the entourage of fellow New York rapper Casanova as part of a feud; this led to Hernandez losing a five million dollar headphone deal and being banned from theBarclays Center. Following the shooting, Hernandez went silent in terms of releasing music or teasing it before releasing "Tati" featuring DJ Spinking in June, which debuted at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In July 2018, Hernandez had his first BillboardHot 100 top five, "Fefe", featuring Murda Beatzand Nicki Minaj. The song debuted at number four before peaking at number three in its second week.

Personal and legal issues

In October 2015, Hernandez pled guilty to one felony count of use of a child in a sexual performance. Hernandez was charged with three counts of the offense after a February 2015 incident where he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl and later distributed videos of the incident online. Three videos are described in the criminal complaint against Hernandez. In the first video, "the child engages in oral sexual intercourse with the separately charged defendant Taquan Anderson, while the defendant, Daniel Hernandez, stands behind the child making a thrusting motion with his pelvis and smacking her on her buttocks. The child is nude in the video." The other videos show the child sitting on the lap of Hernandez while her breasts are groped by Anderson, and later sitting naked across the laps of Anderson and Hernandez.

In a November 2017 interview, Hernandez claimed to have "no sexual contact" with the girl and denied knowing she was a minor. Hernandez also claimed to be seventeen at the time of the incident, although the birth date listed in the complaint against him and in his statement to the police shows he was eighteen at the time.

Under his plea deal, Hernandez must obtain his GED, refrain from posting sexually explicit or violent images of women or children to social media, and not commit another crime for two years, among other injunctions. If met, the plea deal would give Hernandez three years probation and he would not have to register as a sex offender; if not, Hernandez could face up to three years in prison. In a January 2018 court hearing, it was revealed that Hernandez had failed his GED test, but had his sentencing adjourned until April 10, 2018. The court date was later postponed, reportedly because the court did not have a copy of Hernandez's GED. Prior to his sexual misconduct charges, Hernandez served jail time as a minor for assault and the sale of heroin.

On July 12, 2018, Hernandez was arrested in New York for an outstanding warrant related to an incident where he allegedly choked a 16-year-old in Houston's Galleria mall in January 2018.

Throughout mid-2018, Hernandez has been involved in feuds with a number of Chicagorappers including Chief Keef and Lil Reese. On June 2, 2018, Chief Keef was shot at outside the W Hotel in New York City but was not hit; no injuries resulted from the incident. Due to the ongoing feud, Hernandez was confirmed to be under investigation by the New York Police Department for possible involvement with the incident, despite being in Los Angeles at the time of the shooting.

In the early morning hours of July 22, 2018, Hernandez was kidnapped, beaten, and robbed by three unknown assailants in Brooklyn. He had finished shooting a music video when three armed assailants grabbed Hernandez outside of his home and pistol whipped him. The robbers eventually took over $750,000 in custom jewelry and approximately $35,000 in cash. Hernandez escaped from their vehicle and summoned police help via a stranger. He was taken to the hospital.

Due to his continuing legal problems in light of his plea bargain, the Manhattan district attorney's office announced Hernandez could face up to three years in prison and possiblesex offender registration for his 2015 case. Sentencing is scheduled to take place on October 2, 2018.

NICKI MINAJ

Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982),^[3] known professionally as Nicki Minaj(/mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is a Trinidadian-American rapper, singer, songwriter, model, and actress.^[4][5][6]Born in Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Queens, New York City, New York, she gained public recognition after releasing the mixtapes Playtime Is Over(2007), Sucka Free (2008), and Beam Me Up Scotty (2009).

Nicki Minaj
Minaj at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards

After signing with Young Money Entertainment in 2009, Minaj released her first studio album, Pink Friday (2010), which peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200and was ultimately certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).^[7] Her sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, was released in 2012 and debuted at number one in several countries. Minaj made her film debut in the 2012 animated film Ice Age: Continental Drift. In 2013, she was a judge on the twelfth season of American Idol. Minaj's third studio album, The Pinkprint, was released in 2014. She subsequently played supporting roles inThe Other Woman (2014) and Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016). Minaj released her fourth studio album, Queen, in 2018.^[8][9]

Early in her career, Minaj was known for her colorful costumes and wigs.^[10] Her rapping is distinctive for its fast flow and the use of alter egos and accents, primarily British cockney.^[11][12] Minaj was the first female artist included on MTV's annual Hottest MC List. In 2016, Minaj was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.^[13] As a lead artist, she has earned four top-five entries on theBillboard Hot 100: "Super Bass" in 2011, "Starships" in 2012, and "Bang Bang" and "Anaconda", both in 2014. She has the mostBillboard Hot 100 entries among women of all genres in the chart's history.^[14]

Throughout her career, Minaj has received numerous accolades, including 10 Grammy Award nominations, six American Music Awards, 11 BET Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and a Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award. Minaj has sold 20 million singles as a lead artist, 60 million singles as a featured artist, and over five million albums worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling music artists.^[15][16][17]

