Last updated on: July 25, 2025
Jelani Maraj is the elder brother of renowned rapper Nicki Minaj. He was born in 1978 in Trinidad and Tobago. He later relocated to New York along with his family. Jelani is the first child of Robert Maraj and Carol Maraj.
Nicki often talked about her love for her family. In the past, she even mentioned Jelani in her songs. But Jelani’s life changed in a big way because of a serious crime.
Quick Facts About Jelani Maraj
| Full Name | Jelani Maraj |
| Birthdate | 1978 |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Occupation | N/A |
| Husband/Wife | Was married (Name not known) |
| Children | N/A |
| Education | N/A |
| Parents | Robert Maraj (Father), Carol Maraj (Mother) |
| Siblings | Nicki Minaj (Sister), Micaiah Maraj (Brother), Ming Luanli (Half-sister), Brandon Lamar (Brother) |
| Net worth | <$1 million |
A Part of a Famous Family
Jelani grew up with:
- Nicki Minaj (real name Onika Tanya Maraj)
- Micaiah Maraj (younger brother)
- Ming Luanli (younger half-sister)
Their father, Robert Maraj, was a financial executive and sang gospel music. Their mother, Carol, is an activist and a singer.
Jelani was very close to Nicki during their childhood. They spent a lot of family moments together.
The Serious Crime
In December 2015, Jelani Maraj was arrested. He was charged with raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter. The incident outraged the public and the media.
The abuse happened many times between April and November 2015. It took place at Jelani’s home in Long Island, New York.
What Happened at the Trial?
The trial started in 2017. Many details came out during the court sessions.
- The victim spoke about how often the abuse happened.
- Her younger brother said he saw one of the attacks.
- DNA was found on her pajama pants. It matched Jelani Maraj.
All this evidence helped the jury decide the truth. Jelani was found guilty in November 2017.
His Sentence
In January 2020, Jelani was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The judge said the crime was very serious. Jelani’s lawyers tried to fight the case. But the court stood by the verdict.
Jelani denied being guilty. He alleged the family fabricated the story to receive $25 million from Nicki Minaj. However, the court did not accept this. The jury stated the evidence indicated he was guilty.
READ ALSO: Nicki Minaj Networth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
Nicki Minaj’s Reaction
Nicki was close to Jelani prior to the case. She even assisted in paying for his bail money at the beginning. Two houses she owned were utilized for the bond.
But after the trial commenced, she kept silent. She never gave a statement or made any comments publicly after Jelani was convicted. She did not go to the court proceedings. She did not make a statement.
Nowadays, she never discusses the case or her brother.
