Keyshia Cole (born October 15, 1981) is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She gained nationwide acclaim when her 2005 debut album, The Way It Is went platinum. Her second album Just Like You went into production shortly after that and was released in September 2007.^[2] Her third studio album, A Different Me was released on December 16, 2008 and is certified Gold for selling 900,000+ units in the United States. She also achieved moderate success for her reality/documentary series Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is which aired on BET from 2006-2008 which gave a close look at Cole's career and personal life with her biological mother and sister. In December 2010, she released her fourth studio album, Calling All Hearts.

Biography[link]

1981-03: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Keyshia Cole was born on October 15, 1981 in Oakland, California, where she was raised. Cole was born to Francine "Frankie" Lons and Sal, her now deceased father. She was later adopted by family friend Yvonne Cole and raised by Yvonne's husband's family and friends from the age of two. Yvonne learned that Cole could sing when she was five. At a school function, she snuck away from her mother and the next thing she knew, Cole had won a talent show.^[3] Along with her brother Sean, Cole was first introduced to the music industry at the age of 12, when she met and recorded with MC Hammer.^[4][5][6][7] She later formed a friendship with Tupac Shakur,^[8] who promised to help start her singing career before he died unexpectedly. Cole remembers Shakur as "really outspoken and really bright. He was definitely a guy who gave off a superstar vibe."^[9] Cole moved to Los Angeles when she was 18 to pursue a music career. During this time, Cole collaborated with artists from her native Bay Area, among them D'Wayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Tone and Messy Marv. In 2002, she was introduced to A&M Records executive Ron Fair, who signed her and began mentoring her after hearing her singing a verse of her hit song "Love".

In anticipation of her debut album, Cole and DJ Green Lantern released a mixtape, Team Invasion Presents Keyshia Cole, in June 2005.^[10] It featured appearances by Shyne, Remy Ma, Fat Joe and Ghostface Killah. The mixtape was composed mostly of songs recorded over popular hip-hop instrumentals, including 2Pac's "I Get Around", Nas' "Ether", Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones (Part II)" and Scarface's "Guess Who's Back", among others. The singles "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", a remix of "I Changed My Mind", "I Should Have Cheated", and "Love" were also included.

[edit] 2004–05: The Way It Is and marriage proposal

Cole's debut single, "Never", featuring Eve, was released on March 23, 2004 to promote the soundtrack to the film, Barbershop 2: Back in Business. The single failed to chart, and Cole proceeded to record her debut album for the rest of 2004 and into early 2005. "Never" eventually became the final song on The Way It Is. On November 9, 2004, Cole released her first official single, "I Changed My Mind", featuring Kanye West.^[11] The single reached #71 in the US, and was not a huge hit for Cole. The second single from the album, "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", was released on April 5, 2005,^[12] and reached #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 (#101). Cole completed her debut album in early 2005. The Way It Is was released on June 21, 2005.^[13] It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, selling 89,000 copies in the first week of release. It has since sold 1.6 million copies in the US, receiving a Platinum certification from the RIAA. The third single from the album, "I Should Have Cheated" was released on August 3, 2005, and reached #30 on the Hot 100. The fourth and final single, "Love" was released on January 6, 2006 and reached #19 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It has been regarded as Cole's "breakthrough single" by many^{[by whom?]}.

From early 2005 to late 2007, Cole dated rapper Young Jeezy, but the relationship ended after she declined a marriage proposal from him.

[edit] 2006–07: Just Like You and Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is

Cole in 2007

Cole began work on her second album in early 2006, shortly after the release of her debut album. She was featured on the single "Last Night" by Diddy, which was the third single from his fourth studio album, Press Play. The recording of her second album was documented on her reality TV show, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is in late 2006 and early 2007. Cole's second album, Just Like You, was due for a release on July 8, 2007, but wasn't released until September 25, 2007. It spawned three #1 singles, "Let It Go featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim, "I Remember", and "Heaven Sent" which stayed at #1 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for 9 weeks. Other guest artists included Too $hort, Anthony Hamilton, Young Dro, T.I., and Cole's artist, Amina, on the top ten single "Shoulda Let You Go". Just Like You debuted at #2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 281,000 copies in its first week, and has proceeded to sell 1.6 million copies in the US, earning a Platinum certification from the RIAA, like her debut. The album was nominated for four Grammys, Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2008 Grammy Awards and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

The lead single from the album, "Let It Go", featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim, was released on June 19, 2007. The single is Cole's most successful single to date, as it reached #7 in the US and #1 on US Hip/Hop R&B charts. The second single, "Shoulda Let You Go", featuring and introducing Cole's best friend Amina, was released on October 19, 2007, and was mildly successful, by reaching #41 in the US. The third single from the album, "I Remember" was released on December 5, 2007. The single was highly successful, by reaching #24 in the US. The fourth and final single was the critically acclaimed "Heaven Sent", was released on March 7, 2008. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for nine weeks, and #28 in the US. Cole was featured on Jaheim's third single, "I've Changed", off his fourth album, The Makings of a Man and Keith Sweat's "Love U Better" which was featured on the Why Did I Get Married? soundtrack and his ninth studio album Just Me.

