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Pink Magic: 60 Photos of Nicki Minaj's Rise to the Top

In just a few years Nicki Minaj went from dropping mixtapes in Queens to ruling the world. Look back at some of her iconic looks and career moments

December 8, 2016
Playtime Is Over (mixtape)

July 5, 2007

Nicki Minaj releases her mixtape "Playtime Is Over" 

Dirty Money Records/Young Money Entertainment

Sucka Free (mixtape)

April 12, 2008

With Lil Wayne and other guest rappers, Nicki Minaj releases her mixtape "Sucka Free." 

Dirty Money Records/Young Money Entertainment

Beam Me Up Scotty (mixtape)

April 18, 2009

Nicki Minaj drops her "Beam Me Up Scotty" mixtape. 

Trapaholics

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 10: Nicki Minaj attends the BET Hip Hop Awards '09 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on Octobe

October 10, 2009

Nicki Minaj attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Taylor Hill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 15: Musician Robin Thicke and rapper Nicki Minaj attends the album release party at Butter on December 15

December 15, 2009

Robin Thicke and Nicki Minaj performs at Thicke's album release party in New York City. 

Brian Ach/Getty Images for Butter

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: Nikki Minaj performs at the BET's Rip The Runway 2010 at the Hammerstein Ballroom on February 27, 20

February 27, 2010

Nicki Minaj performs at the BET's Rip The Runway 2010 in New York City. 

George Napolitano/FilmMagic

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 27: Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27,

June 27, 2010

Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2010 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Nicki Minaj (R) onstage during the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

June 27, 2010

Nicki Minaj speaks onstage during the 2010 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Jay-Z, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj perform at Yankee Stadium on September 13, 2010 in New York, New York.

September 13, 2010

Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Kanye West perform at Yankee Stadium in New York. 

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Recording artist Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2010 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L

November 21, 2010

Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2010 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Jason Merritt/Getty Images for DCP

(L-R) Nicki Minaj and Drake perform at the Hot 97 Thanksgiving Thank you Concert at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 25, 2010

November 25, 2010

Nicki Minaj and Drake perform at the Hot 97 Thanksgiving Thank you Concert in New York City. 

Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

MIRAMAR, CA - DECEMBER 03: (L-R) Singer Keri Hilson, musician Grace Potter, host comedian Kathy Griffin, singers Nicki Minaj

December 3, 2010

Keri Hilson, Grace Potter, Kathy Griffin, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry perform onstage during "VH1 Divas Salute the Troops" in Miramar, California. 

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for VH1

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Nicki Minaj poses for a portrait session to promote her new album '

January 20, 2011

Nicki Minaj poses for a portrait session to promote her new album 'Pink Friday' in London, England. 

Dave Hogan/Getty Images

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 1589 -- Pictured: Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

January 29, 2011

Nicki Minaj performs on Saturday Night Live in New York City. 

Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Nicki Minaj attends the Cash Money Records Annual Pre-GRAMMY Party at The Lot on February 1

February 12, 2011

Nicki Minaj attends the Cash Money Records Annual Pre-GRAMMY Party in West Hollywood, California. 

Noel Vasquez/WireImage

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Singer Nicki Minaj arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 13,

February 13, 2011

Nicki Minaj arrives at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

C Flanigan/FilmMagic

Nicki Minaj helps Casio unveil their new TRYX digital camera billboard at Times Square on April 7, 2011 in New York City.

April 7, 2011

Nicki Minaj helps Casio unveil their new TRYX digital camera billboard at Times Square in New York City. 

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Rapper Nicki Minaj performs at Staples Center on April 22, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

April 22, 2011

Nicki Minaj performs at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. 

Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 22: Singers Britney Spears (L) and Nicki Minaj perform during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM

May 22, 2011

Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj perform during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Ethan Miller/Getty Images for ABC

Singer Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 22, 2011 in Las

May 22, 2011

Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 28: Singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Augu

August 28, 2011

Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

C Flanigan/FilmMagic

Nicki Minaj attends the Carolina Herrera Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theater at Lincoln

September 12, 2011

Nicki Minaj attends the Carolina Herrera Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City. 

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 24: RSnger Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival held at the MGM Grand Gar

September 24, 2011

Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 08: Donatella Versace and Nicki Minaj attend the Versace for H&M Fashion event at the H&M on the Huds

November 8, 2011

Donatella Versace and Nicki Minaj attend the Versace for H&M Fashion event in New York City. 

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Versace for H&M

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Erin Heatherton walks the runway while Nicki Minaj performs during the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fas

November 9, 2011

Erin Heatherton walks the runway with Nicki Minaj during the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City. 

Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Recording Artist Nicki Minaj poses at the 2011 American Music Awards Press Room at Nokia Theat

November 20, 2011

Nicki Minaj poses at the 2011 American Music Awards Press Room in Los Angeles, California. 

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia The

November 20, 2011

Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Christopher Polk/AMA2011/Getty Images for AMA

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 02: Nicki Minaj sighting on December 2, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic)

December 2, 2011

Nicki Minaj is honored at Billboard's Women in Music Event in New York City. 

Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 05: Nicki Minaj, Madonna and MIA perform during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at

February 5, 2012

Nicki Minaj, Madonna and M.I.A. perform during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at the Staples Center on Febr

February 12, 2012

Nicki Minaj arrives at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held in Los Angeles, California. 

