DJ Khaled
Background information
Birth name	Khaled Bin Abdul Khaled
Born	(1975-11-26) November 26, 1975 (age 36) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Origin	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Disc jockey, radio personality, record producer & rapper
Years active	1998–present
Labels	We the Best, Terror Squad, Cash Money, Universal Republic
Associated acts	Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Akon, Cool & Dre, T-Pain, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy, Ace Hood, Pitbull, Ludacris, Drake, Birdman, Young Jeezy, Busta Rhymes, Plies
Website	www.myspace.com/djkhaled

Khaled Bin Abdul Khaled (born November 26, 1975),^[1] better known by his stage name DJ Khaled, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, rapper & record label executive. He is a radio host for the Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR and the DJ for the hip hop group Terror Squad. In 2006, Khaled released his debut album Listennn... the Album. He went on to release We the Best (2007), We Global (2008), Victory (2010), and We the Best Forever (2011). In 2009, Khaled became the president of record label Def Jam South.

Biography[link]

Khaled was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[2][3] He is of Palestinian descent^[1] and lives in Sunny Isles, Florida.^[4] Currently, he hosts the weeknight program TakeOver on Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR with fellow host K. Foxx; Khaled states that he has worked for the station professionally since 2003. Early in his career he dj'd for a south Florida regional station Power 96.5 FM.^[2] In 1998, Khaled worked as a "sidekick" for Miami rapper Luther Campbell for Campbell's Friday night WEDR radio show The Luke Show.^[5] In his albums, Khaled usually provides "shoutouts" that assert his representation of "the ghetto" and urges people to listen.^[6] From 2004 to 2006, Khaled assisted in the production of the hip-hop albums Real Talk by Fabolous, True Story by Terror Squad, All or Nothing by Fat Joe, and Me, Myself, & I by Fat Joe.^[7] Many of DJ Khaled's songs are known to entice the listener by hip hop chanting his name before the song starts. Khaled represents the Kendall area of Miami. He is Muslim. He is currently engaged to Nicole Tuck.

[edit] 2006: Listennn... the Album

On June 6, 2006, his debut album Listennn... the Album was released by Koch Records; it premiered on the Billboard 200 chart at #12.^[8]

[edit] 2007: We the Best

We the Best followed in 2007 with singles "I'm So Hood" with T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Plies, and Rick Ross and "We Takin' Over" with Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, and Lil Wayne. "We Takin' Over" peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #11 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 20, 2007.^[9] Khaled made a guest appearance on the single "100 Million" from Birdman's 2007 album 5 * Stunna; the single also featured Rick Ross, Dre, Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. That year, Khaled won two Ozone Awards: one for Best Video ("We Takin' Over") and another for Best Radio DJ.^[10]

[edit] 2008–2009: We Global

In 2008, Khaled's third album We Global came out with singles "Out Here Grindin" with Akon, Rick Ross, Lil' Boosie, Trick Daddy, Ace Hood, and Plies, followed by "Go Hard" featuring Kanye West and T-Pain. RIAA certified the single "I'm So Hood" Platinum on June 4, 2008.^[9] That year, Khaled won DJ of the Year awards from the BET Hip Hop Awards and Ozone Awards.^[11][12]

He was appointed the president of Def Jam South in 2009.^[13]

[edit] 2009–2010: Victory

His fourth studio is titled Victory and was released in early 2010. The album featured guest appearances from Drake, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Nelly and more. The single "All I Do Is Win" featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg and T-Pain was certified as a double-platinum single. Other singles include: "Put Your Hands Up" featuring Ross, Young Jeezy, Plies and Schife, and "Fed Up" featuring Usher, Drake, Ross and Jeezy. The album had low sales and debuted at #12 on the Billboard 200.

[edit] 2011–present: We the Best Forever & Kiss the Ring

DJ Khaled announced the title of the album, We the Best Forever, on Twitter.^[14] On August 19, Khaled signed to Cash Money Records along to Universal Motown, the album will be released under the label, also under E1 Entertainment, Terror Squad, Def Jam South and Khaled's own label We the Best Music Group, with confirmed guests as Fat Joe, Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, Cee Lo Green, Cool & Dre, Rick Ross, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Birdman, Lil Wayne, T.I., Akon, Drake and Nicki Minaj^{[15][16][17][18]} The first single titled "Welcome to My Hood", featuring Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne and T-Pain was released in January 13 of 2011, which was produced by The Renegades, and co-produced by DJ Khaled himself and The Nasty Beatmakers. The song is the first released under Cash Money Records and Universal Motown,^[19] a music video was filmed in Miami, Florida and directed by Gil Green, featuring cameos by Flo Rida, Bow Wow, Busta Rhymes, and other artists.^[20] The next single, "I'm On One", featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, was released on May 20, 2011. It debuted at #10 on the Hot 100, becoming Khaled's and Ross' highest charting song. "I'm The One" also reached the number-one spot on the Rap and Hip-Hop/R&B Songs charts, becoming Khaled's first #1 song on both charts. It was #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart for 11 non-consecutive weeks, and on the Rap chart for 13 consecutive weeks, the third most of any rap song on the latter chart. The song also got a triple-platinum certification, which is Khaled's and Ross' first. We the Best Forever debuted on the Billboard 200 at #5, selling 53,000 copies. It is his most successful album. The album also debuted at #1 on the Rap Albums chart, becoming his first number-one album on that chart. On December 10, 2011 DJ Khaled announced the title of his next album, Kiss The Ring, via a video, with the release date as "coming soon", presumed 2012.^[21] DJ Khaled is working on the project with T-Pain, R. Kelly, Nas, Plies, Ice Cube, Ace Hood, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie, Rick Ross & Maybach Music Group artists (Meek Mill & More), Drake, Young Money & Cash Money artists and many more. Khaled mentioned that he has a verse from someone very special. The first single released was "Take It to the Head" featuring Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne.

