Video: Kanye West's "Monster"

It's Roman Vs. Nicki in this long awaited video! (Warning: the audio sucks)

MySpace Artist Of The Year

If you want to know how in demand Nicki Minaj was in 2010, try naming her your Artist Of The Year.

Earlier this month I was set to catch up with Minaj at a People magazine shoot in a spacious studio in Los Angeles’ Culver City neighborhood. Things were running behind—as they often do when you are on the set of a photo shoot for a colossal national magazine—and soon Minaj was jumping into an idling Escalade for the quick drive over to a Westside soundstage, where she was due to film an episode of Chelsea Lately.

No problem, I thought—I’ll just sit down with her in her dressing room backstage. But moments after discussing such pressing matters as gender roles and the size of her booty with host Chelsea Handler, Minaj was back in the Escalade, high-tailing it to the airport in order to catch a red-eye back to New York. And just like that, my interview was over before it had started.



From there, however, the plan became to hook up a few days later, when she was back in Los Angeles to shoot a video for her Drake-assisted album cut “Moment 4 Life.” Even if you didn’t know about the ensuing case of laryngitis she was diagnosed with—coming just before the video shoot and shortly after celebrating her 26th birthday in Las Vegas—you can imagine how this turned out. I never was granted an audience with the personality-and-wig-swapping superstar.

But then again, did I really need to?

In 2010, Nicki Minaj was absolutely everywhere.

This year, she sang, rapped and talked her ass off—and, in a way, it was almost fitting that by the time she returned to Los Angeles, she had essentially lost her voice. Yet, even if she couldn’t physically accept the honor, there was no doubt that the Trinidad native was our Artist Of The Year: Throughout the past 12 months, no one seemed to embody the evolving state of the record industry—or found as interesting a way to succeed within it—more than she did.

Whereas many pop star-wannabes spent the past year honing their image and sound, Minaj appeared, in the lean months of 2010, seemingly fully formed. She also seemed to be in a tremendous hurry, lending what would we come to know as her trademark style—equal parts furious rhymes, playful voice swapping tricks and an arresting visual presence—to a bevy of other artists’ tracks. By April, she had already appeared on Mariah Carey’s “Up Out My Face,” Ludacris’ “My Chick Bad,” and Usher’s “Lil Freak,” just to name a few.

But it was her flame-throwing verse on Kanye West’s “Monster” (in which she delivered the now immortal line, “First things first, I’ll eat your brains”) that changed the public’s perception of her forever. Originally released in August as a free download through West’s G.O.O.D. Friday campaign, Minaj accomplished more in 90 seconds than most female rappers did all year, pulling off the herculean feat of besting rap legends like West and muther-effin’ Jay-Z (who, as luck would have it, asked Minaj to perform the song with he and West this past September, at a modest venue in the Bronx called Yankee Stadium).

“Monster” was a where-were-you-when-Kennedy-was-shot?-type moment for Minaj and its gravity was certainly not lost on those who were in the studio when she laid down her now-legendary rhymes. “I was [there] when she did her verse,” recalls Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, who, to the shock of indie-rock bloggers everywhere, also contributed vocals to the track. “I remember thinking that it was one of the best verses I had ever heard, but thought it might be the fact that I was sitting in the actual studio and getting my mind blown doing that. Still to this day, though, the verse has complete control over everything. It’s perfect.”

Minaj, of course, didn’t invent the cameo strategy that made her inclusion on tracks like “Monster” so life altering. In 2010, Bruno Mars followed a similar route to stardom, appearing on ubiquitous pop hits like “Nothin’ On You” by B.o.B. and “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy before dropping his solo debut, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, in October. However, you would be hard pressed to find another artist who proved as vividly as Minaj did that this could be not only a sustainable new industry archetype, but also a hugely successful one.

“Nicki made herself (a star) by just being who she is,” says Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, who was in the studio when Minaj laid down her epic verse for Kanye’s “Monster.”

