S. Samuel
Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj has revealed her growing disinterest with her rap alias and explained why, despite her aversion towards it, she was kept the name as of late.
According to Nicki, she only keeps the name “Minaj” to satisfy her fans.
Minaj, who is known by several other aliases, said she got her name from Fendi, her first producer. “I was always called Nicki at home so I was known as Nicki Maraj but my first producer did not like Maraj and thought Minaj sounded better. I still hate the name and I was going to go back to Maraj on the album but people told me no because my fans like it,” she said. On her album, she said, she introduces new characters, including a male character, Roman Zolanski and his mother Martha, who is from Manchester, England. Fans will also meet Nicki, Barbie (she is known as Harajuku Barbie) and Onika. (Newsday)
Minaj reportedly used her rap moniker to personify her rap skills.
Originally using her real last name Maraj, Nicki boasts she started calling herself Minaj because she started “eating chicks”, with her vicious rap skills. Its pronounced as Menage, only spelled to compliment her real last name with a J instead of the traditional spelling. (Nicki Minaj Fans)
Minaj has promised to unleash a new alter ego on the release of her debut album, Pink Friday, later this month.
“There is a person introduced on Pink Friday — it’s Roman’s mother,” Minaj said during her “RapFix Live” interview. “Roman has a mother.” The “Right Thru Me” lyricist assured fans they’ll love Roman’s mom, Martha, but they have to wait until the album drops next month to check out the elder Zolanski. “You gotta wait,” Minaj insisted. “You gotta wait for November 22 to meet Martha, but you’re gonna love her. You’re gonna absolutely adore her.” Just don’t get too attached to the Martha moniker, as Minaj said she may switch it up for the album. “I may change her name,” she said. “I just made up her name on the spot.” (Rap Fix)
In July, Minaj said she would allow the debut to explain the story behind her characters.
“The album is coming along just spectacular,” Minaj revealed in an interview. “I been doing a lot of work with Swizz [Beatz], and the stuff that we been coming upon is magical. When people hear the album, they’re going to get to know Onika [her birth name is Onika Maraj]. And no one knows Onika. I really didn’t think I would be this excited about the songs that I’m coming up with. I’m really, really proud…I’m gonna let the album [introduce my alter ego]. As of now, you’ll know Nicki and you’ll know Roman, my crazy alter ego Roman Zolanski. But you’ll meet Onika before the year ends.” (MTV)
Pink Friday is scheduled to come out Monday, November 22nd.
Check out a recent Nicki Minaj interview down below:
