Nicki Minaj Achieves Third Diamond Plaque with “Starships”

Nicki Minaj has made history once again, earning her third Diamond plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This milestone comes after her 2012 single “Starships” surpassed 10 million sales in the United States on November 18. The song, known for its infectious pop-rap blend, has now joined the ranks of her other Diamond-certified tracks, including her 2010 hit “Super Bass” and her feature on Jessie J’s “Bang Bang” with Ariana Grande, which also achieved Diamond status earlier this year.

“Starships” was a defining track in Minaj’s career, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a massive commercial success. However, the song was not without controversy. Minaj famously feuded with Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg, who criticized the song during the 2012 Summer Jam festival, calling it “one of the most sellout songs in Hip Hop history.” This prompted Minaj to cancel her performance at the event, igniting a public back-and-forth between the two, which lasted for several months. Despite this rocky start, Minaj and Rosenberg eventually patched things up a year later when she returned to Hot 97 for an interview.

Interestingly, Minaj has not always been fond of “Starships.” In fact, she has admitted in interviews that she regrets recording the song. In a 2020 Q&A panel at Pollstar Live, Minaj expressed her dislike for both “Starships” and her 2014 hit “Anaconda,” calling the former track a regret and questioning her decision to make it. Her candidness continued when she joked at a 2023 New Year’s Eve performance in Miami, where she stopped the song mid-play. “Sike, sike, sike,” Minaj said, teasing the crowd before revealing, “I don’t perform that song no more, y’all! I don’t like it!”

Despite her personal feelings, “Starships” remains a fan favorite and a major achievement in Minaj’s discography. The song’s infectious energy and mainstream appeal solidified her status as one of hip-hop’s most versatile stars. Minaj’s third Diamond plaque is a testament to her enduring influence in the music industry, demonstrating her ability to dominate both pop and hip-hop landscapes.

As Minaj prepares for the release of her upcoming album Pink Friday 2: The Hiatus, it’s clear that her impact on the music world continues to grow, even as she reflects on the tracks that shaped her career.