Nicki Minaj, née Onika Tanya Maraj, now holds the key to her native New York City borough. Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President, gifted the rapper this symbolic key in commemoration of her musical achievements.
As Vulture notes, the timing for this honor was impeccable. Last night, at the BET Awards, Minaj competed against her nemesis Remy Ma for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist—and lost.
But today in Queens, Minaj was celebrated for the talent she has nurtured since her days in South Jamaica. Her family immigrated to the borough from Trinidad when she was a young girl. She graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and may be its most famous alumnus—though Minaj has mentioned that they once declined to have her as a speaker.
A key to one’s city, however, is a token of pride. And it’s one that is clearly meaningful to Minaj.
Good for you, girl.