Did Nicki & Drake Ever Date?

It wouldn't be the craziest thing in the world if Nicki Minaj and Drake were a couple. They're both hip hop royalty, and they've collaborated musically more than a couple of times. But if your fingers are crossed that there's ever been something going on behind-the-scenes between these two, your dreams may officially be dashed. By all accounts, Minaj and Drake have never dated.

The most definitive proof comes from Drake himself when he appeared on The Ellen Show in 2013. In true Ellen DeGeneres fashion, my favorite talk show host flashed images of Drake's rumored flames on the screen and asked him to explain his relationship status with each. When it was Minaj's turn, Drake said, "Me and Nicki are like family. I love Nicki with all my heart. We haven't really shared, like, an intimate moment."

Obviously, celebrities aren't always to be believed when they claim that they're "just friends" with someone they've been rumored to have dated in the past, but something about the way Drake answered the question made me feel like he was being honest this time. Maybe it's because he was so straightforward. But I'm definitely going to trust Drake on that one. From the sounds of things, he and Minaj are actually just friends and always have been — but that doesn't mean there was never a time Drake didn't want something more.

In fact, back in 2010 — the year Minaj released her debut album, Pink Friday — Drake admitted that it was kinda love at first sight for him. He told MTV2's DJ Envy,

Me and Nicki have a really playful relationship. When I was on tour ... I saw Nicki for the first time and, like, literally fell in love. She had this snap-back hat on that said "Minaj." She used to wear that every single day. She was like a theater student and she was so cold at rapping.

And what about Minaj? Does she share his feelings? She's perpetuated their flirty relationship by joking that "One day I will run away with Drake and get married," but that's about all she's said on the subject.

If you're bummed because you think they'd make a super cute couple, all might not be lost. After all, the foundation of any good relationship is a solid friendship, and Minaj and Drake seem to have that going for them.

In the meantime, Minaj has a seemingly complicated relationship with her rumored current beau/possibly ex-beau, Safaree "SB" Samuels. And Drake? As far as I can tell, he's living up the single life. Fingers crossed they make a love connection down the road, but 'til then, I'm good with the music.

Images: Getty Images