Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982),[3][4] known professionally as Nicki Minaj (/mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is a Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper, singer, and songwriter.[5] Born in Saint James, Port of Spain, and raised in Queens, New York City, she gained public recognition after releasing the mixtapes Playtime Is Over (2007), Sucka Free (2008), and Beam Me Up Scotty (2009).After signing with Young Money Entertainment in 2009, Minaj released her first studio album, rosa Friday (2010), which peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was ultimately certified triple platinum da the Recording...