Nicki Minaj Gets Emotional While Accepting Billboard's 'Rising Star Of 2011' Honors (Video)

Nicki Minaj had quite a year. Following the release of her debut album, Pink Friday, she quickly proved she was no gimmick and became an international pop star.

On Friday (December 2), the YMCMB First Lady was in New York for Billboard's seventh annual "Women in Music" event held in New York on Friday December 2, where she accepted the "Rising Star of 2011" honors.

During her speech, she got emotional while thanking fans, saying "I just know that I'm incredibly grateful and thankful for a couple of little kids... maybe a few million, I call them my Barbz. And I know they're not in here, but I know they'll hear me say this. Barbz I love you so much for being by my side for such a long time."