Dear Nicki Minaj...

Nicki Minaj, this I address to you.

I just have a few questions for you. And please know I don’t come as an angry feminist just a curious one (although I don’t know why being an angry feminist would be a justifiable excuse not to listen).

I was perusing the latest VEVO videos and stumbled upon one of your latest. The one called ONLY. I clicked on it because whilst I mostly cringed as I sat through the whole of your Anaconda video, somewhere between the booty and the cleavage there is actual talent.

I can imagine you started rapping because you were inspired and love performance and the art of it all. But I am sitting in shock as I sit through the whole five minutes and fifty-seven seconds of this video and feel sickened. I am not sure it is because of the Nazi imagery, or the sight of your almost naked body being gawked at like vultures by Little Wayne, Drake et al. Or is it the very explicit lyrics with these same colleagues speculating about “f**king” you, or not. Vicariously, I feel violated for you, although I am not sure you

share those same feelings.

There is no doubt you are an incredibly talented rapper, performer, entertainer. I know that you, of course, know that and so does the music industry given your extensive musical accolades. But this video, these lyrics, do you really believe this is really art? Is this really, truly representative of the true artist that is Nicki Minaj? Whilst music’s community responsibility has always been in question, do you really think that these images, these lyrics enhance your music or promote your talent and creativity?

I can’t blame you, perhaps.

Your industry, rap and hip-hop, in particular, is notorious for its glorification of female objectification. Maybe, you, like your female colleagues are just doing what is done, what is modelled to you as pictures of success. Perhaps pitched to you as a form of empowerment, and ownership of your body, your sexuality, your art.

Given that the Hip Hop/Rap industry is male-dominated, of course, your male counterparts should be questioned and held accountable, who unapologetically demean and disrespect women under the guise of normative culture. Just as a side note – the irony was not lost on many of us when at the Grammys, prior to Obama calling on the music industry to take a stance

against violence against women, it nominated Chris Brown for Best RnB

Performance, infamous for attacking his then-girlfriend, Rihanna.

Maybe this is when the angry feminist in me might emerge.

And even in your own Anaconda video, it was telling that the lyrics “My Anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns hun” was rapped by a man, four out five writers on that song were male.

Its just frustrating Nicki, because your talent is not always that obvious nor appreciated and I feel, in fact I know- you are so much more than this. It just sometimes hard when all you show us is your ass. Which by the way, we all have and isn’t what makes you special or talented. Please don’t forget that.