Dan MacMedan/WireImage

Nicki Minaj performs at the Staples Center during the 54th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, February 12, 2012. AFP P

February 12, 2012

Nicki Minaj during the 54th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj Meets Fans And Signs Copies Of Her New Album At Hmv Bayswater, Whiteleys Shopping Centre In London. (Photo by Joh

April 19, 2012

Nicki Minaj Meets Fans And Signs Copies Of Her New Album in London. 

John Phillips/UK Press via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 01: Singer Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the 2012 BET Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on July

July 1, 2012

Nicki Minaj poses in the press room at the 2012 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) -- Episode 4286 -- Pictured: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via G

July 13, 2012

Nicki Minaj backstage at The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. 

Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj and singer Justin Bieber perform onstage during the 40th Ameri

November 18, 2012

Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber perform onstage during the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Christopher Polk/AMA2012/Getty Images for AMA

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Nicki Minaj speaks onstage at The 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live o

November 18, 2012

Nicki Minaj speaks onstage at The 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Michael Tran/FilmMagic

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Singer Nicki Minaj introduces "Pink Friday" Fragrance Holiday Season Celebration at Macy's Queens

November 20, 2012

Nicki Minaj introduces "Pink Friday" Fragrance Holiday Season Celebration at Macy's Queens Center in New York. 

Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 08: (L-R) Judges Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj of "American Idol" speak onstage during the

January 8, 2013

Judges Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj of "American Idol" speak onstage during the FOX portion of the 2013 Winter TCA Tour in Pasadena, California. 

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. (Phot

May 6, 2013

Nicki Minaj attends the Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 

Jamie Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for The Huffington Post

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 19: Rapper Lil Wayne (L) and recording artist Nicki Minaj perform during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards

May 19, 2013

Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj perform during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 22: Nicki Minaj and BMI Vice President Catherine Brewton onstage at the 2013 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards at

August 22, 2013

Nicki Minaj onstage at the 2013 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in New York City. 

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for BMI

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 15: Nicki Minaj attends the launch of the Nicki Minaj Collection at KMart on October 15, 2013 in Lo

October 15, 2013

Nicki Minaj attends the launch of the Nicki Minaj Collection at KMart in Los Angeles, California. 

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 29: Singer Nicki Minaj speaks onstage during the BET AWARDS '14 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on June 29,

June 29, 2014

Nicki Minaj speaks onstage during the BET Awards 2014 in Los Angeles, California. 

Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 29: Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the "BET AWARDS" 14 held at Nokia Theater L.A. LIVE on June 29

June 29, 2014

Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the BET Awards 2014 in Los Angeles, California. 

Michael Tran/FilmMagic

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 24: Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 201

August 24, 2014

Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Inglewood, California. 

Kevin Mazur/MTV1415/WireImage

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Nicki Minaj speaks onstage at the MTV EMA's 2014 at The Hydro on November 9, 2014 in Glasgow

November 9, 2014

Nicki Minaj speaks onstage at the MTV EMA's 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on N

November 23, 2014

Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

Kevin Mazur/AMA2014/WireImage

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- "James Franco" Episode 1670 -- Pictured: Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

December, 6 2014

Nicki Minaj performs on Saturday Night Live in New York City. 

Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU

David Guetta and Nicki Minaj at Coachella

Nicki Minaj brings back her pink wig at a Coachella performance with David Guetta.

@NickiMinaj on Instagram

"All Eyes On You" Video Shoot, Behind the Scenes

A behind-the-scenes shot of Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill's "All Eyes on You" video, shared on her Instagram account.

@nickiminaj on Instagram

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 04: Madame Tussauds unveils the world's first Nicki Minaj wax figure In Las Vegas on August 4, 2015 in

Madame Tussauds Wax Figure

The world's first Nicki Minaj wax figure in Las Vegas.

Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Recording artist Nicki Minaj (L) accepts the Best Hip Hop Video award for "Anaconda" from actres

2015 MTV Video Music Awards

Nicki Minaj accepts the Best Hip Hop Video award for "Anaconda" from actress Rebel Wilson onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.

Kevin Winter/MTV1415/Getty Images For MTV

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Recording artists Taylor Swift (L) and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Mus

2015 MTV Video Music Awards Performance

Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.

Larry Busacca/MTV1415/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Beyonce and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during TIDAL X: 1020 Amplified by HTC at Barclays Center o

TIDAL X: 1020

Beyonce and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during TIDAL X: 1020 Amplified by HTC at Barclays Center.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for TIDAL

Halloween 2015

Nicki Minaj as your fairy godmother for Halloween 2015.

Getty Images

'TIME 100' 2016

Nicki Minaj covers TIME as one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2016.

TIME

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 i

Met Gala 2016

Nicki attends the 2016 "Fashion In An Age of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill attend the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on Augus

Nicki Minaj & Meek Mill at 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill attend the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Sq

Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj Perform at 2016 MTV Video Music Awards

Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Theo Wargo/MTV1617/Getty Images for MTV

Lauryn Hill & Nicki Minaj Meet

Nicki Minaj meets Lauryn Hill in a photo shared on Nicki's Instagram.

Nicki MInaj (@nickiminaj on Instagram)

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