When I first saw this video below at Crunk and Disorderly, I literally watched the whole damned thing through because it is hard to fathom someone playing themselves openly and boldly on camera for thousands of people to see. When I first spotted it, it only had 119 views. It now has over 4,000 as of this time and climbing. How could it not? This is like the circus coming to town. You know who the ringleader is?
Nicki Minaj and all that Harajuku Barbie shyt she talks about has taken another one. If you don’t believe in zombies, I highly encourage you to get a load of Nicki Minaj stans. They are worse than Beyonce stans. At least Bey stans have tangible reasons for being rabid fans. Nicki Minaj fans, not so much.
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. The above basket case in the video is probably one of the worst cases of Nicki Minajitis I have ever seen in my life. And it won’t get better. The chick has steadily built up more PR about her, so she’s generating more rabid, and devout, fans every day. I almost feel like it’s Armageddon.
I know this is a societal problem, but I’m more concerned that black women are on their “white girl” because someone with what could be classified as identity issues (Nicki Minaj refers to herself as the Nicki Lewinsky, black Sarah Jessica Parker and black Hannah Montana) is making them believe it’s cool. Everything about the video screams narcissism and delusion, but what’s seriously disturbing is this disdain for anything perceived to be black, and the desire to sound like a ditzy white girl. And people wondered why I railed against the So In Style Barbie line Mattel unveiled.
I guess sounding like an intelligent black woman is a complete fail, when sounding like a ditzy, bougie white girl is apparently where it’s at. And this is the appeal that Nicki Minaj has for her rapidly growing, and pathetically vapid, fanbase. She is Lady Gaga-esque in that she makes the absurd and moronic look totally legitimate and sensible. At least we all know that Lady Gaga is a hybrid of many cool artists, most notably Grace Jones (who did it better) and even Kelis. Who is Nicki trying to emulate? What are her influences aside from colorism? Nicki Minaj peddles the “White Valley Girl” steez to her fans like she is selling snake oil to pay rent.
What’s disconcerting is that far too many black women have fallen for it. Another aspect of her appeal is this perceived femininity, but that femininity isn’t natural. It’s drawn from age old notions that white women, and all of their quirks, action, style, etc. are feminine, so therefore emulating those stereotypes (some of the worst ones) will therefore make one feel feminine. This is problematic because that, in and of itself, stipulates that black women and their quirks, their actions, styles, etc. are not feminine.
What would’ve been a plus–her being irreverent and quirky and different–turned into a negative when she associated that with “whiteness.” The message equates being different with being white. But if you ask Grace Jones, being different and “odd” had little to do with race; it just happens naturally.
I’m not begging her to talk about toting guns, or gangbanging or baby daddies or riding or dying; all the things that people would assume a black woman would rap about. I’m just asking if the REAL Nicki can please stand up and reveal herself, because this shit right here about being a “ditzy white girl” with a fucked up British accent is sad.
Why do black women latch on to some of the worst “role models?” Why do we as a collective praise the Natalie Nunns, Nickis; you know, all the Sapphires and Jezebels of pop culture, and completely disregard the queens? Where are those who want to emulate Corrine Bailey Rae, or India.Arie, or Ayo, or Sade, Jill Scott? Why do black women run to the women who peddle self-hate and envy of others? When will we learn to embrace people who embrace US?
P.S. Before anyone gets on this whole “you envy her” thing like they did in the Beyonce post, please understand that whether or not you choose to see it, it is clear when sisters have fallen for the “trap.” This is not about being “blacker than” or anything like it. I just want to know why Nicki has made it clear that she equates coquettishness and the atypical with “whiteness.”
Article by Rippa
Every once in a while you’re come across a writer who isn’t afraid to convey to his readers how he really feels about a subject. One who doesn’t stick to the belief that everything in life has to be about being politically correct and sugar coating the real issues that society believes in handing people on a tarnished silver platter. Born in Trinidad & Tobago, and raised in the New York City area, RiPPa’s life hasn’t been, how Langston Hughes wrote “a crystal stair”, but that stairway has enriched him with life experiences that have shaped his point of view on various subjects. Whether he’s writing about the injustices African-Americans face, politics, and the reverent or irreverent, RiPPa uses his sense of humor and sarcasm to convey his opinion, and whether others agree with him, it isn’t his concern. If you’re looking for someone who keeps up with what’s going on in society and approaches it without being political correct, then The Intersection of Madness & Reality (rippdemup.blogspot.com) should be a part of your daily reading!
