Exploring Carol Maraj: Nicki Minaj’s Mother and Her Desire to Collaborate on a Gospel Song

Before entering the music scene, Nicki Minaj aspired to be an actress. She graduated from the prestigious LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, planning to pursue a career in acting, and made her debut in an off-Broadway production titled In Case You Forget in 2021.

Although the rapper known for Pink Friday transitioned away from acting due to challenges in establishing a career, her passion for music was deeply rooted, influenced by her mother, Carol Maraj, who is also a singer. During a 2019 appearance on People TV, Carol expressed her desire to collaborate with her daughter, stating:

“I would love to do that one day… I think it would be gospel.”

While Carol dedicated her career to gospel music, her husband, Robert Maraj, contributed as a part-time gospel singer in addition to his role as a financial executive.

Nicki Minaj’s Mother: A Gospel Musician

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtcMHMvQkM8

Carol Maraj – "What Makes You" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtcMHMvQkM8)

On November 13, 2019, Carol Maraj appeared on People TV to discuss her lifelong journey as a singer. She reminisced about how her singing often captivated her children, including Nicki, who would rush downstairs from their rooms to the kitchen whenever she sang:

“I sang all the time when they were young while I was doing my dishes. When they heard me sing, they would just leave whatever they were doing upstairs and run down to the kitchen. They always say they miss singing around the house.”

Maraj, a devoted fan of Diana Ross, claimed that Nicki Minaj grew up immersed in classic hits, saying she had “been influenced by the oldies.”

In that interview, Carol also discussed her latest song, What Makes You, describing it as a “feel-good song”that is:

“This song is more pop, not gospel. It encourages people to love themselves and build their self-esteem.”

A Special Gift from Nicki: Carol’s Home

During a September 18, 2023, interview with Page Six, Carol Maraj shared the lavish gifts that her daughter Nicki Minaj has presented her, including:

“She has bought me a Mercedes-Benz. She bought me a beautiful home and many different cars. But I love my home. [Nicki] was born in Trinidad [and] came here at 5 years old. So to see her become this major success is amazing.”

Reflecting on her life, Maraj expressed how she never anticipated her daughter would reach such stardom, saying:

“I never expected this, raising my children here in the States, that my daughter would become this big superstar. I love that my daughter is so successful, and glad that she has a platform — but I have my own passion and drive. It’s really nice to know that I’m different.”

In 2013, Nicki Minaj’s mother established the Carol Maraj Foundation, an initiative committed to combating domestic violence. The foundation provides support for women seeking to escape abusive situations, offering job readiness training and financial independence to help them regain control of their lives.

Carol’s Spiritual Journey and God’s Impact

In a revealing interview with The Christian Post on June 26, 2014, Carol Maraj discussed the profound influence of her faith, recalling:

“My husband was a drug user, and would usually come home to sleep or steal. Seeking guidance in my life, I went to a revival (church) service with a neighbor who invited me.”

She went on to describe a pivotal moment during the service:

“During service, the preacher made an altar call. My neighbor then turned and whispered, ‘God is waiting for you, Carol. He wants to restore your life.’

Following that transformative experience, Carol was baptized and became a youth leader at her church, where she sought God’s healing for her family’s struggles:

“As I grew closer to the Lord, on my spiritual journey, I started drawing my strength from Him. The scriptures gave me hope and grace to cope with my situation.”

Furthermore, she shared how her husband, Robert Maraj, received guidance from their pastor, which helped stabilize their marriage, making it “less challenging.”Despite facing difficulties, Nicki Minaj’s parents remained united until Robert’s tragic death in a hit-and-run accident.

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