After years of multiple alter-egos and sharp lyrics in the game, Nicki Minaj has become the first female rapper to amass a net worth of $100 million. With this new achievement, the award-winning Queens rapper and music mogul can add another milestone to her legacy.
On Monday, Nicki Minaj’s record label, Young Money, tweeted the news.
Nicki Minaj has become the first female rapper in history to amass a $100 million net worth ? #QueenTingz ? pic.twitter.com/pYXDJRTGSo
— Young Money (@YoungMoneySite) March 16, 2020
Music and Film
Since being signed in 2009, the 37-year-old artist has built her fortune on Billboard-topping hits and millions of album sales. Across countless mixtape tracks, A-list features, sold-out tours and four platinum-selling studio albums, her biggest hits have included 2012’s “Starships” and, more recently, 2018’s “Chun Li.”
As she heated up the charts, Minaj made numerous appearances on TV and film.
In 2013, Minaj earned $12 million as a judge on season 12 of “American Idol,” according to Yahoo. She also took her talents to Hollywood, starring in three films, including 2014’s “The Other Woman.”
“One thing I learned along the way in business is the necessity for you to be unapologetic about asking for how much money you deserve,” she told TIME, who named her one of 2016’s most influential people.
However, Nicki Minaj has expanded her business portfolio beyond art and music.
Endorsements
According to Insider, a portion of Minaj’s wealth has been accumulated through ceiling-shattering endorsement deals.
In 2012, the hip hop mogul signed a seven-figure deal with Pepsi to debut a new beverage. In the same year, she collected millions with brands such as Beats By Dre, MAC Cosmetics, and adidas. Each partnership helped the songwriter soar into a larger tax bracket.
Starting with her first perfume, Pink Friday, released in 2012, she has debuted nine scents to date.
Aside from art and music, Minaj is a smart investor. According to Insider — in 2015 — she invested a three percent stake in Jay-Z’s artist-friendly music streaming service, Tidal, which is now worth $100 million, Forbes reports.
Fashion
Minaj’s most recent business venture was a playful fashion collaboration with luxury brand Fendi. Late last year, Minaj released “Fendi Prints On,” a 127-piece capsule collection filled with oversized jackets, skin-showing silhouettes, and 90s-inspired jewelry.
While the megastar readies new music, she’s steadily growing her brand and earning top-dollar behind the scenes.
“I would tell women starting out in business, if you know you’re great at what you do, don’t ever be ashamed to ask for the top dollar in your field,” she said. “If I’m great at what I do, I can’t be denied.”
