NICKI Minaj is one of the most adored and biggest selling rappers in the world, but she was almost known by another name.
Not many realise that Nicki is not actually that keen on her stage name, despite her fame and success – here’s what we know.
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Why did Nicki Minaj change her name?
When she started out in the rap game, Nicki went by her real surname Maraj until one of her early record deals.
In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, she revealed how the switch came about.
She said: “Somebody changed my name.
“One of the first production deals I signed, the guy wanted my name to be Minaj and I fought him tooth and nail.
“But he convinced me. I’ve always hated it”
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She added that she doesn’t like it when her family and friends use her stage name, adding: “To me I’m not Nicki Minaj when I’m with them.”
What are Nicki Minaj’s nicknames?
As well as her stage name, the ‘Super Bass’ singer has garnered a collection of nicknames over the years.
In 2010, she revealed to New York Magazine that her first alias was “Cookie”, while other have followed since.
She has also been known as “Harajuku Barbie”, “Nicki the Ninja” and “Nicki Lewinsky”, the latter being a reference to the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
What is Nicki Minaj’s real name?
Nicki was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in 1982.
She has two brothers, Jelani and Micaiah, and a little sister named Ming.
Her father, Robert, was an abusive alcoholic and drug addict, before attending rehab later in life.
He died aged 64 in 2021 after a hit-and-run.
In 2019, Nicki changed her legal name to Onika Maraj-Petty after marrying registered sex offender Kenneth Petty, with whom she shares a son.
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