Nicki Minaj Will Not Ruin Your Children Forever
I pitched this in January, finally had it cleared in late February, turned it in early March, and found out yesterday (mid-April, my birthday) that it wasn’t running. I’ll likely explain later but in sum: I like this article, it should’ve ran. I knew Nicki would be a focal point of discussion several months ago, it’s unfortunate things didn’t pan out as planned. But somebody’s reading this, darn it.
Check it out below, please leave your thoughts.
Oh, and if you’re tired me talking about Nicki, fret not: You’re not obligated to read it.
Continue on to the piece below:
“What’s So Bad About Nicki Minaj?”
In terms of pop cultural relevance, female rappers have gone the way of a Furby doll.
In fairness, there have been some that have enjoyed success but it’s been several years since any new female emcee has reached a level of popularity to rival that of Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Lauryn Hill, or Salt ‘n Pepa.
That is, until 25-year-old Nicki Minaj, née Onika Maraj, managed to use YouTube, mixtapes, and a Barbie-based imaged to build a following so large that she’s now on the tip of everyone’s tongue – all before the release of a debut album.
She’s only now premiering her first solo video, yet her image has everyone talking, only the sentiments conveyed about it vary.
The rift stems in disagreement over how Minaj has molded herself and those who draw inspiration from it.
Nicki Minaj refers to her fans as “Harajuki Barbies.” The term is a mesh of references to the Harajuki culture in Japan and the classic American staple, the Barbie doll.
Like Minaj herself, fans play dress up, wear pink hair and make up, and call each other a bunch of silly names and terms not even a fan-made “Nictionary” can help me understand completely.
But what I do know is that an increasing number of young people take to it – so much that the adoration is visible both online and in person. Indeed, many fans of Minaj emulate her style of dress, her hair, her mannerisms, and yes, her ever-fluid accent.
The copycatting has led to discussions about the marketing savvy of Nicki Minaj, and in some cases the ridiculing of those falling victim to it.
When asked about the movement she’s started in a past interview, Nicki quipped: “My movement right now is based on all of the girls in the world – no matter what their race or age is – coming together and having fun.”
She sounds like the Cyndi Lauper of rap, yet to some she’s nothing more than another blond hair, blue eyed envying black woman using sex to sell herself and damaging impressionable youth in the process.
Apparently Nicki yields more leverage than a grade school teacher or college professor – making your little sister, niece, daughter, and possibly your male cousin dumber with every new bar.
On the site, “The Fresh Express,” one writer denounced the rapper saying: “Nicki Minaj has turned a legion of black women, both young and old, into babbling, fake British accent using, gregarious weave wearing, teenage mutant Barbie wannabes.”
Her far less popular contemporaries have also taken issue with her shtick.
When asked about Minaj, Chicago rapper Kid Sister told an interviewer, “My thing is do people take her seriously?” This from a person whose introduction to hip-hop was a single that included the line, “got her toe nails done and her fingernails matching” in the hook.
Rapper Lil’ Mama claimed Minaj’s imagery was “disrespectful” for black women. If there’s one thing Lil’ Mama knows about, it’s respect. Just ask Jay-Z.
And a Baltimore rapper by the name of Keys recently fired verbal gunshots – literally – in Nicki Minaj’s direction. With her disses honing in a hooder than thou narrative, it’s easy to leave her and her grips on the project stoop she filmed her tirade on.
Those hypocritical comments aside, I can understand why some people might not be entertained by a theatrical student’s contrived silliness. However, why does silly, extra, and sexual automatically equate stupid, sophomoric, and distasteful?
Although Nicki first made waves for a pictorial tribute to Lil’ Kim’s infamous promotional poster for Hardcore, she’s relatively toned her imagery down, noting, “The sexual and sexy stuff is really not who I am. I think all girls can take a sexy picture.”
Even if she hadn’t toned it down did enjoying Madonna or Janet make any of you a whore? Likewise, was Delores Tucker right about Tupac Shakur?
As for her Barbie Doll fueled fantasy, it seems more so a commodity to sell records versus Lil Kim-like dreams of making Mattel her mommy.
The lines of entertainment and reality have always been blurred, and the inconvenient truth is most people – particularly young people – tend to imitate someone at one period or another.
Currently, many are emulating an artist in on her on jokes who likes to exude femininity not exhibited by her predecessors, and oh yes, happens to like sex sometimes.
Are they influenced? Yes. Should they be? Debatable. Will it last forever? Ask your red glove and dookie braids.
miko
April 13, 2010 at 2:31 pm
lol
great article! i don’t think this will last though…those dumb ass faces she makes really erks my last nerve though…but i don’t know anyone who’s takin her seriously, whether it be the way she dresses, talks or that circus make up…i don’t know anyone too worried bout her. she’s a fad that will pass.
Kjen
April 13, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Actually, I like how silly Nicki presents herself. I’m always drawn to humor in music, especially, hip hop, as almost everyone seems to take themselves so seriously. The very fact that she doesn’t take herself so seriously is partly why I”m not as ‘concerned’ as I was about her wearing her super long weaves, costumes, contacts as Lil Kim. Nicki SEEMS to be doing it out of the love of dressing up, Lil Kim always seemed kind of desperate for attention.
