Nicki Minaj has appeared in TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in the world alongside Kendrick Lamar, Adele and Idris Elba. The rap star’s entry was introduced by her former mentor Lil Wayne, who gave the star her first break by signing her to his Young Money imprint.

Nicki MinajNicki Minaj has proved to be a very influential rapper

Figures that also appeared on the list included Pope Francis, Tim Cook and Caitlyn Jenner.

Speaking about his protégé, Lil Wayne said Minaj had reached "far beyond everything I would have imagined".

He wrote: "Man, she’s so influential and doing all the right things.

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"She’s an icon, a boss and a role model to all these young girls out here on how to do it the right way."

He added: "Nicki Minaj will go down as one of the best to do it in the history of music."

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Adele appeared in the ‘Icons’ category and was praised by actress Jennifer Lawrence who called her an "international treasure" and, comically, a "bitch".

For Idris Elba, The Wire creator David Simon called him a "true leading man".

Simon told Elba: "Brother, you’re never going to lack for work again."

Singer Ariana Grande, Star Wars actor Oscar Isaac and novelist Ta-Nehisis Coates also featured on the list.