Nicki Minaj feels discriminated after ‘Anaconda’ isn’t nominated for MTV Video of the Year
Nicki Minaj took to Twitter yesterday to voice her disappointment over not being nominated for the VMA’s Video of the Year award.
If I was a different “kind” of artist, Anaconda would be nominated for best choreo and vid of the year as well.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
When the “other” girls drop a video that breaks records and impacts culture they get that nomination.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year — NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
‘Anaconda’ is up for Best Hip Hop Video and Best Female Video, but isn’t in the same rank as video of the year contenders Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar. It was left out despite breaking records like Vevo’s record for the most streams in 24 hours.
Swift interpreted this as a jab to her ‘Bad Blood’ video which features her friends, many of whom are models, and Minaj was quick to respond.
@NICKIMINAJ I’ve done nothing but love & support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot..
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 21, 2015
Huh? U must not be reading my tweets. Didn’t say a word about u. I love u just as much. But u should speak on this. @taylorswift13
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
So clearly Swift missed the point. Black women are not being represented despite having hugely influenced the music industry. But it gets worse. Today headlines started pouring in. ‘Nicki Minaj argues with Taylor Swift’ was the theme, but one headline stood out to Minaj.
Ryan posted a headline of Taylor saying she loves & supports me. But not me saying the same to her. Lol. Their headline says I took a “jab”? — NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Nothing I said had to do with Taylor. So what jabs? White media and their tactics. So sad. That’s what they want. https://t.co/AfcwoyDvpg
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
On Air with Ryan Seacrest has since changed the headline to something more neutral, but it goes to show how quick society is to jump on the ‘angry black woman.’ Minaj is just using her platform to raise awareness around an issue that we all know exists.
I’m so glad u guys get to see how this stuff works. Taylor took her music off spotify and was applauded. We launched Tidal & were dragged. — NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
So what now? Well Swift has until August 30 to figure out what she’s going to say when (or if) she accepts the award for Video of the Year. Since she considers herself a feminist, she has 40 days to come up with a speech that both acknowledges the influence black women have on the industry and acknowledges their under-representation. Moments like this, and the Amandla Stenberg and Kylie Jenner story, are opportunities for learning – celebrities can learn to be more socially aware and their fans, in turn, can be influenced for the better. So step it up T-Swift!