Early life

Onika Tanya Maraj was born on December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago.^[4]Her father, Robert Maraj, a financial executive and part-time gospel singer, is of Dougla(Afro-Trinidadian and Indo-Trinidadian) descent.^[18][19] Her mother, Carol Maraj, is also a gospel singer with Afro-Trinidadian ancestry.^[20][18] Carol worked in payroll and accounting departments during Minaj's youth.^[21][22] Minaj's father was addicted to alcohol and other drugs, and had a violent temper, burning down their house in December 1987.^[23] She has two siblings.^[24]

As a small child, Minaj and a sibling lived with her grandmother in Saint James.^[18][23] Her mother, who had moved to The Bronx, New York to attend Monroe College,^[23] brought the family to Queens, New York when Minaj was five.^[18] By then, the family had a house on 147th Street.^[23] Minaj recalled, "I don't think I had a lot of discipline in my household. My mom motivated me, but it wasn't a strict household. I kind of wanted a strict household."^[25] Minaj successfully auditioned for admission to LaGuardia High School inManhattan, New York, which focuses on visual and performing arts.^[4] After graduation, Minaj wanted to become an actress, and she was cast in the Off-Broadway play In Case You Forget in 2001.^[26]

At the age of 19, as she struggled with her acting career, she worked as a waitress at aRed Lobster in the Bronx, but was fired for discourtesy to customers.^[27] She said she was fired from "at least 15 jobs" for similar reasons.^[28]

Career

2000s

Minaj briefly signed with Brooklyn group Full Force, in which she rapped in a quartet called "The Hood$tars" composed of Lou$tar (son of "Bowlegged Lou"), Safaree Samuels (Scaff Beezy) and 7even Up.^[29][30]

In 2004, the group recorded the entrance song for WWE Diva Victoria, "Don't Mess With", which was featured on the compilation albumThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol.6. Minaj later left Full Force and uploaded songs on her Myspace profile, sending several of her songs to people in the music industry. At the time, she was managed by Debra Antney. Later, Fendi, CEO of Brooklyn label Dirty Money Entertainment, signed Minaj to his label in 2007 under a 180-day contract.^[31]Originally adopting the stage name "Nicki Maraj", she eventually changed it to Nicki Minaj stating that "my real name is Maraj. Fendi flipped it when he met me because I had such a nasty flow! I eat bitches!"^[32]

Minaj released her first mixtape, Playtime is Over, on July 5, 2007,^[33] and her second,Sucka Free, on April 12, 2008.^[34] That year, she was named Female Artist of the Year at the 2008 Underground Music Awards.^[35] She released her third mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty, on April 18, 2009;^[36] it received favorable coverage on BET and MTV.^[37][38]One of its tracks, "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.^[39]

After Minaj was discovered by fellow rapperLil Wayne,^[40] in August 2009 it was reported that she signed a recording contract with hisYoung Money Entertainment.^[41] That November, she appeared with Gucci Maneand Trina on the remix of "5 Star Bitch" by Yo Gotti.^[42] Minaj also appeared on "BedRock" and "Roger That"^[43] on the compilation album,We Are Young Money (2009).^[44] The singles peaked at numbers two and 56, respectively, on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100;^[45] their parent album reached number-nine on the U.S.Billboard 200, and was certified gold by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA).^[45][46] At Jay-Z's suggestion, Robin Thicke featured Minaj on his single "Shakin' It 4 Daddy".^[47]

2010–2011

Minaj performing in 2010

Minaj released the intended lead single from her forthcoming debut album, "Massive Attack", on March 29, 2010.^[48] Plans for the single were scrapped after an underwhelming commercial performance.^[49] As a result, "Your Love" was released as the album's lead single on June 1, 2010,^[50] peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number-one on the Billboard Rap Songs chart.^[39] In August, Minaj announced that the album would be entitled Pink Friday, a play on "Black Friday".^[51] The following month she released "Check It Out" and "Right Thru Me" as follow-up singles.^[52][53] In October, Minaj became the first female solo artist to have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously and the first woman to appear on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List.^[54][55] In 2010, Minaj received her first Grammy Award nomination for her guest verse on Ludacris' song "My Chick Bad".^[56]

Pink Friday was released on November 19, 2010,^[57] debuting at number-two on theBillboard 200, with first-week sales of 375,000 copies.^[58] Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews from critics. Sam Wolfson of NME complimented Minaj's "pop sensibility" and found her "volatility and quirks ... reminiscent of heyday Lil Wayne".^[59]Entertainment Weekly's Brad Wete commended Minaj's "knack for melody" and "boasting lyrics".^[60] Allison Stewart of The Washington Post wrote that the album "nibbles at the edges of what female rappers are allowed to do, even as it provides a steady helping of pop hits".^[61] The album was certified platinum in December, and eventually reached number-one in the United States in February 2011.^[62]

"Moment 4 Life" was released as the fourth single from Pink Friday shortly after the album's release.^[63] Minaj performed "Right Thru Me" and "Moment 4 Life" as the musical guest on the January 29, 2011 episode ofSaturday Night Live.^[64] "Super Bass", the album's fifth single, was released in April 2011,^[65] and became a sleeper hit and commercial success; it ultimately peaked at number-three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was eventually certified octuple-platinum in the U.S.^[39][66] Minaj credited the song's initial exposure to its mention by Taylor Swift,^[67]after videos of Swift and Selena Gomezrapping along to the song went viral.^[68]