Rippa has written 194 article(s) for us.
{ 119 comments… read them below or add one }
First of all. Nicki Minajitis had me rollin. Because it really is a disease. That first video had me SO disturbed that I could not watch it all the way through, because it flat out made me feel bad. Just no. No No No.
The whole idea of role models is starting to suck. It was fine and dandy when the role models were good model citizens, now anyone with $20 and a youtube page is a role model.
You forgot the worst part of everything you just said, this trick can't rap. That Barbie shit is weak and her voice annoys me. I wish she'd go back to whatever hole she came from and I pray her career crashes and burns into the ground.
I couldn't have said it better myself. People have looked at me like I had a second head when I would complain about the Barbie Army. This is so much deeper than just wanting to be like Nicki. This movement (I use this term loosely), is perpetuating self-hate. It burn me up to see my sisters emulate Eurocentric beauty standards. The blond wigs, the contact lenses, the Barbie isht, "on my white girl", it's all SELF HATE. They can have that shit though. I'll stick to being a beauty, BLACK, queen.
*beautiful
Amen.
Why is that girl looking like a tranney in her little sisters bedroom.
I'm dumber for having been exposed to any portion of that video.
You hit the nail on the head. Since the first time I heard her, I felt like there was something fake about her. As far as the whole being the black (insert famous white guy/girl) thing, that's common. When I saw finally saw Nicky Minaj, I thought she was trying to be like Li'l Kim. Remember Li'l Kim referred to herself as the black Erica Kane.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree. I'm from Brooklyn so I been dealin with these confused Minaj fans for quite some time.But the more I saw, the more I kept thinking that Kim, Foxy, and Trina were put into a blender, solidified, and they named it Nicki Minaj. I'm from Brooklyn. Foxy Brown was best friends with my baby sitter (let's not even go into that). I actually know what Kim (aka lil biggie) is talkin about. I dont really mess with the Diamond Princess no more, but I was there when the Baddest Bish tol me I ain't know nan. Nicki Minaj is the .99 cent store version of the female rapper EVERYBODY is tryna cop but can't find it nowhere. She cant be Barbie cuz she still gets her outfits from Conway, Rainbow, an Pretty Girl. I recognize them cheap ass spandex joints. I knew she was trouble when she said she was also "Nicki Lewinski." And she's proud of that name. Monica Lewinski would probably punch her in the face for that.
I really tried cuz I was hype to have a female from BK. But she looks and acts like a teenage hoodrat from BK. I'm not impressed with Minaj cuz she looks like the girls I see EVERYDAY. She's a freakin disappointment. She don't have no skills, no originality, and NO swag. And Trina need to be slapped cuz she is trying to be Minaj now.
I think Nicki Minaj is only getting away with this because no one who has influence has enough to balls to call the donkey a donkey. That's partially the issue with hip hop now, these igna'nt dudes (yes, many of yall are from the South) are running rampant cuz NO ONE that matters in hip hop is saying anything. Hip hop is being bullied by fear. I just can't believe that NO rapper from NYC is willing to call Minaj out for her obvious fuckery.
What the hell is "magnificique"? WOW!!
Why do we blame the artist for their influence over women? If this was your child running around saying she wants to be Nicki Minaj, it would be your fault as a parent for not having the dominant influence, not the artist.
We place too much responsibility on Hip-Hop to do the job that we as parents fail to do and that is raise our children to have enough self-confidence, self-identity, and understanding that Nicki Minaj is an entertainer and not a role model. Just as many followers she has, she has just as many young women who are comfortable within themselves to not "Minaj" themselves into a new character, but just enjoy her music and her talent at marketing herself.
But maybe the title of this blog and the article is meant to shoot shots at popular Artist so more people will read it, opposed to actually tackling the true issues here…But this is a Blog site, I understand, gotta get that ad revenue…Truth don't pay
Great and for all you said, we could be having that conversation here in the comments. So why not spark that? All the rest that you said added no real value to your issue.