Performances[link]

DJ Khaled performed at BET Awards 2011 with Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne which aired on June 26, 2011.^[22]

Discography[link]

• 2006: Listennn... the Album
• 2007: We the Best
• 2008: We Global
• 2010: Victory
• 2011: We the Best Forever
• 2012: Kiss the Ring^[21][23]

Awards and nominations[link]

• BET Awards
  • 2008, Best Collaboration ("I'm So Hood (Remix)") with Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross (Nominated)^[24]

• BET Hip Hop Awards
  • 2009, DJ of the Year (nominated)
  • 2008, DJ of the Year (Won)^[25]
  • 2008, MVP of the Year (nominated)^[26]
  • 2008, Best Collabo ("I'm So Hood (Remix)") with Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross (Won)^[27]
  • 2007, People's Champ Award ("We Takin' Over") with Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Lil Wayne (nominated)^[28]
  • 2007, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("We Takin' Over") with Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Lil Wayne (nominated)^[29]

• Grammy Awards
  • 2012, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "I'm On One" (nominated)w/ Drake, Lil' Wayne, Rick Ross & Birdman

• Ozone Awards
  • 2008, DJ of the Year (Won)^[30]

References[link]

External links[link]

• DJ Khaled on Myspace
• DJ Khaled on Twitter
• DJ Khaled at Allmusic

Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Jay Wayne Jenkins
Also known as	Lil J
Born	(1977-10-12) October 12, 1977 (age 34) Columbia, South Carolina[1]
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter
Years active	2001–present
Labels	CTE World/Def Jam, Def Jam South
Associated acts	USDA, Akon
Website	http://youngjeezy.defjam.com

Jay Wayne Jenkins (born October 12, 1977),^[1] better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America (USDA) and a former member of BMF (Black Mafia Family). He began his career in 2001 under an independent label and joined Boyz 'N Da Hood in 2005, the same year his solo major label debut Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 was released. Its single "Soul Survivor", which featured Akon, became a top-ten hit in the US.

The Inspiration followed in 2006, and The Recession followed in 2008; both albums yielded chart-topping singles. Jeezy has also appeared on numerous other rap and R&B singles such as "Say I" by Christina Milian, "I'm So Paid" by Akon, "Hard" by Rihanna, and "Love in This Club" by Usher, the latter being a number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2008.

Early life[link]

Jay Wayne Jenkins was born in Columbia, South Carolina^[1] and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia when he was a toddler.^[2][3] Because his parents were separated, custody of him transferred between family members frequently. In an interview with XXL magazine, he described his childhood as "empty". In 1994, he spent nine months in YCA (Youth Challenge Academy), a boot camp in Fort Stewart, Georgia, for narcotics possession.^[4]

Music career[link]

Independent debut[link]

Jeezy released his first independent album, Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.), in 2001 under the name Lil J.^[5] It featured artists such as Freddy J.,Kinky B, Fidank, and Lil Jon, who also produced some of the tracks. In 2003, Jeezy released (also independently) Come Shop wit Me, a two CD set featuring completely new tracks with some songs from T.U.I. Jeezy signed with Bad Boy Records in 2004 and joined the group Boyz n da Hood, whose self-titled album was released in June 2005 and peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 albums charts.

[edit] Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005)

In May 2004, Jazze Pha's manager Henry 'Noonie' Lee showed Young Jeezy's demo to his friend Shakir Stewart, Vice President Artist and Repertoire (VP A&R) at Def Jam.^[6] Stewart "fell in love with it [the demo] the first time [he] heard it" and took it to L.A. Reid.^[6] Reid recognised the talent and gave Stewart the green light to sign him.^[6] As the "hottest thing on the street" at the time, various labels - including Warner and Interscope – were after his signature. However, Jeezy decided he wanted to be in business with Stewart and Reid. As a result, signed with Def Jam Records.^[6]