Minaj performing during theFemme Fatale Tour

Minaj was one of the opening acts on Britney Spears' 2011 Femme Fatale Tour.^[69] She andKesha appeared on the remix of Spears' "Till the World Ends", which peaked at number-three on the Billboard Hot 100.^[70] On August 7, 2011, Nicki experienced a "nip slip" during a live performance on Good Morning America. Minaj was criticized for wearing the low-cut shirt during her performance which led to the brief exposure of her breast on a live telecast. ABC apologized for incident.^[71] Minaj, while interviewed on ABC's Nightline show, apologized for the incident and denied that she intentionally sought to expose herself on live television as a publicity stunt.^[72] The incident attracted protest from the Parents Television Council.^[73] Despite this, Minaj continued to perform at high profile events throughout 2011; Donatella Versace invited her to perform with Prince for the introduction of a Versace collection for H&M, and she performed "Super Bass" at the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.^[74]

In December 2011, Minaj was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album for Pink Friday.^[75]Also that year, she won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video for "Super Bass", marking her first VMA win.^[76]

2012–2013

"Starships" was released in February 2012 as the lead single from Minaj's forthcoming second album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.^[77] The song reached number-five on the Billboard Hot 100,^[39] and went on to become the fifth best-selling single of 2012 and one of the best-selling singles of all time.^[78] Minaj's crossover into pop music was criticized by some, despite her commercial success.^[79] Minaj was sued by Chicago artist Clive Tanaka in September 2013 for its alleged copyright infringement.^[80] Follow-up singles "Beez in the Trap" and "Right by My Side" were released shortly after.^[81][82]

Minaj performing in 2011

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded was eventually released on April 2, 2012, two months later than planned.^[83] The album was preceded by the promotional singles "Roman in Moscow" and "Stupid Hoe".^[84][85] The album debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 253,000 copies,^[58] and was certified platinum by the RIAA in June 2012.^[86] However, its mix of hip-hop songs and mainstream pop material received mixed reviews from music critics.^[87] Randall Roberts of the Los Angeles Times commended its "minimal, bouncy hip-hop tracks" for highlighting Minaj's "charm and achievement", but wrote that the "disjointed, artistically confused" album "drives off a cliff" with "dance pop songs as simple as they are generic".^[88] Slant Magazine's Matthew Cole panned it as a "mediocre rap album".^[89] In a positive review for Rolling Stone, journalistJody Rosen called it a "filler-free mega-pop album" and commented that "the energy never flags".^[90] "Pound the Alarm" and "Va Va Voom" were later released as the final singles from the album.^[91][92]

Minaj and rapper M.I.A. joined Madonna to perform the single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'", during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show on February 6, 2012.^[93] Minaj was the first solo female rapper to perform at the Grammy Awards, premiering "Roman Holiday" during the 2012 ceremony on February 12.^[94] Herexorcism-themed performance was controversial, with the American Catholic League criticizing Minaj for bringing a fake "Pope" to escort her on the red carpet. The "exorcism" scene that was performed during her appearance was criticized as well.^[95][96]Catholic League president Bill Donohue called Minaj's performance "vulgar".^[96][97]

Minaj began her headlining Pink Friday Touron May 16, 2012,^[98] which was followed by the Pink Friday: Reloaded Tour beginning October 14, 2012.^[99] Although she was scheduled to headline the June 3 Hot 97Summer Jam at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, at the request of Lil Wayne she canceled her appearance the day of the show after Peter Rosenberg of the station dismissed her single "Starships" as "not real hip-hop".^[100]

The following month, Minaj voiced Steffie in the animated film Ice Age: Continental Drift(2012).^[101] She won awards for Best Female Video (for "Starships") at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards and Best Hip-Hop at the 2012 MTV Europe Music Awards.^[102] Her collaboration with Pearl Future on the song "Looking At Me" made it to the top 20 in BBC Radio 1.^[103] An expanded version of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, subtitled The Re-Up, was released on November 19, 2012.^[104] That month, Minaj was the subject of a three-partE! documentary titled Nicki Minaj: My Truth.^[105] She announced plans for her own record label after signing Parker Ighile, Brinx, Keisha, and Blackout Movement.^[106]

Nicki Minaj performing during the Pink Friday Tour

In September, Minaj joined the judges' panel for the twelfth season of American Idol withMariah Carey, Keith Urban, and Randy Jackson.^[107] That October, a leaked video circulated online, which showed Minaj and Carey in a heated argument during auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina.^[108] Carey accused Minaj of saying, "If I had a gun, I would shoot that bitch", but Minaj denied the allegation.^[109] Carey said that Minaj created an "unsafe work environment", increasing hersecurity as a result.^[110]

Tensions escalated after Carey said that Minaj did not have a number-one song on theBillboard Hot 100 during a live broadcast in May 2013.^[111] Minaj and Carey left the series that month, at the end of the season.^[112] That year, Minaj was the most-charted female rapper in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, with 44 entries, tying Mariah Carey among women of all genres.^[113] Her seven nominations led those for rap musicians at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards,^[114] and she was the first rapper to win the BET Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Award four consecutive times.^[115]

