Nicki Minaj announces she is pregnant with first child in bejewelled bikini photoshoot

‘Overflowing with excitement and gratitude,’ rapper writes on Instagram

(Getty Images)

Nicki Minaj has announced she is pregnant with her first child.

The rapper shared three photographs on Instagram revealing her news, captioning the first picture: “Preggers.”

The first image shows the musician kneeling on a cushioned surface, cradling her baby bump, wearing a yellow wig.

In the second picture, which is not captioned, Minaj is standing while wearing an ornate, embellished ensemble.

The musician announced she had married her partner, Kenneth Petty, in October 2019.

(Instagram (@nickiminaj) (Instagram (@nickiminaj))

Minaj’s first Instagram post garnered more than 3.6m likes, just one hour after the musician posted it.

Several of the 37-year-old’s celebrity friends wished her congratulations on her news.

“I knew it yasss welcome to the mamas club Queen,” wrote television personality Tanisha Thomas.

“Congratulations beautiful x,” commented singer Sam Smith, while singer Tinashe stated: “CONGRATS QUEEN!!!!!”

In a third picture shared by Minaj as part of her pregnancy announcement, the musician is captured reclining on a pink sofa.

In the caption, she expressed her gratitude for all the well-wishes she has received.

“Love. Marriage. Baby carriage,” the “Starships” singer said.

“Overflowing with excitement & gratitude. Thank you all for the well wishes.”

(Instagram (@nickiminaj) (Instagram (@nickiminaj))

In September 2019, Minaj announced she had “retired” from the music industry to have a family.

Sharing a tweet, the rapper said: “I’ve decided to retire and have my family. I know you guys are happy now.

“To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me, in the box- cuz ain’t nobody checkin me. Love you for LIFE.”

Minaj later deleted the message, saying in a follow-up tweet that she is “still right here” and that the initial comments were “abrupt”.