For many fans of the hip-hop world, one of the most perplexing mysteries in the music industry is why Nicki Minaj, one of the most successful female rappers of all time, has yet to win a Grammy Award. Despite her overwhelming success and immense influence in the world of music, Nicki has never walked away with the golden gramophone that so many of her peers and successors have claimed. The fact that she has dominated the commercial and cultural landscape of rap for over a decade without taking home one of music’s highest honors has left fans and critics baffled. However, the 2025 Grammy Awards might be her best chance yet to finally secure her place in Grammy history and break out of a historic tie.
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A Grammy Record Still to Be Set
Throughout her illustrious career, Nicki Minaj has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, a testament to her skill, versatility, and undeniable talent. Most of her nominations have come in categories that reflect her strength in the hip-hop genre, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance. Despite this impressive tally, the award has always eluded her, with Minaj leaving empty-handed each time.
For an artist who has sold millions of records, set numerous Billboard records, and solidified herself as a hip-hop icon, the Grammy snub feels particularly glaring. Even more bewildering is the fact that Nicki has managed to stay at the top of her game for so long, consistently releasing chart-topping hits and critically acclaimed albums, while still not securing one of music’s biggest honors.
But as we approach the 2025 Grammy Awards, there is growing speculation that Minaj may finally be on the brink of changing that narrative. With a wealth of eligible music, including new tracks and potential high-profile collaborations, Nicki is expected to be a top contender for several Grammy categories this year. Among the many possible nominations, one particular category may offer her the opportunity to break a tie with a former rival and carve out a new place in Grammy history.
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The Best Rap Performance Tie with Megan Thee Stallion
One of the categories that has become a focal point of Nicki Minaj’s Grammy journey is Best Rap Performance. This prestigious award honors artists for delivering outstanding performances in the rap genre, whether through individual singles or collaborations. Although Minaj has been in the running for this award twice, she has yet to win.
Her first nomination for Best Rap Performance came in 2012 for her hit single “Moment 4 Life” featuring fellow rap superstar Drake. This collaboration became an anthem, celebrating Minaj’s rise to the top and solidifying her as a force to be reckoned with in the male-dominated rap world. Despite the song’s massive success, it did not secure a Grammy win.
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Four years later, Nicki was back in the same category with yet another high-profile collaboration, this time for the single “Truffle Butter” featuring Drake and Lil Wayne. The song was a commercial success and featured all three artists at their lyrical best. However, once again, Nicki left the Grammy ceremony without the coveted trophy.
As it stands, Minaj’s two nominations in the Best Rap Performance category place her in a tie with Megan Thee Stallion for the second-most nominations among women in this category. Megan, who is a rising star in the rap game, was nominated for “Savage” featuring Beyoncé in 2021—a track that ultimately secured her a Grammy win—and again for “Thot Shit” in 2022. Megan’s rapid rise to fame and success at the Grammys has sparked comparisons between her and Minaj, with some viewing Megan as a new face of female rap, while others remain fiercely loyal to Nicki as the genre’s reigning queen.
The possibility of Minaj receiving a third nomination in this category in 2025 would allow her to break this tie with Megan and reclaim her place as the most-nominated female artist in the Best Rap Performance category—second only to another rival, Cardi B.
The Rivalry with Cardi B
The rivalry between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B is one of the most well-known and frequently discussed feuds in recent hip-hop history. While both women are incredibly talented and have made their marks in the industry, they have been publicly at odds for years, with tensions reaching a boiling point in 2018 during New York Fashion Week when the two engaged in a highly publicized altercation. Their personal differences aside, their professional accomplishments have often been compared, particularly in the context of Grammy nominations and wins.
Cardi B currently holds the record for the most nominations in the Best Rap Performance category among women, having been nominated four times. Her first nomination came in 2018 for her breakout single “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”, followed by nominations for “Be Careful,” “Clout” with Offset, and “Up”. Like Minaj, Cardi has yet to win in this category, but her dominance in the number of nominations has only added to the ongoing comparisons between the two rap queens.
For Nicki, the opportunity to break her tie with Megan Thee Stallion and close in on Cardi B’s record is more than just a Grammy competition—it is a chance to reassert her dominance in the rap world and remind everyone that despite her lack of Grammy wins, she is still one of the most significant and influential figures in the genre.
The Road to 2025: Will Nicki Minaj Finally Break the Streak?
As the 2025 Grammy Awards approach, Nicki Minaj’s chances of finally winning a Grammy are once again a hot topic of discussion. This year, she is eligible for multiple categories thanks to a string of new releases, collaborations, and projects that have kept her name at the forefront of hip-hop. Whether it’s another collaboration with a superstar or a solo hit, Nicki is expected to make a strong showing in the rap categories, especially Best Rap Performance.
If Minaj receives her third nomination in this category, it could be the moment she finally breaks free of the tie with Megan Thee Stallion and moves closer to Cardi B’s record. While winning the award is still uncertain, the possibility of setting a new record for the most nominations among female rappers would be a significant achievement in and of itself.
For Nicki Minaj, the Grammys have long been a source of frustration, but 2025 could be the year she turns things around. Whether she wins or not, breaking the tie with Megan Thee Stallion would be a symbolic victory, solidifying her legacy as one of the most nominated—and arguably one of the most deserving—female rappers in Grammy history.
A Lasting Legacy Beyond the Grammys
Regardless of the outcome at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Nicki Minaj’s legacy in hip-hop is already cemented. She has broken barriers for women in rap, expanded the genre’s global reach, and inspired a generation of female artists to follow in her footsteps. Her influence extends far beyond Grammy trophies, as she continues to dominate charts, headline tours, and shape the sound of modern rap.
While the lack of a Grammy win may still weigh on her career, her place in the pantheon of hip-hop greats remains unquestioned. Whether or not she finally wins a Grammy in 2025, Nicki Minaj will always be a pioneer, a trailblazer, and, in the eyes of many, the true Queen of Rap.