I'm gonna have to disagree with you to an extent. I agree that the fact that these people have been able to infiltrate kids' minds is a fail on the part of the parent. However, the people promoting these ideas need to be held accountable as well. The media is a monster and it influences our lives more than we think. You're either a part of the problem or a part of the solution. I think the writer is just using Nicki as an example.
After all he did write:
"Why do black women latch on to some of the worst “role models?” Why do we as a collective praise the Natalie Nunns, Nickis; you know, all the Sapphires and Jezebels of pop culture, and completely disregard the queens?"
He's basically saying we need to stop following after the trash and cherish the treasures and stop glorifying European beauty standards. This goes WAY beyond some chick with pink tracks stitched to the back of her head.
The title of this article is probably not meant to shoot shots at popular artists, but rather to call out someone creating a ridiculous mindset amongst young women. What are the true issues here? Because if you don't enlighten people as to what you feel are the true issues, then you're not adding any solutions or educating people on what you feel is the correct action to take. That is indeed the true goal of this blog… to bring light to an issue and to promote discussion and understanding on the topic. Do you understand ad revenue? Do you know how much money blogs bring in? Do you see what the most popular blogs are out there? Bossip… Media Takeout… The YBF… gossip blogs. If we were worried about ad revenue, we'd be a gossip blog. We're about the issues. If you want to criticize a blog site for not attacking the issues, then go holla at a gossip site. You don't catch gossip here. I just want to provide that enlightenment. Its not about the bottom line. I'm in law school at the end of the day. Its about finding the true issues and tackling them… so I appreciate your attention and passion about the issues and encourage you to keep talking about the issues. We need that. More minds, more dialogue, leads to more understanding as a whole and a clearer agenda on what needs to be addressed.
We also have an action arm of FXP, The Fresh Forward Project, that is just getting under way. If you want to help us tackle the true issues, email info@thefreshxpress.com and we'll give you the full scoop on it and you can join the team. It doesn't pay though… because you know… truth don't pay.
WELP…
This bout of Treatery was sponsored by Sdotwalton Inc. I, being of ratchet mind, approve this message in its entirety.
You got (verbally) knocked the fuck out son. I hate to fan this…but this just made my day. I love to see someone get verbally raped.
Whether you believe it or not, but popular culture has an affect on our kids and society at large. I don't know how old you are, but I could remember a successful ad campaign that had people singing, "Like Mike, if I could be like Mike." And guess what? Grown ass men are STILL wearing Jordans as a result and he hasn't picked up a basketball in years.
Yes, parenting and instilling values is important, but the effect of popular culture cannot be ignored. Your error in my opinion is in taking this as shot against Hip Hop when it isn't. It is specifically about one artist and just how her influence on the minds of black youth – specifically young girls and women – happens to be detrimental.
Until significant change is made within our community, Nicki Minaj's, Lil Kim's, Trina's, and every other raunchy female rapper will have a more powerful influence over our women than the parents do. I understand how powerful the media is, this site being one form a media I also understand that far too many times articles and discussions focus on the products of our condition and the causes of that condition; but very seldom do I see solutions discussed. The most talk about and read about articles are a "discussion" of the "causes" or the "problems" and not the SOLUTIONS.
I carefully made my first comment, left out material on purpose, just to see what type of response I would get if I took a shot and the site…funny because I've commented on this site for a good 6 months now and never got 13 responses, but the day I make a critical analysis questioning the direction or misdirection I believe the site is going I get feedback. Defensive, team oriented, FXP Staff protection type feedback, one even said… "you got verbally raped." I expect more mature and more open-minded responses.
I love this site, but its becoming entertainment to me opposed to thought provoking like it was when I first logged on. One year of articles and I gurantee the archives will show you 95% of the time a "cause" "problem", "attack", or "repetitive analysis" with a star figure or topic whom everybody can relate to draw attention to the article and you leave the comment section with an argument or some "educational" discussion about topics that have been known for years.
I gues what I'm saying is because become a solution site, not a mere "expose the problem" and "point figure" blog site, we have too many of those and we have too many serious problems that need solutions, not exposure of their depth.
sorry about the grammer issues, typed on my phone
My only rebuttal to this is that if you think we are missing the mark about something, submit an article. The worst we can do is not post it right? However 98% of submitted material gets posted so you will be just fine. The email to submit is submit.fxp@gmail.com if you are interested.
