Rapper Nicki Minaj became fascinated with crazy and colourful hairstyles after watching Cyndi Lauper music videos as a child.

The "Super Bass" hitmaker is known for her wild and wacky fashion choices and hairstyles, and Minaj admits she was inspired by the "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" star growing up.

She tells New York Magazine, "I've always been intrigued by colour and by interesting hair. I was one of those weird little girls doing my own hair at the age of nine. I was, like, getting weird gels and new brushes and cornrow holders. I would tweak and perm at the age of 13.

"When I first went to get my hair coloured, I was about 14 and I wanted blonde highlights. The beautician said, 'No, you have to get your mother on the phone,' and I was just crying and begging. I've always been experimenting. Cyndi Lauper's videos - that's what intrigued me."

And Minaj has no intention of toning down her head-turning style - because she thrives off the attention her wardrobe choices garner.

She says, "I like the idea of doing something that everyone else is not. I get high off that. Just the idea that other people don't have the balls to do something - that's my thing."