Nicki Minaj is one of the most unique rappers of all time. She’s given us numerous iconic guest verses from “Monster” to “Flawless (Remix),” everlasting hits like “Super Bass” and “Starships,” and legions of loyal fans in the Barbz. She’s also given us over twenty alter-egos in the course of her career. However, no alter-ego of hers has been more impactful than Roman. The voice at the center of Nicki’s most unhinged music, the “Roman” persona serves a conduit for Nicki to put forward a high level of theatricality and character work in her music, from beats to bars. And to understand Nicki, you need to understand Roman.

This episode of Switched on Pop, producer Reanna Cruz takes us on a journey through the history of Roman, on the heels of Nicki Minaj’s latest record, Pink Friday 2.

Sign up for the Switched On Pop Newsletter

Songs Discussed:

Nicki Minaj – Chun-Li
Nicki Minaj – Red Ruby Da Sleeze
Nicki Minaj – Itty Bitty Piggy
Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver – Monster
Nicki Minaj – Roman In Moscow
Nicki Minaj – Pound the Alarm
Nicki Minaj – Starships
Ludacris, Nicki Minaj – My Chick Bad
Nicki Minaj, PTAF – Boss A** B**** (with PTAF) – Remix
Nicki Minaj, Eminem – Roman's Revenge
Nicki Minaj – Come On A Cone
Nicki Minaj – Beez In The Trap
Nicki Minaj – Roman Holiday
Eminem – The Way I Am
Eminem – My Name Is
Lil' Kim – Queen B****
Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne – Truffle Butter
Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj – Bottoms Up (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Nicki Minaj – Barbie Dreams
Nicki Minaj – Super Freaky Girl – Roman Remix
Nicki Minaj – My Life

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Her First Name's DIBS