The only time this could've been arguable was 2010.
Drake dropped Take Care and then Nicki would never be able to catch up lol.
2010 early 2011 only tine i would say nicki is bigger
i initially thought this but revisited. dont think its right
In 2010
Thank Me Later sold 447K first week and moved 1M units in a month and 5 days
Pink Friday sold 375K first week and moved 1M units in 3.5 weeks
and TML had 3 top 20 hits, one being a top 5. Pink Friday had 4 top 20 hits, one being a top 3 - the 8x Plat iconic Super Bass.
and then features like Monster.
So I think Nicki got 2010 tbh
You are also forgetting the fact that Thank me later leaked a whole THREE MONTHS before it even dropped. That never happened to nicki
Outside the us yes she was everywhere for her first 2 albums and girls that were beyonce stans became barbz
Her edm songs like starships made her famous to the mainstream way more than drake but it didnt last at all