Multiple personality pop siren, the most eccentric female rapper since Missy Elliot, more cheeky than Lady Gaga, Ms Minaj is a force of pop nature, as testified by her ever-growing legion of ardent fans - The Barbs.

She's on a huge tour promoting her recent smash album, and if you've never heard of her (where HAVE you been?), you'd be forgiven for thinking she was just another pop singer. But though she's made a name for herself with some decidedly mainstream hits, she came from proper hip hop roots - meaning she can really rhyme.