Jeezy's major label debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, was released on July 26, 2005. He debuted at #2, selling 172,000 copies in its first week.^[7] It spawned several hit singles such as "Soul Survivor" featuring Akon. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts. "And Then What" featuring Mannie Fresh, which reached #67 on the Hot 100 and #13 on the Hot Rap Tracks. "My Hood", #19 on the Rap chart. In an interview with HitQuarters, A&R Shakir Stewart said that Jeezy had recorded over 60 songs for the album.^[6]

Jeezy partially wrote and performed on Gucci Mane's song, "Icy". Supposedly, Jeezy was never paid properly for his services. Those in Gucci Mane's camp have suggested that gang members from the Mechanicsville area attacked Gucci Mane to defend Jeezy's honor.^[8] Jeezy put out a track called "Stay Strapped" dissing Gucci Mane to the beat of "T.I.'s" song "A.S.A.P." Jeezy responded to Gucci Mane's, while rapping "even his own momma know, Radric Davis a bitch". In a recent Cutmaster C mixtape, The Hood News Page 3: Jay-Z Boycotts Cristal, Gucci disses Jeezy along with Jay Z in his track, "745". Jeezy addresses Gucci back on the same mixtape. While on the track "Break It Down", featuring Cmillz. On "Streets On Lock", from The Inspiration, Jeezy addressed Gucci Mane again, saying "What type of real nigga name himself after a bag?/Nigga you's a hoe, a Louis Vuitton fag". Towards the end of 2009, DJ Drama brought Young Jeezy to the radio station and called Gucci Mane to settle the beef once and for all. The two stopped feuding but throughout early 2010, the crews of Jeezy & Gucci (CTE & Brick Squad) have been in and out altercations with each other despite the fact Jeezy & Gucci have nothing to do with that. In 2011, Jeezy plans to release a new single featuring DJ Spluge and the rest of the Gangster Brigade.

In interviews and on several records, Jeezy has affirmed his resistance to commercialism in his music.^[9] Maintaining his street credibility, according to Jeezy, is of the utmost concern to him as an artist.^[4] In 2005, Jeezy was featured in several popular hip hop songs including Gucci Mane's "Icy"^[10] and Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz". Due to having a successful solo career, he left the group. From time to time he still keeps in contact with a few of the members, but in early 2010 Jeezy & Jody Breeze (who is still a member of Boyz N Da Hood) began to diss each other which started a new beef between the two.

[edit] The Inspiration, U.S.D.A. (2006–2007)

In 2006, he was featured in Christina Milian's single "Say I". Jeezy's second major label album was The Inspiration, released in 2006. The album's first single "I Luv It" peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Bury Me A G" and "Go Getta" featuring R. Kelly, and "Dreamin’" featuring Keyshia Cole followed.

He also portrayed himself in the hip-hop fighting themed game Def Jam: Icon. In 2007, Jeezy released Cold Summer, an album by rap group USDA which consists of Jeezy, Blood Raw, Slick Pulla, 2Eleven and Boo Rossini.^{[citation needed]}

Jeezy presented a week-long toy drive and charity event series with his CTE family with the first annual Toyz n da Hood toy drive. The series presented 1,000 toys for 1,000 kids at various locations in Macon and Atlanta, which began on December 17, 2007, with the CTE Christmas Kickoff from 10 pm to 5 am at Club Miami. The toy giveaway took place in the Unionville neighborhood of Macon and at the Old Fourth Ward Community in Atlanta.^[11]

[edit] The Recession (2008)

His third album, The Recession, was released in 2008. "Put On" featuring Kanye West was the lead single, which also led to a Grammy Nomination for Best Rap performance by a duo, but it came short. Put On was followed by "Vacation", "Crazy World", "My President" with Nas, and "Who Dat" to complete the Recession's singles. Jeezy appeared on the R&B singles "Love in This Club" by Usher and "I'm So Paid" by Akon (also with Lil Wayne). "Love in This Club" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later, he performed on Ciara's single "Never Ever", from her album Fantasy Ride.^[12]

In the summer of 2008, Jeezy was at the center of a controversy over his choice for president. While he had previously endorsed Barack Obama, he spoke about meeting and supporting John McCain during an interview with Vibe magazine. The statement caused a stir, and Jeezy quickly clarified his choice, via a viral video. In the four-minute explanation, Jeezy made it clear, Obama was his main choice. "I represent the Democratic party. ... I've never been nor do I ever plan to be a John McCain supporter", the rapper said. "I support Barack Obama."^[13] Jeezy and Jay-Z performed in a concert to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 18, 2009.^[14] On The O'Reilly Factor, commentator Bill O'Reilly criticized their performance as a "rant that offended people",^[15] but Jeezy responded: "I got white friends. It's nothing like that. I'm a taxpayer, I got a right to voice my opinion at any point in time. I don't think he really understands my struggle."^[16]

[edit] Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition (2011-present)

Jeezy is working on Thug Motivation 103, his latest LP, as of November 2009.^[17] In March 2010, it was reported that Young Jeezy dropped "Young" from his stage name.^[18] Later, Young Jeezy denied the name change and claimed it was just a rumor:^[19] however, on the cover for his single "Lose My Mind", his name is printed as "Jeezy". On May 17, 2011, Jeezy released the first single for Thug Motivation 103, "Ballin", which features Lil Wayne.