In total, Minaj was featured on over a dozen different tracks throughout the first nine months of 2010, and nearly all of them became chart-topping smashes. There was a week in October where she had seven singles charting in the Billboard Top 200—at the same time. And while certainly these towering numbers were bound to impress new fans, what was most intriguing about Minaj’s rise is that—in an era when instant-celebrity status has replaced the need for an actual career—she felt like a legitimate star worth rallying around.

“She doesn’t seem to give a fuck,” says Vernon, who ended the year performing at the Bowery Ballroom in New York alongside Minaj, West and practically everyone else who appeared on Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. “Yet she gives a serious fuck about the right things. You can make people into stars—just about anybody, I’ve learned. Nicki made herself one by just being who she is.”

Like many who are close to Minaj, Cash Money Records co-founder Bryan “Birdman” Williams attributes much of Minaj’s attention-getting ability to the fact that she put in years worth of work before taking center stage. After Lil Wayne discovered her delivering a spitfire verse on a hip-hop DVD, and quickly had her to signed to his Young Money Entertainment label (an imprint under Cash Money Records), Williams says that Minaj “did two or three tours with us, just sitting on the sidelines watching” in order to learn the ropes.

“She didn’t know how much grinding we do,” Williams explains, calling from the office he keeps in New York to handle the business of what—thanks to the success of stars like Drake and Minaj—is turning out to be the biggest rap imprint in the Western World. “But,” Williams is quick to add, “she learned that by being around us. So when her turn came, she painted a picture that people liked. It used to be that rappers just rapped. Nowadays, Nicki got a style no other female out there have.”

That style, though, is still in the process of revealing itself, as her hugely anticipated debut album, Pink Friday, demonstrated with a handful of surprisingly tender, R&B-accented cuts. Songs like Minaj’s current hit “Right Thru Me” abandoned her animated flow in favor of a sound that felt more parts Keri Hilson than Kanye mixtape. Not every fan of Minaj’s furious guest spots warmed to this development: One noted critic took to Twitter to ask Minaj’s label to send him a copy of Pink Friday so that he could burn the album’s elastic, Eminem-aided freak out “Roman’s Revenge” and then smash the rest of the CD into pieces.

For others, though, pop-wise tracks like “Fly” and “Right Thru Me” simply illustrate how difficult Minaj is to categorize, a quality that has kept the majority of her fanbase firmly by her side. When it was released this past November, Pink Friday marked the highest first week sales ever for a female rapper and has gone on to sell over half-a-million copies—an amazing number for an artist whose career seemed to question the necessity for releasing an album at all.

However, what Pink Friday really seemed to accomplish for Minaj is that it set the stage for what should be an incredibly thrilling—not to mention long-lasting—musical future. “Nicki feels like a rapper that will not fall through the layers of history,” Vernon says, echoing the sentiments of many this year. “[She’s] someone that will be speaking to many—for decades.”

'Pink Friday' Hits Number One

Congrats to Onika on having the number one rap album in the country on Pink Friday's fourth week.

Video: Nicki On New Video Set

Nicki reflects on her success with Sway on the set of "Moment 4 Life"!

Video: Nicki's Holiday Plans

'Pink Friday' Certified Gold

After only three weeks of being released, Nicki Minaj’s debut album Pink Friday is certified gold! This week, Nicki outsells Kanye West moving 81,870 units bumping it up 2 spots on the Billboard's 200 from #8 to #6. Pink Friday has scanned a total of 560,992 units in the United States alone! Congratulations, Nicki!

Music: "Roman's Revenge" Remix (f Busta Rhymes)

If you're among the younger Barbz and Kenz out there, you may not know that "Roman's Revenge" takes its chorus ("Rahh, rahh like a dungeon dragon") from none other than Busta Rhymes. Busta jumped on the remix at Nicki's recent Hammerstein Ballroom show, and Funk Flex posted this rough studio version. Enjoy!

Video: Nicki On Chelsea Lately

Video: MTV's #5 Woman Of The Year

Photos: Nicki In XXL Magazine

Video: "Monster" Video Preview

Happy Birthday, Nicki!

