In a recent interview with Ebro Darden, rapper Nicki Minaj shared the heart-wrenching details of the day she received the devastating news of her father’s passing in a hit-and-run incident in New York in 2021. Recounting the emotional moment, she revealed the shock and disbelief she experienced when her mother delivered the tragic news about her father, Charles Maraj.
“Everything started spinning. I couldn’t believe how quickly everything happened, especially because he was the happiest that I had heard him in a long time,” Minaj expressed, reflecting on the sudden and tragic turn of events that took her father’s life.
Nicki went on to recall the last conversation she had with her father, which occurred earlier on the same day as the accident. Her father had expressed eagerness to meet her and her son, whom he hadn’t had the chance to meet yet. The anticipation and excitement in his voice left a lasting impression on Minaj, who eagerly looked forward to his visit.
“The phone rings, and I see it’s my father. I normally would not have picked up because I don’t like to be on the phone with the baby there. I would’ve called him back. Something said, ‘Pick up the phone.’ I picked up; he was very happy, and he was like, ‘Baby, I could come on Monday?’ because he had been waiting to be able to come to Cali to help me,” Minaj shared. “He is this amazing, great person, who livens up the whole house. I was like, ‘Yes, we were going to get help.'”
Tragically, her father’s plans were cut short, and he never got the opportunity to meet his grandson. Nicki Minaj revealed that the profound impact of this incident became the inspiration behind her song “Are You Gone Already” from her latest album.
