Nicki Minaj Has History When It Comes To Her British Accent

Nicki Minaj showcased her British accent when she joined James Corden for The Late Late Show. The moment had plenty of people asking – hopefully ironically – if the singer is English? But the Super Bass star has previous when it comes to channeling her inner Adele. Here we take a look at that weird moment when Minaj addressed the UK Prime Minister.

What happened between Nicki Minaj and Boris Johnson?

Back in September 2021, Minaj went viral for a claim relating to the Covid vaccine. She said a friend of her cousin had got the vaccine then ‘became impotent’ and suffered from swollen testicles.

She claimed she wasn’t telling people what to do one way or the other; just to ensure everyone was comfortable with their decision. Then things got really strange.

Professor Chris Whitty – the UK’s Chief Medical Officer – was asked about Minaj’s comments in his daily briefing and he quickly rebuffed the claims. Not to be outdone, PM Johnson had his say.

‘I’m not as familiar with the works of Nicki Minaj as I probably should be,’ Johnson said. ‘But I am familiar with Nikki Kanani, a superstar GP of Bexley, who will tell you that vaccines are wonderful and everybody should get them.’

Minaj goes British

In response to Johnson’s comments, the Trinidadian-born rapper sent a voice note on Twitter which has to be heard to be believed.

Those who saw Minaj try out her Essex accent on TV this week may have experienced some Deja vu, although she went uber-posh on this occasion.

Minaj’s tweet addressing Johnson was peak 2021. It was bizarre, to say the least. But it shows the superstar isn’t afraid to have fun. Not that we ever doubted that.

‘I was just calling to tell you that you were so amazing on the news this morning and I’m actually British,’ Minaj said. ‘I was born there. I went to university there. I went to Oxford. I went to school with Margaret Thatcher and she told me so many things about you.’

The fact that Margaret Thatcher was born in 1925 (and died in 2013 aged 87) suggests Minaj may not have been telling the whole truth with that claim!

What happened on The Late Late Show?

Minaj ran through some of her biggest hits with Corden during Carpool Karaoke. But it was her impression of Adele that got the most comments.

Adele had previously sung Minaj’s hit Monster when she took part in the famous singing challenge. And that clearly left its mark on the rapper as she slipped into her best Essex twang.

One thing is for sure, Minaj seemingly loves putting on a British accent. So don’t be surprised if this isn’t the last time people are asking where exactly she hails from.

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Vincent Ralph

Vincent Ralph is Senior Managing Editor at GRV Media. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Greenwich and later completed his NCTJ in Newspaper and Magazine Journalism while studying in Cornwall. He was previously Head of Sixth Form at a secondary school in Kent, where he worked with hundreds of 16 to 19-year-olds over eight years. He joined GRV Media in 2014, working his way up from football writer to a senior member of staff. After two years as Managing Editor of Rousing The Kop and The Boot Room he became Senior Managing Editor of new student website Freshered. Vincent is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and his second novel is also a USA Today bestseller and the winner of the Southern Schools Book Award.