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UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: Nicki Minaj (right) with her mother Carol

RAPPER NICKI Minaj was abused as child by her alcoholic, drug addict father, according to her mother.

The 31-year-old rapper's mother Carol Maraj has claimed Minaj's father, Robert Maraj, was a cocaine and alcohol addict who used to beat his children, including the rapper.

Maraj also claimed that the Starships star has used her tough upbringing to become the superstar she is today.

In an interview with The Sun on Sunday, the mother alleged: "My husband used to get high on cocaine and alcohol and would come home and terrorise the whole family."

She added that he hit both her and the children. She also revealed that one night she tried to escape but he caught her and "punched me in the face".

Maraj added: 'He would hit the children too.'

The 54-year-old revealed Minaj, real name Onika Maraj, would often spend nights crying in her room because of how her father treated her mother and her two brothers, Micaiah and Jelani.

Maraj also she claimed that her husband once burned down the New York house where Minaj grew up in.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES: Nicki Minaj's mother Carol has claimed the rapper's father physically abused them both when Nicki was a child

The rapper, has previously spoken out about her father's alleged abuse with Now magazine. Speaking of her childhood earlier this month, she said there was "a lot of arguing, lots of screaming – there were holes punched into the walls in anger and cops being called to the house all the time:.

She added: "I was afraid, very afraid that something would happen to my mother."