After years of hard work and dedication, she made it to superstar status this year and now Nicki Minaj is being honored for her talent.
It was announced on Wednesday (November 23) that the “Super Bass” singer has been named Billboard’s Rising Star of 2011.
In a statement, Minaj said, “I am deeply honored to be recognized by Billboard. My nation of Barbz and I have come a mighty long way; yet we are nowhere close to where God will take us. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Nicki will be on-hand to accept her award at the sixth annual Women in Music event in New York City on December 2, where Taylor Swift will be honored with Billboard’s Woman of the Year.
Her fans are desperately wanting more, and Nicki Minaj’s plans to drop her follow-up to “Pink Friday” are in the works.
The “Catch Me” singer’s record producer Brian “Birdman” Williams recently sat down with Billboard.com and revealed, “Nicki’s back in the studio, so we’re looking to drop Nicki in the first quarter.”
As for a possible new single? Williams dished, “Maybe this year? I don’t know. We’re really thinking it out. But she’s in the studio, and we’re looking real soon, because she’s ready to go and we’re ready to go with her.”
Of the new album, Minaj’s other producer, Kane Beatz, told MTV News, “She’ll pick all the beats before she even starts writing, so right now, we’re just getting music together, and it’s goin’ crazy right now.”
Doted with the honor of getting things underway, Nicki Minaj joined David Guetta as the opening act at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (November 20).
The 28-year-old and her performing partner took the Nokia Theatre LA Live stage for a mini set consisting of “Super Bass,” “Sweat” and “Turn Me On”.
Offering up plenty of theatrics, the ceremony-starting act saw Miss Minaj descend onstage from above with a laser show emitting from her gigantic wig.
Also a big winner, Nicki ended up claiming both categories in which she was in the running – taking home hardware for Rap Hip Hop Artist and Rap Hip Hop Album.
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