Nicki Minaj Biography Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, better known as Nicki Minaj, was born on December 8, 1982, in Trinidad and Tobago. She is a renowned rapper, singer, and songwriter who has earned the title of the “Queen of Rap.” Minaj is widely recognized for her unique and dynamic rap flow, sharp wit, musical versatility, and distinct alter egos. She played a pivotal role in the mainstream resurgence of female rap during the early 2010s. Minaj began her rap career in the early 2000s and gained significant attention with the release of three successful mixtapes between 2007 and 2009. Her debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010), topped the US Billboard 200 chart and recorded the largest sales week for a female rap album in the 21st century. One of the album’s top-five singles, “Super Bass,” went on to receive diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Nicki Minaj Biography
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj on December 8, 1982, in St. James, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, was raised in Queens, New York City. She grew up in a difficult family environment, with a father who struggled with drug addiction but eventually turned his life around after entering rehab and embracing religion. Minaj attended LaGuardia High School, where she studied singing and acting, honing her performance skills. Her big break came when the CEO of Young Money discovered her, leading to her inclusion in “The Carter Edition” of Young Money’s “The Come Up” DVD series. Her impressive rapping abilities caught the attention of Lil Wayne, who began collaborating with her on various mixtapes. In April 2007, Minaj released her debut mixtape, Playtime Is Over. The following year, she dropped another mixtape, Sucka Free, which earned her the title of Female Artist of the Year at the Underground Music Awards.
Nicki Minaj Biography Details
| Born | Onika Tanya Maraj December 8, 1982 (age 42) Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Occupations | Rapper singer songwriter |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Works | Discography songs videography performances |
| Spouse | Kenneth Petty (m. 2019) |
| Children | 1 |
| Category | Singers Bio |
About Nicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter.
- Born: 8 December 1982 (age 42 years), Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- Spouse: Kenneth Petty (m. 2019)
- Full name: Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty
- Parents: Robert Maraj, Carol Maraj
- Siblings: Ming Maraj, Jelani Maraj, Brandon Lamar, Micaiah Maraj
Early Life
Onika Tanya Maraj, known as Nicki Minaj, was born on December 8, 1982, in the Saint James district of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Her father, Robert Maraj (1956–2021), was a financial executive and part-time gospel singer of Dougla (Afro-Trinidadian mother and Indo-Trinidadian father) descent. Her mother, Carol, is also a gospel singer with Afro-Trinidadian roots and worked in payroll and accounting throughout Minaj’s childhood.
Minaj’s father struggled with alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction, which made him abusive toward her mother. In December 1987, he set their house on fire in an act of arson. Minaj has one older brother, Jelani, a younger brother, Micaiah, and a younger sister, Ming. Growing up in Saint James, Minaj and her brother Jelani lived with their grandmother in a household filled with 11 cousins.
How did Nicki Minaj rise to fame?
Born Onika Tanya Maraj in St. James, Trinidad, Minaj faced early hardships. Her father struggled with addiction and violence, even burning down their family home in December 1987. Minaj and her siblings, along with 11 cousins, lived with their grandmother while her mother worked tirelessly to secure a green card. After relocating to Jamaica, Queens, New York, Minaj and her siblings joined their mother once she was stable enough to provide a home.
Minaj initially dreamed of acting and enrolled in New York City’s prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, the same school that inspired Fame. After graduating, she briefly pursued acting in an off-Broadway play. However, financial struggles led her to join the Brooklyn rap group Full Force in 2004. Despite the group’s track being used for WWE Diva Victoria’s entrance music, Minaj left to pursue a solo career, leveraging her MySpace page to approach labels directly.
What is Nicki Minaj’s net worth
Nicki Minaj’s net worth for 2025 is estimated at $150 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. While music is her main source of income, Minaj also rakes in revenue from endorsements and product lines. She has been the face of Myx Moscato since before the success of “Starships,” owns a fragrance line, and has had partnerships with Beats By Dre, Activision, Adidas, Pepsi, and more throughout her career. Moreover, when Minaj signed with Young Money, she retained 360 rights—meaning merchandising, publishing, sponsorships, touring, and more would go directly to her, not the label. This is a huge deal for any artist savvy enough to secure such terms.
Who is wealthier, Cardi B or Nicki Minaj?
As of 2024, Nicki Minaj is wealthier than her rival Cardi B, whose net worth stands at an estimated $80 million.
How much did Nicki Minaj make for Call of Duty?
In the summer of 2023, Minaj became the first woman operator in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. While her exact earnings haven’t been disclosed, it’s known to be a multi-million dollar deal, especially since Cardi B turned down the offer due to legal issues.
How much did Nicki Minaj get paid for the Barbie movie?
The amount Minaj earned for her single “Barbie World” with Ice Spice, which was featured on the Barbie movie soundtrack, is unknown.
How much did Nicki Minaj’s acrylic nail sell for?
An acrylic nail Minaj wore during her 2022 MTV Video Music Awards performance was reportedly sold on eBay for $55,000. While the seller received the full amount, it still adds a bragging right to Minaj’s collection.
How much did Nicki Minaj make for Steven Universe?
Minaj’s cameo as Sugilite in Steven Universe was a fan favorite, but the exact pay for her role is unclear. It is believed that she earned much less than expected, particularly when factoring in residuals and the show’s SAG-AFTRA deals. How much did Nicki Minaj earn from “Anaconda”? While Minaj’s exact earnings from “Anaconda” are unknown, the track became an immense success, breaking Vevo’s 24-hour streaming record with 19.6 million views on its release day. By 2021, the song became the first solo female rap song to hit 1 billion views. It sold over 1.3 million digital copies in the U.S. alone, earning multiple platinum certifications.
How much did Nicki Minaj get paid for American Idol?
Nicki Minaj served as a judge on American Idol for one season in 2013, earning $12 million, according to Billboard. However, she and fellow judge Mariah Carey did not return after the experience.
How much does Nicki Minaj make per year?
Minaj’s estimated annual income is around $10 million, although this figure can vary depending on her projects and release schedule.
How much does Nicki Minaj make per show?
Minaj’s income per show fluctuates. For her Pinkprint Tour, she grossed $22 million across 55 shows, averaging about $400,000 per performance. The actual amount she received per show would be lower after splitting the revenue with ticket brokers, venues, opening acts, and other parties involved.
How much does Nicki Minaj charge for a feature?
Minaj has reportedly said that she charges $250,000 for a verse, although some reports suggest she could demand $500,000 per feature.
How much does Nicki Minaj make per Instagram post?
With her massive following of 226 million (and counting), Minaj is estimated to earn about $650,000 for a sponsored Instagram post. This figure, while not fully verified, is plausible for a star of her magnitude.