Nicki Minaj isn’t just a rapper — she’s an era. You can’t talk about modern hip-hop without mentioning her name at least three times (like Beetlejuice, but with pink wigs and sharper bars). Since her rise in the late 2000s, Nicki has broken records, dominated charts, and shut down anyone who doubted her place in rap royalty.
But let’s get real — not every song just hits the same. Some tracks go beyond being hits; they become cultural moments. Songs that shift the conversation. Songs that leave you quoting lyrics ten years later. Songs that basically make you go, “Oh yeah… this changed everything.”
So, grab your pink lemonade, put on your chun-li buns, and let’s count down the top 10 Nicki Minaj songs that changed the rap game forever.
top 10 Nicki Minaj songs
10. Only (2014)
The lineup on this one? Drake. Lil Wayne. Chris Brown. You’d think Nicki might fade into the background with names like that, but nope. She dominated.
Her verse stood tall right next to two of the biggest rappers in the game, and she didn’t just hold her own — she outshined them. “Only” was messy, sure, but it was also proof that Nicki Minaj doesn’t need to stand behind anybody.
9. Your Love (2010)
Way back before the wigs got taller and the stage shows got bigger, Nicki gave us “Your Love.” It’s soft, it’s melodic, and it showed her versatility early on.
This track was important because it proved Nicki could make a hit without compromising her artistry. A love song? From Nicki? Yup. And it worked beautifully.
8. Lookin Ass (2014)
Raw. Savage. No fluff. That’s “Lookin Ass.” Nicki didn’t sugarcoat a single line. She went straight for the jugular, calling out nonsense in the industry and showing zero mercy.
It wasn’t a radio hit, but it didn’t need to be. This track proved she wasn’t scared to get ugly with the truth — and it’s still one of her most powerful statements as an MC.
7. Starships (2012)
Now, here’s where the hip-hop purists groan. But listen: “Starships” mattered. It was bold, it was neon, it was Nicki going full pop diva. And you know what? It worked.
This song turned Nicki into a global superstar. Suddenly, she wasn’t just the rap queen — she was the queen on every stage, festival, and award show. Sometimes a rap game-changer isn’t about spitting the coldest verse. Sometimes it’s about breaking boundaries.
6. Moment 4 Life (2010)
Sometimes, Nicki doesn’t need to spit the hardest bars to make an impact. Sometimes, she just taps into something emotional and timeless. “Moment 4 Life,” with Drake on the feature, is exactly that.
It’s hopeful, dreamy, and kind of magical. You can literally feel the joy of someone realizing their dreams are coming true. And let’s be honest — we’ve all played this song when we felt like we were finally winning at something.
5. Chun-Li (2018)
After a few years of haters chirping “Nicki’s falling off,” she came back with “Chun-Li” — and oh boy, was it a clapback. Fierce, sharp, and dripping with confidence, this song reminded everyone that she’s a boss, a fighter, and yeah… a rap video game villain if she wants to be.
The production slapped. The bars were ruthless. The energy was undeniable. It wasn’t just a comeback — it was a reminder: Nicki doesn’t need anyone’s approval to reign.
4. Beez in the Trap (2012)
This one’s for the real ones. “Beez in the Trap” wasn’t polished pop Nicki — it was street Nicki. The beat was minimal, hypnotic even, and Nicki floated over it with that cool, almost effortless confidence.
It reminded everyone that beneath the wigs and alter egos, she was still a serious rapper who could hold her own on raw, stripped-down tracks. This is the kind of song that separates the casual listeners from the true fans.
3. Anaconda (2014)
You can’t talk about culture-shaking songs without “Anaconda.” Sure, people argued about it. Was it too explicit? Too much? Too campy? But here’s the thing: it did exactly what it set out to do.
Nicki took Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” flipped it on its head, and made it her own. The visuals? Iconic. The memes? Endless. And the message? Loud and clear: women can own their bodies, their image, and their narrative. Plus, let’s not act like we didn’t all scream “oh my gosh, look at her butt” at least once.
2. Monster (2010)
Let’s be honest, Kanye probably didn’t know what he was unleashing when he invited Nicki to hop on “Monster.” Because what happened? She walked in and stole the whole dang song.
Her verse wasn’t just good; it was a cultural reset. Switching flows, playing with voices, dropping punchlines that had everyone rewinding. Jay-Z was on that track. Rick Ross was on that track. Kanye himself was on it. And yet, it’s Nicki’s verse we all remember. That’s legendary behavior.
1. Super Bass (2011)
If you were alive in 2011, you heard “Super Bass.” Period. This track was everywhere. It wasn’t just a rap hit; it crossed over into pure pop domination, proving that Nicki wasn’t boxed into one genre. It showed the world that a female rapper could hold down the radio, the clubs, and even middle school dances (yep, guilty).
It was fun, flirty, and undeniably catchy — but behind all the bubblegum, it carried a message: Nicki wasn’t here to be small. She was here to own the mainstream.
Wrapping It Up
Nicki Minaj isn’t just part of hip-hop — she reshaped it. From playful pop crossovers to ruthless verses that left rappers sweating, she’s proven again and again that she’s not here to play nice. She’s here to win.
What makes her catalog so special is the variety. She can give you club bangers, emotional anthems, savage clapbacks, and pop perfection all in the same decade. And every time, she leaves a mark.