On March 4, 2010 Jeezy released the track "Illin", featuring the group Clipse; specifically Pusha T. On the track Pusha T raps, "No amount of record sales could derail this ...Stuffing dead prezzies in the wall like that Yale bitch..." The line was controversial and many felt the line was in bad taste and demeaned Yale student Annie Le, who was murdered in 2009, by making light of a crime that had grabbed a lot of media attention due to its extremely upsetting and tragic nature.^[20] On July 22, 2011, Young Jeezy released the second single off TM103, "Shake Life". On July 26, 2011, Young Jeezy announced a September 20, 2011 release date for TM103.^[21] However the album was pushed back yet again, this time to December 20, 2011.^[22] On September 29, 2011, Young Jeezy released the third single off TM103, named "F.A.M.E. (Fake Ass Mothafu*kas Envy)",^[23] featuring T.I. This is the first official song T.I. was featured on since his latest stint in prison.

Personal life[link]

He is a personal friend of fellow Atlanta rapper Yung Joc.^[24] After Hurricane Katrina, Jeezy opened his house to the victims in an effort to help them have a place to stay. In October 2005, the mother of his 9 year old son used this as the basis to petition for child support. Early in the year, she had claimed that she had little income, no assets and did not even have a house.^[25]

On March 11, 2005, Jeezy was arrested after an alleged shooting involving some of his friends in Miami Beach, Florida.^[26] He was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit; however, prosecutors dropped his charges two months later over lack of evidence.^[27] In the early hours of September 29, 2007, Jeezy destroyed his Lamborghini when it was hit by a taxi crossing Peachtree Street, outside of Justin's, Sean Combs’s restaurant in Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported his claim that this gave him "a new appreciation for life".^[28] In Atlanta on June 18, 2008, police arrested him for DUI.^[29]

Discography[link]

