Nicki Minaj has been killing it in the rap game (duh) for so long and has changed her looks up countless times since she emerged on the scene. But that's why she's one of the most memorable artists out there?! From her Pink Friday era—and her numerous personalities—to her recent release, Beam Me Up Scotty, she's always had a bold and playful fashion sense to go with her standout singing and rapping style. Here, we rounded up some of the artist's most iconic outfits to date, like her pink latex jumpsuit at the VMAs (you know the one) and her many Met Gala get-ups over the years. It's more than a decade's worth of over-the-top, unique, and sleek looks that can only be described as SO Nicki Minaj.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
October 2009
Getty Images
At one of her earliest red-carpet appearances, at the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2009, Nicki wore this relatively simple all-black look. Please note, however, that the Barbie nameplate necklace is already in place.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
2
November 2009
Getty Images
At the GQ Men of the Year party in 2009, Nicki wore this black minidress paired with the aforementioned Barbie necklace and pink highlights. This is the last time you'll see her so pared down for several years, so buckle up.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
June 2010
Getty Images
Boom! Look at this orange wig she wore to the BET Awards in 2010. Paired with this demure white gown, it totally works. Your fave could never. (Nicki took home the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, btw.)
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
September 2010
Getty Images
For her inaugural VMAs appearance in 2010, Nicki went full Barb with a hot-pink wig and sky-high metallic platforms. Nicki was nominated that year for Best New Artist, but lost out to Justin Bieber.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
November 2010
Getty Images
Manish Arora designed this unique look, which Nicki wore to the American Music Awards in 2010. Nicki wasn't nominated for anything at this particular ceremony, so they should honestly be grateful that she graced them with her presence.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
6
February 2011
Getty Images
This is where Nicki really starts to get wild. At the 2011 Grammys, she wrote this Bride of Frankenstein wig with a head-to-toe leopard outfit that wouldn't look out of place in Cher's closet. All of which is to say, this is a good look.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
June 2011
Getty Images
At the BET Awards in 2011, Nicki toned it down a little bit, if your definition of "tone it down" means "wore ruffled mauve puff sleeves." For the second year in a row, Nicki took home the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
8
August 2011
Getty Images
And you thought the one with the Bride of Frankenstein wig was extra! This VMAs outfit was certainly one of Nicki's more involved looks, but as usual, she pulled it off. That year, she took home the Moonman for Best Hip-Hop Video for "Super Bass."
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
September 2011
Dimitrios Kambouris//Getty Images
Here, she wore this pom-pom get-up front row at the Carolina Herrera show seated next to none other than Anna Wintour. Her hair was piled high in an updo and she wore neon bottoms under the pleated skirt. So! Many! Colors!
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10
November 2011
Getty Images
Early 2010s Nicki loved nothing more than a color clash, and this AMAs look is no exception. Few people could make bubblegum pink hair work with an emerald green ball skirt, but again, this is Nicki. You can't question her.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
February 2012
Getty Images
Ah, yes, the Grammys where she brought a pope. The pope is not pictured, because this Versace cloak situation really required the full frame to display all its glory. Naturally, the Catholic Church was not thrilled about this look or Nicki's similarly Catholic-inspired performance.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
12
July 2012
Getty Images
For the third year in a row, Nicki won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards. Compared to the Versace cape, this outfit is a bit understated, but please note that she still paired it with Louboutins and a neon-yellow bra.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
September 2012
Getty Images
Who but Nicki would think to pair a neon yellow and pastel orange wig with a lace bodysuit and sequined platform heels? Nobody. At this VMAs, she took home the Best Female Video award for "Starships" and performed "Girl on Fire" with Alicia Keys.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
14
November 2012
Getty Images
Though Nicki was obviously still a fan of neon at this point, you can see that this is when she started wearing gowns more often. If this dress weren't the color of a highlighter, it would be a relatively standard red-carpet dress.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15
May 2013
Getty Images
At her first Met Gala appearance, Nicki continued to refine the "elegance with an edge" concept. Her navy gown was by Tommy Hilfiger.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16
June 2013
Getty Images
Nicki wore this lacy black gown to the BET Awards, where—you guessed it—she took home the award for Best Female Hip-Hop artist for the fourth year in a row.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17
June 2014
Getty Images
Another year, another BET Awards look, and yes, another Best Female Hip-Hop Artist win (her fifth). This was also the year that Nicki memorably delivered the "no shade" line about people who don't write their own raps.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
18
August 2014
Getty Images
Shortly after releasing "Anaconda," Nicki arrived at the VMAs dressed like one. Now this is how you do synergy.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19
November 2014
Getty Images
Nicki's 2014 AMAs look is probably one of her most understated outfits ever, but because she's Nicki, she of course looks flawless. Nicki didn't win any trophies that year, but she did perform twice during the ceremony.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
20
February 2015
Getty Images
Ah yes, the 2015 Grammys dress—one of the best. Eat your heart out, Jennifer Lopez's Versace, because the plunging neckline on this Tom Ford gown is on another level.