In 2006, BET broadcast a reality show/documentary entitled Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is to show Cole's life in making music, touring, and being with her family. Although being a rating success, the show failed to promote her debut, The Way It Is as the album stayed at selling 1.5 million units. In conjunction with her second album release, Just Like You, BET began airing the second season on October 30, 2007. The show premiered to record breaking ratings for BET. It is the top returning series premiere in BET history, as well as the number one original series premiere of the year. A reported 2.9 million viewers and 2.0 million households watched the season 2 finale. It is now the #1 series telecast in BET history.^[14] Season 3 of the series was filmed in Summer 2008 and premiered on November 11, 2008 and featured the process of recording and touring for Cole's third album, A Different Me. The show was rumored to be having a fourth season, however; Cole has concluded that there will not be a fourth season. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Cole's mother and sister debuted their own reality show titled Frankie & Neffe on BET. Their show's season finale aired on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

[edit] 2008–09: A Different Me and collaborations

In 2008, Cole made guest appearances on songs such as "I Got a Thang for You" with rapper Trina on her album Still Da Baddest and "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" with hip-hop band C-Side on their album Class In Session. She also made a guest appearance in the music video for "She Got Her Own", by singers Ne-Yo Jamie Foxx and in the song "Game's Pain" by Compton-based rapper The Game. Cole is also featured on the charity song "Just Stand Up", which was released in August 2008 and raises money for cancer research along with various pop, hip-hop, and R&B artists that year. As a result of SU2C fund raising endeavors, the SU2C scientific advisory committee, overseen by the American Association for Cancer Research was able to award 73.6 million dollars towards novel, groundbreaking cancer research.^[15] Cole embarked on the I Am Music Tour with Keri Hilson, Lil' Wayne, and T-Pain from December 2008 to February 2009.

She released her third studio album, A Different Me, on December 16, 2008. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 322,000 copies in its first week.^[16] The album has gone on to sell over 1,020,000 copies in the US, and receiving a platinum certification from the RIAA. The album was preceded by lead single "Playa Cardz Right", featuring the late rapper 2Pac, which was released on October 28, 2008, and reached #63 on the Hot 100. The second single from the album, "You Complete Me", was released on January 20, 2009, and reached #62 on the Hot 100, making the first and second singles mild hits. Cole released the third and final single from the album, "Trust", a duet with Monica, on May 5, 2009, and reached #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and #70 on the US Hot 100. The fourth single from A Different Me was confirmed as "This is Us", and was due for a release in September 2009, but it was never released. For promotion towards A Different Me, Cole went on her first headlining tour, A Different Me Tour in summer of 2009 with opening acts, Keri Hilson, The-Dream, and Bobby Valentino. Cole was on the cover of the March 2009 issue of Vibe, and was on the cover of the Summer 2009 final double-cover issue of King. Keyshia and Yvonne Cole appeared on the June issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine. In 2009, she also made a guest appearance on Keri Hilson's "Get Your Money Up" from her debut album In a Perfect World…. Cole began work on her fourth studio album in early 2009 also with Jasmyne. In September 2009, Cole was featured on the remix of R. Kelly's single "Number One" along with T-Pain. She is also currently listed as one of the inspirations for Pepsi: We Inspire.^[17] Cole also worked with Gucci Mane on the song "Bad, Bad, Bad" from The State vs Radric Davis.

[edit] 2010–11: Calling All Hearts, marriage and motherhood

On June 27, 2010 she returned to the spotlight for her first televised appearance since the birth of her son, filling in for Hayley Williams to sing the chorus to B.o.B.'s "Airplanes (Part II)", featuring Eminem during the 2010 BET Awards. Cole featured on Faith Evans album Something About Faith. In August 2009, Cole announced that she was beginning work on her fourth studio album Calling All Hearts^[18] which was released on December 21, 2010. This album contains featured tracks from artists such as Timbaland, Nicki Minaj, Tank and Faith Evans. As a special feature, Cole's mother, Dr. Yvonne Cole, is featured on the album as well.^[19] In September 2010, Cole stated that her fourth studio album would be released on December 21, 2010. Calling All Heart's first single, entitled "I Ain't Thru", features Minaj and was released by Cole herself via Twitter on October 15, 2010. She released the video to "I Ain't Thru" on 106 and Park along with "Long Way Down" which Interscope Records did not release as a commercial single. In February 2011, Cole released her second single from Calling All Hearts, "Take Me Away", to urban radio after being chosen in a poll by her fans on Twitter. Cole performed the single on January 19, 2011 on Conan after releasing Imani Entertainment as her management.^[20] The single's video, directed by Taj Stansberry, premiered on VEVO on April 18, 2011 and was also released on 106 and Park on the same day. The song has since then peaked on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs at #27. To promote Calling All Hearts, Cole was a part of the Love Letter tour with R. Kelly and Marsha Ambrosius.

