Nicki+Minaj

Nicki Minaj ﻿ by Marissa Nettleton

Biography:    Nicki Minaj, born Onika Maraj on December 8, 1984 is a female rapper from Southside Jamaica Queens, New York. Minaj was born and raised in Trinidad until the age of five when she moved to New York with her grandmother ﻿(“Nicki Minaj Biography,” 2011). In the November 2010 MTV documentary “My Time Now” Minaj describes the sacrifices her family was forced to make in order to provide a better life for Minaj in the United States. She explains “A lot of times, when you're from the islands, your parents leave and then send for you because it's easier when they have established themselves; when they have a place to stay, when they have a job. I thought it was gonna be for a few days, it turned into two years without my mother” (Ziegbe, 2010). Her struggles with her parents continued throughout Minaj’s life in dealing with her father’s drug addiction and her mother’s struggles to attain the American dream for her children. Her father’s drug abuse comprised the stability of the household and created a cycle of domestic abuse among her parents. During an interview on the “Wendy Williams Show,” Minaj explains a situation in which her father lit her house on fire with her mother still inside. Minaj states “  All of my young and teenage years we lived in fear that my mother would be killed by my father. It was ridiculous. It made me act out to guys and be evil ﻿when I was growing up. It made me tough. I am an emotional person, but I am a tough person. We didn’t really have many options and that makes you feel helpless. And I think that is the worst feeling  ” (Williams, 2010). ﻿Despite the many hardships growing up, Minaj went on to graduate from LaGuardia High School, a performing arts school in Manhattan where she studied singing and acting. Upon graduation, Minaj pursued a potential career in the music industry. She began singing background vocals for various artists but wanted to develop a name for herself which led her to begin writing her own music. Minaj soon branched out and was noticed on Myspace by a Dirty Money Productions CEO. Through her mix-tapes and DVD appearances, Minaj was then recognized by the renowned rapper, Lil Wayne for her unique style of rapping, her ability to write her own material and her charming appearance and was later signed to his Young Money label. Minaj released numerous mix-tapes including “Playtime is Over,” “Sucka Free,” and “Beam Me Up Scotty” but it was not until 2010 in which Minaj debuted her studio album, “Pink Friday.” With this album, the female MC became a commercial success and the first artist ever to have seven songs within the “Billboard Hot 100” at the same time. Minaj’s recent upcoming in the hip-hop industry seems to have everyone fascinated. Her distinctive style of music, bizarre fashion and animated personality has landed her in the constant eye of the media (“Nicki Minaj Biography,” 2011).

