Nicki Minaj: The American Dream

According to James Truslow Adams the American Dream is the ability to succeed in life despite being economically disadvantaged. Nicki Minaj is a great example of achieving the American Dream because she faced many problems throughout her childhood including domestic violence, poverty, and feeling out of place as an immigrant. Through an analysis of Nicki’s life, an examination of “Sam Walton/Jay Z”, “Framing Class,Vicarious Living and Conspicuous Consumption”, and the third myth, we are able to see that Nicki exemplifies the American Dream because she was able to overcome the significant obstacles that she encountered and persevered to become a well recognized artist.

Onika Tanya Maraj also known as “Nicki Minaj”, was born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago in 1982. At the age of five her parents decided to migrate to the US in order to give Nicki and her siblings a better life. Nicki’s father was a drug addict and was very abusive. He once set fire house on fire in an apparent and unsuccessful attempt to kill her mother. The obstacles that Nicki encountered were the ones that encouraged her to do better in life.

At just the age of twelve Nicki authored her first rap, she then took acting classes at LaGuardia High School of Music and Art. Nicki’s acting career didn’t take her where she strived to be, so she decided to work instead. She began her musical career rapping in a foursome called ‘The Hoodstars’. She then left them and started uploading her music onto myspace, where she gained attention of various famous artists like; Lil Wayne, Drake, Fendi and many more. In March of 2009 Nicki released her first album named “Pink Friday”. This album was the one that brought her fame up, because three singles hit top ten on the billboard.

A really big part of the American Dream is also helping others achieve theirs as well. Nicki Minaj has contributed to various charities including the Red Cross, The get Schooled Foundation and Save The Music Foundation. Not only does she contribute to charities but, she also visits her hometown in which she grew up in and supports the local businesses, encourages kids to do better, and gives back to those who helped her get to where she is at now.

We can compare the article “Sam Walton/Jay Z” to the life that Nicki Minaj was living because Jay-Z has a similar background to Nicki Minaj. Despite coming from a city where there was a lot of violence and drugs involved, both of them were able to attain the American Dream. When Nicki Minaj was little she really didn’t have a role model to look up to. She always dreamed of having things that artist would wear but they were out of her budget. This is similar to the article “Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption” because the author Diana Kendall states that many people want to fit in with what seems to be the trend, but can’t do so because they cant afford it.

Nicki’s upward mobility has encouraged many of her fans to never give up on their dreams.She set a perfect example of never giving up despite facing many problems throughout your life.

Throughout Nicki Minaj we were able to see that the American Dream can be achieved, but not every American Dream is a poor child that grows up to become a self-made sensation, and that is okay. Everyone’s American Dream is different and might not go according to plan, but no one should ever lose hope nor should they ever give up on something that our country is built off of and thrives from.