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10 songs Nicki Minaj hijacked and made her own

With two hit albums and a headlining tour that arrives at Dallas' Gexa Energy Pavilion on Friday, 32-year-old rapper Nicki Minaj has grown accustomed to receiving top billing. But it took a few years of collaborating with some of the best and brightest in music to get to this place.

One featured verse at a time, Minaj established herself as a go-to wordsmith in pop and hip-hop. And more often than not, she overshadowed the folks who'd invited her to the studio party. Listen to the following 10 tracks (scroll down for a Spotify playlist) and you'll find out why she's such a natural thunder thief.

"BedRock" (with Young Money featuring Lloyd)

In 2009, Minaj was still an up-and-comer. Given the chance to rap with label mates Drake, Lil Wayne and more on this single, she displayed more than the required amount of swagger. Rather than trying to fit in a bunch of double-time zingers, she took a slow and confident approach.

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Key line: "He say I'm bad/He prolly right/He pressin' me like button-downs on a Friday night."

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"Bottoms Up" (with Trey Songz)

One of the first massive hits on which Minaj was prominently featured, this one gave her the chance to truly steal the show away from the smooth crooner Songz. She alternated between a conversational style and a rapid fire delivery. I'm not sure which I enjoy more.

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Key line: "We be doing donuts while we waving the .380/We give a lot of money to the babies out in Haiti."

"Monster" (with Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross)

Anyone who pays any attention to hip-hop knows Nicki killed 'em all dead on this track. Even her otherwise unparalleled collaborators Jay and 'Ye admit as much. Sometimes I hit play on this track and skip right to her part. It's a timeless motivator.

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Key line: All of them, but I especially like "First thing's first, I'll eatcha brains/Then Im'a start rockin' gold teeth and fangs."

"Where Them Girls At" (with David Guetta, Flo Rida)

This was one of the first tastes of the radio-pop side of Nicki, and it came courtesy of French producer Guetta with the studio assistance of Dallas producers Play 'n' Skillz. Not only did she out-rap Flo Rida (not hard to do ), but she also showed her versatility with her bubbly vocals.

Key line: "Coming through the club all the girls in the back of me/This ain't football why the [expletive] they tryin'a tackle me?"

"Beauty and a Beat" (with Justin Bieber)

Believe it or not, there was a time when Justin Bieber needed a little bit of an edge. And Nicki gave him just that on this sugary, somewhat addictive single. She kept it sweet but threw in a knowing comment or two regarding Bieber's then girlfriend, Selena Gomez.

Key line: "Buns out, wiener/But I gotta keep my eye out for Selen-er."

"Make Me Proud" (with Drake)

I'm still hoping for the day that these two make an EP or an album together. They play off each other well, and they found fame around the same time. As usual, when Nicki comes in on top of the beat, she elevates it.

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Key line: "It's MAC, OPI, and a fragrance too/Apparel, I'm dominating every avenue/Cobblestone, good view, little gravel too."

"Flawless (Remix)" (with Beyoncé)

The original version of Beyoncé's single lived up to its name, but the addition of Nicki on the remix gave us the jam we didn't know we needed desperately. Beyoncé sets her up nicely to dominate, too, even emulating the Minaj growl a little. Now that's flattery.

Key line: "Throw that ass back, I be on my frisbee/Princess cut, diamonds on my Disney"

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"Bang Bang" (with Jessie J, Ariana Grande)

This song was an instant hit because it's on a "Lady Marmalade" level of likable. And Nicki gave us a break from all of that jaw-dropping vocalizing with a deliriously dirty rap verse. She slayed over that clap beat.

Key line: "It's Myx moscato, it's frizz in a bottle/It's Nicki full throttle, it's oh, oh."

"Throw Sum Mo" (with Rae Sremmurd)

Credited to the young duo Rae Sremmurd (they'll be one of the opening acts at Gexa), this strip-club anthem marks the first time Minaj has ever stolen an artist's thunder without even having to put in a full verse. The hook is enough to make it hers.

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Key line: "Bad bitches, on the flo'/It's rainin' hunnids, throw some mo'"

"Hey Mama" (with David Guetta and Afrojack)

Minaj is back with the French hitmaker Guetta on this current pop single, and she's mostly showcasing her singing talents. The woman is a proven master of hooks.

Key line: "Best believe that, when you need that/I'll provide that, you will always have it."

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