In March 2009, Cole began dating Daniel Gibson of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.^[21] and became engaged to him on January 1, 2010. On February 4, 2010, the pregnant Cole was hospitalized for precautionary reasons.^[22] On March 1, 2010 Cole was admitted into the hospital with labor pains. One of Cole's closest friends, R&B singer Monica, confirmed the labor situation via her official Twitter page.^[23] On March 2, 2010, Cole gave birth to her first child, a boy, named Daniel Hiram Gibson Jr.^[24] On May 21, 2011, Cole and Gibson went to Cleveland for a private wedding ceremony. On September 24, 2011, Cole and Gibson held a big wedding ceremony in Hawaii, which will be aired on their show Family First.^[25] Cole currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio and Johns Creek, Georgia.

[edit] 2011–present: Woman to Woman and Family First

Cole started development on this project shortly after her 2010 release, Calling All Hearts. She has disclosed that she was working with writer Ester Dean. She has also collaborated with producers Boi-1da, Cool & Dre, Bangladesh, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Toxic and Earl Powell. This is Cole's first album to be released without A&R Executive Ron Fair. Cole says this album is not like any other album she has released becoming her most evolved album thus far. Cole has stated that she would like to have R&B singers Brandy and Monica on this album. She also tweeted that long awaited collaborator Trey Songz would likely be on the album. Cole tweeted on October 14, 2011 that the first single from her forthcoming new album Woman To Woman will be released during the first week of January. The album is believed to have 15 tracks to be chosen. It is slated to be released commercially in the spring of 2012.

She is featured on a song called "Legendary" by DJ Khaled, also featuring Chris Brown and Ne-Yo. It is the fourth single from Khaled's fifth album We the Best Forever. Cole was nominated for an MP3 Music Award in October 2011 and won in December 2011 for her R&B hit "Take Me Away".

In mid-July, Cole tweeted that she, her husband Daniel, and James DeBose will be launching a new reality TV show, entitled Family First, which began shooting shortly after the announcement. During the six episode series, Cole will be crafting her follow up album to Calling All Hearts. "I just kind of lay out all my emotions then we start from there. I usually work with big name producers and stuff like once all from my heart and soul is out that I need to get out," Cole said. Aside from a look into the making of her yet to be titled album, Cole and husband, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, re-wed during the taping of Family First.^[26] The show is currently in production and will premiere in the third quarter of 2012.

Artistry[link]

Musical style and voice[link]

Cole is known differently for the way she uses her vocals. She is a soprano with a 2.5/3 octave. Her voice is favored because it is said, mostly by critics, that it is powered by angst. Cole found herself positioned alongside fellow young urban female singers like Brandy, Monica, and Beyoncé. Yet Cole had an edge over her peers—a street edge. Having grown up in Oakland and lived there most of her young life, she knew life wasn't all glitter and gold like it was in Hollywood. She knew the streets, and that inner-city viewpoint informs many of her songs, which are generally a bit rougher and less naïve than those of your typical young female urban vocalist.^[27]

Influences[link]

Cole grew up listening to mentors such as Tupac Shakur and Faith Evans. She cites Mary J. Blige and Brandy as the biggest of her musical inspirations and influences. In an interview Cole spoke about artists from the 1980s that influenced her, "Anita Baker, Her voice is incredible and her lyrics are deep, really listen to them. Big Daddy Kane, The original...you can’t think Brooklyn or door knockers and not think Big Daddy Kane, smooth operator: One of hip hop’s pioneers. LL Cool J, One of the first Mc’s to really dissect lyrics and turn them inside out; and he made it sexy! MC Lyte, The female MC that rhymes in such a way that you don’t care if she was male or female...her voice tone is crazy, and her lyrical game bananas. Queen Latifah, She represented the strong female MC, she showed us and taught us about flow and lyrical dexterity. Kid N' Play, They showed you how to take your rap game to the next level...movies!".^[28]

Discography[link]

• The Way It Is (2005)
• Just Like You (2007)
• A Different Me (2008)
• Calling All Hearts (2010)
• Woman to Woman (2012)

Tours[link]

• Sweatsuit Tour (opening for Nelly) (2005)
• Dreamin' Tour (performing with Young Jeezy) (2007)
• Double Up Tour (opening for R. Kelly) (2007)
• I Am Music Tour (opening for Lil Wayne) (2008)
• A Different Me Tour (headliner) (2009)
• Love Letter Tour (opening for R. Kelly) (2011)

Filmography[link]

Television

Films

• How She Move (2008) - Herself

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Keyshia Cole at the Internet Movie Database

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

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1975^[1]), better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A..