2014–2017

Minaj's first live-action theatrical film The Other Woman was filmed in spring 2013 and premiered on April 25, 2014.^[116] She played Lydia, assistant to Carly (played by Cameron Diaz).^[117][118] In 2013, Minaj described her then-forthcoming third album, The Pinkprint, as "a continuation of The Re-Up with a lot more" and said it would focus on her "hip-hop roots".^[119][120] During an MTV interview, she said that her third album would be "next level" and that she has "much to talk about".^[121]

"Pills n Potions" was released as the lead single from The Pinkprint in May 2014.^[122]"Anaconda" was released in August as the second single, peaking at number-two on theBillboard Hot 100, becoming her highest-charting single in the U.S. to date.^[123][124] The video set a 24-hour Vevo record, accumulating 19.6 million views on its first day of release, breaking the record previously held by Miley Cyrus for "Wrecking Ball".^[125] In December of that year, Minaj received two Grammy Award nominations, for Best Rap Song ("Anaconda") and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ("Bang Bang" with Jessie J andAriana Grande).^[126]

The Pinkprint was officially released on December 15, 2014, and debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, with first week sales of 244,000 overall units (198,000 in pure album sales and 46,000 combined album-equivalent units and streams).^[127][128] Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews from critics. Billboard magazine's Niki McGloster called it "her best album to date".^[129] Sheldon Pearce of The A.V. Clubthought that The Pinkprint is "the closest Nicki Minaj has ever gotten to balancing her tendencies".^[130] Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times wrote that throughout the album, "she's intent on channeling her talent to explore and document her many moods. The combination is often, if not always, intoxicating".^[131] At the 58th Grammy Awards, Minaj received three more Grammy Award nominations, including a second Best Rap Album nomination for The Pinkprint.^[132]

On June 29, Minaj became the only artist to win the BET Award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist for five consecutive years, while also tying Missy Elliott for the most wins, with five in total.^[133] In November 2014, Minaj released a video containing Nazi-style imagery for her third single "Only". There was immediate backlash from the Anti Defamation League, who stated that it was "troubling that no one among Minaj's group of producers, publicists and managers raised a red flag about the use of such imagery before ushering the video into public release." They called the video "insensitive to Holocaust survivors and a trivialization of the history of that era."^[134][135]

On November 9, 2014, Minaj hosted the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards at The SSE Hydro,Glasgow, Scotland.^[136] She also won the Best Hip-Hop Award for a second time.^[136] In March 2015, 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 ofBillboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart.^[137] At the 2015 BET Awards, Minaj won her sixth consecutive award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, becoming the female rapper with most wins in that category.^[138]

In September 2015, it was announced that 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.^[139] The show was titled Nicki and the pilot episode was filmed in Minaj's hometown in January 2016.^[139] In October 2016, Minaj stated the filming was postponed for undisclosed reasons.^[140]

In May 2015, it was announced that Minaj would feature in the third installment of theBarbershop film series, alongside Ice Cube,Cedric the Entertainer, Eve, and other original cast members.^[141] Titled Barbershop: The Next Cut, the film was released on April 15, 2016, and received critical acclaim, earning an average score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes; the site's critical consensus reads, "Heartfelt, thought-provoking, and above all funny,Barbershop: The Next Cut is the rare belated sequel that more than lives up to the standard set by its predecessors."^[142] Minaj's character in the film is a "sassy" hairdresser named Draya.^[141] For her performance, she was nominated for a Teen Choice Award forChoice Movie Actress: Comedy.^[143]

In February 2017, Minaj was featured on Jason Derulo's single "Swalla",^[144] which reached the top ten in several countries, including a peak of number six in the UK singles chart.^[145] The following month, Minaj signed with the major modeling agency,Wilhelmina Models.^[146]

On March 20, 2017, when her singles "No Frauds", "Changed It", and "Regret In Your Tears" were released simultaneously, Minaj broke the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries for a female artist in the chart's history, which was previously held by Aretha Franklin.^[147] In May, Minaj opened the 2017 Billboard Music Awards with a medley performance that was described by a Rolling Stone writer as "flamboyantly produced" and "dexterous".^[148]

Throughout the remainder of 2017, Minaj performed on several singles, includingMigos' "MotorSport" and Yo Gotti's "Rake It Up", both of which peaked inside the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, at numbers six and eight, respectively.^[149] She also featured on Katy Perry's "Swish Swish", which peaked at 46 on the chart and was certified platinum in the US and Canada.^[150]

2018–present

Minaj at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards

Minaj officially announced her fourth album,Queen, on the red carpet at the 2018 Met Gala; the album was scheduled to be released on June 15, 2018.^[151] The album's lead single, "Chun-Li", was released on April 12, 2018, and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[152] Another single, "Barbie Tingz", was also released alongside "Chun-Li", but ultimately did not make the final album cut. It is, however, included on the Target version of the album.^[153] The album's second single, "Bed", featuring Ariana Grande, was released on June 14, 2018 alongside the album pre-order, and peaked at number 43 on the Hot 100.^{[154][155][156]} A promotional single, "Rich Sex", featuring American rapper Lil Wayne, was released on June 11, 2018.^[155]

