Nicki Minaj: The GOAT?

As the world continues to celebrate Women’s History Month, we at The Rap Clash, thought that it would be appropriate to talk about the women of Hip-Hop. Today’s hot take is simple: Nicki Minaj is allowed to consider herself the greatest rapper of all-time.

And no, I did not forget to write female. One could legitimately consider Nicki Minaj to be one of the greatest rappers of all-time. 

Born Onika Tanya Maraj in 1982, Minaj has spent the last decade running on the roads that all-time greats such as Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah, Lil Kim and many others paved. With over a hundred million albums sold and multiple number one hits, the so-called ‘’Queen of Hip-Hop’’ has much to brag about. But to claim the spot of queen, requires us to break down her career. 

First fact that needs to be said is that Nicki Minaj is one of the few major rappers of all-time to have never been bodied on a track. To explain, to be bodied on a track is when another rapper has an inherently and extravagantly better performance on a song than you. The list of people who hold that type of accomplishment is few, with the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, J. Cole and Eminem share that distinction. To put it into perspective, Nicki has bodied Jay Z, Kanye West, Rick Ross, and many other greats on their own songs throughout her career; in Hip-Hop, it’s body or get bodied. 

The second major element to look at is the one major “L” that someone could attribute to her title claim: Remy Ma. For those who don’t remember, both Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma entertained an interesting feud over alleged dissing back in 2007. This beef exploded onto the scene once again when Remy Ma released “ShETHER”, a scathing diss track. While the response was underwhelming, I remain of the opinion that Nicki shouldn’t have responded. Why? Because Nicki took a chink in her armor, for someone who doesn’t believe in writing her own raps. While Nicki has been known to write her own tracks and freestyling, and Remy has had rumors of Papoose writing for her for years. So why? Why take a shot when the crowd doesn’t think your opponent wrote their diss?

Finally, the last reason why Nicki Minaj has a claim to the Greatest of All-Time argument - for more than just women - can be the fact that she has been on a run that has rivaled any and every other run. Most people with that type of a run for five years are considered in the GOAT conversation. People like 50 Cent. People like Kanye West. People like Lil Wayne. People of this magnitude hold the game in their palms for half a decade, especially in an ever-evolving rap game; Nicki did it with other greats around her. With Drake on his seemingly unending run amongst them, to see her hold her own is something that hasn’t really been seen before, regardless of gender. 

In all, anyone can take the crown and become the Queen or the GOAT. What's important is that we look at the accomplishments. As we speak of the roads that Nicki ran on, she also paved the way for others: there is no Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B without Minaj. But those are just my thoughts. What are yours? 

Could Nicki Minaj be considered the GOAT? Do you believe that Ryan “The RatedR” Oscar is right? Who are your favourite female artists and why? Sound off in the comments below, follow on Instagram at @TheRated_RN2 for more unfiltered comments on rap, the community, and music in general.