Psychoanalytic Perspective:  In the psychoanalytic theory, Freud introduces three structures of the mind that motivate and drive one’s behavior. These structures comprise of the id, the ego and the superego. The id is the un-socialized core of personality that strives solely on pleasure to satisfy one’s desires and impulses. The personality structure that develops to deal with the real world is the ego. The ego operates according to the reality principle in working to solve real life problems. The superego develops to internalize societal rules and guide behavior in ways that is socially acceptable (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 67). To better manage the reality, Nicki Minaj has formed alter-egos in which separate and distinct personalities live out a fantasy version of herself. Minaj has developed three distinct alter-egos including “Nicki, Barbie and Roman Zolanski.” In an article for GQ Magazine Minaj explains “ There's Barbie, who's careful about what she says. There's Nicki, who's old-school hip-hop. Then there's Roman Zolanski who's outlandish and raunchy. I guess I'm doing a psychological profile on Nicki Minaj. And //Pink Friday// (Minaj’s latest album) is the first chapter of the thesis.” (Hova, 2010). According to Freud, “Roman Zolanski” would serve as the id that fulfills Minaj’s inner desires and pleasure-seeking desires. Minaj’s “Barbie” persona is driven by the superego that is structured upon behaving in ways that are socially acceptable. These alter-egos are established around “Nicki,” Minaj’s ego that operates according to the reality principle. “Nicki” must “plan and act, constrained by the real world” (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 67). The emergence of personalities allows Minaj to integrate her inner impulses while facing reality in ways that would otherwise be socially deviant. In an interview with talk-show host Wendy Williams, Williams asks Minaj how her personas came about. Minaj explains “When I first started rapping I felt like I had to be someone. Everyone was telling me be this way. Your from Queens, be hard but that wasn’t really me and that’s not who I wanted to be. When I changed the people who were around me I just started being free. I’ve always been animated, I’ve always been crazy, I studied theater...” (Williams, 2010). These personas from the wigs, to the animated faces, to the English accent integrate aspects of three very different personalities shaped into one individual. Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic approach to understanding personality focuses on one’s childhood experiences, repressed erotic feelings and unconscious conflicts (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 63). Freud saw the psychological world as a series of opposing tensions, such as tensions between selfishness, society, and inner tensions that strive for relief. Underlying these tensions was the sexual energy-libido that is the basis of motivation (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 70). Freud believed development of the psyche progressed in “psychosexual stages” as the libido is redirected to different parts of the body. These “psychosexual stages” include the oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital stages. Due to Nicki Minaj’s attempt to fit in with the rap community through use of raunchy, overly sexualized lyrics, Freud would come to the conclusion that Minaj experienced conflict at the phallic stage that focuses on gender identity and the management of sexual tensions. Freud believed that during the phallic stage of psychosexual development that girls experience “penis envy” upon recognizing that they do not have a penis and boys do. According to this concept, girls develop feelings of inferiority and jealousy towards boys over the absence of a penis (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 73). Minaj’s lyrics including “If I had a d*ck I would pull it out and piss on ya” (“Did It On ‘Em,” 2010) clearly expresses this concept of “penis envy.” Because of Minaj’s over-sexualized image in the media based around her outgoing personality, vulgar lyrics and tight-fitting, revealing clothing, Freud would argue that Minaj’s overt sexual behavior is socially unacceptable thus must work to resolve the unconscious tension of erotic desires through realization of her genital identity thereby becoming complete.

Neo-analytic Perspective:

The neo-analytic approach to personality is concerned with an individual’s sense of self and the ego as the core of personality. Alfred Adler’s neo-analytic approach focuses on an “inferiority complex” and the importance of society as motivations for behavior (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 118). “For Adler, a central role of personality is striving for superiority” (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 119). As a way of maintaining a sense of self-worth as a woman in the hip-hop industry, Nicki Minaj has developed a superiority complex in which she holds a high opinion of herself. Song lyrics such as “please you could never compare to me; all these bitches is scared of me. I am who you couldn't even dare to be” (“Sweet Dreams,” 2010) and “I just came up in it a little bit self-centered” (“Hello Good Morning Remix,” 2010) help to define Minaj as a confident and important member of hip-hop. Adler would argue that this exaggerated arrogance is an overcompensation of what she lacks. Through establishing a superiority complex, Minaj is counteracting the inferiority she may feel as a woman in the rap industry. Since the hip-hop industry is dominated by male figures, Minaj uses her overconfidence and flamboyance as a mechanism to gain respect and admiration of others. Minaj is known for her hard-hitting punch-lines, unique style and bizarre extroverted personality. With her distinct personality and devoted ambition, Adler would conclude that Minaj possesses such a want to be the best as a result of inner insecurity. Minaj may experience neurotic thoughts and beliefs of becoming a failure and being unable to prove superior in a business over-dominated by men. In her Novermber 2010 MTV documentary “My Time Now” Minaj discusses the double standards as a business woman in the hip-hop industry. She states: “When I am assertive, I'm a bitch. When a man is assertive, he's a boss. He bossed up. No negative connotation behind 'bossed up' but lots of negative connotation behind being a bitch.” Not only does she have to work harder to be visible and respected by the public in her respective field, but also by those within it ( Isoke, 2011.) This need to compete with the men of hip-hop conveys Adler’s concept of “masculine protest” in which explains an individual’s attempt to be competent, independent, and striving for superiority among society. Minaj’s determination for greatness through a male-superior role is expressed through her lyrics in which she often refers to herself in the masculine. Lines such as “in this very moment I’m king; in this very moment I slayed Goliath with a sling” (“Moment 4 Life,” 2010) and her reference to the Disney movie “Aladdin” that states “I am not Jasmine, I am Aladdin” (“Romans Revenge,” 2010) clearly transmits a masculine identity. Her reference of being “king,” the biblical figure David and a prince signifies a “masculine protest” for seeking recognition and status.