But Nicki will continue to receive critiques for being the most prominent female MC right now. If there can only be one, most people would prefer that she follow in Lauryn Hill’s footsteps.
@PiscesTia
April 13, 2010 at 2:44 pm
I thought the article was great! I agree. It’s all fun and entertainment. She’s what’s hot now and she has single handedly revived the Female rap game that was suffering a slow lingering death. Even Queen Latifah jumped shipped on rap. I am a 28 yr old female who likes Nicki Minaj and her music. There I said it. So shoot me.
Darby
April 13, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Ohhhhh emmm geeee!!! This is why I love you Mikey. I definitely just finished listening to Keys’ second tirade on Nicki and honestly my first thought (even before reading your beautifully written article that should have been published) was ‘what exactly are you soooo mad about it?’ I mean, okay – Nicki’s not hood. I’m no Nicki expert – but I don’t ever recall that being something she ever proclaimed. I think she’s made it very clear that she likes dressing up, she likes being silly and getting into different characters. I’m lost as to what’s so awful about that that people continue to try to bring her down as they’re attempting to bring themselves up.
Here’s the thing – I can totally understand why you may not want your child listening to Nicki. I get that. But this whole crab in a barrel thing in rap music always puts me in a bad mood. Just do your shit right and people will gravitate to you… I said the same thing when everyone in NY was crying about how the South was taking over. Make a song with a hot beat and I’ll listen to it… but keep putting out hot trash, and I don’t care if you’re reciting ‘I Have a Dream,’ it’s not going on my ipod.
All that to say – people, please remember that music is entertainment. Yes, it can be influential. But you know what? If we provide the children with other influences, then they can take it for what it’s meant to be… that’s why my parents did. I listened to Pac nonstop but I wasn’t running around tatting Thug Life on my chest. Really, it made me wonder how good the Baltimore School of Arts was – because clearly the man was a great actor.
Wade
April 13, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Great article Mike! They’re on some BS, this totally should have been published! I will admit, it took me a while to jump on the Nicki bandwagon, but I finally get it. She’s having fun, entertaining the masses and making that paper. Would I let her babysit my kids? ummm No. Would I bump her song while I’m on the treadmill? Sure, why not.
That Keys chick needs to sit down somewhere and stop being so hostile. Every rapper doesn’t have to be hood. This reminds me of how pissed everyone was at Will Smith back in the day because he didn’t cuss, wasn’t a gangster rapper and made funny/entertaining songs. But despite the negativity he went on to win the first ever Grammy in the rap category.
Everyone should stop being so serious and just enjoy the entertainment aspect of Ms. Minaj. That fake British accent is hilarious!
J2201987
April 13, 2010 at 10:29 pm
She’s doing something right, because EVERYONE is talking about her (main point in being a celebrity). However, everything doesn’t last forever, so she better ride this b*tch until the wheels fall off (or until she turns 30).
chelle
April 13, 2010 at 11:19 pm
My family had the Nicki Minaj discussion Easter Sunday. After seeing her interviews my thought is that Nicki has sold herself short. She has a beautiful brown face, bubbly personality, speaks well enough(barring brittish accent) and she’s petite. All the makings for cross over appeal if you ask me. But with Little Wayne, Baby and nem, the over done ass shots, no album and no tour I have a feeling she’ll be back home in no time.
Lulu
April 14, 2010 at 10:06 am
Michael all this time away and u come back with one post
Crystal
April 17, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I appreciate the honesty, and realness of the article. People general dislike any that is out to the norm. It was because of Niki Minaj’s unique, and indivisual style that caught me attention. Also I’m a 29 year old that can listen to her music and not ashame of if. The industry is fueled by sexuality so that is a thats silly reason for people to judge, but when you are in the entertainment buisness you will have fans and critics.
mysha
April 17, 2010 at 11:16 pm
im 16 and i loove nicki i just wish people would stop judging her shes already came from a strugling home so why try to put someone down if anything shes the best rapper i know she seem very calm i mean sure some parents will not let there child listen to her music but if they really like her they would sneek behind there parents back because shes the topic everybody talkin about you mite not like her but at lease give her a handclap for coming this far many people usally gives up on something they and if you think your kids mite do wat she doin then try not 2 let them listen to her alot. nice talkin now another topic plz
samantha
April 22, 2010 at 11:09 am
i totally feel nicki minaj is to be left alone. the simple fact is that she is the biggest female rapper at this time, so as long as she’s doing that, that obviously means none of your critics mean anything.
teri
May 17, 2010 at 1:24 pm
man the article was great . some of the things are true an some are not so nicki minaj is person that thinks for her self an be her self so if u dont like nicki minaj u can suck her pussy.
brenda channel
June 11, 2010 at 4:43 pm
you guys are being so MEAN and DISRESPECTFUL. i do not think Nicki Minaj puts her self out there like that. i just think that is her personality you cant judge someone because you don’t no them.and how in the HELL how the way she dresses is disrespectful to black women i think people talk about her because they have nothing else to do with there lives and because they are jealous of her.
NICKI MINAJ A.K.A BARBIE.
if you think anyone is going to beieive that you can shove it up your harry but and hope for some flies you crazy cow how you going to disrespect her like that so you can go to hell and she rocks all the new looks your just haten on her becuase she dont look like your wife or girl friend