Nicki Minaj In Steven Universe
- Dylanna Fisher
- May 5, 2024
- 6 min read
Did you know that Nicki Minaj was In Steven Universe??
Let’s start with an introduction to Steven Universe. Steven Universe is a beloved animated series created by the visionary Rebecca Sugar. The show has captured the hearts of audiences of all ages. It has left an undeniable mark on animation since it aired on Cartoon Network in 2013. This cartoon seamlessly weaves elements of fantasy, science fiction, and coming-of-age storytelling into an utterly unique narrative.
Steven Universe is a profoundly beautiful and emotional cartoon first released in 2013. It spanned six seasons and 155 episodes, concluding on January 6, 2019. Through that time, the show has received 13 prestigious awards and has been nominated for many others. Additionally, it boasts an impressive roster of voice actors, including Estelle, Matthew Moy, Kate Micucci, Brian Posehn, Sinbad, Natasha Lyonne, Adam DeVine, Joan Jett, Uzo Aduba, Charlyne Yi, Shoniqua Shandai, and even Nicki Minaj, further adding to its allure and cultural impact.
Nicki Minaj: The Queen of Rap
Who is Nicki Minaj? Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, is a rapper, singer, and songwriter from Trinidad and Tobago. She is a sensation in the music industry because of her unique style, amazing lyrics, and animated flow, earning her the title of the “Queen of Rap.”
Nicki Minaj’s career is decorated with a remarkable collection of accolades. She has won numerous awards, including nine American Music Awards, twelve BET Awards, eight BET Hip Hop Awards, and four Billboard Music Awards.
Her remarkable achievements also extend to the Grammy Awards, where she has received ten nominations, starting with her first in 2010 for “Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group” for “My Chick Bad” with Ludacris. Minaj’s journey is remarkable from releasing mixtapes in the late 2000s to becoming a record-breaking and award-winning artist.
Nicki Minaj as Sugilite
In the popular animated series Steven Universe, a famous rap artist, Nicki Minaj, played the role of Sugilite, one of the show’s most potent and formidable antagonists. Sugilite is a fusion of two gems, Amethyst and Garnet, which ultimately includes Ruby and Sapphire. Sugilite debuted in the iconic episode “Coach Steven,” aired on Cartoon Network on Cartoon Network on August 21, 2014. The episode was initially screened at San Diego Comic-Con, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from fans.
Sugilite is a unique character in the show, being the first fusion of three different Gem types: Quartz, a Ruby, and Sapphire.
Her debut episode, “Coach Steven,” drew significant attention and garnered substantial viewership, making it a memorable moment in the series’ history.
The episode displayed the show’s teamwork, perseverance, and self-improvement themes and solidified its place as one of the most beloved animated series of all time.
Success in the Role of Sugilite
Nicki Minaj’s casting as the voice of Sugilite was a brilliant choice, considering her illustrious career and musical influence. The rapper, singer, and songwriter has received many awards and accolades in the music industry, highlighting her immense talent and versatility.
Her success in the music world, which includes many awards and record-breaking achievements, attests to her ability to capture audiences and leave a lasting impact, making her an ideal candidate for a character like Sugilite.
Minaj’s vocal prowess and charismatic performances earned her the perfect choice to bring Sugilite to life—a character brimming with immense power and unpredictability.
Her cameo appearance in “Steven Universe” was nothing short of excellent. Known for her fierce and fearless public persona, Nicki Minaj effortlessly channelled that badass mentality into the character of Sugilite. As Decider aptly put it,” Nicki Minaj didn’t become a household name by being a sweet star we can prop on a pedestal.
No, through her rap and public persona, she crafted a fierce warrior of a rap goddess and made us love her because of her fearlessness.
Sugilite may be a bit taller than Minaj, but she captures the star’s middle-fingers-to-the-sky mentality wonderfully and does it with Minaj’s laugh.”
Her impressive musical prowess and ability to seamlessly merge her energy and character into her music made her the perfect choice for voicing Sugilite, whose complexity and dynamism mirrored her own. This creative collaboration between music and animation displayed the magic that can happen when two art forms unite.
