Nicki Minaj does not have a publicly confirmed boyfriend in 2026 because she is married to Kenneth “Zoo” Petty. The Grammy-nominated rapper married her longtime acquaintance on October 21, 2019, after the two reconnected in 2018.
Their relationship has remained a subject of public interest because of their history together, their family life and Petty’s criminal record.
Before marrying Petty, Minaj had several well-known relationships, including romances with rappers Meek Mill and Nas.
Here is what to know about Nicki Minaj’s husband, their marriage, their son and her previous boyfriends.
Who Is Nicki Minaj Dating?
As of October 2026, Nicki Minaj is publicly known to be married to Kenneth Petty.
There has been no verified announcement that the couple has divorced or that Minaj has started a new relationship.
Petty is often called “Zoo,” a nickname associated with him long before his marriage to the rapper.
Unlike Minaj’s former partners, he is not primarily known for a professional music career.
Their relationship became public in late 2018, attracting immediate attention because they had known each other before Minaj became famous.
Who Is Kenneth Petty?
Kenneth Petty is Nicki Minaj’s husband and the father of her only publicly known child.
He grew up in New York and knew Minaj during their younger years.
The couple’s connection predates her international success as a recording artist.
Petty became widely recognized after their relationship was revealed in 2018.
His background has also drawn scrutiny because of previous criminal convictions and subsequent legal proceedings.
Despite the controversy, Minaj has repeatedly spoken about their longstanding connection and defended their relationship publicly.
How Did They Meet?
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty first knew each other as teenagers in Queens, New York.
Their early connection developed years before Minaj established herself in the entertainment industry.
Some accounts describe them as teenage sweethearts, although detailed claims about where they attended school together are not consistently documented.
They eventually went their separate ways.
After years without a publicly known relationship, they reconnected in 2018.
Their shared history became an important part of how Minaj described their romance.
She emphasized that Petty knew her before her fame, wealth and celebrity status.
When Did They Get Married?
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty married on October 21, 2019.
The singer revealed the marriage through social media, sharing wedding-themed items that included references to their new status as husband and wife.
The announcement followed months of speculation about their relationship.
Their wedding was relatively private compared with the elaborate ceremonies often associated with major celebrities.
The couple celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary on October 21, 2026.
Although their marriage has faced public criticism, there has been no confirmed divorce announcement.
Do They Have Children?
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty have one son, born on September 30, 2020.
The rapper affectionately calls him “Papa Bear.”
She has shared selected photographs and family moments on social media while keeping much of his personal life private.
His birth marked an important change in Minaj’s life.
The artist has discussed how becoming a mother affected her priorities and daily routine.
As of October 2026, her son is six years old.
Minaj has not publicly confirmed having another child.
Kenneth Petty’s Criminal History
Petty’s legal history has attracted significant attention throughout his marriage to Minaj.
He was convicted of attempted first-degree rape in New York in 1995.
He was also convicted of first-degree manslaughter in 2006 in a separate case.
These convictions became widely discussed after his relationship with Minaj entered the public spotlight.
Petty’s criminal history has remained a source of controversy, particularly regarding sex offender registration requirements.
Minaj has defended her husband on several occasions, although public criticism of their relationship has continued.
His Legal Troubles
In July 2022, Petty was sentenced to three years of probation and one year of home detention for failing to register as a sex offender after moving to California.
The federal case concerned registration requirements associated with his earlier conviction.
In September 2023, he received an additional 120 days of home detention following social media remarks directed toward rapper Offset.
The incident received considerable attention because Offset is married to Cardi B, with whom Minaj has had a publicly discussed rivalry.
These legal matters are separate from Minaj’s professional career.
They have nevertheless contributed to continued media coverage of her marriage.
Nicki Minaj and Safaree Samuels
Before marrying Petty, Minaj was in a long-term relationship with rapper and television personality Safaree Samuels.
Their relationship reportedly lasted from approximately 2002 until 2014.
The two knew each other during the early stages of Minaj’s music career.
Safaree was associated with her former rap group Hoodstars and later became involved in entertainment projects of his own.
Their breakup attracted considerable public attention.
Both subsequently discussed aspects of their relationship in interviews and online.
Their romance remains one of Minaj’s longest publicly known relationships.
Her Romance With Meek Mill
Nicki Minaj dated Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill from 2015 until early 2017.
Their relationship began after her separation from Safaree.
The pair frequently appeared together at entertainment events and shared affectionate photographs online.
They also collaborated musically, strengthening their reputation as a prominent hip-hop couple.
However, their relationship eventually ended.
Minaj confirmed their breakup in January 2017, making it clear that she was single at the time.
Their separation later became the subject of public exchanges and media speculation.
Did Nicki Minaj Date Nas?
Minaj was romantically linked to legendary New York rapper Nas in 2017.
The relationship attracted attention because both artists were established figures in hip-hop.
They were photographed together, and reports suggested they were dating.
Their romance was relatively brief and reportedly ended in early 2018.
Neither artist publicly shared extensive details about the breakup.
Nas remains one of the most recognizable names in Minaj’s dating history.
Later that year, she reconnected with Kenneth Petty.
Her Earlier Relationship
Minaj has also discussed a relationship from her teenage years with a former boyfriend identified publicly as Aaron.
The relationship preceded her rise to fame.
She has reflected on difficult experiences from her younger years through interviews and music.
Her 2014 album The Pinkprint includes deeply personal material exploring relationships, loss and emotional challenges.
However, not every song can be reliably attributed to one specific former partner.
Much of her early dating history remains private compared with her relationships during her professional career.
Latest Relationship Update
As of October 27, 2026, Nicki Minaj remains publicly married to Kenneth “Zoo” Petty, with no confirmed divorce or new boyfriend.
The couple has been married for seven years and shares a son known as Papa Bear.
Their marriage continues to attract attention because of their longstanding personal connection and Petty’s legal history.
For readers searching for Nicki Minaj’s boyfriend, Kenneth Petty is her husband, not a new romantic partner.
Her most widely known previous relationships include Safaree Samuels, Meek Mill and Nas, but Petty remains her publicly recognized spouse in 2026.