On May 19, 2018, Minaj was the musical guest for the finale of the 43rd season ofSaturday Night Live; the show was hosted byTina Fey;^[157] Minaj performed "Chun-Li" and "Poke It Out", alongside rapper Playboi Carti.^[157] Minaj later announced via Instagram that she was pushing back the release date ofQueen from June 15 to August 10, 2018.^[158]On June 7, 2018, Minaj released the cover art for the album on Twitter, shot by Mert and Marcus, which featured Minaj topless, wearing pasties, with a Cleopatra-inspiredhead-dress.^[159][160] On June 11, 2018, Minaj revealed that her next tour would be a double-header with rapper Future, called NickiHndrxx.^[161] On July 22, 2018, Tekashi 6ix9ine's single "Fefe", which featured Minaj, debuted at number four, and later peaked at number three, on the Billboard Hot 100.^[162]"Fefe" marked Minaj's highest bow on the Hot 100 chart as a featured artist, besting the number six start of "Bang Bang" in 2014.^[163]

Minaj released Queen on August 10, 2018, a week ahead of schedule.^[9] The day before the release of Queen, Minaj launched her ownBeats 1 radio show, Queen Radio.^[164][165]Minaj released a music video for the album's opening track, "Ganja Burns", on August 13, 2018.^[166] "Barbie Dreams" was sent torhythmic contemporary radio on August 14, 2018, as the album's third single.^[167] She mentioned a bunch of well known rappers 50 cent,Quavo who have commenting about it^[168]

Queen debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200 with 185,000 album-equivalent units, of which 78,000 came from pure album sales.^[169] It also debuted at number five in the UK and four in Australia, marking the highest debut of Minaj's career in the latter country.^[170][171]

On August 20, 2018, Minaj won her fourth MTV Video Music Award for the "Chun-Li" music video, at the 35th annual ceremony.^[172]

Artistry

Musical style

When I started rapping, people were trying to make me like the typical New York rapper, but I'm not that. No disrespect to New York rappers, but I don't want people to hear me and know exactly where I'm from.

— Minaj on her rapping technique in a Billboardinterview^[28]

Minaj is known for rapping and singing in her songs

Minaj is known for her animated rapping style and her unique flow. She often sings and raps in her songs and combines metaphors, punch lines, and word play into her work.

The New York Times called Minaj "a sparkling rapper with a gift for comic accents and unexpected turns of phrase. She's a walking exaggeration, outsize in sound, personality and look. And she's a rapid evolver, discarding old modes as easily as adopting new ones."^[12] Although many critics describe her technique as bubblegum rap, Minaj said: "What people don't know is that before I was doing that craziness I was doing me, I was just doing regular sounding rap that anyone could hear and identify with. But once I started doing all that weird shit—I'm not mad at it because it got everyone's attention."^[173]

Noted as a rap artist, she lends herself toelectronic music genres^[174] (especiallyelectropop). Pink Friday marked her exploration of the genres, spawning electro songs including the pop-laden "Super Bass".^[175][176] Also combining rap withsynthesizer music, Minaj's second album had a number of electro-hop and electropop songs: "HOV Lane", "Whip It", "Automatic", "Come on a Cone", "Young Forever", "Fire Burns",^[177] "Roman Holiday"^[178] and "Beez in the Trap";^[179] while "Starships" is a eurodancesong.^[180] She collaborated with other artists, producing more electronic songs: "The Boys" with "Me & U" singer Cassie and "Beauty and a Beat" with Justin Bieber.^[181]

Her verse in Kanye West's "Monster" was critically acclaimed and contributed greatly to her popularity; many critics said she had the best verse in the song.^[182][183] Her alter egos are incorporated with her lyrics in British accents (Roman Zolanski) or soft-spokenness (Harajuku Barbie). Ice-T said about Minaj's rapping style, "[Minaj] does her thing. She has her own way of doing it. She has an ill [sic] vocal delivery. She kind of reminds me of a female Busta Rhymes, like how she throws her voice in different directions."^[184]

Minaj's "Monster" verse was listed by Complexas the best rap verse of the 2010s.^[185] West claimed at one point he considered deleting her verse from the track, because he was worried it would outshine his own work:

It was like that moment when I thought about taking Nicki's verse off of "Monster" because I knew people would say that was the best verse on the best Hip Hop album of all time or arguably top ten albums of all time. And I would do all that work, eight months of work on "Dark Fantasy" and people to this day would say to me 'My favorite thing was Nicki Minaj's verse.' So if I let my ego get the best of me instead of letting that girl get the shot to get that platform to be all she could be, I would take it off or marginalize her, try to stop her from having that shining moment…^[186]

Alter egos

With her parents frequently fighting during her childhood, Minaj lived through characters she created as a means of escape. She recalled that "fantasy was my reality" and her first identity was Cookie, who became Harajuku Barbie and (later) Nicki Minaj.^[187] In November 2010, Minaj assumed the alter egoNicki 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.^[188] She introduced another alter ego, Rosa (pronounced with an exaggerated R), to commemorate her December 2010 appearance on Lopez Tonight.^[189]