Adler’s concept of “masculine protest” stems into Karen Horney’s modified Freudian psychoanalysis in which she rejects Freud’s emphasis on innate sexuality and the penis and rather disputes that one’s social and cultural context influence personality (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 125). Horney rejected Freud’s notion that women felt their genitals were inferior however revealed that women often did feel inferior to men, not because of an absence of a penis but from being raised in a society that conceptualizes men as superior. In response to her singing and rapping on the “Pink Friday” album, Minaj implies “Who says I can't rap and sing on my album? Who says that?! Why do we have to conform? Why do we have to play by YOUR rules?” (“Nicki Quotes,” 2010). Minaj challenges the societal rules that hold that one must behave according to society’s expectations. Singing on her album may challenge her accreditation as a rapper competing with hard-hitting male rappers because singing may be labeled to many in hip-hop as a feminine trait. Horney believed that “when women were raised in environments that define “masculinity” as strong, brave, competent, and free and “femininity” as inferior, delicate, weak and submissive, then women of course would come to see themselves as subordinate and to desire “masculine” things as a way to gain power” (Friedman and Schustack, 2009, p. 126).

Discussion:

Freud’s psychoanalytic perspective and the neo-analytic approach have shown that as a female rapper in the hip-hop industry, Nicki Minaj feels the constant need to prove herself and compete with a male-dominated society. Minaj is confronted with the demands of the id, superego and reality that provoke issues of managing pleasure, reality and morality. As a way to deal with her inner urges and motivations, Minaj has created three very different personas to balance her personality. Each of these personas is based on each structure of the mind. Whether it be “Nicki, Barbie, or Roman,” Minaj fits the analogy of the psychoanalytic approach that defines humans as a bundle of sexual and aggressive drives contained by civilization (Huntington, 2011). Adler and Horney’s neo-analytic approach to personality focuses on society as motivation of behavior. Minaj struggles with the desire to be herself through her hard-hitting rhymes and zany, yet sexed up persona yet is challenged by society to prove worthy and superior among the hip-hop industry.

 ﻿"I f eel like people always wanna define me and I don’t wanna be defined.” –Nicki Minaj  (“Nicki Quotes,” 2010).

References:

Friedman, H. S. & Schustack, M. W. (2009). Personality: Classic theories and modern research <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">(4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;">Hova, T. (2010). Quote monster: Nicki Minaj explains her three alter-egos. //Vibe Lifestyle// <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">// Network. // Retrieved from [] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">explains-her-three-alter-egos

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;">Huntington, A. (2011.) Chapter 3: Psychoanalytic aspects of personality. [Powerpoint Slides]. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;"> Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Website: []

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;">Isoke, Z. (2011). What issues do women in hip-hop address? //Sex, Politics, and Hip Hop// <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"> //2011.// Retrieved from [] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">address.html

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;"> Nicki Minaj biography (2011.) Retrieved from [[[http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Nicki-%20%0d%09Minaj-Biography/26478622F823F40E4825762A0021181C|Minaj-Biography/26478622F823F40E4825762A0021181C]

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;">Nicki minaj quotes. (2011). //Great Personalities.// Retrieved from <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">[]

<span style="background: white; color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Nicki quotes (2010). //My Pink Friday.// Retrieved from <span style="background: white; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">// [] //

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.4pt; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;">Williams, W. (2010, November 17). Nicki Minaj fulll exclusive emotional interview on the Wendy <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"> Williams show. [Television Interview]. Retrieved from []

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;">Ziegbe, M. (2010). Nicki Minaj opens up about grandmother who raised her in MTV doc. //MTV// <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;"> // Network. // Retrieved from [] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 115%; margin: auto auto 0pt;"> up-about-grandmother-who-raised-her.jhtml

Nicki Minaj on the Wendy Williams Show ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿media type="youtube" key="2X1YuBUimBs" height="390" width="480" Emotional Interview from Nicki Minaj's MTV Documentary "My Time Now" media type="youtube" key="2hF4_99rizw?version=3" height="387" width="470" align="center"