Onika Tanya Maraj (born December 8, 1982),[3] known professionally as Nicki Minaj (/mɪˈnɑːʒ/), is a Trinidadian-born American rapper, singer, songwriter, model, and actress.[4][5][6] Born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Queens, New York, she gained public recognition after releasing the mixtapes Playtime Is Over (2007), Sucka Free (2008), and Beam Me Up Scotty (2009).