Rapper Nicki Minaj's parents, Robert and Carol Maraj, may not have been music stars, but they certainly knew how to sing. Their music genres differed significantly from their daughter's, as the duo mainly sang gospel music.

Robert and Carol initially resided in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Tobago, before relocating to New York in the late 1980s. There, they would raise their children, including Nicki Minaj, who would emerge as a superstar in 2010.

Their marriage was, however, not always cordial. They faced many bad moments, caused mainly by Robert's anger and drug issues. By the time Robert died in 2021, he had become estranged from his wife.

Nicki Minaj and Carol Maraj attend the 2015 BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 28, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Robert Maraj Was Also a Singer, like His Daughter

Although not a full-time artist, Robert was a capable singer. He is credited as a part-time gospel singer. However, his main job was that of a financial executive.

However, besides their father's prestigious title, Minaj and her siblings were raised mainly by their mother and grandmother. Robert was reportedly a drug addict with anger management problems, eventually leading to his abusive nature. He is said to have burned down the family house due to his failure to control his anger.

Robert passed on in 2021 in unfortunate circumstances. He was a victim of a hit-and-run accident in Mineola, Long Island. The 64-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The police arrested a man believed to have been the hit-and-run driver. After the arrest, Carol filed a lawsuit against the man for a staggering $150 million.

Robert Once Set up Fire on House When Nicki's Mother Was Inside

Although Minaj currently seems to have a very stable and good life, she had to endure some bad times to get to where she is today. She experienced a difficult early childhood due to her father's excessive drug use, which brought many problems to their family.

In a horrifying event, her father's anger got the better of him. He decided to burn down the family house with Carol inside. Nicki Minaj conceded that her father's behavior was a problem and that she "was afraid, very afraid that something would happen to my mother."

Luckily for Carol, she had just sent her children away to spend the night with her friend, so they didn't witness his outburst. Carol, who had been there at the house, got the surprise of her life but managed to escape the frightening experience.

Carol Maraj, Nicki Minaj's Mother, Has Been Writing Her Own Music since 2004

Carol Maraj is not only the mother of a world-famous musician but has also done some singing herself. Originating from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, she is credited as a singer and songwriter, and it looks like she has been singing for some time. However, it has not always been her full-time career.

Her musical career is not as extensive as her daughter's, but she still boasts a large following on social media. Her Instagram followers are north of 225k, an incredible flex for the 62-year-old who only recorded her music a few years ago despite having written the songs in 2004.

On her Instagram, she usually posts things related to her personal life, such as photos of her daughter Nicki Minaj and granddaughter. Carol is a proud mother and is not shy to praise her daughter, whom she says has taught her to be a good businesswoman.

Carol spends some of her time running her charity organization, The Carol Maraj Foundation, which seeks to help victims of domestic violence through emotional and financial support. The multi-talented mother is also a speaker, and many of her talks are centered around her faith.