Studio albums 2005: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 2006: The Inspiration 2008: The Recession 2011: Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition Filmography[link] 2009: Janky Promoters [30] Awards[link] BET Awards 2010, Viewer's Choice Award ("Hard") with Rihanna [Won] 2009, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist [Nominated] 2008, Best Collaboration ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated][31] BET Hip-Hop Awards 2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated][32] 2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Won][33] 2008, People's Champ Award ("Put On") with Kanye West [Nominated][34] 2006, Hip-Hop CD of the Year ("Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101") [Nominated][35] 2006, Hip-Hop MVP of the Year [Nominated][35] Grammy Awards 2009, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Put On") with Kanye West [Nominated][36] 2010, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Amazing") with Kanye West (Nominated) 2011, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Lose My Mind") with Plies (Nominated) Ozone Awards[citation needed] 2008, Best Rap Artist [Nominated] 2008, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Love in This Club") with Usher (Won) 2007, Best Rap Album The Inspiration (Won) 2007, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Go Getta") with R. Kelly [Nominated] 2007, Best Video ("Grew Up a Screw Up") with Ludacris [Nominated] 2007, Best Group with Slick Pulla & Blood Raw as USDA [Nominated] References[link] ^ a b c Kellman, Andy (2008). "Young Jeezy: Biography". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p640485/biography. Retrieved 2009-01-16.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (June 1, 2005). "Young Jeezy". You Hear It First. MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/yhif/young_jeezy/. Retrieved April 1, 2010.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 1, 2005). "Young Jeezy: Putting His Mouth Where His Money Is". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/bands/y/young_jeezy/young_jeezy_inw_050801/. Retrieved April 1, 2010.  ^ a b Thompson, Bonsu (October 2005). "I'm a King". XXL. http://www.xxlmag.com/magazine/2005/10/im-a-king/. Retrieved January 13, 2011.  ^ "Thuggin Under the Influence". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005M96X/. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ a b c d e "Interview With Shakir Stewart". HitQuarters. November 14, 2005. http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_ShakirStewart.html. Retrieved Jun 22, 2010.  ^ Ethan Brown (May 4, 2006). "Black Mafia Family – Mo' Money, Mo' Problems". http://www.vibe.com/news/magazine_features/2006/05/bmf_mo_money_mo_problems/. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Beef with Gucci Mane". http://atlanta.about.com/od/celebrityprofiles/p/guccimane.htm. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "My Hood lyrics". http://ezsonglyrics.com/lyrics/young-jeezy/my-hood.html. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Popular single "Icy"". http://atlanta.about.com/od/celebrityprofiles/p/guccimane.htm. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "''HHWorlds.com'' – Young Jeezy Hosts 'Toyz n da Hood' (December 14, 2007)". Hhworlds.com. 2011-05-08. http://www.hhworlds.com/f11/12-14-07-young-jeezy-hosts-toyz-n-da-hood-10052.html. Retrieved 2011-08-05.  ^ Ciara's New Single Confirmed Rap-Up.com. Retrieved December 19, 2008. ^ Starbury, Allen (2008-07-02). "Young Jeezy Clarifies McCain Comments, Pledges Support For Obama". BallerStatus.com. http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2008/07/5016/.  ^ St. Pierre, Jay (2009-02-19). "Get Sillay: Young Jeezy enforces country's racial segregation". The Daily Reveille. http://www.lsureveille.com/opinion/get_sillay_young_jeezy_enforces_country_s_racial_segregation-1.1485034.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-01-22). "Young Jeezy Defends 'My President' Against Bill O'Reilly". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1603361/20090122/jeezy_young.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-03-15.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-02-13). "Kanye West Explains 'Jockin' Jay-Z' Sample, Drops Exclusive Freestyle, More In Mixtape Monday". Mixtape Monday (MTV News). http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605130/20090213/west_kanye.jhtml.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-07-09). "Young Jeezy Is Working On Thug Motivation 103 'Right Now'". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615584/20090708/story.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-07-27.  ^ Young Jeezy Changes His Name. Island Def Jam. Retrieved March 19, 2010. ^ Jeezy denies name change says he still Young Jeezy | Young Jeezy. Rap Basement (2010-04-13). Retrieved on 2010-12-27. ^ Gendreau, Leanne. (2010-09-20) Rap Lyric Makes Light of Annie Le Murder. NBC New York. Retrieved on 2010-12-27. ^ "Young Jeezy Announces ‘TM103’ Release Date". Rap-Up.com. 2011-07-25. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/25/young-jeezy-announces-tm103-release-date/. Retrieved 2011-08-05.  ^ Iandoli, Kathy (2011-09-20). "Rap Release Dates: Young Jeezy, Mac Miller, Bow Wow, DJ Drama | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16909/title.rap-release-dates-young-jeezy-mac-miller-bow-wow-dj-drama. Retrieved 2011-10-31.  ^ "Young Jeezy – F.A.M.E. (Fake Ass Muthaf*ckas Envy) f. T.I". Fashionably-early.com. 2011-09-29. http://fashionably-early.com/2011/09/29/young-jeezy-%e2%80%93-f-a-m-e-fake-ass-muthafckas-envy-f-t-i/. Retrieved 2011-10-31.  ^ Krista Desens (July 11, 2006). "Yung Joc". http://netmusiccountdown.com/inc/news_article.php?id=10617. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Jeezy helps hurricane victims". The San Francisco Chronicle. October 21, 2005. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=1409. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Young Jeezy arrested after Florida shootout". Associated Press. March 16, 2006. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/11808183. Retrieved June 27, 2010.  ^ "Young Jeezy weapons charges dropped". Associated Press. May 19, 2006. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/12818427. Retrieved June 27, 2010.  ^ 40/40 Club Stabbing. SOHH. Retrieved October 10, 2007. ^ Harris, Chris (2008-06-18). "Young Jeezy Arrested In Atlanta". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589553/20080618/jeezy_young.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-03.  ^ Kuperstein, Slava (2008-07-10). "Jeezy Talks Movie With Ice Cube, Remix With Jay-Z". Hiphopdx.com. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7285/title.jeezy-talks-movie-with-ice-cube-remix-with-jay-z. Retrieved 2011-08-05.  ^ Best Collaboration. BET Awards 2008. ^ Best Hip-Hop Video. BET Hip Hop Awards 2008. ^ Best Hip Hop Collabo. BET Hip Hop Awards 2008. ^ Alltel People's Champ Award. BET Hip Hop Awards 2008. ^ a b Adaso, Henry. "2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards". About.com. http://rap.about.com/od/awards/a/BETHipHopAwards.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-10.  ^ "The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". NARAS. 2009. http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/51st_show/list.aspx#07. Retrieved 2009-04-10.  External links[link] Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Young Jeezy Official website Young Jeezy at the Internet Movie Database Young Jeezy Interview at prefixmag Young Jeezy Circulate Music Video Young Jeezy Talks About Nas v t e Young Jeezy Studio albums Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 The Inspiration The Recession Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition Independent albums Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.) Come Shop wit Me Collaboration albums Boyz n da Hood Cold Summer Singles "And Then What" "Soul Survivor" "Go Crazy" "My Hood" "I Luv It" "Go Getta" "Dreamin'" "Put On" "Vacation" "Crazy World" "My President" "Who Dat" "Lose My Mind" "Ballin'" "F.A.M.E." "I Do" "Leave You Alone" Featured singles "Icy" "Get Throwed" "Say I" "Grew Up a Screw Up" "Diamonds" "5000 Ones" "100 Million" "Love in This Club" "Louie" "I'm So Paid" "Never Ever" "Amazing" "Better Believe It" "Fed Up" "Hard" "Put Your Hands Up" "(Ha Ha) Slow Down" Collaborative singles "Dem Boyz" "White Girl" Other songs "I'm Goin' In" "Be the One" Related articles Discography Boyz n da Hood United Streets Dopeboyz of America v t e Def Jam Recordings Founders Russell Simmons Rick Rubin Current artists 2 Chainz Ameriie Asher Roth Big Boi Big Sean Brutha Chrisette Michele DJ Clue? The-Dream Electrik Red Fabolous Fast Life Yungstaz Ghostface Killah Jadakiss Jennifer Lopez Jeremih Juelz Santana Kanye West Karina LL Cool J Ludacris Method Man Method Man & Redman Nas Patti LaBelle Pusha T Redman Rick Ross Rihanna Ron Isley Sheek Louch Shyne The Roots Triple C's U.S.D.A YG Young Jeezy Former artists 3rd Bass Ace Hood Alyson Williams Ashanti Beanie Sigel Beastie Boys B.G. 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Nicki Minaj
Minaj at 2010 MTV Music Awards
Background information
Birth name	Onika Tanya Maraj
Born	(1982-12-08) December 8, 1982 (age 29)[1] Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago
Origin	South Jamaica, Queens, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, R&B, pop
Occupations	Rapper, singer-songwriter
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Cash Money Records, Young Money Entertainment, Universal Republic Records, Universal Motown
Associated acts	Young Money
Website	mypinkfriday.com

Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982), known by her stage name Nicki Minaj ( /mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is a Trinidadian-born American rapper and singer-songwriter. She was born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago and when she was 5 years of age she moved to the New York City borough of Queens, where she grew up.

After releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009 and being signed to Young Money Entertainment in August 2009, Minaj released her debut album, Pink Friday, in November 2010. It quickly became a commercial success, peaking at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) a month after its release.^[2][3] She became the first female solo artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time.^[4] Her second single, "Your Love", reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, making Minaj the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002.^[5] She also became the first female artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List.^[6] Minaj was named the 2011 Rising Star by Billboard.^[7] Her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded was released on April 3, 2012.

Early life[link]

Maraj was born in 1982^{[1][note 1]} in Saint James, a suburb of Trinidad and Tobago's capital city Port of Spain.^[8][9][10] Her parents are of mixed Indian and Afro-Trinidadian ancestry^[11][12] and she lived in Saint James with her grandmother until age five, because her parents were looking for a place to live in the Queens borough of New York City at the time. Her mother would occasionally visit, and one day, when Minaj was five, her mother picked her up to move to Queens.^[13] According to Minaj, her father drank heavily, took drugs, and once tried to kill her mother by setting the house on fire.^[14]

She attended Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School 210, where she played the clarinet.^[13] She graduated from LaGuardia High School.^[15][16] At LaGuardia, a school specializing in music and the visual and performing arts, Minaj participated in the drama program.^[15] She had initially planned to sing at LaGuardia but lost her voice on the day of the audition.^[15]

Career[link]

2007–09: Mixtapes and Young Money[link]

Minaj released her first mixtape in 2007 after releasing Playtime Is Over with Dirty Money Records. She released another mixtape on July 7, 2008, titled Sucka Free, under the label Be. On April 18, 2009, Minaj released a third mixtape and appeared in XXL magazine.^[17] She won the Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Underground Music Awards.^[18] Minaj released Beam Me Up Scotty, another mixtape, in April 2009 under the label of Trapaholics Records; it received positive coverage on both BET and MTV.^[19][20]

In August 2009, Minaj signed a record deal with Young Money Entertainment, with distribution from Universal Motown Records, after fellow American rapper Lil Wayne discovered her and secured the record deal.^[17][21] She then had a solo rap verse in their single "BedRock," which became a commercial success, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Minaj also appeared on "Roger That", which charted at number 56. The song, and in particular Minaj, received positive reviews from critics.^[22] Both songs were included in Young Money Entertainment's debut collaborative studio album We Are Young Money, which was released in December 2009. The album charted in the top ten on the Billboard 200, reaching number 9 and later receiving a Gold Certification by the RIAA. She was then chosen by Mariah Carey to be featured on her single and music video for "Up Out My Face". Critics praised her collaboration for helping to maintain Carey's feminine image and providing a polite track for the female R&B singer.^[23]

[edit] 2010–11: Pink Friday

Britney Spears and Minaj performing the Femme Fatale Remix of "Till the World Ends" in the Femme Fatale Tour.

