Nicki Minaj Road to the BET Awards 2012

Peep some of Minaj's career highlights of the past year.

It seems as if Nicki Minaj’s star is getting brighter and brighter. As we count down the days until black music’s biggest night — the 2012 BET Awards — here’s a rundown of Nicki highlights.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Nicki Minaj - It seems as if Nicki Minaj’s star is getting brighter and brighter. As we count down the days until black music’s biggest night — the 2012 BET Awards — here’s a rundown of Nicki highlights.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Photo By Photo: John Ricard/BET

Pink Friday - Artist: Nicki Minaj Year: 2010Ascending from mixtape all-star to YMCMB’s boss Barbie is no simple task. Yet Nicki Minaj made the leap like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, showing she’s more than punchlines and silly alter egos with Pink Friday. The eclectic debut album built on her clever rhymes by adding full-blown singer moments like “Your Love” and “Right Thru Me.” But the bark and bite are still there; just ask Lil Kim, who caught Nicki’s wrath on “Roman’s Revenge,” which also featured some guy named Eminem.(Photo: Cash Money Records/Universal Motown)

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Overachiever – August 10, 2011 - Last August, Minaj’s inescapable smash “Super Bass” broke Missy Elliot’s nearly ten-year reign with 2002’s “Work It” and is now the most successful solo single by a female rapper. (Boom) (Photo: Courtesy Young Money Records)

Viva La Nicki – February 1, 2012 - In February, MAC Cosmetics paired up Harajuku Barbie and Latin singer Ricky Martin to serve as the faces for the 2012 Viva La Glam line of cosmetics. 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the MAC AIDS Fund.(Photo: Courtesy MAC Cosmetics)

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Viva La Nicki – February 1, 2012 - In February, MAC Cosmetics paired up Harajuku Barbie and Latin singer Ricky Martin to serve as the faces for the 2012 Viva La Glam line of cosmetics. 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the MAC AIDS Fund.(Photo: Courtesy MAC Cosmetics)

Show Stoppers – February 5, 2012 - Stealing the show from the New York Giants and New England Patriots, pop music legend Madonna recruited  Nick Minaj and M.I.A. for her Super Bowl XLVI halftime show performance. The trio performed Madge's latest smash “Give Me All Your Luvin'.”(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Show Stoppers – February 5, 2012 - Stealing the show from the New York Giants and New England Patriots, pop music legend Madonna recruited  Nick Minaj and M.I.A. for her Super Bowl XLVI halftime show performance. The trio performed Madge's latest smash “Give Me All Your Luvin'.”(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

All Eyes on Roman – February 12, 2012 - Darling Nicki shocked many with her red carpet companion (a priest) and Grammy performance. Debuting her track “Roman Holiday” from the latest installment of the Pink Friday series, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, the over-the-top showing sent the Internet into a frenzy.

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All Eyes on Roman – February 12, 2012 - Darling Nicki shocked many with her red carpet companion (a priest) and Grammy performance. Debuting her track “Roman Holiday” from the latest installment of the Pink Friday series, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, the over-the-top showing sent the Internet into a frenzy.

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Lady Baller – February 26, 2012 - Harajuku Barbie gave a standout performance at this year’s NBA All-Star halftime show, delivering her chart-topping hit “Super Bass” live.(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Lady Baller – February 26, 2012 - Harajuku Barbie gave a standout performance at this year’s NBA All-Star halftime show, delivering her chart-topping hit “Super Bass” live.(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Nicki Idol – March 29, 2012 - Minaj appeared on this season’s American Idol. The Young Money First Lady rocked judges and contestants with her new smash "Starships."  (Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Nicki Idol – March 29, 2012 - Minaj appeared on this season’s American Idol. The Young Money First Lady rocked judges and contestants with her new smash "Starships." (Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

Choice Is Hers – March 31, 2012 - Nicki made a big splash with her young Barbz when she co-hosted this year’s Kid’s Choice Awards with Will Smith.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Choice Is Hers – March 31, 2012 - Nicki made a big splash with her young Barbz when she co-hosted this year’s Kid’s Choice Awards with Will Smith.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Shut Your Trap – April 3, 2012 - While hip hop critics may have written Nicki off for her pop-geared singles, the Queens MC quickly put things back in perspective with the 2 Chainz-assisted strip club anthem “Beez in the Trap”(Photo: Courtesy Young Money Records)

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Shut Your Trap – April 3, 2012 - While hip hop critics may have written Nicki off for her pop-geared singles, the Queens MC quickly put things back in perspective with the 2 Chainz-assisted strip club anthem “Beez in the Trap”(Photo: Courtesy Young Money Records)

Outta This World – April 26, 2012  - After still shots of the video leaked on the Internet, Nicki finally premiered the final visuals for “Starships” to rave reviews this past April.(Photo: Courtesy Young Money Records)

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Outta This World – April 26, 2012  - After still shots of the video leaked on the Internet, Nicki finally premiered the final visuals for “Starships” to rave reviews this past April.(Photo: Courtesy Young Money Records)

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Coming To A City Near You – May 6, 2012 - Hey Barbz! The wait is finally over as Minaj announced show dates for her North American Pink Friday Tour  earlier this month. Barbie! Barbie! Barbie!(Photo: WENN.com)

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Coming To A City Near You – May 6, 2012 - Hey Barbz! The wait is finally over as Minaj announced show dates for her North American Pink Friday Tour  earlier this month. Barbie! Barbie! Barbie!(Photo: WENN.com)

Pepsi Spotlight – May 7, 2012 - After announcing her partnership with Pepsi earlier this year, fans finally got to see the first of many upcoming commercial ads featuring Minaj.(Photo: Courtesy Pepsi)

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Pepsi Spotlight – May 7, 2012 - After announcing her partnership with Pepsi earlier this year, fans finally got to see the first of many upcoming commercial ads featuring Minaj.(Photo: Courtesy Pepsi)

Barbies Need Love Too – May 16, 2012 - Putting their star power together, the queen of the Barbie nation and the prince of R&B link up for Minaj’s hit single “Right By My Side." Queens MC Nas plays Nicki's love interest in the video. (Photo: Courtesy Young Money Records)

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Barbies Need Love Too – May 16, 2012 - Putting their star power together, the queen of the Barbie nation and the prince of R&B link up for Minaj’s hit single “Right By My Side." Queens MC Nas plays Nicki's love interest in the video. (Photo: Courtesy Young Money Records)