Today is Onika's 26th birthday. Send your wishes to HB via Twitter @NickiMinaj.

Video: Nicki On Lopez Tonight

Video: Nicki At VH1 Divas

Nicki brought down the house at this year's VH1 Divas show, which this time around was a USO show and salute to the troops, and just aired last night.  Currently only fan videos are available, which I normally don't post, but thanks to these lucky soldiers we get to see Nicki do "Moment 4 Life" as well as the songs that made it to air, "Right Thru Me" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" with Katy Perry.  You can also check out Nicki backstage with Keri Hilson, and a tiny behind the scenes interview at rehearsals.

Photo/Video: Nicki Minaj: Styled To A 'T'

The Girl

Nicki Minaj, the first female rapper to top the Billboard rap chart since Missy Elliott.

The Trend

Swim cocktail! Doing laps in the resort collections at Lanvin, Marc Jacobs and Chanel.

The Look

Yves Saint Laurent bandeau and skirt in water’s-edge-friendly toile.

Nicki Minaj is all things to all people — well, at least she is to herself. Since she burst on the scene as the mistress of the mix tape two years ago, the 26-year-old Trinidad-born rapper has assumed enough personalities to rival Sybil. Minaj has affected alter egos from Harajuku Barbie to Monica Lewinsky and her latest incarnation, Roman Zolanski. Now with a chart-topping debut album, Pink Friday, the Young Money princess is playing a new role: superstar.

This is quite the month for my favorite femcee. You have the new CD, a new MTV documentary and a new lipstick for MAC. If you’re not careful, you’re going to end up turning into Oprah and ruling the world.

Yes! I hope so. I love me some Oprah. It’s the beginning stage but I never imagined in a million years that this would be happening. It’s quite surreal.

Are you happy with your first CD?

Of course! It’s amazing. Honestly, sometimes I get tired of some of the songs because they have been with me for so long but overall I never imagined that it would be something that I would cherish so much and be so proud of. Obviously, I’ve done mix tapes before but having the album out feels like I am finally a real artist, like I have the stamp of approval as an artist from myself.

You’re ready to be the superhero and not just the sidekick?

Exactly. That’s why in “Roman’s Revenge,” the song I do with Eminem, I say “I am not Jasmine, I’m Aladdin.” It’s time for the girl to be the main character, you know?

Well, you’ve always been a superhero to me and part of your weaponry has always been your makeup. It’s fitting that you now have your own lipstick.

Isn’t it cool? Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m inspired by color and everyone knows I love pink. Actually, when I was first doing shoots people would always ask me to change my color of lipstick. Normally people wear different lipsticks, but pink is my thing and to change it would be like me changing my name when I walk out of the door.

A lot is made about your costumery, but tell me a bit about your personal style.

When I’m just at home or in the studio, I’d rather be chill. I like to dress down on my personal time but when it’s time to go out it’s on. I do like a pop of color.

And I know you have been vocal in saying that it’s not all sex all the time, but you always wear body-con stuff.

Yeah, but to me it’s less about wearing the tightest thing than wearing what makes me feel confident. Sometimes if something is too tight I’m not confident, I’m like, Don’t look!

I saw your documentary, “My Time Now,” and I have to say that parts of it, like when you cry talking about your grandmother’s passing, are heartbreaking. How hard is it to open up like that and talk about things like your dad doing crack?

It’s very hard and to be honest, he kind of caught me off guard when he asked me about my grandmother. I wasn’t prepared to answer that question. But that’s when you get the raw emotion and if being open about the things that have happened in my life inspires someone then it’s cool with me. I’ve done my part.

I thought it was also very important to show you in the studio, producing, writing on the fly, showing yourself as a creative person.

Well, it’s hard to be a female rapper but it’s more tough being credited with the work that you put in as a female rapper because people assume that you’re not the brains behind the operation or that you’re not the one writing these lyrics. So letting people come into my world and see that I am doing these things is good for all girls.

That brings up an interesting point because I would be pretty remiss not to mention your spat with Lil’ Kim. When she badmouths you and others doesn’t that just make it even harder for female rappers?