For Pink Friday, Minaj created another alter ego: Roman Zolanski, "a demon inside her", Minaj's "twin brother" whose character she assumes when she is angry.^[190] Roman has been compared to Eminem's alter ego Slim Shady, and on "Roman's Revenge" Minaj and Eminem collaborate as their alter egos.^[191] On her next album, she said that there would be a lot of Roman: "And if you're not familiar with Roman, then you will be familiar with him very soon. He's the boy that lives inside of me. He's a lunatic and he's gay and he'll be on there a lot."^[192] Roman has a mother, Martha Zolanski,^[193] who appeared on "Roman's Revenge" with a British accent^[194] and singing on "Roman Holiday" for the first time.^[195][196]Martha appeared in the "Moment 4 Life" video as Minaj's apparent fairy godmother. Although Minaj was rapping in songs such as "All I Do Is Win (Remix)", she promised to introduce Nicki, Roman and Onika on her first album.^[190]

Influences

According to Minaj, rappers Jay-Z and Foxy Brown are her two major influences

Minaj cites Foxy Brown and Jay-Z as major influences: "I really loved [Foxy] as a female rapper. I was really interested in her mind and her aura [and] I was really, really into Jay-Z. Me and my friends in high school, we were reciting all of the Jay lyrics. His words were our words in our conversations all the time."^[197] She said, further: "I never really told Foxy how much she has influenced me and how much she changed my life, and you've gotta tell people that when they're alive to even be able to take the compliment, instead of paying tribute to them when they're no longer here", adding that Foxy Brown was "the most influential female rapper" for her,^[198]though she initially was compared to Lil Kim when she first debuted. Nicki and Lil Kim, often cited as Foxy's main rap rival, have reportedly exchanged words with each other, on social media and in their music.^[199]

Jada Pinkett Smith is one of Minaj's role models in her acting career.^[200] Minaj was inspired by R&B singer Monica, singing "Why I Love You So Much" at every talent show she entered. Performing in Atlanta on her Pink Friday Tour, she called Monica one of her all-time greatest musical influences.^[201] Minaj has also cited Beyoncé, Kanye West, Trinaand Drake as influences.^[202]

She called Betsey Johnson a fashion inspiration: "[Betsey] is a free spirit. When I met her the other day, I felt like I knew her for my whole life. She's so warm and considerate and caring. She's amazingly talented and I've been wearing her clothes forever, so to meet her was like, 'Yay!' [I was] bowing down to her; she's dope!"^[203] Minaj has also expressed appreciation for Cyndi Lauper's style and how her videos inspired her as a teenager: "When I first went to get my hair colored, I was about 14 and I wanted blonde highlights. The beautician said, 'No, you have to get your mother on the phone,' and I was just crying and begging. I've always been experimenting. Cyndi Lauper's videos – that's what intrigued me."^[204]

Public image

Early in her career, Minaj often wore colorful costumes, cosmetics, and wigs

Minaj's physique has attracted attention from the media.^[205] In 2010, she said that although she originally felt obligated to mimic the provocative behavior of the "female rappers of [her] day", she intended to subdue her sexuality because she "[wants] people—especially young girls—to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sex appeal. You've got to have something else to go with that."^[206][207] The rapper has made autographing breasts part of her movement to empower women.^[208] A New York Timeseditor said that some consider her to be "the most influential female rapper of all time".^[209]

In a Guardian interview, Minaj said she competes with male and female rappers. In "Moment 4 Life", she refers to herself as a "king" rather than a queen.^[210] Early in her career Minaj claimed to be bisexual, but eventually clarified her sexuality in a Rolling Stone interview saying she just did that to get attention: "I think girls are sexy, but I'm not going to lie and say that I date girls."^[211]

Minaj has been called the "black Lady Gaga" because of her costumes and wigs. In one interview, Minaj rejected the comparison,^[212]but in another interview, she said that she is inspired by Gaga's creativity.^[213] Minaj has cited Alexander McQueen, Gianni Versace andChristian Louboutin as her favorite designers.^[214] The Huffington Post described her style as "risk-taking" and "far-out", with "bold sartorial choices";^[215] Yahoo! called her dress "colorful" and "crazy", and "the fashion and music world would certainly be very quiet without Ms Minaj".^[216]

Minaj talked about feminism in an interview with Vogue in 2015, saying "There are things that I do that feminists don't like, and there are things that I do that they do like. I don't label myself."^[217]

Billboard listed Minaj the fourth-most-active musician on social media on its March 2011Social 50 chart.^[218] Minaj is the world's most followed rapper on Instagram.^[219] On Twitter, she is one of the most followed rappers, with over 20 million followers on the app.^[220]

Philanthropy

Minaj performs for service members during the 2010 VH1 Divas Salute the Troops concert

In 2010, Minaj performed for service members during the 2010 VH1 Divas Salute the Troops concert. In 2012, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Minaj donated $15,000 to the Food Bank For New York City and held a turkey drive at her alma mater, PS 45.^[221]

In May 2017, Minaj offered via Twitter to pay college tuition fees and student loans for 30 of her fans. She appeared to grant their requests, ranging from $500 to school supplies to $6,000 for tuition, promising to respond to more requests in a month or two.^[222] She also announced that she would launch an official charity for student loans and tuition payments in the near future.^[223] In the same month, Minaj revealed on Instagramthat she has been donating money to a village in India for a few years via her pastor, Lydia Sloley. These donations helped the village get a computer center, a tailoring institute, a reading program, and two water wells. "This is the kind of thing that makes me feel the most proud", she said about the new additions to the village.^[224]