Jones was born and raised in Brooklyn, living much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. As a teenager, Kim would rap for fun, being heavily influenced by other female MCs like MC Lyte and Lady of Rage. When word got to The Notorious B.I.G. that she could rhyme, he made Jones perform a freestyle for him on the spot. Impressed with her, he took her in and she began her music career in 1995 with the group Junior M.A.F.I.A., whose debut album Conspiracy generated three hit singles. In late 1996, her solo debut album Hard Core was released. Hard Core was certified double platinum and spawned three consecutive #1 rap hits that included: "No Time" "Not Tonight (Ladies Night remix)" and "Crush on You", a record for a female rapper. Her following albums, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000) and La Bella Mafia (2003), both were certified platinum by the RIAA, making Kim the only female rapper besides Missy Elliott to have at least 3 platinum albums so far. Kim solidified her star power in 2001, when "Lady Marmalade", a song Kim was featured on, went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That made her the second female rapper to earn a #1 on that chart.

In 2005, she served a year long prison sentence for lying to a jury about her friends' involvement in a shooting four years earlier. During her incarceration, her fourth album The Naked Truth was released. Lil' Kim returned to the public spotlight in 2009 with an appearance on Dancing with the Stars.

Early life[link]

Jones was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of the New York City borough Brooklyn to parents Linwood Jones and Ruby Mae.^[2] At the age of 9, her parents separated, and her father raised her until he expelled her from home when she was a teenager. Thus, she lived with her friends and even on the streets. While struggling through her personal life, Kim met The Notorious B.I.G., who was a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, particularly when Wallace had gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records.^[3] As a teenager, Jones attended Brooklyn College Academy, the same school were fellow rappers Nas and Foxy Brown attended. She dropped out of high school as a teenager, and worked as a cashier for department store Bloomingdale's for a short period of time.

Music career[link]

Early career with Junior M.A.F.I.A.[link]

In 1994, B.I.G. was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn based group, Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Lil' Kim. The group's first and only album was titled Conspiracy.^[3] Three hit singles came from Conspiracy: "Player's Anthem" (peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart), "I Need You Tonight" (#43 R&B, #12 Rap), and "Get Money" (#17 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 R&B, #2 Rap).^[4] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Conspiracy Gold on December 6, 1995, marking sales of 500,000 units. "Player's Anthem" was Gold, and "Get Money" went Platinum (sales of a million units).^[5]

[edit] Hard Core (1996)

After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Jones began a solo career by making guest performances on R&B albums and recording her debut album, Hard Core, which was released in November 1996. The album peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.^[6] Hard Core was RIAA-certified double platinum on March 14, 2001 after having been certified Gold on January 6, 1997 and Platinum on June 3, 1997.^[7] The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs (who would later change his stage name to "P. Diddy" and then "Diddy"), reached the top spot of the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart^[3] and was certified Gold by the RIAA.^[5] The following single, "Crush on You", reached #6 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the rap chart.^[8] A remix of the album's track "Not Tonight" saw Lil' Kim team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat and Left Eye of TLC. The song was part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie Nothing To Lose, nominated for a Grammy Award, and certified Platinum.^[5] In one stockholders' meeting of Warner Bros. Records, activist C. Delores Tucker criticized the label "for producing this filth," referring to perceived graphic sexual content in Kim's lyrics, and labeling them "gangsta porno rap".^[9]

[edit] The Notorious K.I.M. (2000-2002)

From 1998 to 2000, Kim continued her road to stardom under the management of B.I.G.'s best friend, Damion "D-Roc" Butler's "Roc Management", touring and modeling for various fashion and pop culture companies including Candies, Versace, Iceberg, and Baby Phat. In 1998, she performed in P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour.^[10] In the same year, she launched her own label Queen Bee Entertainment and even though she had not had an album of her own released, she was seen on dozens of remixes and guest appearances on other artist's records. On June 27, 2000, Kim released her second album The Notorious K.I.M. The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper. Despite the limited success of its singles, the album reached #4 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was certified platinum by the RIAA.^[5] It was on this LP that the well-known hip-hop feud between Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown blossmed.