Exactly. Be the change you want to see.
Exactly. Be the change you want to see. Write articles.
I agree. No one was trying to be defensive, but you can't let misguided comments go unaddressed. Learned that from my President (see the McCain footage). Its not about the bottom line or ad revenue. So, that needed to be addressed, otherwise people might actually believe that hype.
Definitely need to focus on solutions. Hence why I mentioned The Fresh Forward Project, which you should really be involved with. Thats where we take the discussions and problems pointed out on this site, and work on putting solutions into place in the community.
As far as people already knowing these topics for years, if that was the case, there wouldn't be nearly as much difference in opinion as we see. We'd see a bunch of people agreeing with each other, and no debate. But, the reality of it is, people don't all think the same, nor agree with each other. And debate from one side, one point of view, can lead to a change of heart on the other side, or at least enlightenment on opposing thought. And thats just the people who comment. We don't often get many comments for whatever reason, but traffic would tell another story. So just because someone doesn't comment or speak their mind, doesn't mean they weren't affected by a perspective expressed on FXP. People learn every day, whether its an 18 year old reading what older people in their community are talking about, or a 50 year reading whats on the mind of young black Americans. Or even a 50 year old white politician, seeing what we really think about things. The internet is a beast, and has immense influence and reach.
The fact of the matter is even if we did reach a solution at the end of every article, who's going to execute that solution? It takes mobilized action to affect change. Once again… thats why we're launching The Fresh Forward Project. Its not so we can get wealthy.
I know you love the site, I peep the comments and appreciate the perspectives. You can throw shade all day, you can speak your mind all day, its what we're about. I just hope that when it does come time to take action and implement solutions, you're right there with us. All we need is a few people. You should definitely be a part of that.
At this point, it's not even just about parents not doing their job, part of the problem is that we have too many parents CO SIGNING this crap. Cougars are just sluts that wanna be validated by some young dude who just wants to say they did it. They're teaching their daughters that it is okay to do that, it's the way life is. I can't even count how many times I've seen parents encouraging their kids to fight each other, on Youtube AND in real life. It's hard to find parents that encourage their kids to be different by going against the grain if they disagree with the masses, rather than dressing in neon. A lot of these parents grew up during a real extreme revolutionary period. The degradation of traditional values in the 70's and 80's is trickling down, except now, the current generation is mindlessly mimicking their behavior.
I almost had to turn the first video off when she started talkin bout "lipgloss…make these lips crystal clear" and picked up a damn $30+ YSL lipstick in a shade way too cool for her skin tone. There is so much wrong with her…I hope that's a joke.
I'm so mad about this that I can't even really think of anything to say beyond WTF? For the first time in my life I am speechless.
This post is brilliant. I know next to nothing about NM except for one mediocre verse she has on someone else's song–I heard an interview where she called herself a harajuku barbie and said something about get your cookies up, I threw up in my mouth a little bit and turned away. I had NO idea she'd spawned all these ignorant minions…
I am a fan of Nikki Minaj, but I don't consider her to be my role model or be the face of what a black women represents…..its pure entertainment in my opinion.
Nikki Minaj. Sounds like she might actually be an educated girl, but like Plies, is capitalizing off of the trend of promoting ignorance and falsified imagery that boost morale by playing off of stereotypes and self-hatred qualms.
I don't get why girls love to be likened to Barbie. People call me "Barbie" and I'm ready to call them a million different things in return. But these other girls?
Since when is getting attention for physical attributes that are not your own considered truly sexy? I'm getting to the point of not bothering to respond to men in public places that try to objectify me as a "sexy beast" who don't instead try to stimulate my mind.
By allowing people with pink barbie girl fetishes to run the mainstream, little girls everywhere are getting the wrong idea. I'm so glad that my mother was never a glamor girl, because in the end, I valued more important things, like education, independence, hard work, and leaving a positive mark on the world. I became a book worm and a computer nerd. Don't get me wrong, I still have a pink laptop and a "bad shoe" collection, but I don't let it define who I am.
Now if Nikki can only get girls to not define themselves by these plastic standards of beauty and instead by who they are on the inside…we'd be in good shape.
