Nicki Minaj discovered love in the most unexpected place for her admirers. In December 2018, the rapper’s public relationship with criminal Kenneth “Zoo” Petty sparked controversy.
Subsequently, the couple has remained unfazed by the criticism that has surrounded their whirlwind romance. In 2020, they greeted their son, the identity of whom has not been disclosed to the public. The couple exchanged vows in 2019.
How Did Minaj and Kenneth Petty Meet?
When Minaj and Petty were kids living in Queens, they both attended LaGuardia High School in New York City. At the time, they had a brief relationship, but they lost contact and then reconnected in 2018.
Minaj has discussed her early years with Petty on multiple occasions. She made reference to the romanticism found in Chance the Rapper’s 2019 single “Zanies and Fools.” “I met my husband when I was 17 out in Queens / If you love it, let it go, now I know what that means / While he was up North for a body / I bodied everybody and got known for my body,” she sings in the song.
She revealed information about their teenage romance on Twitter in January 2019. “We were like this about each other since we were very young kids in the hood,” she stated in her letter. Before the huge ol’ ghetto booty, he was on my body. prior to the wealth and fame. fought with my partner since I wasn’t his girl. He was inherently arrogant. In any case, timing is crucial.”
Petty and Minaj Got Married in October 2019
When she referred to Petty as her “husband” in March 2019, Minaj initially ignited marriage rumors. In June of the same year, she subsequently confirmed on her Apple Beats 1 show, “We did obtain our marriage license.” “I believe I have achieved precisely what I sought: happiness.” It was extremely difficult to reach a joyful place. “I do not wish to compromise that for anyone or anything at this time.”
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The rapper added in August 2019 that the wedding would take place “approximately in eighty days.” “We still had to pick it up and I was traveling, by the time I came back, we had to renew it again,” according to her. “You have ninety days from that date forward to enter into matrimony.” That occurred roughly one week ago; therefore, I currently have approximately eighty days remaining.”
The wedding of Minaj and Perry is shrouded in mystery. Later, however, during a conversation with Lil Wayne on her program, Minaj discussed her marital status.
Kenneth Petty’s Registered Crimes
Petty was found guilty in April 1995 of first-degree attempted rape in connection with the assault of a 16-year-old female the year prior. He was given a prison term ranging from 18 to 54 months and is classified as a level two registered s*x offender in the state of New York. Four years were incarcerated him in prison for the assault.
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When Minaj’s early social media posts featuring Petty drew attention from his past among her followers, she repelled the comments and defended her man. “…he was 15 years old and she was 16… engaged.” “However, proceed to the Internet,” she wrote. “You cannot control my existence. You are incapable of managing your own lives. “Many thanks, boi.”
Petty was again arrested in March 2020 for failing to register as a sexual offender in California when he moved in with Minaj. According to records accessed by PEOPLE, he initially pleaded not guilty and posted $100,000 bond. However, he changed his mind in September 2021 during a virtual hearing and pleaded guilty, incurring a potential prison sentence of ten years.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Petty received a sentence of one year of house arrest, three years of probation, and a $55,000 fine in July 2022.
In 2002, Petty entered a guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter for the death of Lamont Robinson. During the 2006 trial, he was initially charged with second-degree murder; however, the charge was later dropped as part of a plea agreement.
The complaint that The Blast was able to get stated that “the defendant, Kenneth Petty, shot the deceased, Lamont Robinson, with a loaded handgun multiple times thereby causing his death.”