Nicki Minaj Trademarks

Onika Maraj a.k.a. Nicki Minaj is a Trinidadian recording artist and one of the most influential female rappers of all time. She is known for her wordplay in rap lyrics and her versatility as a recording artist. She is also a songwriter, model, and actress.

Minaj was born in Trinidad and Tobago but was raised in New York City. She graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and acted in Off-Broadway plays.

She first rapped with quartet “The Hoodstars” but was soon after signed by Fendi, CEO of Brooklyn label Dirty Money Entertainment (who created her stage name). She released several mixtapes including Playtime Is Over (2007) and Sucka Free (2008). Her third mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty (2009) contained the single “I Get Crazy” which peaked at number 20 on the U.S. charts. Minaj was discovered and signed by Lil Wayne to Young Money Entertainment. Three months later she appeared on a remix with Trina and Yo Gotti on one of his songs.

In 2010, Minaj was featured on tracks by several different prominent artists, including Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, and Robin Thicke. She also released singles from her upcoming album, including “Your Love” which went to 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Check It Out” which rose to 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Right Thru Me” which also charted on the Billboard Hot 100. She received much critical praise for her verse on “Monster” by Kanye West. Nicki also won a Grammy Award for her verse on “My Chick Bad” by Ludacris. She performed at Yankee Stadium, becoming the first female rap artist to do so, and her first studio album Pink Friday was released at the end of the year. The album has since been certified platinum three times and initially debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album’s fourth single, “Moment 4 Life” peaked at 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The fifth single “Super Bass” was a huge commercial success, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and with almost a billion views of the song’s official video. She supported the Pink Friday album with her first headlining tour.

Minaj has since released three more studio albums, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), The Pinkprint (2014), and Queen (2018). Each album was supported by a successful tour. In her career, Minaj has been responsible for the release of more than 115 singles in addition to her studio albums and mixtapes.

In October of 2019, she announced that she had married her childhood friend Kenneth “Zoo” Petty. In September of 2020, she gave birth to the couple’s first child, a son.

Over the years, Minaj has built a very successful brand and often collaborates with others. Some of her collaborations and partnerships have included brands such as Casio, Nokia, Adidas, Mattel, Bluewater Comics, MAC Cosmetics, Beats, Myx Fusions, Elizabeth Arden, and Fendi.

Nicki Minaj established her business entity, Little Miss Mogul, LLC in 2012. Little Miss Mogul, LLC applied for a federal trademark registration for “PINK FRIDAY NICKI MINAJ” in 2012 for use with perfume, scented body lotions, shower gel, and the like. The name is taken from her first studio album and the perfume was created and introduced in a partnership with Elizabeth Arden. The perfume is marketed as fun and flirty and can be purchased online or in-person at retailers nationwide.

In 2013, the company applied for a trademark for “MINAJASTY” to be used with perfume, scented body lotions, shower gel, and the like. The name is a combination of her last name and “majesty,” as she often refers to herself as “The Queen” in her lyrics. The name was coined by Perez Hilton. The perfume collection was released in 2013, first exclusively at Macy’s and then at other retailers. It can now be purchased nationwide in person or online.

In 2012, Little Miss Mogul applied for a federal trademark registration for “NICKI MINAJ” to be used in relation to lipstick and nail polish. This was then used on the lipsticks and nail polishes that she introduced in a collaboration with Canadian-based, MAC Cosmetics. These come in a variety of brand-exclusive shades that can be purchased from retailers nationwide or online.

In 2015, the company also obtained a federal trademark registration for “NICKI MINAJ” to be used with facial powders, body and shower gels, and hair care products. These products were also released in collaboration with MAC Cosmetics and can be found throughout North America and can be purchased online.

Little Miss Mogul also applied for a trademark for “NICKI MINAJ” in 2017, for use with fragrances for personal use, bath gels, body mists, and the like. Nicki Minaj’s body mist products are made in partnership with Elizabeth Arden and can also be found at retailers nationwide and online.