Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj are sisters from another mister. They're peanut butter and jelly, coral and turquoise, sun and moon, coffee and 6 a.m. — I could go on, you know. The fact that they recognized their cosmic connection in time to give us two fabulous collaborations — "Feeling Myself," a song from Minaj's upcoming Pinkerprint album, and last year's "Flawless (Remix)" — proves life certainly can be fair and that the only thing better than powerful alpha woman Beyoncé is, is powerful alpha woman Beyoncé combined with powerful alpha woman Nicki Minaj. While it's possible for artists to collaborate and maintain a solid working relationship without becoming BFF's, Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj are the real deal: women who are both smart enough to know they're going to sell tons of records by performing together and who are actual friends in everyday, off-stage life.
That's right. They aren't just pretending to be friends in the newly release video for "Feeling Myself." While I can't say for sure that they spend that much time on pool floaties, they definitely are buddies. But don't take my word for it. Let this timeline of Bey and Minaj's fab friendship convince you that they are definitely ordering and splitting 13 brunch items as I write this.
2011: Beyoncé Compliments Minaj
Minaj has always admired Beyoncé and says the singer complimented her once, told her she "killed it," and that she never forgot about the unexpected praise. Here's Minaj, being interviewed by RWD TV, where she reveals her sweet thoughts on the singer: "Just her name alone defines greatness." Respect.
2011-2014: Minaj Remixes Bey's Songs
After feeling initial sparks, things simmered down a bit between Beyoncé and Minaj. But the rapper told Billboard
Bey was a constant source of inspiration and that she remixed a few of her songs, including "Sweet Dreams" during this time. "When I was putting out mixtapes and stuff, I would always remix her stuff," Minaj said. "I have a dope remix that my fans have always been in love with, to one of her songs, "Sweet Dreams," [that] me and Wayne did. I figured that eventually we would do something together. I mean, I'm not gonna lie. Recently I thought it would never happen 'cause I felt like if she was going to ask me, she would have asked."
June 2014: A "Flawless" Start
All of that waiting paid off for Minaj because she received the call of a lifetime: Beyoncé asked her to collaborate on "Flawless." The best part? "She sent me a version that she wanted. She told me, 'I want you to be you. I don't want you to hold back,'" Minaj told Billboard. " I said, 'You sure?' She said, 'Yeah. I want you to be you and do you." I was actually in New York writing the verse. I recorded the verse in New York and she stopped by the studio. She was such a sweetheart. She was hyping me up, 'Do your thing. Don't hold back. Go in.' I was like, 'Okay. Alright.'"
September 2014: Paris tour
Beyoncé invited Minaj to join her in Paris on her On the Run tour, where they performed "Flawless" live while rocking matching Versace outfits.
Minaj told MTV she was "honored" to be a part of the show and that it was very "emotional" for her. And, to prove the feelings of love are mutual, Bey arranged for Minaj's birth name to appear in lights.
December 2014: Minaj Impersonates Beyoncé
Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery and Minaj proved it by giving Saturday Night Live viewers the second most convincing Beyoncé they've ever seen (because Maya Rudolph). Word on the street is that Bey loved it.
December 2014: Happy Birthday, Onika
The rapper could hardly contain herself when she received this Instagram birthday message from her new, dear friend.
March 2015: True Blue Friend
Minaj is loyal to Bey and Jay Z and, along with Kanye West and Rihanna, changes her Twitter avatar to a blank aqua square to show support for Jay Z's music streaming service, Tidal.
March 2015: Party Pals
The amount fierce in this one photo is enough to send lions running for their lives. And, yes, Alicia Keys, Bey, and Minaj need to collaborate on a track ASAP.
April 2015: Double Dating
Hi, here we are on a typical date night. Oh, except for the fact that we are Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj and there's absolutely nothing typical about us. OK, we're going to eat steak now — buh, bye!
May 2015: "Feeling Myself" Leaks...
And it is brilliant.
In summary, Beyoncé are Minaj are probably going shopping for vintage furniture this weekend before cracking open a bottle of Scotch and discussing their next business endeavor. And I want to be them so bad it hurts.
Image: Tidal/YouTube
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