A strong female supporting strong females.
By Kelcey Connors — Written on Dec 22, 2017
July 2007: Nicki Minaj’s first mixtape, Playtime is Over is released.
July 2017: Minaj is given the title of Best Selling Female Rapper of all time.
Born Onika Maraj in Trinidad and Tobago, she was raised in South Jamaica and Queens, New York, and rose to fame professionally as Nicki Minaj. Her list of accomplishments is long and impressive and what she has achieved in the past 10 years is worth acknowledging.
While she may be known for, and easily recognized, as an artist with colorful costumes and wigs, so far in her career she has received ten Grammy nominations, won Six American Music Awards, eleven BET Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and received the 2001 Rising Star award from Billboard’s Women In Music. Reminder, she has received all of this and we are only celebrating 10 years of her work. She has created an image that is true to her and accomplished amazing feats with it.
She has endorsed brands such as Adidas, MAC Cosmetics, and Pepsi, has released her own products such a lipsticks, clothing, and perfume, has written and performed her own music, and has appeared on the big screen.
Like I said: impressive.
While she clearly keeps busy with her successful career, she still finds the time to discuss what she believes in and support other women along the way.
Of course, her songs range from topics such as boys and love to money and success, but they're also about power and about being yourself. Her catchy raps are easy to sing along with and quote when the moment is right.
There are many reasons why people love her, and why they feel the importance of celebrating her 10-year milestone. But I think her ability to stay grounded throughout all of this and continue to inspire people is her most admirable quality and achievement.
Don’t believe me? Well, Nicki believes in you. So, here are 21 quotes from her that will inspire you to be yourself, get through the hard times, keep you working towards your dreams, and be the queen that you really are.
Stay grounded.
"You don't have to feel the need to put somebody down to make yourself feel better." — Nicki Minaj
Know who you are.
Photo: pinterest
"You're not gonna tell me who I am. I'm gonna tell you who I am." — Nicki Minaj
On being successful in life.
"You wanna know what scares people? Success. When you don't make moves and you don't climb up the ladder, everybody loves you because you're not competition." — Nicki Minaj
Live life to the fullest.
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"I believe that life is a prize, but to live doesn't mean you're alive." — Moment 4 Life, Nicki Minaj
You need to like who you are.
"You have to know that as long as you love who you are — your morals, your values, that type of stuff, you're ok." — Nicki Minaj
Keep chasing your dreams.
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"Your victory is right around the corner. Never give up." — Nicki Minaj
You are beautiful.
"We all have insecurities, but you have to know you're beautiful." — Nicki Minaj
You are powerful.
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"You could be the king, but watch the queen conquer." — Nicki Minaj
No one can control who you are.
"I will not let anyone scare me out of my full potnetial." — Nicki Minaj
Do what you want!
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"I stand for girls wanting to be sexy and dance, but also having a strong sense of themselves. If you got a big ol' butt? Shake it! Who cares? That doesn't mean you shouldn't be graduating from college." — Nicki Minaj
You're only human.
"When you're a girl you have to be everything... You have to be sexy, and you have to be this and you have to be that, and you have to be nice. It's like, I can't be all those things at once. I'm a human being." — Nicki Minaj
You are capable of anything.
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"I just want women to always feel in control, because we're capable, we're so capable." — Nicki Minaj
The possibilities are endless.
"I want to show little girls that the possibilities are endless. That's my goal — to not only do it for myself, but to show them I can do whatever I put my mind to." — Nicki Minaj
Breaking barriers and stereotypes one song at a time.
Photo: Cosmopolitan
“I do not see myself as a female rapper anymore. I see myself as a rapper.” — Nicki Minaj
She's just a regular girl.
”I feel empowered sometimes by being sexy and being comfortable enough to be sexy on camera… But there are some days that I don’t want anyone to see me. I’m just a regular girl. Some days I’m super strong; some days I’m super insecure.” — Nicki Minaj
It's woman's turn now.
Photo: Cosmopolitan
”I want to build my empire. In my field, I have always seen men do it, from Diddy to Dr. Dre to Jay Z. Now it’s a woman’s turn.” — Nicki Minaj
You don't need a man to support you.
“I can’t stop working, because it’s bigger than work to me. It’s having a purpose outside any man.” — Nicki Minaj
We should be willing to take chances like her.
Photo: Cosmopolitan
”I’m a multidimensional woman, like all women are. The difference is that I have the balls to take chances.” — Nicki Minaj
Be in charge of your life.
“I always feel it's important for me to show females that they can be in charge of their own situation... When I win and when I lose, I take ownership of it, because I really am in charge of what I do.” — Nicki Minaj
Work hard.
Photo: Nicki Minaj Speaking
”Stay in school. Don't ever be lazy, don’t you ever complain about hard work. Work hard, it pays off.” — Nicki Minaj
You know your worth, don't settle for someone who doesn't.
“Call it a curse or just call me blessed, if you can’t handle my worst you ain't getting my best.” — Nicki Minaj