“I’m number one, y’all go argue over top four.” Nicki said what she said on Pink Friday 2, and Billboard just made it official.
Nicki Minaj has officially been crowned the Greatest Female Rapper of All Time by Billboard, and honestly… was there ever another option? With 149 Billboard Hot 100 entries, a reign spanning over 15 years, and the highest-grossing tour by a female rapper in history, the numbers speak loud, but Nicki speaks louder.
From the moment she bodied her “Monster” verse and dropped her game-changing Pink Friday debut, Onika Tanya Maraj didn’t just break through. She bulldozed the gates. She became the blueprint. And now, Billboard is giving her the flowers she’s long overdue.
Nicki soared straight to the top in a list curated by Billboard staff based on achievements, lyrical ability, influence, and flow. Right behind her? Legends like Missy Elliott (#2), Lauryn Hill (#3), and Lil’ Kim (#4). New-school queens like Cardi B (#11), Megan Thee Stallion (#15), Doja Cat (#16), Latto (#19), GloRilla (#21), and Doechii (#24) also claimed spots, proving that the new generation is making noise but the OG still runs the game.
Nicki’s presence in hip-hop is more than chart stats. She’s culture. She’s an influence. She’s Roman, Barbie, Chun-Li. And she’s Onika. Billboard noted her longevity, her lyrical storytelling, and her unmatched flow as key reasons for her #1 status. She’s not just a rapper. She’s a phenomenon who helped shape the sound, style, and standards of modern rap and pop.
And let’s be honest, the Barbz stay fed. Her connection with her fanbase is generational. Unmatched. While other artists fade in and out, Nicki’s presence only gets louder. Bolder. More unapologetic. Her recent Pink Friday 2 World Tour breaking records is just more proof that her star isn’t dimming anytime soon.
Of course, lists like these always spark debate. But in this case? Most of the internet agrees: Nicki earned it. After more than a decade of lyrical dominance, meme-worthy bars, unforgettable alter egos and headline-stealing features, Nicki Minaj isn’t just in the conversation. She is the conversation.
So, what do you think? Is Nicki Minaj your #1? Or did Billboard miss someone major?