In 2001, Lil' Kim teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to remake "Lady Marmalade", which was originally written about a bordello in New Orleans and performed by the group Labelle (which included diva Patti LaBelle) 25 years earlier. The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to #1 in 50 countries around the world. This was a big accomplishment for female rap, as well as for Kim, who scored her first #1 Hot 100 hit and became the first female rapper in history to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. "Lady Marmalade" also garnered Kim her first Grammy Award.

Lil' Kim also performed in two international hit singles. "In the Air Tonite", a remix of the Phil Collins song "In the Air Tonight" and duet with Collins, was released as a single from the Collins tribute album Urban Renewal. "Kimnotyze" is the lead single of record producer DJ Tomekk's compilation album Beat Of Life, Vol 1. It was released in Switzerland, Austria and Germany only. The song was successful, becoming Lil' Kim's third consecutive Top 10 hit in Germany after her number 5 hit "Lady Marmalade".

In 2002, Lil' Kim recorded a new entrance theme for then World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Women's Champion Trish Stratus entitled, "Time to Rock 'n Roll", which was used during broadcasts, until Stratus' retirement. The single was released on WWE Anthology, a compilation of entrance theme music to various professional wrestling superstars.

[edit] La Bella Mafia (2003)

On March 4, 2003, Kim released her third critically acclaimed album, La Bella Mafia. Highly rated (4.5 mics) by music magazine The Source, La Bella Mafia spawned the hit "The Jump Off" featuring Mr. Cheeks, which climbed to number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single "Magic Stick", feat. 50 Cent, hit #2 on the Hot 100 without a video ever being shot.

La Bella Mafia debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200. Kim was nominated for five Source Awards and won two ("Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year", and "Female Single of the Year"). This album also got two Grammy Award nominations: Best Female Rap Solo Performance ("Came Back For You") and Best Rap Collaboration ("Magic Stick"). She was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with singer Christina Aguilera for the song "Can't Hold Us Down", from Aguilera's album Stripped.

Greg Thomas, an English professor at Syracuse University, began teaching "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H Lyricism 101". Kim herself was a guest speaker at the school. Professor Thomas considered Kim's lyrics "the art with the most profound sexual politics I've ever seen anywhere."^[11] David Horowitz criticized the course as "academic degeneracy and decline".^[12] Lil' Kim also made an appearance on the multi-platform videogame Def Jam: Fight for NY. Kim provided voice-overs for her part in the storyline, where the player may fight an opponent to have Lil' Kim as his girlfriend.^[13]

[edit] The Naked Truth (2005-2008)

Kim released a fourth album, The Naked Truth, on September 27, 2005, while serving a federal prison sentence (see below). It earned her a 5 mic rating from The Source, making her the only female rapper to ever receive a 5 mic rating. The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 charts, giving Kim her Third Top 10 debut on the charts. The Naked Truth did not sell as well as her previous works, selling less than 400,000 copies. Kim has said that her prison sentence left her with no time to promote the project. There have been many rumors about a re-release of Truth but to no avail.The music video for The Naked Truth's first single, "Lighters Up" was number one on BET's 106 & Park for two weeks. "Lighters Up", was a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single also reached #67 on the German Single Chart, #12 on the UK Top 75 and #4 on the Finland Single Chart. The second single, "Whoa" was released on February 17, 2006. It reached No. 22 on Airplay. The Dance Remixes extended play was also released in 2005. Kim also made appearances on the show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For The Next Doll and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious in 2007 and 2008. Ms. G.O.A.T., an acronym for "Greatest Of All Time",^[14][15] is the debut mixtape by Lil' Kim. It was officially released on June 3, 2008^[16] and was produced by Mister Cee and DJ Whoo Kid, DJ's from New York City.^[17] Among critics, the album has received generally positive reviews.^[18][19][20] It has been called a representation of Lil' Kim's return to the streets.^[21] Tito Salinas of All Hip Hop says "Lil’ Kim shows that her time behind bars did not rust all of her swag away" on Ms. G.O.A.T.^[19] On the other hand, Ehren Gresehover of New York Mag says that although one of the tracks "The Miseducation of Lil' Kim" is not bad, he wished that it was Lauryn Hill who was making a comeback instead.^[22]

[edit] 5th Studio Album (2009-present)

On March 10, 2009, the song "Girls" by the Korean singer, Seven featuring Lil' Kim was released through digital stores for his U.S. debut single. Kim appeared in the music video that was released on the same day. "Girls" was produced by Darkchild. On March 24, 2009, Kim released the song "Download" featuring R&B singers T-Pain and Charlie Wilson. It was written by Lil Kim and T-Pain and produced by Trackmasters. The song samples "Computer Love" by Zapp. Peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It eventually made it to the top 10 US Urban Radio airplay and the top 30 UK Single Charts at #22.

