Nicki Minaj Puts Woman Back Rap on the map

In honor of Black History Month, Billboard.com pays tribute to many of the contributions of black musicians have made over the years. Since the opening of the Apollo Theatre to the presidential Beyonce serenades, 

we present a list of 29 milestones of black music to pay homage to some of the artists that made music what it is today.

Hip-hop was not alone, because Nicki Minaj went through the door. During lean times choosings - including hiatuses with Missy Elliott, Lil 'Kim and Lauryn Hill, with the passing of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Nicki Minaj picked up the torch and put the female rap back on the map.

In just two years (2010-2012), an underground rapper became a No. 1 superstar. Impressed by her hustle Mixtape, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj quckly signed to Young Money. Rapstress stood tall on the tracks of artists Superstar "like Diddy-laundering in the" Hello Good Morning (Remix) "and Kanye West's" Monster, "even before the release of her debut album" Pink Friday ".

"Pink Friday", released in November 2010, continues to break records. Minaj is the first female rapper to chart three titles at once, for five weeks, R & B / Hip-Hop songs of the top "10 Among women, the Ashanti before three in the upper layer, for two weeks in 2002, as the plot took a date Nielsen , 1992.

In just two years, Minaj chose 26 songs on the R & B / Hip-Hop Songs. She comes in seconds to Missy Elliott, who received 36 to 15 years (1997 to present).

Nicki Minaj won countless awards, including two American Music Awards, MTV Awards, and Billboard's own "Rising Star" Women in Music Award. Minaj shared the stage with stars, and holding her hand. He most recently starred in the 2012 Super Bowl XLVI halftime show next Madonna and Mia and left his mouth open (and in many cases confused) with her performance at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

There's no stopping Nicki as she prepares to release her sophomore album, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded", April 3.