Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, born 8 December 1982 in Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, is one of the most commercially successful female rappers in history — over 100 million records sold worldwide. Her debut album Pink Friday (2010) made her the first female rapper to chart seven Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles simultaneously.

Her Parents

Father: Robert Maraj (1957 – 12 February 2021) — Trinidadian gospel-music singer and financial-services executive; died in a hit-and-run in Long Island in February 2021.

Mother: Carol Maraj née Mitchell — Trinidadian gospel singer.

The family moved from Trinidad to Queens, New York when Nicki was 5.

Her Brothers

Jelani Maraj — elder brother; convicted in 2017 of sexual offences (a major family controversy).

Caiah Maraj — younger brother.

Micaiah Maraj — younger brother.

Her Husband: Kenneth Petty

Kenneth "Zoo" Petty, born 7 April 1978, was Nicki's high-school sweetheart at LaGuardia High School, before being convicted of attempted rape (1995) and manslaughter (2002). They reconnected in 2018 and married on 21 October 2019.

Their Son: Papa Bear

Their son, publicly known as "Papa Bear" Petty, was born on 30 September 2020. The family has used the nickname publicly while keeping his given name private.

The Maraj-Petty Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Robert Maraj (1957 – 12 February 2021) — Trinidadian gospel singer.

Mother: Carol Maraj née Mitchell — Trinidadian gospel singer.

Brothers: Jelani Maraj (elder); Caiah Maraj (younger); Micaiah Maraj (younger).

Husband: Kenneth Petty (b. 7 April 1978); married 21 October 2019.

Son: "Papa Bear" Petty (b. 30 September 2020).

Nicki Minaj:

  • Born 8 December 1982, Saint James, Port of Spain
  • Family moved to Queens, NYC at age 5
  • LaGuardia High School (Manhattan)
  • Albums: Pink Friday (2010), Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), The Pinkprint (2014), Queen (2018), Pink Friday 2 (2023)
  • Over 100 million records sold

What the Maraj Family Story Teaches Us

Two gospel-singer parents who emigrated from Trinidad to Queens. A father who died in a hit-and-run. Three brothers, one of whom is the subject of a major family controversy. A complicated husband with a serious criminal history. A son born in 2020 whose given name is kept private behind a nickname.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Nicki Minaj story carries the same lesson. Family records include the difficult chapters. The Maraj family tree includes Robert's death by hit-and-run, Jelani's conviction, Kenneth's history — all part of the public record. Write them down honestly. The tree records what was real.

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