Several perspectives have been expressed regarding hip-hop legend Nicki Minaj’s abrupt shift from an ally to an outright adversary of Black people and the LGBTQ+ community. But none stands out more than the perceived threat of deportation due to her status as an illegal immigrant.
Did the Trump administration pressure arguably the greatest, if not most successful, female rapper of all time to become a MAGA mouthpiece?
We cannot say for sure. But since his entry into the presidential conversation, she wouldn’t be the first Black celebrity to disappoint us in ways that would make Stephen from Django feel understood.
While their motivations may differ, a growing list of Black rappers, including Lil Wayne, Boosie, Kodak Black, Nelly, and even legends like Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube, have faced backlash for seeming all too eager to prostrate themselves for MAGA’s leader, Donald Trump’s favor.
As horrible a human being as many have come to believe Nicki is, this is widely considered a new low, especially considering Black women and members of the LGBTQ+ community make up a large portion of her core fanbase. It has been reported that immediately after her bigoted commentary at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, she lost several million followers.
Can we be surprised that Nicki joined their ranks?
Not really. Consider this: if the leader of Barbz is deported to Trinidad, her country of origin, she will have to choose between taking her son with her or leaving him with a convicted sex offender who cannot even take him to school (Trinidad is less likely to allow her husband to enter the country due to his rape conviction). And we can’t overlook how being banned from the United States would drastically impact her income as far as shows and paid appearances.
That’s a large proverbial gun to point at someone’s head.
Still, none of these things justify her betrayal of the very people who have empowered her through the years. This was an opportunity for her to stand by her business and demonstrate the integrity she has always used to defend herself against her endless infamous conflicts, especially with other women.
Unfortunately, it appears that recent events have left her unequivocally lacking.
Be’n Original
