Nicki Minaj entertained fans with her combative alter ego ‘Roman Zolanski’ multiple times. But what’s his story?
Since her debut in 2010, Nicki Minaj’s career has enjoyed a meteoric rise. Now famously known as the undoubted “Queen of Rap,” the Trinidad-born American rapper has dazzled countless times with her superior lyricism and wordplay.
The rapper is known for her quick flow rapping style and provocative lyrics and has broken and created multiple records in the industry.
As a breakout star under the Young Money Record Label in 2010, Minaj put the industry on its toes. Apart from her music style, she also engaged fans with her bold persona. Minaj also had a distinctive look and adored her pictures and music videos with risque clothes and colorful wigs.
Her debut album “Pink Friday,” released in 2010, made it to the top of the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured notable songs like “Check It Out,” “Super Bass,” and “Roman’s Revenge.” The album not only announced Minaj to the Hollywood crowd, but it also debuted the rapper’s alter ego, widely known as “Roman Zolanski.”
Who is Minaj’s Alter Ego “Roman Zolanski?”
According to Nicki Minaj Fandom, Roman Zolanski is Minaj’s most known alter ego and her favorite. Roman Zolanski is a male from London, England, far more outspoken than Minaj.
Roman Zolanski’s first appearance came when Minaj mentioned the name on Twitter. The rapper told fans only to call her “Roman Zolanski.” She described Roman as her twin sister, with a dark personality and a force of will.
Minaj’s Roman Zolanski alter ego made his first musical appearance on the songs “Bottoms Up” and “Monster.” Minaj’s performance in the latter received praise from fans and peers alike. Her verse was widely touted as the best rap verse of the year and arguably the best of her entire career. After that, the alter ego became very popular among fans.
A couple of months later, in her documentary “My Time Now,” Minaj clarified that Roman is a crazy boy that lives inside her. He says things she does not want to say and often threatens to beat people up. Minaj explained that she often asks him to leave, but Roman would not because he was there for a reason. People have brought him out, and now he won’t go.
Roman Zolanski Has A Mother.
Martha Zolanski is Roman’s mother, which Minaj created as a foil for Roman. She made her first appearance in the song “Roman’s Revenge,” which featured Eminem.
Martha is an older woman who respects tradition, manners, and rules, unlike her son Roman. The relationship between the pair is also very strained. Roman’s behavior is a direct conflict with what his mother stands for.
According to Minaj, The pair clashes, and Roman will never conform to his mother’s wish. However, he will never change, although he still loves his mother. Roman is often compared to Eminem’s alter ego, Slim Shady.
Roman Zolanski’s Multiple Appearances
Minaj’s alter ego Roman has appeared multiple times over the rapper’s career. His first appearances came in the songs “Roman’s Revenge” and “Monster.” Roman also made appearances in “Roman Holiday,” “Come On a Cone,” “I Am Your Leader,” and “ Roman Reloaded.” Roman also appeared in the songs “Roman In Moscow” and “Monster,” arguably the alter ego’s best performance.
Unlike his harsh personality during his first appearances, Roman started easing up gradually. In the songs “Where Them Girls At,” “Stupid Hoe,” “Starships,” and “Pond The Alarm,” Roman was less violent.
The character exhibited a general carefree and fun-loving personality. These songs showed the happier side of Roman and that he was not always rebellious or violent.
Roman Zolanski Is Gay
During an interview with The New York Times, Nicki Minaj revealed that Roman often gets cranky. He would usually not want to get out of bed and is very lazy. She explained that Roman is a night lover who constantly needs conjuring.
Minaj also declared that Roman helps with her image and inspires her choices in hair and makeup. The rapper then revealed Roman is gay. Roman’s homosexuality is also one of the reasons he gets in trouble with Martha.
Roman Zolanski Makes Grammy Debut
Minaj’s famous alter ego Roman Zolanski made his Grammy debut in 2012. He appeared during the stage performance of the song “Roman Holiday.”
Minaj, who had embodied Roman, started the performance by confessing her sins in the confession booth. Afterward, a short film titled “ The Exorcism of Roman” is played, and we see Minaj strapped to a board.
Religious icons, priests, and monks surrounded her. Afterward, a priest came on the stage and performed an exorcism on Minaj/Roman.
Roman Zolanski’s Death
After releasing her album “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded-The Re-Up,” fans noticed Roman stopped making an appearance in Minaj’s projects. All through 2013, the rapper barely mentioned him.
Then On February 14, 2014, Minaj disclosed that she got tired of Roman and that he died. The famous alter ego has not made an appearance since then.