After becoming involved with dancing, music and acting in high school in New York City, she eventually pursued her passion for rapping.

Her debut studio album, Pink Friday, was released in November 2010, topping the US Billboard 200 and has since been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

[4] The album's lead single, "Starships", peaked at number five on the Hot 100 and reached the top ten in multiple other countries.

In 2020, Minaj scored her first number-one single on the Hot 100 after featuring on the remix of Doja Cat's "Say So"; marking the first collaboration between two female rap artists to top the chart.

[9] Since 2010, Minaj has accumulated 147 chart entries on the Hot 100 (including featured credits) and has scored 23 top ten singles in her career, giving her the most among female rappers.