In other news…that girl in the first video is going to give me nightmares for days. It was like the Stepford Wives, Bimbo Barbie Edition.
My mother was a glamour girl, and I still became a bookworm, computernerd, and a geek. ditto on the shoe collection. Being a princess, didn't make my dad treat her any better, and quite honestly she is wishing she had pursued her education. My children will not be watching or listnening to nicki minaj.
what a freaking dumb ass joke.
I was going to write on this, but you did a much better job than I could have.
Where is the role model artist like Lauryn Hill…Alicia Keys empower like Lauryn did, Beyonce is engulfed in celebrity, so Minaj had an open door, and women just flocked to it
Alicia Keys as a role model? I can't get over the fact that she stole some poor woman's husband. I wouldn't want my daughters aspiring to do anything like that.
LOL, dang, forgot about the whole "Swizzy" beats situation lol…that further makes my point tho Ms.Alissa!
LOL @ lauryn hill being a role model. she’s fucking nutz. i’d rather have a world of nicki’s than lauryn’s.
Yea, I think we're still holding on to the old image of Lauryn. She's definitely nuts. But who the kids gon listen to? (c) Kanye
Yeah, no lol, Lauryn is a legend and was/is a positive role model…period! I mean, who isn't just a little crazy o_O
Guys, as much as I'd hate to admit it, I think we're gonna have to let Lauryn go for now…
AS for the topic, I'm totally fine with looking to entertainers for just that–entertainment. Maybe a little artistic inspiration. But the time for looking for role models in actors, musicians, athletes that are just that and NOTHING more–has got to come to an end. We have well over 6 billion people on this planet who do amazing things each and every day, some use their talents for the good of other people, some inspire a nation, some cure illnesses, or rescue flood/earthquake victims. I know its not the most popular thing because its not the most glitzy, but I want to get back to a point where we recognize true leadership and morality in our role models and not how much money they make. Its a product of our culture, and its becoming a cancer.
Now I'm all for actors, musicians, and athletes who can step beyond that persona as real people that still manage to do amazing things. No one's perfect, but you still have to be held accountable for your actions. Minaj serves a purpose because her music is fun, and she seems well aware of her skills and her fans, so maybe she also needs to be made aware of what this image she's still trying to create may be doing to the legions of 'barbies' she's created.
There will never be a time when people won't imitate celebrities, especially if they admire the portrayed persona of a celebrity. It's human nature to imitate what we like in other people, no matter if it's good or bad. Young adults are just more susceptible to the tomfoolery because they're still developing personalities, the holes they may have can be filled by what they like in their fav celeb
.
and realistically, we gotta stop this thinking of "now" everybody is money hungry. It's not just a "now" thing, it's a forever thing. the bottom line of industry, any industry, is money. In a business, money is always the bottom line. and besides, money is wayyy easier to understand than morality is.
And as for true leadership, anyone can be a leader. You don't have to be good or positive to be a leader. Hitler was definitely a true lleader, and he certainly didnt think he was being immoral by enforcing a mass genocide. People that we undoubtedly recognize as leaders today were mostly regarded as "troublemakers" by the majority of the people. A lot of black people did were not tryna co-sign MLK cuz they were being negatively affected by "his" movement. People were still referring to MJ as a Chester Molester until he passed away. Then, everybody was like, yeah, you know, he was a great guy.
The worst thing about Minaj's reign is that there is no one there to challenge her. No one there to counteract the wrong we see her contributing to. As an aspiring singer/rapper, ya know, i'm tryna fight for that position cuz im ready to throw down, but I'm be a while. i'm sure we can find a great person to hold my place til i get there lol
nah, but really, we may just need to be a leader or encourage someone we think can be the best leader, someone who really represents us the way Minaj represents .99 cent knockoff barbies.
I have to disagree with you. Being a role model has no requirement except for being visible. Celebrities are visible to the masses, that's what makes them a celebrity. Once someone chooses to be famous, they are a role model whether or not that was their intention. This isn't a cancer, it's human nature. Teenagers mimic their favorite rock stars, great leaders mimic other great leaders, ie MLK stanning for Ghandi. Because we have so much access to everything at once, it maybe more overwhelming to experience now, but stanning for the sake of celebrity isn't a new phenomenon. If people like you a lot, they're generally gonna be all up in ya grill whether you're a local celebrity or Nelly.