Kim confirmed in January, 2011 that she would be releasing her next album which is currently untitled in 2012.^[23] She is expected to make a guest appearance on a track from 50 Cent's upcoming studio album as well as Dr. Dre's 2011 album Detox and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins' album Still Cool.^[24]

Kim released a mixtape titled Black Friday on February 14, 2011. In a recent radio interview at 99 Jamz, Kim stated that her upcoming book, "The Price of Loyalty", is on hold to coincide with the release of her fifth studio album, to be release in the next coming months.^[25][26]

On June 19, Kim preformed along side G-Unit member Shawty Lo and hinted a possible working relationship with G-Unit Records. Kim is also featured along with Rick Ross on a track titled "Anything (To Find You)", by R&B singer Monica, off her upcoming album "New Life", but her verse was removed due to contractual issues. On November 28, 2011 Lil' Kim released a new buzz single called "I Am Not the One" which is available on iTunes. She has announced that she will be releasing an EP, but later on it was shelved. ^[27]

On Valentine's Day, 2012, Kim released the song "If You Love Me" as a gift to her fans. That same month it was announced she would make her return to the stage on BET's 'Rip the Runway.'^[28] It marked the her first televised performance in years. In March, 2012, during an interview with MTV's Sucker Free, Kim revealed that contract issues with production duo Trackmasters were the reason behind her album delay, saying "...contractually, by the courts, I could not record any music - I wasn’t supposed to put any music out.” ^[29]

Lil' Kim In October 2011

On March 23, 2012, the song "Keys To The City", a collaboration with Young Jeezy, was leaked to the internet. Release date of the song as a single has not been decided yet.

Other ventures[link]

Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown[link]

On March 9, 2006, BET premiered the show Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, which was filmed before Kim headed to prison. The show became the highest rated premiere in BET history, with 1.7 million viewers. In May 2006, Debbie Harry released a Lil' Kim tribute song called "Dirty and Deep" in protest of her conviction. The song is available free from the Deborah Harry Home Page.

Dancing With the Stars[link]

Lil' Kim appeared on the eighth season reality show Dancing with the Stars, which began airing on March 9, 2009. She was paired with professional dancer Derek Hough until the dance couple was eliminated on May 5, 2009,^[30] putting her at fifth place from all thirteen contestants that season. During the second week of the season, judge Len Goodman said that she "must have a bionic booty," a nickname that resulted from her performance of the selected dance that evening.

Legal issues[link]

On March 17, 2005, Kim was convicted of three counts of conspiracy and one count of perjury for lying to a Federal grand jury about her and her friends' involvement in a 2001 shooting outside the Hot 97 studios in Manhattan.^[31] During the trial of her co-manager, Damion "D-Roc" Butler, and her bodyguard, Suif "Gutta" Jackson, a former member of the hip-hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A, she testified not to have known they were at the scene.^[32] However, video footage from a security camera placed all three at the scene, exiting the building. This directly contravened testimony before the grand jury.^[33] Butler and Jackson have since pled guilty to gun charges. Jackson was sentenced, in U.S. District Court, to twelve years in federal prison as part of plea bargain in which he admitted to firing at least twenty rounds during the incident. The length of the sentence was said to have been influenced by his previous gun-related convictions.^[32] In July 2005, Kim was sentenced to a one year and a day in prison, thirty days home detention upon release from custody, and three years of probation. She served the entirety of her sentence at the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia in Center City, Philadelphia. She was released on July 3, 2006, after serving approximately 12 months.^[33] Kim, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Register #56198-054, was released from BOP supervision on August 2, 2006.^[34][35]

Discography[link]

• Hard Core (1996)
• The Notorious K.I.M. (2000)
• La Bella Mafia (2003)
• The Naked Truth (2005)
• TBA (2012)

Tours[link]

