Kenneth Petty is the husband of rapper Nicki Minaj. They married in October 2019 after reconnecting in 2018, having first met as teenagers attending LaGuardia High School in New York City .
Who Is Kenneth Petty?
Kenneth Petty, also known by the nickname “Zoo,” is a music industry professional from Queens, New York . He was born on April 7, 1972, and has worked behind the scenes in the music business . Petty has appeared in two of Minaj’s music videos, including “Megatron” and “Hot Girl Summer” . Though he maintains a relatively low public profile compared to his wife, his marriage to one of hip-hop’s biggest stars has placed him under constant media scrutiny .
How They Met and Married
Minaj and Petty first crossed paths as teenagers in Queens, attending the same high school and dating briefly before losing touch for nearly two decades . Minaj later referenced their history in Chance the Rapper’s 2019 track “Zanies and Fools,” rapping, “I met my husband when I was 17 out in Queens” .
They reconnected in 2018, and Minaj went public with their relationship that December . In October 2019, they married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles, with Minaj announcing the news on Instagram using her married name, “Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty” . The couple welcomed their first child, a son they publicly refer to as “Papa Bear,” in September 2020 .
Kenneth Petty’s Criminal Record
Petty’s legal history has been extensively documented by major outlets including the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and People .
1995 Attempted Rape Conviction
In April 1995, Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape for an assault on a 16-year-old girl that occurred in 1994 when both were 16 . According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, he used a knife during the attack . He was sentenced to 18 to 54 months in prison and ultimately served just under four years, released in January 1999 . He is registered as a Level 2 sex offender in New York, indicating a moderate risk of reoffending .
2006 Manslaughter Conviction
Petty pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in 2006 for the 2002 shooting death of Lamont Robinson . He was originally charged with second-degree murder, but the charge was reduced through a plea bargain . He received a 10-year sentence and served approximately seven years before being released in May 2013 on five years of supervised release .Quick Bio: Kenneth Petty
Note: Kenneth Petty maintains a limited public profile, and verified information about his personal life and career is scarce. The details above reflect what is publicly documented through reliable sources. Social media accounts could not be verified as official.
2021 Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
After moving to California in July 2019 to live with Minaj, Petty failed to update his sex offender registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) . He turned himself in to U.S. Marshals in March 2020 and initially pleaded not guilty, posting $100,000 bail . In September 2021, he pleaded guilty to the federal charge, facing a potential maximum sentence of 10 years .
2022 Sentencing
In July 2022, U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald sentenced Petty to one year of home confinement, three years of probation, and a $55,000 fine . Federal prosecutors had sought 15 months in prison, arguing that home confinement in the couple’s Calabasas residence was not sufficiently punitive . The judge disagreed, citing the less severe nature of the offense compared to other failure-to-register cases and the strain on the prison system during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Minaj’s Public Defense
Minaj has consistently defended her husband against public criticism. In a 2023 Vogue cover interview, she explained what drew her to Petty, saying, “Because I’ve known my husband for so long, there’s an ease we have with each other. We make each other laugh. We’re silly” . She noted that his indifference to her fame made her feel secure, adding that if she had met someone as Nicki Minaj, she would have questioned whether they liked her for herself .
In October 2024, Minaj clapped back at a social media user who criticized her for including Petty in a birthday post for their son . She responded with a lengthy post on X, writing, “His father, my husband. Not a man” . The exchange highlighted her willingness to publicly confront criticism of her marriage .
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nicki Minaj’s husband?
Kenneth Petty, also known as “Zoo,” married Nicki Minaj in October 2019 .
How did Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty meet?
They met as teenagers in Queens, New York, attending LaGuardia High School together. They dated briefly, lost touch, and reconnected in 2018 .
Does Kenneth Petty have a criminal record?
Yes. He was convicted of attempted rape in 1995, manslaughter in 2006, and failure to register as a sex offender in 2021 .
Do Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty have children?
Yes, they have a son born in September 2020, whom they publicly call “Papa Bear” .
Conclusion
Kenneth Petty remains a figure of public interest primarily due to his marriage to Nicki Minaj and his documented criminal history. While Minaj has built one of the most successful careers in hip-hop history, her husband’s legal record has generated sustained media coverage and public debate. The couple has remained together since their 2019 marriage and continue to raise their son while navigating ongoing public scrutiny.Frequently Asked Questions About Nicki Minaj’s Husband
Who is Nicki Minaj’s husband?
Kenneth Petty, also known as “Zoo,” is the husband of rapper Nicki Minaj. They married in October 2019 and share a son born in September 2020, whom they publicly call “Papa Bear” .
How did Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty meet?
They met as teenagers attending LaGuardia High School in New York City during the 1990s and briefly dated before losing touch . Minaj referenced their history in Chance the Rapper’s 2019 song “Zanies and Fools,” rapping, “I met my husband when I was 17 out in Queens” .
What is Kenneth Petty’s criminal record?
Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995 for assaulting a 16-year-old girl, serving four years and registering as a Level 2 sex offender in New York . He also pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in 2006 for the 2002 shooting death of Lamont Robinson, serving seven years . In 2021, he pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender in California .
What was Kenneth Petty’s sentence for failing to register?
In July 2022, U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald sentenced Petty to one year of home confinement, three years of probation, and a $55,000 fine . Prosecutors had sought 15 months in prison, but the judge cited the less severe nature of the offense and pandemic-era prison strain .
Do Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty have children?
Yes, they have one son born on September 30, 2020, whom they call “Papa Bear” . Minaj has kept most details about him private, though she revealed in a 2023 Vogue interview that his first nickname was “Bubba” before it evolved into “Papa Bear” .
