Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982),[3][4] known professionally as Nicki Minaj (/mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is an American rapper and singer.[5] Born in Saint James, Port of Spain, and raised in Queens, New York City, she gained public recognition after releasing the mixtapes Playtime Is Over (2007), Sucka Free (2008), and Beam Me Up Scotty (2009).