Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, two legendary hip-hop artists, have a lengthy history together. The Young Money rappers had a significant impact on music during the 2010s and gave emcees hope for future careers in the same field.

Surprise visits by Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne during the H..o.t 107.9 Birthday Bash

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne | Chris McKay/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj’s initial career years

In 2002, Nicki Minaj launched her rap career. She joined the New York rap trio Hood$tars, which included Svn-Up, Loustar, and rapper Safaree “SB” Samuels, the latter of whom would go on to be her permanent girlfriend.

Hood$tars broke up in 2005, and Minaj tried her hand at being a solo artist. In the latter part of the 2000s, she released the mixtapes Beam Me Up Scotty (which was re-released in 2021), Sucka Free, and Playtime Is Over.

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne visit TAO Nightclub at the Venetian

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne | Getty Images/Denise Truscello

Lil Wayne first saw Nicki Minaj on a DVD.

Minaj had an appearance on the hip-hop DVD series The Come Up while she was rising to fa..m.e in New York. It was produced by New York-based independent label ʀirty Money Records, owned by rapper ʀirty Money.

Come Up DVDs featured multiple appearances by Minaj. MTV News claims that Lil Wayne discovered her on one of these street DVDs. The Come Up DVD that followed, named “Wayne’s World,” included both Minaj and Lil Wayne, who had been a well-known figure in the hip-hop business for more than ten years.

When sat next to a young Minaj during one of her Come Up concerts, Tiny Money said bluntly, “I f— with only the best.” I wouldn’t even be here at this moment if she weren’t the finest. With the best, I f—.

At the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Lil Wayne (L) and Nicki Minaj take the stage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.

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

Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne collaborated on several successful songs, including as “Seeing Green,” “Good Form,” and others.

In the late 2000s, Wayne and Minaj collaborated on three mixtape releases after Minaj was joined to his Young Money record company. 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

Minaj, who is married and has a child, has barely released a few tracks of music since her 2018 album Queen. But she and Wayne still have a strong relationship.

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