In August 2017, after Hurricane Harvey hit the city of Houston, Texas, Minaj answered a social media challenge by comedian and actor Kevin Hart and donated $25,000 to theRed Cross, saying she was "praying for everyone there".^[225][226]

Products and endorsements

Minaj has been affiliated with several manufacturing companies and has endorsed a number of products during her career. Her first collaboration was a November 2010 endorsement deal with MAC Cosmetics which sold a lipstick, "Pink 4 Friday", for four consecutive Fridays to promote her albumPink Friday.^[227]

In 2011, Minaj helped introduce the CasioTRYX in Times Square, and created a six-piece nail polish collection for OPI Productswith colors named after her songs.^[228][229]That December, Mattel produced a custom-made, Minaj-themed Barbie doll valued at about $15,000 for auction oncharitybuzz.^[230][231]

Minaj promoting her first fragrance, "Pink Friday", in 2012

In April 2012, Minaj helped launch the Nokia Lumia 900 in Times Square.^[232] The following month, Minaj appeared in television and internet advertisements for Pepsi's "LiveForNow" campaign, which featured a remix of her single "Moment 4 Life".^[233][234]She endorsed the 2012 Viva Glam campaign with Ricky Martin, which raised $270 million for the Mac AIDS Fund.^[235][236]

With designer Jeremy Scott, Minaj signed an endorsement deal with Adidas' fall and winter 2012 campaign to appear in internet advertisements and commercials for Adidas Originals. Set to her song, "Masquerade", her segment of the advertisement was filmed inBrooklyn and also featured Big Sean, Derrick Rose, Sky Ferreira and 2NE1 in other locations worldwide.^[237][238]

In early 2013, Minaj fronted the Viva Glam campaign by herself, which included the introduction of "Nicki 2 lipstick and lip gloss". She also introduced the "Nicki Minaj Collection" clothing line for Kmart, composed of clothing, accessories and housewares.^[239][240] In February 2013,Bluewater Comics announced that Minaj would star in the Fame biographical-comic series, debuting in Fame: Nicki Minaj.^[241] She partnered with Beats Electronics to introduce her "Pink Pill" speakers in April 2013, appearing with DeRay Davis in a commercial for the speakers that same month.^[242][243]

In June 2013, Minaj lead an ad campaign for Myx Fusions, a fruit-infused, single servemoscato wine beverage of which she is a part owner.^[244][245]

Minaj has a prominent fragrance line, which was first launched in September 2012. She partnered with 'Give Back Brands' to introduce her first fragrance, "Pink Friday",^[246] which was nominated for three 2013 FiFi Awards for Fragrance of the Year, Best Packaging, and Media Campaign of the Year.^[247] A "Pink Friday: Special Edition" was released in April 2013.^[248] A deluxe edition version of the fragrance, titled "Pink Friday: Deluxe Edition", was also launched in December 2013.^[249]

Her second fragrance line, "Minajesty", was launched in September 2013.^[250] A flanker fragrance, "Minajesty: Exotic Edition", was released exclusively to the Home Shopping Network in June 2014. This was followed by the launch of her third fragrance line, "Onika", in September 2014.^[251]

In December 2014, Minaj was announced as the new face of the Roberto Cavallispring/summer 2015 campaign.^[252] The campaign images, shot in Los Angeles by Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini, see Minaj posing in flowy bohemian dresses, defined by embroideries and animal prints typical of the Cavalli brand.^[252] On March 30, 2015, it was announced that Minaj is a co-owner of the music streaming service Tidal. The service specializes in lossless audio and high definition music videos. In addition to Minaj and company owner Jay Z, sixteen stakeholders including Beyoncé, Madonna,Rihanna and Kanye West own a 3% equity stake in the service.^[253]

In 2016, Minaj stated she has learned the ins and outs of business so she could do it herself.^[254] In the same year, she launched her new fragrance "Trini Girl".^[255]

Controversies

Disagreements between Minaj and rapperRemy Ma originated in 2007, when Ma took note of Minaj's freestyle record, nicknamed "Dirty Money", from her mixtape Playtime Is Over (2007).^[256] In the record, Minaj recites: "Tell that bitch with the crown to run it likeChris Brown/she won three rounds, I'ma need a hundred thou/like 'Chinatown'—bitches better bow down/oh you ain't know, betcha bitches know now/fuck I got a gun—let her know that I'm the one".^[257] Minaj reportedly never confirmed or denied that the song was about Ma,^[256] however Ma remarked in a 2010 interview, "To this day I still feel like [the song] is a stab at me; I'm gonna [diss Minaj] back for that one".^[258] Although Ma and Minaj shared words of encouragement in recent years,^[259] their relationship soon soured, and they began releasing verses and songs with lyrics aimed at each other, including Ma's "Money Showers" with Fat Joe and Minaj's "Make Love" with Gucci Mane.^[260] On February 25, 2017, Ma released "Shether",^[261]which contained a number of accusations and allegations regarding Minaj's personal and professional life.^[262] On March 3, 2017, during a visit to The Wendy Williams Show, Ma accused Minaj of "trying to keep [her] off of red carpets" and "trying to make sure awards don't go to [her]".^[263] A week later, in an interview hosted by BuzzFeed News, Ma stated that she had second thoughts about releasing the diss track, and commented on the difficulties of being a woman in the music industry.^[264] Minaj subsequently responded with the song "No Frauds",^[265] in which she accused Ma of spreading falsehoods.^[266]