Steven Episodes Starring Sugilite
Nicki Minaj’s portrayal of Sugilite in Steven Universe extends beyond her notable speaking role in the episode “Coach Steven.” She has only made a few appearances in the series. Despite that, these instances contribute to the character’s unique presence and prove her versatility.
Within the episode “Coach Steven,” the Crystal Gems are trying to destroy a malfunctioning antenna at the ancient Gem Communication Hub. Garnet and Amethyst fuse to become Sugilite. However, Pearl, another Gem, is concerned about the fusion’s instability, jealousy, and feelings of inadequacy. Sugilite is powerful but reckless, causing chaos and injuring Steven. The episode explores themes of power, responsibility, and consequences. This storyline offers insights into the complex relationships and emotions that define the series.
In the episode “Cry for Help,” Sugilite returns in a non-speaking role. Garnet learns that Pearl has repeatedly repaired the Communication Hub to fuse with her into Sardonyx. After that, Garnet decides it is time to destroy the hub for the last time. She commands Amethyst to fuse with her, resulting in the formation of Sugilite. Then Sugilite plays a significant role in this episode as she uses a wind-up punch to obliterate the Communication Hub with a single hit. It also strengthens how jealousy and miscommunication can lead to unhealthy and regrettable actions.
Additionally, Sugilite appears in “Know Your Fusion” during a segment on Sardonyx Tonight. A replica of Sugilite’s flail is used in a machine, with Sugilite’s voice taunting the users if they fail to strike it with enough force. This episode also features a meta-reference to Nicki Minaj’s role as Sugilite. Sardonyx humorously questions whether the voice actor for Sugilite needs to be paid despite not recording any new lines for the fusion.
Finally, in the episode “Snow Day,” Sugilite returns briefly when Garnet and Amethyst shapeshift into Steven and fuse into Sugilite, who is also shapeshifted into Steven. This transformation is part of a playful “Steven Tag” game to catch Steven. Following this active fusion, Garnet and Pearl fuse into Steven-formed Sardonyx.
Sugilite only shows up in 4 episodes; why is that?
Why Didn’t Nicki Minaj Sing in Steven Universe? Or At Least More Speaking Roles?
This is a question everyone is asking all over Reddit, Quora, Twitter, and everywhere. Even Cecilia Mazumdar Stanger of the Minnesota Daily wrote that she initially found the episode disappointing. This is mainly because guest star Nicki Minaj did not participate in the episode’s song. “Coach Steve” features the song “Strong in the Real Way,” sung by Deedee Magno Hall (as Pearl) and Zach Callison (as Steven), written and composed by Rebecca Sugar.
She explains, “Frankly, I was a little disappointed. The episode was dominated by a scene that is a combination of a workout montage and a ballad straight out of a musical theatre production. With the amount of singing in the episode, it was strange that the “Universe” team didn’t utilize Minaj’s vocal chops.”
She makes a good point. Although Nicki Minaj is a fantastic musician and vocalist, she did not participate in the episode song. Her addition to the music, or even a song for the episode, would have been fantastic.
There are a lot of different theories, but neither Cartoon Network nor Nicki Minaj have commented on it. The only hint we have is the tongue-in-cheek mention of Sugilite’s voice actor in a “Know Your Fusion” during a segment on Sardonyx Tonight. In a particular show episode, Sardonyx breaks the fourth wall several times.
That is the biggest hint that the lack of repeat episodes with Sugilite is probably financially based. Nicki Minaj’s limited involvement in the Steven Universe series and her absence from singing roles throughout the show can be attributed to financial and time constraints.
Although she made a significant impact with her role as Sugilite, her subsequent appearances were notably less frequent and often without speaking lines.
Conclusion
Nicki Minaj’s performance as Sugilite in Steven Universe was a captivating addition to the show. Her portrayal of Sugilite brought a unique and powerful energy to the character, aligning well with the character’s larger-than-life presence. Although Nicki Minaj did not sing in the series, her voice acting was impactful, and she effectively conveyed Sugilite’s formidable and unpredictable nature.
Overall, Nicki Minaj’s performance as Sugilite was a successful and fitting choice, contributing to the overall appeal and depth of “Steven Universe.” Her iconic style and vocal talents brought Sugilite to life, which enhanced its impact within the show’s rich storytelling.
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