TheGrio’s 100: Nicki Minaj, new ‘queen of hip-hop’ rules the charts

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Badass Barbie Nicki Minaj was breaking hearts and Billboard records even before her debut LP, Pink Friday, dropped in November. The Young Money member has already gained approval from the biggest names in the rap game — from Jay Z, who recommended her for Robin Thicke’s single “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy,” to Kanye West, who says she could be one of the best MCs of all time.

Nicki Minaj is making history … as the new queen of hip-hop, according to none other than Rolling Stone. The magazine crowned Trinidad-born, Queens, N.Y.-bred raptress Minaj in December, the same month Pink Friday peaked on the Billboard Top 200 as the 2nd fastest-selling album in the country. Minaj’s 2010 break-out from mix-tape queen to national sensation was propelled by her relationship with Lil Wayne, who invited her into hip-hop super group Young Money, and put her on chart-topping single “Bedrock.”

What’s next for Nicki?

Minaj says her five-year plan includes acting in films, albums that feature her singing as much as rapping, a perfume line and a clothing line.

In her own words …

“I have a lot of freedom to be crazy. I can rap in a London accent, make weird faces, wear spandex, wigs, and black lipstick. I can be more creative than the average male rapper. And I can show my boobs. Guys can’t do that.”

A little-known fact …

Nicki Minaj is breaking records set by the likes of Lil Kim and Missy Elliot. Both “Bedrock” and “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy,” along with five other songs featuring Minaj, hit Billboard’s 200 singles chart by June, breaking a record number of hit singles in a year for female rappers set by Lil Kim.

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