Onika Tanya Maraj, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, is a Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, and model. 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).