The nature of Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj’s friendship has changed over time, making their connection much more than just their numerous collaborations. Rapping wasn’t Minaj’s top priority, but Weezy was her coach when he first saw her in the “The Come Up” DVD series. “I was not paying attention to the music, but I was okay. In 2009, the artist of “Beez in the Trap” recalled to MTV News that “I was doing pictures and stuff like that, so people knew me more for pictures than my music.” Rap Up reports that the two rappers initially worked together on Minaj’s “Playtime is Over” mixtape in 2007, the year Wayne signed her to his Young Money label. Even though Minaj’s career was successful in the beginning, she didn’t get along with the head of Young Money.

The “Starships” rapper disclosed in 2010 that she almost got fired by Wayne from the label when she decided to stop touring in order to concentrate on her solo endeavors. “I started recording by myself and I lost track of what I was doing and who I wаnted to be,” Minaj said in a statement that was then reported by Billboard (via HipHop DX). As a result, Minaj buried the grudge with Wayne and changed her priorities, which also happened to be the same time as her explosive ascent through the ranks.

Minaj expressed her gratitude for the chances that appearing on Young Money has given her. In 2011, she said to Interview, “I can’t even imagine my career, um, my creative spirit without Wayne.” Many people have questioned whether the two were ever more than just acquaintances and coworkers over the years.