Nicki Minaj
Judge Nicki Minaj speaks at a Fox panel for the television series "American Idol" at the 2013 Winter Press Tour for the Television Critics Association in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 8, 2013. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Rapper Nicki Minaj has been accused by her former hair stylist of stealing his designs for the colorful wigs that helped her boost her career, according to media reports citing a federal lawsuit filed on Friday.

Terrence Davidson launched a $30 million federal lawsuit against the rapper in Atlanta. The suit stated that Davidson began working for Minaj in 2010 and designed her wigs for high-profile events.

Davidson reportedly claimed that Minaj's best-known wig, called the "Pink Upper Bun," was designed by him, as well as the one she wore in the the music video for the song "Super Bass," among many others.

Davidson, 41, said he and Minaj’s staff had discussed starting a joint venture that would involve selling wigs and creating a reality television show, but in 2012 she and her representatives “took active steps to isolate Mr. Davidson and preclude him from the notoriety he deserved for his wig designs,” the lawsuit reportedly stated.

The stylist, whose celebrity clients include singers Patti LaBelle and Jennifer Hudson, alleges that the pop star is copying his wig styles and selling them online.

Minaj "took a number of his popular wig designs, without his consent, and used them to start her own wig line," the lawsuit reportedly stated.

Davidson’s attorney Christopher Chestnut told CNN: “Nicki Minaj is reaping great success and financial bounty reward for Terrence's creative expertise, and he is entitled to participate in that.” He added: “Someone's got to stand up for the artist. We applaud the fact that she's making millions, but she's also got to pay bounty to those whose creative designs she's making millions off of.”

"On its face you might think, this guy is suing over wigs," Chestnut said. "But we really have to consider this in context. Hair is a multibillion-dollar industry, but moreover these are not your grandma's wigs. These are eclectic. They are decadent, and they are creative. This is about a brand that Terrence has built.”