We can't "get back" to a point when people recognize true leadership and morality cuz that has never happened for us to get back to. When it comes to industry, we can't see morality or leadership skills, figuratively and literally, but we can see, feel, and smell money. More money usually means more power. People don't want Bill Gates money because he and his wife are serious philanthropists. They want Bill Gates money cuz thats a lot of damn money. The bottom line in business is always money, which is always gonna be a problem in entertainment industries because the entertainment is about the art, and the industry is about the money, it's difficult for the two to co-exist. And besides, money is way easier to understand than morality is.
As for recognizing true leadership and a good moral compass, it's just not a realistic ideal. People generally don't recognize true leadership while the leader is actually leading, if they do, it's after they see resultls. Most of the time, the majority of the people see leaders as "troublemakers" or farces. There was more black people mad at MLK than there were marching. He was starting trouble. Hitler was an AMAZING leader. He organized a mass genocide of an entire race of people in less than 10 years. His moral compass was pretty on point, before the Nazi regime, he was a revolutionary, fighting for the rights of the people. He was for the people. Hitler was an effective leader, he wasn't stopped until he faced opposition as great as his leadership.
What makes Minaj as "dangerous" as she is, and wack rappers in general, is that there is no strong opposition. There isn't any opposing force at all. No one who has the influence is willing to call her out, we havent found that leader to do the job well. But, as history has shown us, sometimes it has to get that bad in order to get back right.
I agree her legend is in her music, not her human shortcomings. theres a reason why people still regard her work as timeless and original. Donnie Hathaway committed suicide, Ray Charles was a junkie, and so was Etta James. Lauryn aint no different from any other person. She aint even crazy, she living her life in South Orange, NJ wit her kids.
No offense-but no!SMH & LOL! Lauryn is fighting some demons-"yeah" she might got some issues-but one Nicki Minaj is enough.Thank you very much.I ain't part of the I hate Nicki anti-Stan club or nothin', but I'm…just…sayin!
Why the Beyoncé hate? She's great at what she does. I think you guys just have a problem with black women that are traditionally glamorous. Why do you have to have dreads and natural hair or sing alternative music in order to be a black women fit to empower other black women?
I'm inspired by Beyoncé becuase I actually LIKE the image of feminitity she presents. Glamour, confidence, passion, virtuosity, and knowing how to make money… I think these are pretty good traits. Though yes she has a very sexy image, but in it, I think there is power and control.
I just think that some ideals of what a "good black woman" is is just another way to force women into a mold they might not fit.
Ok, this is one of them posts where I am rambling because it is hard for me to say what I want to say without doing that,so if you don’t won’ t to read this, I can’t blame you for skipping this but here I go!!!! “As far as I know”,I am not sure that I am a rabid Beyonce anti-stan. I DON”T EVEN THINK I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH YOU!I find her pretty talented, gorgeous, and extremely driven myself although she strikes me as almost being a spotlight hog(then again her die hard fans could be the reason for this) but “every” criticism of Beyonce “may not” be “that” shallow, I’m sorry- I mean simple.(Though a noticeable amount of criticism of her can be put in the category of plain pettiness-oh well, I digress.)
But anyway, I mean I know it’s 2010 and times change, but if it is just a problem about her being traditionally glamourous, why did people “not” make as much of a fuss about some of the same things they criticize her on now when she first came out? After all, she was not the earthgoddess, conscious neo-soul teacher type then either.She was gorgeous,talented, and definitely “traditionally glamourous” then what with the long hair, beautiful outfits, and charisma. I’m sure the lightskin also helped too which is “not” a bad thing in itself-but even with that, the same argument of her “traditional glamour” could be made regardless before then to the some extent. In fact, her look almost seemed like it was somewhat an update on the classic 60′s Supreme girls sometimes. But , well what changed? Well, probably blond highlights, short, loud outfits(which ain’t necessary that much of a problem with me so long as it ain’t ugly) or maybe even skimpy outfits, and what appeared at times spotlight hogging among other things.
