Born on December 8, 1982, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, better known as Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian-born rapper and singer making waves in the United States. Often hailed as the "Queen of Rap," Minaj is celebrated for her dynamic musical range, distinctive animated rap style, use of alter egos, and her impact on the music industry. She rose to prominence following the release of her three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009.

Her first studio album, Pink Friday, released in 2010, soared to the top of the US Billboard 200 chart. Its standout single "Super Bass" not only reached the top three on the US Billboard Hot 100 but also earned a diamond certification from the RIAA. Minaj continued her success with Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded in 2012, delving into dance-pop and topping the Billboard 200. Its hit single "Starships" enjoyed international chart success. In 2014, her third album, The Pinkprint, marked a return to hip hop and delved into more personal themes. The album's famous single "Anaconda" reached number two on the Hot 100 and was the first music video by a solo female rapper to surpass one billion views on YouTube. Her fourth album, Queen, released in 2018, featured the top ten hit "Chun-Li". In 2019, her collaboration on "Tusa" with Karol G achieved notable success in Argentina. Minaj's collaborations "Say So" with Doja Cat and "Trollz" with 6ix9ine in 2020 became her first two Hot 100 number-one singles. Her first solo number-one hit, "Super Freaky Girl," led her fifth studio album Pink Friday 2, released in 2023.

Minaj is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 100 million records sold globally. She is recognized by Billboard as the top-selling female rapper of the 2010s and one of the greatest rappers of all time. She holds the record for the most top 10 singles by a female rapper in the US, with twenty-three, including six solo tracks. Her numerous awards include eight American Music Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards (including the 2022 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award), twelve BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, a Brit Award, three Guinness World Records, and twelve Grammy nominations. Minaj has also ventured into film and television, with voice roles in "Ice Age: Continental Drift" and "The Angry Birds Movie 2," acting roles in "The Other Woman" and "Barbershop: The Next Cut," and a judging stint on "American Idol." In 2016, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Minaj is known for her outspokenness, social media presence, and the significant media attention garnered by her fanbase and public disputes.