Minaj has been embroiled in a feud with veteran rapper Lil' Kim since her success withPink Friday.^[267] Kim accused Minaj of copying her image saying, "If you are going to steal my swag, you gonna have to pay. Something gotta give. You help me, I help you. That's how it goes to me."^[267] Minaj's single "Roman's Revenge" with Eminem was believed to be a response to Kim's comments,^[268] although she later denied this.^[269] She responded to the situation in an interview with HOT 97'sAngie Martinez saying, "She picked a fight with Foxy, then she picked a fight with Eve, then she picked a fight with Remy, then it wasMrs. Wallace, then it was Nicki Minaj. Every time you in the news, it's 'cause you gettin' at somebody! Where's your music? Put your music out, and when I see your name onBillboard, that's when I'll respond to you. Other than that, goodbye. It's Barbie, bitch."^[270] Lil' Kim reignited the feud with the release of her mixtape Black Friday (the title of which directly referenced Minaj). The artwork portrays Lil' Kim decapitating Minaj with a sword.^[267] A fragment of a diss track called "Tragedy" was released in response by Minaj in April 2011.^[271] Following the release of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, critics suggested that the track "Stupid Hoe"^[272] may have contained attacks directed at Kim. Lil' Kim later suggested in an interview with 105's Breakfast Club that the song "Automatic" was similar to her unreleased material, also calling Minaj "obnoxious" and "catty".^[273]

In November 2012, Minaj accused rock musician Steven Tyler and American journalist Barbara Walters of being racists over comments surrounding her American Idolfeud with Mariah Carey.^[274][275]

In February 2014, Malcolm X's daughter Ilyasah Shabazz voiced her displeasure by the artwork of her slain father used "inappropriately" for Minaj's single "Lookin' Ass Nigga".^[276] A statement from the Malcolm X estate read: "Ms. Minaj's artwork for her single does not depict the truth of Malcolm X's legacy, is completely disrespectful, and in no way is endorsed by [Shabazz or the Malcolm X] family."^[276] Minaj released an apology to the estate,^[276]however the rapper received backlash after remarks were made towards Shabazz in a mixtape recording ("Chi-Raq") that went: "Malcolm X daughter came at me/lookin' ass niggas ain't happy/rolled out with some Latin Kings and some eses in them plain khaki's."^[277]

In 2015, parties between Miley Cyrus and Minaj reached conflict after allegations of Minaj's impolite behavior was reported to The New York Times.^[278] During an onstage appearance at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, words were exchanged between the pair when Minaj stated: "Now, back to this bitch who had a lot to say about me the other day in the press: Miley, what's good?"^[278]Cyrus later relayed that her Times interview was "manipulated".^[278] In 2016, Minaj referenced Cyrus in a remix to Yo Gotti's album track "Down in the DM".^[278]

Personal life

Minaj is the only woman to be featured on theForbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list. She made her first appearance on the list in 2011, earning U.S. $6.5 million from May 2010 to May 2011.^[279] In 2012, she placed eighth on the list, earning U.S. $15.5 million from May 2011 to May 2012.^[280] Minaj rose to the fourth position on the list in 2013, earning U.S. $29 million from June 2012 to June 2013.^[281] She made her fourth consecutive appearance on the list in 2014, earning U.S. $14 million from June 2013 to June 2014.^[282]

Minaj has stated that after her father went torehab and began attending church, he "got saved and started changing his life".^[283] In July 2011, her cousin, Nicholas Telemaque, was murdered near his home in Brooklyn, New York, which she references in her songs "Champion" and "All Things Go".^[284][285]

In late 2014, Minaj separated from her longtime boyfriend Safaree Samuels. They had dated since 2000. Several tracks on The Pinkprint are believed to have been inspired by the end of their relationship.^[286] She also revealed she had an abortion as a teenager in her song "All Things Go".^[287] Minaj began dating rapper Meek Mill in early 2015.^[288] On January 5, 2017, she announced via Twitterthat she had ended their two-year relationship.

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, Minaj has won numerous awards, including six American Music Awards, ten BET Awards, seven BET Hip Hop Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, three MTV Europe Music Awards, two People's Choice Awards, one Soul Train Music Award, and fourTeen Choice Awards.

Between 2011 and 2016, Minaj received a total of 10 Grammy Award nominations. She received her first Grammy nomination in 2010 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Groupfor the single "My Chick Bad" with fellow rapper Ludacris. For the 54th Grammy Awardsin 2012, Minaj received three nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Albumfor her debut album Pink Friday. Minaj received her second nomination for Best Rap Album at the 58th Grammy Awards for The Pinkprint.

Minaj won the American Music Awards forFavorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album in three different years for her first three albums. She has won theMTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video three times, for "Super Bass", "Anaconda", and "Chun-Li", and has won theBest Female Video Award once, for "Starships"

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