Nicki Minaj busted out the blonde during an appearance earlier today in New York City to accept her Billboard “Rising Star” Award.

The Harajuku Barbie, who was recently nominated for Best New Artist for the 2012 Grammy Awards, showed off a crimped wig with tight bangs across her forehead, flowing lashes and a black dress accented by white straps.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by Billboard,” said the rapstress in a statement. “My nation of Barbz and I have come a mighty long way-yet we are nowhere close to where God will take us. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”

Additionally, the Young Money rapstress just released her teaser single “Roman in Moscow,” possibly off her upcoming sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, dropping February 14, 2012.

Nicki Minaj doesn’t plan on holding back on her sophomore album. Fresh off the release of her buzz single “Roman in Moscow,” the Young Money rapper shared why the rough-and-rugged cut is the “wackest thing” on the LP and spilled details about the video.

“‘Roman in Moscow’ is like a teaser to Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which will drop on Valentine’s Day,” she told MTV News. “When I say it’s a teaser, it’s like a trailer to the movie, it’s like setting the stage and I just wanted to touch the surface. It’s the wackest thing on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.”

Revealing that a video for the fiery cut will be shot “real soon,” Nicki, who is nominated four times at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, wouldn’t disclose what exactly went down in Russia, but did say that the visuals starring her alter ego Roman Zolanski will explain all.

“Well, he was there [in Moscow] secretly because [alter ego] Martha wanted him to go there, so they put him in this thing with monks and nuns; they were trying to rehabilitate him,” she explained. “But I can’t tell exactly what happened, you’ll just see it in the video format, but let’s just say he got out of there.”