In an era where music trends evolve at lightning speed, and new artists emerge nearly every week, the question often arises: Is Nicki Minaj still relevant, still popular, still a force? As of late 2025, the short answer is yes — absolutely. But the full answer requires nuance: she remains a powerhouse in streaming, touring, and cultural imprint, even as the music industry shifts around her.
In this article, we’ll examine her continued popularity through multiple lenses: streaming and chart data, touring success, social media and cultural visibility, and some of the headwinds — as well as speculation about what’s next.
1. Streaming & Chart Dominance
One of the clearest indicators of Nicki Minaj’s sustained popularity is how well her catalog continues to perform — and even break records — in 2025.
🎯 Historic streaming milestones
Recently, Nicki Minaj became the first female rapper ever to surpass 40 billion streams on Spotify. (RGM)
As of this year she has seven songs with 1 billion+ streams, more than any other female rapper. (The Source)
Her monthly streaming statistics show her still drawing tens of millions of listeners — underscoring that beyond nostalgia, her music remains actively consumed. (ChartMasters)
These achievements remind us: decades after her debut, Nicki’s catalog still resonates, across generations and new fans.
📈 Chart activity even for older songs
Despite a relatively quiet new-music schedule in 2025, Nicki continues to chart. For example, older collaborations recently re-entered digital-song sales charts — a sign that there’s still demand. (Forbes)
Her staying power in digital sales — not just streaming — shows a fanbase still willing to buy her music, not just passively stream it. (Forbes)
2. Touring and Live Momentum
Popularity in 2025 isn’t just about streams. Live performances remain a key measure — and Nicki holds strong there too.
The 2024 Pink Friday 2 World Tour — billed as the most extensive tour of her career — grossed over US$108.8 million across dozens of shows. That figure makes it the highest-grossing tour ever by a female rapper. (Wikipedia)
During that tour, she climbed to No. 1 on the “Artist Power Index,” a live-performance metric that reflects ticket sales, show demand, and overall tour clout. (Pollstar News)
Selling out arenas, drawing thousands of fans, and still being able to headline major tours — those are strong signs Nicki remains a major draw.
Indeed, many artists struggle to maintain relevance after 10+ years, but Nicki’s ability to command big stages — and big revenue — suggests she’s far from fading.
3. Cultural Visibility & Legacy Influence
Popularity isn’t only about numbers — it’s also about cultural footprints, influence, and public presence. On that front, Nicki is still highly visible.
Her iconic status — the “Queen of Rap,” the “Barbz” fandom, her influence on style, femininity, hip-hop — means that even when she isn’t releasing new music, her influence persists.
Nicki remains a reference point in music conversations, media coverage, and among newer artists. Her catalog constantly finds new listeners on streaming platforms and social media.
As of 2025, she announced an upcoming album cycle dubbed the “Billionaire Barbie” era, with plans for a new studio album in 2026. (103.9 Wayne FM) This announcement re-energized fans and generated buzz — reminding the industry she’s still playing the long game.
In other words: outside of sales charts, she continues to matter — to fans, to the culture, and to the shape and tone of contemporary female rap.
4. Fanbase & Digital Footprint: Still Alive and Connected
Behind Nicki’s success are the listeners: longtime “Barbz” and new fans alike — and those numbers remain formidable.
Her social-media presence remains strong, and she still commands a high profile on streaming platforms. (ChartMasters)
Even a few years after her peak commercial breakthrough, streaming numbers and demand show she’s not just relying on nostalgia; new listeners continue to come in.
Reddit fan communities illustrate this: fans remain vocal and passionate. For example, one user recently wrote:
“Whenever I see Nicki get disrespected … my heart literally BREAKS.”
(Reddit)
That devotion matters — not just for streaming stats, but for visibility, longevity, and cultural weight.
5. Challenges & Changing Landscape — Why Some Might Question Her Popularity
Still, being “popular” in 2025 doesn’t look the same as it did in 2010 or 2015. There are real pressures — and critiques — that complicate the picture:
🔹 Fewer frequent releases
Nicki has slowed in terms of output compared to earlier in her career. Some 2025 headlines even suggested she’d canceled her upcoming album — though later she walked that back. (Yahoo)
In fast-moving digital music culture, output frequency matters — newer artists release often to stay top of mind. For a legacy artist like Nicki, selective releases make relevance harder to sustain.
🔹 Competition & shifting landscape
Female rap — and female music in general — is more crowded than ever. New voices emerge constantly. The industry’s trends shift quickly. Maintaining dominance from early-career momentum is harder.
Some critics argue that older stars struggle to capture the energy and attention that fresh artists can generate. And a few longtime fans have expressed frustration with changes in style or public behavior (on social media, business decisions, etc.). For example, within Reddit fan communities some express discontent with what they view as inconsistent public behavior in recent years. (Reddit)
🔹 The risk of polarizing opinions
With greater visibility comes greater scrutiny — public statements, controversies, or perceived missteps can affect public perception. That can dampen support among more casual fans or newcomers who discover her music.
6. Why Nicki Minaj’s Continued Popularity Matters
Given her track record — streaming, touring, social presence — Nicki’s sustained popularity isn’t just about personal success; it carries broader industry and cultural implications.
She remains a standard-bearer for female rap, proving longevity is possible. In an industry often oriented around youth and novelty, that represents resilience and staying power.
Her success continues to validate investment in female rappers — for labels, promoters, and venues. Her tours still draw, her catalog still sells/streams; that sends a message about viability beyond “hot new artist.”
Through her global reach and high streaming counts, she continues to represent and influence — for fans worldwide, for upcoming artists, and for how female rap is perceived internationally.
In short: Nicki Minaj’s ongoing popularity helps shape not just her legacy, but the path forward for the genre.
7. What’s Next? — The Future of Nicki Minaj in 2026 and Beyond
As of late 2025, here’s where things stand — and where they might go:
The announced new album (sometimes referred to as “NM6”) is tentatively scheduled for March 27, 2026. (103.9 Wayne FM) If it drops as planned — and is supported by savvy promotion — it could re-ignite her dominance, attract new listeners, and generate major streaming and chart success.
Even without immediate new music, her catalog and past hits remain evergreen. As long as streaming platforms thrive, so does her body of work.
Continued touring — in-person shows, residencies, festival appearances — can keep her in the public eye, sustain revenue, and preserve her live-performance legacy.
Evolving with musical trends: if she adapts with collaborations, fresh sounds, or cross-genre work, she may appeal to younger generations. Her brand and name alone carry weight — which, leveraged well, can keep her relevant.
8. Yes, Nicki Minaj Is Still Popular (Probably More Than You Think)
To circle back: Is Nicki Minaj still popular? Absolutely — and maybe even more so in subtle, sustainable ways than during her early peak years.
In 2025, she remains a streaming heavyweight, a touring juggernaut, a cultural figure, and a standard-bearer for female rap. Though the music industry has changed dramatically since she first broke through, she has adapted — keeping a strong fanbase, still charting, still drawing crowds, and still making headlines.
Her relevance today might not always be about nonstop hits or chart-topping new singles. Instead, it’s sustained through legacy, longevity, variety, and the loyalty of fans who still stream and celebrate her work.
For an industry that often moves fast and forgets quickly, Nicki Minaj is living proof that style, consistency, and genuine talent can endure.
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