After a major record label bidding war, Young Money Entertainment announced on August 31, 2009 that Minaj had been released from a 360 deal with the label in which she retains and owns all of her 360 rights – including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, touring and publishing.^[24] In an interview with 95.8 Capital FM, Rihanna stated that after the two collaborated on "Raining Men" from her album Loud that the duo would be teaming up together for a possible second collaboration on Minaj's Pink Friday.^[25] Hip-hop rap artist and producer Kanye West was also confirmed for the album.^[26] On August 3, 2010 Minaj revealed on a Ustream.tv channel that the album's name would be Pink Friday, in reference to Black Friday.^[27]

Pink Friday was released on November 19, 2010 in both standard and deluxe versions.^[28][29] A buzz single, "Massive Attack", was released in April.^[30] In August, Minaj released "Your Love" as the first official single from her debut album. The single peaked at 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and topped the Rap Songs chart. Minaj became the first female artist to be included on MTV's Annual Hottest MC List^[6] and the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since 2002.^[31] In October 2010, Minaj became the first artist to have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously.^[4] Minaj released a joint single with The Black Eyed Peas front man, will.i.am titled, "Check It Out", which is Minaj's most successful single to date in Europe. "Right thru Me" was released September 24, 2010; the music video was released in late October. "Moment 4 Life" was released as the fourth single. The track featured Canadian rapper Drake and was released on December 7, 2010, becoming a success on the Billboard Hot 100. The single peaked at number 5 on the Hot Rap Songs.^[32] The album gained a Platinum certification in the United States a month after the release.^[3]

On January 29, 2011, Minaj appeared on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest, performing "Right Thru Me" and "Moment 4 Life". On February 9, 2011, it was announced that Pink Friday had reached number one on the Billboard 200 in its eleventh week on the chart.^[33] It was hinted by Simon Cowell that Minaj would join the judging panel of the American version of the The X Factor.^[34] Starting in June 2011, Minaj will be supporting Pink Friday by serving as an opening act along with Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo on Britney Spears' sixth concert tour, the Femme Fatale Tour, in support of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale.^[35] She also was featured on the official remix of Spears' track "Till the World Ends" along with Spears and singer Kesha, which charted at number 3 in the US in April 2011.^[36] "Super Bass" was released from Pink Friday in May 2011, the single charted within the top 10 in many countries including; United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada and more.^[37] The song gained positive reviews from critics.^[38][39] Minaj will voice a character in the 3D animated film, Ice Age: Continental Drift, as an unknown character.^[40][41] Minaj is also featured on French DJ David Guetta's 2011 album, Nothing but the Beat on "Where Them Girls At" and "Turn Me On".

[edit] 2011–present: Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, was first announced through Twitter in November 2011 and was released on April 2, 2012 in the United Kingdom and April 3, 2012 in the United States. The album features collaborations with producers Hit-Boy, Dr. Luke, Rico Beats, Kenoe, RedOne and Oak. Cash Money A&R Joshua Berkman told HitQuarters that Minaj was extremely particular about the beats and music she used saying: "She wouldn't just rap or sing on anything – I could give her a thousand tracks and she may only like one or two."^[42] Preceding the album's release, three promotional singles were released: Roman in Moscow (which didn't make the final cut of the album), "Stupid Hoe," and "Roman Reloaded." The album's first single, "Starships", was released on February 14.^[43] "Starships" became Minaj's best-peaking single in the United Kingdom, when it reached a peak of 2. It has also peaked at number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it her second top 10 arrival following, "Super Bass" in 2011. The music video was released on April 26th, 2012.^[44]

On February 12, 2012, Minaj debuted her song "Roman Holiday" at the 54th Grammy Awards. It was the first song ever performed on the Grammy stage by a solo female rapper.^[45] The exorcism-themed performance drew a mixed response online.^[46][47]

She was featured on Madonna's twelfth studio album, titled MDNA, alongside M.I.A. on its lead single "Give Me All Your Luvin'", for which a music video has been directed by Megaforce.^[48] The trio performed the song for the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show.^[49] She was also featured on a song called "I Don't Give A", another track from the album.

She released her second single, "Right by My Side", which features Chris Brown, on March 27, 2012, after premiering on Minaj's website on March 20, 2012.^[50] Following the album's release, it peaked at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. It also peaked in the lower regions of the UK singles chart, at position #101. The third single, "Beez in the Trap", which features 2 Chainz was released to U.S. Urban radio on April 24, 2012. It was premiered on DJ Flex's radio show at Hot 97 on March 20, 2012. It has peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Rap Songs Chart.^[51] The video was premiered on April 6, 2012 on Minaj's official VEVO account.^[52]

Artistry[link]

Minaj in 2011 during Femme Fatale Tour

Image[link]

Minaj has been noted by the media for her curvaceous figure.^{[53][54][55][56]} In an interview with Vibe Minaj discussed her sexual image stating, "[w]hen I grew up I saw females doing certain things, and I thought I had to do that exactly. The female rappers of my day spoke about sex a lot... and I thought that to have the success they got, I would have to represent the same thing. When in fact I didn’t have to represent the same thing."^[57] In an interview with Interview, Minaj commented on her sexual image again stating, "I made a conscious decision to try to tone down the sexiness, I want people—especially young girls—to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sex appeal. You’ve got to have something else to go with that.”^[58] Minaj has a tattoo in Chinese characters that reads "上帝與你常在" (shàngdì yǔ nǐ cháng zài)^[59] on her left arm, meaning, "God is always with you."^[60]

Alter egos[link]