What’s wrong with this picture? Well, for starters, the short outfits-at least sometimes. Some more than others anyway. To Bey’s credit she grown,she never claimed to be cut from the same cloth as say, Jill Scott, and until recently perhaps- (I done missed some of her videos over the years folks so forgive me if I am mistaken here) she managed to pull off short outfights alot of times without often looking tacky or extremely tacky-well to me anyway. But still, when you-no when I-notice that the message seems to be sometime if you ain’t dressing stank, you ain’t selling, you ain’t where it’s at, that something is wrong wit’ you-even her dressing in short clothes sometimes don’t help matters none.
Then you got the blond hair.Ok,so blond hair on black women is my personal pet-peeve-I just don’t think it is aesthetically beautiful on most black women- so I might be biased but I mean…um OK. She”does” pulls this off okay because at least she is “lightskin”-blond hair works better on lightskin women for some reason-but what was wrong with the red-brown hair she had when she first came out “even if it was permed”? IDK, but what is wrong with hair being its natural color whether that is dark red,brown,black hair? Kelly kept hers that way and she still looks glamourous too.Aaliyah, God bless the dead,did too even with her wardrobe transition! Beyond, personal aesthetics though, my issue with the blond hair is the potential message it sends to young black girls. I know we are in the post-black nationalist, colorblind era where stuff like this shouldn’t/supposedly doesn’t matter but everybody don’t seem to have gotten the memo that black is at least ok, if not beautiful.A lady in I want to say, New York did the black-white doll test and 2/3 black kids in 2009 still picked the white doll over the black one. If that is still the case, how will blond hair on a famous black star help this?
Saying all this, I do not think she is the only person guilty of doing the stuff I have seen/commented on. I also do not assume that she makes a conscious effort to do anything wrong. I don’t know one way or the other. But the same way a case can be made for the good side of her image, a case could be made for the bad side. Most stars got good/bad sides, but some bad traits can be have worse results than others sometimes when the stars negatives inpact specific groups more as opposed to individuals. Either way, unfortunately she “is” indirectly a role model by default of being a star so it is hard for criticism not to come with her celebrity status. Especially when she is at the top since she can influence the taste of her fans. I think some parents should have more pull over kids, but the media and peers do alot for better or for worse, especially when the parents aren’t good ones.
IDK though, you might have a point about the ideal black women. But sometimes, stuff like blond hair and too skimpy clothes seems like another way to force alot of black women in the case of blond hair and women in general with the overly skimpy clothes in a mold that they don’t fit either. At least not to the same degree as the image writ large. Yeah, I know I rambled. Again sorry.Oh, and I read somewhere where you said that it was not all bad being the neosoul type either!
umm, that video was intended to be satire. i thought that was obvious.
anyway, i love nicki minaj and i am smart, natural haired, extra earthy and nobodies barbie.
i think you and people who share your opinion are giving her too much credit. she is not god. her minions were already on that stupid shit, it just didn't get as much attention. blaming her for basic bitches being basic is like blaming the crack epidemic on rap. it's bigger than that.
Judging by her other youtube video I don't believe she was being satirical.
I thought it was satire at first. I truly thought that this could not be real, but then I saw her other video and I almost threw my hands up at society. She can actually sing, but she decides to take on a gimmick and someone else's gimmick at that. People are looking for fame at any cost and it truly saddens me. We need to start teaching our kids, heck even some of our adults, to be themselves and stop trying to be what they see on tv.
I didn't see the video in the post (can't view it at work) but I have seen a few vids on youtube, and I agree with Shana…she seems to have a modicum of talent, but she's more concerned with ascribing to a gimmick. I've heard the way she speaks when she isn't 'in character' and I've seen her without all of the make-up. She truly seems like she is MUCH more intelligent in reality than is allowed for by her unfortunate persona. Obviously I don't know her, so I could be mistaken, but I think she's yet another woman who has allowed herself to be 'dumbed down' for the sake of money and fame.
I agree with the author of this article, I think too many women are allowing themselves to be sucked in, and frankly, I don't see the appeal, but then again, I don't have the same mindset. I have a 21-year-old cousin who buys into it wholeheartedly though, as does the 19-year-old sister of one of my Sorors. It's sad, because these young women are far more focused on being Blank 'Harajuku' Whoever than on being productive, driven, and educationally sound. The truth of the matter is, however, that ANYONE could suck these young women in, because they weren't raised to be free-thinking, self-confident individuals. Those of us (ladies) who were, aren't running around looking, sounding, and acting like Nicki-clones.