It does, it does. But the thing that I want to promote is that if you see someone doing their thing, give them their props. We all have it hard and face the same challenges as female emcees. Show some mutual love and respect for each other so that it doesn’t get nasty. And she can be a nasty character.

Speaking of characters, I wasn’t sure which of your alter egos would show up today. I was hoping for Roman.

[Nicki Minaj laughs and puts on a thick English accent.] Sometimes if it’s really early in the morning, Roman gets cranky and doesn’t want to get out of bed. Roman is lazy, you know, he wants to stay out all night and not wake up so I send Nicki out into the world. Roman has to be conjured up and now you’ve conjured him.

You’ve said that Roman is a sister. Please tell me he helps out with your hair and makeup.

Of course. Roman is leading the way when it comes to makeup and hair. He’s gay!

Nicki Gets Her First Grammy Nomination

Congrats to Miss Minaj on her first ever Grammy nomination!  She is up for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group with Ludacris for "My Chick Bad".  The big show will air live from L.A.’s Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Video: Your First Look At "Monster"

This sneak peek of Kanye West, Jay Z, and Nicki Minaj's upcoming video (with Rick Ross) gives us a few behind the scenes moments and gives you an overall feel for the clip. Can't wait for its premiere!

Nicki On Her Record Breaking 1st Week Sales

Nicki also reveals that her next two videos are "Moment 4 Life" and "Save Me".

Nicki Talks To Elle Magazine

When you hear the 5’2’’ neon-wig-wearing Nicki Minaj spitting out growls, cartoon voices, and tightly wound lyrics on verses for Mariah Carey, Usher, Kanye West, Ludacris, Drake, and Lil Wayne, it’s obvious why the critical masses have dubbed her Lil’ Kim 2.0. (Not that Kim’s too pleased with the comparison—this past summer, she accused Minaj of cribbing her style.) But the 25-year-old Queens native, who grew up listening to Salt-N-Pepa and Lauryn Hill, is more concerned about keeping up with the boys. “When I write, I don’t try to compete with any other female rapper,” she says. “The only way you’re going to push your pen is to think, I’ve got to shut these dudes down.” And that’s coming from the only female rapper signed to Cash Money Records, which released Pink Friday last week, a debut ­album filled with boombastic club anthems sung by her alter ego, “Roman Zolanski,” ­collaborations with Will.I.Am and Drake, and so-bizarre-they-work hooks (she samples Annie Lennox in the slow-jam single “Your Love,” check it out below).



You have a few alter egos, so who am I talking to? Nicki the Ninja? Nicki the Boss?

You’re definitely talking to the Boss right now. I don’t think I even go by Ninja and Boss anymore, I just go by Nicki Minaj and Barbie.

Wait, but who is Roman Zolanski?

Roman is a weird little alter ego who is very flamboyant and doesn’t give a damn. You know when I’m doing really weird voices, growling, being real crazy, and talking like Anna Nicole Smith? That’s Roman.

Ah okay. I think I get it.

Roman rapped on “Bottoms Up” with Trey Songz. And then Barbie rapped on "Your Love". I think I just confused you ten times more.

What’s the craziest request for a verse you’ve ever gotten?

I’ve turned down like a billion of requests for sexually explicit lyrics. People just have to just start understanding that it’s not the only thing I have to talk about, it’s not the only thing I want to talk about, it’s not the only thing I’m going to talk about. I just have to take control of my brand because longevity is very important to me, and I wasn’t just going to please a couple of people then look back, and think “Wow, what did I just do to myself?” So I had turn a lot of people down, and there are a lot of people who were offended. I won’t name names, but they have to get over it.

Speaking of sex, I heard that your fans ask you sign their boobs?

Oh yeah, big boobs, little boobs, dry boobs, sweaty boobs, they don’t care. It doesn’t seem weird, though. It feels so empowering, and the girls are so happy about it. I really don’t even remember the first boob I signed, but now I can’t go anywhere without signing at least a hundred.