Hip-hop legends Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne have a long history together. Throughout the 2010s, the Young Mo.ney rappers made a lasting impression on music and provided opportunities for emcees to pursue similar careers.

Lil Wayne with Nicki Minaj | Chris McKay/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj’s early professional days

The beginning of Nicki Minaj’s rap career was in 2002. She joined the Hood$tars, a New York rap group made up of rappers Safaree “SB” Samuels, Loustar, and Svn-Up, who would later become her longterm partner.

After Hood$tars broke up in 2005, Minaj attempted to pursue a solo career. She put out the mixtapes Beam Me Up Scotty (which was re-released in 2021), Sucka Free, and Playtime Is Over in the late 2000s.

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne | Denise Truscello/Getty Images

On a DVD, Lil Wayne discovered Nicki Minaj.

Minaj had an appearance on the hip-hop DVD series The Come Up as she was rising in New York. It was made by rapper ʀirty Mo.ney’s indie label, ʀirty Mo.ney Records, which is situated in New York.

Minaj had several appearances on Come Up DVDs. Lil Wayne reportedly found her on one of these street DVDs, according to MTV News. Lil Wayne, who had been a prominent presence in the hip-hop industry for more than a decade, and Minaj were both on the subsequent Come Up DVD, which was titled “Wayne’s World.”

During one of her Come Up appearances, Tiny Mo.ney candidly stated, “I f— with only the best,” when seated next to a youthful Minaj. “If she weren’t the best, I wouldn’t even be here right now. I f— with the best.”

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne (L) | Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj collaborated on several h it tracks, such as “Seeing Green,” “Good Form,” and others.

In the late 2000s, Wayne and Minaj collaborated on three mixtape releases after Minaj was signed to his Young Mo.ney record label. On her Sucka Free mixtape, Wayne appeared frequently.

Minaj has effectively shifted into the mainstream with the release of her two albums, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012) and Pink Friday, her debut album from 2010. But as she started releasing more pop-oriented music, some started to question whether she was still legitimate as a rapper because it seemed like she had given up on being a rapper to become a pop star.

Since then, Minaj has frequently shown that her skill as a rapper hasn’t decreased. When the two rappers work with Wayne on a song, they put all into it. Over the years, they have worked together on several songs, such as “High School,” “Good Form,” “Truffle Butter,” “No Frauds,” and “Seeing Green”.

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne’s current romantic connection

Since releasing her album Queen in 2018, Minaj has occasionally dropped new tracks. She has a child now that she is married to. But she and Wayne still have a strong relationship.

During a highly anticipated Instagram Live in July 2021, Minaj surprised her followers by bringing Wayne along as the “special guest”. They still treat each other like siblings and still adore each other just as much as they always have.

Lil Wayne says of his first meeting with Nicki Minaj, “She and I were meant to be together.”