While growing up, Minaj's home life was often chaotic, with her parents constantly fighting.^[61] As a means of escape, she would create characters and live her life through them.^[61] In an interview with New York she stated, "To get away from all their fighting, I would imagine being a new person. 'Cookie' was my first identity – that stayed with me for a while. I went on to 'Harajuku Barbie,' then 'Nicki Minaj'. Fantasy was my reality."^[61]

On November 18, 2010, Minaj assumed a different alter-ego named "Nicki Teresa".^[62] Wearing a colorful scarf around her head, she went around as the "healer to her fans" as she visited them at The Garden of Dreams Foundation at Fuse studios in New York City.^[62] Minaj made an appearance on Lopez Tonight on December 6, 2010 and presented a different alter-ego for the Spanish-inspired occasion, named "Rosa" (pronounced Rrrrrosa).^[63]

In April 2012, Minaj was asked if Roman, Martha and Rosa come out in the bedroom saying “No, they don’t come out in the bedroom, but other people come out in the bedroom,” she told Big Boy during his “Backstage Breakfast,” adding, “And there’s only one person that would know who that personality is". Minaj did not name her alter-ego.^[64]

For her debut album, Minaj created another alter-ego named "Roman Zolanski".^[65] She stated that in songs like "Bottoms Up" with Trey Songz it is not Minaj rapping, but instead Roman Zolanski, and claims that Roman is her "twin brother". She claims that he was born inside her, out of rage, and becomes him when she is angry. She has also said 'He is a demon inside her'. Roman has been compared to Eminem's alter ego Slim Shady, and on the song "Roman's Revenge" from Pink Friday, Minaj and Eminem collaborate, using these alter egos.^[66] On the collaboration, she said "The new album is going to have a lot of Roman on it ... And if you're not familiar with Roman, then you will be familiar with him very soon. He’s the boy that lives inside of me. He's a lunatic and he's gay and he'll be on there a lot."^[67] Roman also has a "mother" called "Martha Zolanski",^[68] who also appeared on the song "Roman's Revenge", with a British accent,^[69] and on "Roman Holiday", singing for the first time.^[70][71] Martha appears in the video for "Moment 4 Life" where she appears to be Minaj's magical Godmother. In songs such as "All I Do Is Win (Remix)" it is Minaj rapping.^[65] Minaj stated that on her debut album, fans will get to "meet" Nicki, Roman and Onika.^[65]

Influences[link]

Minaj has stated that artists who have influenced her musical style include Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Lil Wayne, Lauryn Hill, Jadakiss, Natasha Bedingfield, Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim and Missy Elliott.^[72][73] She was also inspired by Janet Jackson,^[74] Madonna, Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Jones,^[75] M.I.A. and Cyndi Lauper.^[76][77][78]

Product and endorsements[link]

During her career, Minaj has signed contracts with a variety of corporate interests. Companies she contracted with include soft drink manufacturer Pepsi;^[79] Mattel, which produced a custom a Nicki Minaj-themed Barbie;^[80] and MAC Cosmetics, as part of an AIDS-awareness campaign in Latin America.^[81]

Personal life[link]

Minaj is a Christian, and on Christmas Day in 2011, she indicated her faith in Jesus by tweeting John 3:16.^[82][83] In addition, she states that after her father went to rehab and started attending church, "he got saved and started changing his life."^[84] Minaj states that her heroes are "God. And my mother."^[85][86]

While some songs and interviews have implied that Minaj is bisexual,^[87][88] she has said that she does not date nor have sex with women,^[15] but added in an interview with Out magazine, "I don’t date men either."^[89] In an interview with Vibe she commented, "I just embrace all people of all lifestyles and I don’t tell them they are bad people. And I say girls are beautiful and girls are sexy and they need to be told that, and if they don’t have anyone to tell them that and mean it, I’m gonna tell them that. But I feel like people always wanna define me and I don’t wanna be defined."^[90] She reiterated her dislike of being labeled in an interview with Out, saying: "The point is, everyone is not black and white. There are so many shades in the middle, and you’ve got to let people feel comfortable with saying what they want to say when they want to say it."^[89]

During an interview in the May 2010 issue of Details, Minaj was asked if she felt hip-hop was becoming more gay-friendly. She responded, "I think the world is getting more gay-friendly, so hip-hop is too. But it's harder to imagine an openly gay male rapper being embraced, people view gay men as having no street credibility. But I think we'll see one in my lifetime."^[88]

In July 2011, Minaj's cousin Nicholas Telemaque was murdered near his home in Brooklyn, New York City.^[91] Telemaque was referenced in Minaj's song "Champion" in her second studio album.^[92]

Discography[link]

• Pink Friday (2010)
• Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)

Touring[link]

• Pink Friday Tour (2012)

See also[link]

Nicki Minaj portal

• List of awards and nominations received by Nicki Minaj

References[link]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

	Book: Nicki Minaj
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

• Official website
• Nicki Minaj at the Internet Movie Database
• Media related to Nicki Minaj at Wikimedia Commons