Headlining 2012: Return Of The Queen Tour Filmography[link] Films Year Film Role 1997 Gangstresses Herself 1999 She's All That Alex 2000 Longshot (film) Herself 2001 Zoolander Herself 2002 Juwanna Mann Tina Parker 2003 Those Who Walk in Darkness Soledad Gang of Roses Chastity 2004 Nora's Hair Salon Herself You Got Served Herself 2005 Lil' Pimp Sweet Chiffon (voice) There's a God on the Mic Herself 2008 Superhero Movie Xavier's daughter Television V.I.P. (as freedom fighter) (1999) DAG (as Gina Marie) (2001) Moesha (as Diamond) (2001) The Parkers (as herself) (2001) American Dreams as Shirley Ellis (October 12, 2003) Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown (2006) The Game (as herself) (2007) Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll (2007) Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (2008) Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 8) (2009) Awards[link] This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (June 2011) Grammy Awards 1997: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Ladies Night (Not Tonight remix)" (with Missy Elliott, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Da Brat, and Angie Martinez) (nominated) 2002: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Lady Marmalade" (WINNER) 2003: Best Female Rap Solo Performance for "Came Back for You" (nominated) 2003: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Christina Aguilera) (nominated) 2003: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Magic Stick" (with 50 Cent) (nominated) 2008: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Let It Go" (with Keyshia Cole & Missy Elliott) (nominated) MTV Video Music Awards 1998: Viewer's Choice for "All About The Benjamins" (with P. Diddy and others) 2001: Video of the Year for "Lady Marmalade" 2001: Best Video from a Film for "Lady Marmalade" My VH1 Awards 2001: Favorite Video ("Lady Marmalade") 2001: Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just My Video? ("Lady Marmalade") Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards 1997: Best Video by a Female - Rap/R&B ("Crush On You") 1999: Best Video by a Female - Rap/R&B ("Not Tonight (remix)") Source Awards 2003: Female Artist of the Year 2003: Female Single of the Year "The Jumpoff" Teen Choice Awards 2001: Choice Song of the Summer ("Lady Marmalade") MOBO Awards 2003: Most Stylish Artist of the Year Radio Music Awards 2001: Song of the Year Top 40 Pop Radio-"Lady Marmalade" TMF Awards-Belgium 2001: Video of The Year-"Lady Marmalade" TMF Awards-Netherlands 2001: Video of The Year-"Lady Marmalade" ALMA Awards 2002: Outstanding Song- Motion Picture Soundtrack "Lady Marmalade" ASCAP Music Awards 2002: Song of the Year-"Lady Marmalade" MTV Japan Awards 2002: Best Choreography "Lady Marmalade" MVPA Video Awards 2002: Best Styling In A Video-"Lady Marmalade" VIBE Awards 2005: Album of the Year The Naked Truth (nominated) BET Awards 2006: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated) 2008: Best Song "Let It Go" (nominated) 2010: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated) American Music Awards 2003: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist 2005: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated) References[link] ^ a b Federal Bureau of Prisons ^ "The Lil Kim Picture Pages". Superiorpics.com. http://www.superiorpics.com/lil_kim/. Retrieved 2012-03-09.  ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2008). "Lil' Kim > Biography". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p198619/biography. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ "Junior M.A.F.I.A. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p165563/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ a b c d "Gold and Platinum - Junior M.A.F.I.A.". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Junior%20M.A.F.I.A&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ "Lil' Kim > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p198619/charts-awards. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ "Gold & Platinum (Lil' Kim)". RIAA. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Lil%20Kim&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=25. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ "Lil' Kim > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p198619/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ "Li'l Kim Comes Under Fire From Political Activist". MTV News. 1997-05-19. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431197/19970519/lil_kim.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ "Puffy, Dru Hill, Mase, Busta, Lil' Kim To Hit The Road". MTV News. 1998-02-06. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1426803/19980206/rhymes_busta.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ Wolf, Buck (2004-11-09). ["Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H 101 -- The Life and Times of Lil' Kim" "Queen B 101: College Lessons in Stardom"]. ABC News. "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H 101 -- The Life and Times of Lil' Kim". Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ Horowitz, David (2006). The Professors: The 101 Most Dangerous Academics in America. Washington, D.C.: Regnery. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-89526-003-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=CYqZjtVp00AC.  ^ "Def Jam: Fight for NY - Cheats". GameFAQs. GameSpot. http://www.gamefaqs.com/console//code/920170.html. Retrieved 2009-03-30.  ^ Megaproml, p. 104. ^ missxpose (4 December 2007). "MS. G.O.A.T.". MissXpose: Celebrity Gossip and Entertainment News. http://www.missxpose.com/2007/12/ms-goat/. