Nicki Minaj Talks About Her Rise to Stardom in New E! Special

While Nicki Minaj's debut album, 'Pink Friday,' climbed to the top of the charts, the rapper explains in her new E! special that her success didn't happen overnight.

The 26-year-old had plenty of "normal" jobs, including office work and a waitress position, but she always had her eye on the prize. "I'd literally be finishing up my 9-to-5 and on a train or something to meet some label exec, or to bring my demo to a record company," she says in a promo for the program. "I'd be doing it simultaneously."

She adds, "I just had to give this [rap] one try because I had never given anything my all. I was like you know what, I don't care if I end up in a shelter. I am not going back to work."

The special delves into how Minaj got her start, following her through her early beginnings to becoming the 'New Queen of Hip-Hop' as deemed by Rolling Stone. Viewers will hear from Minaj, as well as her mother and father, Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. The program includes interviews with the rapper's childhood friends and elementary school teacher, too.

The 'E! Special: Nicki Minaj' premieres tonight, July 13 at 10PM.

Watch the 'E! Special: Nicki Minaj' Promo