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ "Ms. G.O.A.T.". All Music Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/album/ms-goat-r1334720. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ Janson, Jesse (23 December 2007). "Dj Whoo Kid & Mister Cee – Lil Kim "Ms. G.O.A.T.". Get Right Music. http://www.getrightmusic.com/2007/12/23/dj-whoo-kid-mister-cee-lil-kim-ms-goat-2/. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ "Lil Kim - Ms. G.O.A.T". DatPiff.com. 23 December 2007. Archived from the original on 5 April 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080405123128/http://www.datpiff.com/Lil-Kim-DJ-Whoo-Kid-Mister-Cee-Ms-GOAT-mid9559.html. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ a b Salinas, Tito (14 January 2008). "Lil' Kim: Ms. G.O.A.T. (Mixtape)". All Hip Hop. http://allhiphop.com/stories/reviews/archive/2008/01/14/19133653.aspx. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ "Lil’ Kim – Ms. G.O.A.T. Mixtape". Hip Hop Music. 27 December 2007. http://www.hiphopmusicdotcom.com/lil-kim-ms-goat-mixtape.html. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ "Ms. G.O.A.T. | Lil' Kim with Mister Cee & Whoo Kid". Mix Unit: The Hip Hop Shop. http://www.mixunit.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=10341. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ Gresehover, Ehren (17 December 2007). "2. Lil' Kim, "The Miseducation of Lil' Kim"". New York Mag. http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2007/12/rem_wish_you_a_merry_xmas.html. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ "LiL KIm Interveiw (pt.2) NEW YEARS 2011 GME". YouTube. 2011-01-03. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_REPYaKrrko. Retrieved 2012-03-09.  ^ "50 Cent Says He’s ‘Working With Eminem’ On Upcoming Black Magic LP". Rapfix.mtv.com. 2011-01-24. http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/01/24/50-cent-eminem-black-magic-lil-kim-working/. Retrieved 2012-03-09.  ^ "Lil Kim 99 Jamz Interview". YouTube. 2011-04-23. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RfoRlATGiGQ#at=322. Retrieved 2012-03-09.  ^ singlecoversFM (2012-02-24). "Daily Music Juice: Lil' Kim To Hold Debut Single Off New Album". Dailymusicjuice.blogspot.com. http://dailymusicjuice.blogspot.com/2012/02/lil-kim-to-hold-debut-single-off-new.html#more. Retrieved 2012-03-09.  ^ » by Danielle Canada November 27, 2011, 10:04am (2011-11-27). "Lil Kim Releasing Five-Track EP". Hip-Hop Wired. http://hiphopwired.com/2011/11/27/lil-kim-releasing-five-track-ep/. Retrieved 2012-03-09.  ^ Khalila Douze (2012-02-24). "Exclusive: Estelle, Lil Kim to Perform on BET's 'Rip the Runway'". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/exclusive-estelle-lil-kim-to-perform-on-1006276552.story#/column/the-juice/exclusive-estelle-lil-kim-to-perform-on-1006276552.story. Retrieved 2012-03-29.  ^ Nadeska Alexis (2012-03-22). "Lil Kim Attributes Album Delay To Contract Issues". RapFix. http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/03/22/lil-kim-album-delay-contract-issues/. Retrieved 2012-03-29.  ^ "Television News, Reviews and TV Show Recaps - HuffPost TV". Television.aol.com. http://television.aol.com/dancing-with-the-stars/tag/lil+kim/. Retrieved 2012-03-09.  ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (March 17, 2005). "Lil' Kim Found Guilty Of Lying To Grand Jury, Investigators". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1498251/20050317/lil_kim.jhtml. Retrieved April 13, 2010.  ^ a b Rashbaum, Alyssa (September 23, 2004). "Lil' Kim's Bodyguard Sentenced To 12 Years For His Role In Shootout". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1491311/20040923/lil_kim.jhtml. Retrieved March 17, 2009.  ^ a b Moss, Corey (July 3, 2006). "Lil' Kim Released From Prison". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535483/20060629/lil_kim.jhtml. Retrieved March 17, 2009.  ^ "Lil' Kim leaves prison, steps into Rolls." Philadelphia Inquirer. July 3, 2006. Retrieved on January 6, 2010. ^ "Kimberly Jones (56198-054)." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on January 6, 2010. External links[link] Official website Lil' Kim at the Internet Movie Database v t e Lil' Kim Discography Awards and nominations Studio albums and singles Hard Core "No Time" "Crush on You" "Not Tonight" "Queen Bitch" The Notorious K.I.M. "No Matter What They Say" "How Many Licks?" La Bella Mafia "The Jump Off" "Magic Stick" "Thug Luv" The Naked Truth "Lighters Up" "Whoa" Mixtapes Ms. G.O.A.T. Black Friday Soundtrack and Promotional "Lady Marmalade" "In the Air Tonite" "Kimnotyze" "Download" Featured singles "I Can Love You" "It's All About the Benjamins" "Money, Power & Respect" "Hit Em wit da Hee" "Notorious B.I.G." "Wait a Minute" "Get Down on It" "Can't Hold Us Down" "Let It Go" Film work She's All That Those Who Walk in Darkness Gang of Roses You Got Served Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown Related articles Junior M.A.F.I.A. The Notorious B.I.G. Puff Daddy Mary J. Blige v t e Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 8) Shawn Johnson Gilles Marini Melissa Rycroft Ty Murray Lil' Kim Chuck Wicks Lawrence Taylor Steve-O David Alan Grier Steve Wozniak Holly Madison Denise Richards Belinda Carlisle Persondata Name Jones, Kimberly Denise Alternative names Lil' Kim Short description Rapper, actress, model Date of birth 1974-07-11 Place of birth Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Date of death Place of death

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]