LMAO @ "I almost threw my hands up at society."
hmm… will post more later
Entertainers like Nikki Minaj do not realize the responsiblity they have whether they want it or not. It absolutely makes me sick when little girls who look up to GROWN ASS WOMAN who follow these Minaj ways to a T don't feel good the way they are.
Those of us who are enlightened know that Nikki is nothing more than a gimmick with a big ass that is feeding Universal/Cash Money Records. Her star will soon fade but I am more afraid of what may take her place.
What's wrong with being who you are? What's wrong with being the person God made you? What's wrong with being an educated black woman that can see past the BS?
at that first video… SMH I.. I… I dont even know where to start…
and Chris what did ever happen to the Lauryn Hills and Jill Scotts?
Jill Scott is still doing her thing, but the young kids aint on that. LOL Honestly it makes sense, I can't imagine too many 16-20 year olds really caring to listen to "Lyzel in E Flat" over "And It Kills Me" lol smh.
wordd!!!! I was the only weirdo in 7th grade stanning for Jilly from Philly!!! My dad put me on when her first cd came out, that was my FAVORITE album to do homework to. She was inspiring to me and i LOVED that feeling. I still love my Destiny's Child cd to death, but Jill Scott was the soundtrack to my teen years
and i'm certainly better for it, if i may say so myself
Jill Scott is currently on the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency on HBO with Annika Noni Rose…its a good show.
How come I don't know who this chick is? All I know is that she has the verse on "Bedrock" and, I think, "My Chick is Bad". Does she have any songs by herself? I didn't realize she was so superfamous. Maybe I don't watch enough BET…and clearly that's a good thing. Lol.
I think the So In Style Barbie line is cute! Finally a Barbie that isn't black as night. The fact that those Barbies are dressed in Rocawear (and Dereon too, I think) is another story. Who thought that was cute? Lol.
I believe the video was meant to be a parody, not taken too seriously..
I think it's going a bit far to blame an artist for the idiocy of some girls (i.e. the idiot with the wrong pink lipstick for her skin color [that mess was UGLY])
In the posted video interview Nicki Minaj said nothing about equating being coquettish with being white. Also, being the black _____ (fill in the blank) is still being BLACK … IMO "Nicki Minaj" is the woman's sexual, fashion loving, stage persona type character that the real Nicki plays when she's on stage & in interviews & in the booth (a la Beyonce's Sasha Fierce; or Anna Mae Bullock's Tina Turner) … it wouldn't make sense for her or the label's BOTTOM LINE ($$$) for her to be a different character OR herself … her fame isn't about people liking who she IS in real life it's about liking the character she plays and her raps …
If you don't like it … turn it off … close the browser … or whatever …
Yes I can easily turn it off and close the browser, but I cannot turn off the fact that there are little girls and women out there who think that they should act like this. That is the problem. Some people cannot tell the difference between an artists stage persona and who that artist really is.
I think this is part of the problem. That would be, this simplistic view of the potential damage to young black women. But hey, black girls get no respect. So I guess pretending to be a white girl is the way to go these days, right?
This is interesting… Nicki was a dope lyricist PRIOR to Young Money..
I'm happy she's giving simple minded basic females something to think more of themselves… HOWEVER.. She herself said that she's a character.. These peabrain females need to pay attention…
What about the 14 and 15 year old girls? Are they peabrained? Or are they very impressionable right now and just buying into to what they perceive as hot? When I was 14 and 15 I had a big ass chain that I rocked because thats what was hot. I spent a couple of my McDonald's checks on that big ass chain, just so I could stunt. I'm far from pea-brained, but I was definitely impressionable. Luckily I grew out of that mentality. Many people won't be able to do the same though. And because we keep passing it off as being ok, we're going to have a future full of Gucci Mane's, Lil Wayne's, Nicki Minaj's, and so on. Do 14 and 15 year old girls even like Beyonce? I dont know, but I know my sisters arent huge Beyonce fans. My 17 year old sister IS a Nicki Minaj fan though, and I dont know how many different ways I can attempt to get her out of that mindset. Because when I'm not around, you know who'll still be there? Nicki Minaj.
Thats the word I have been looking for: impressionable. These kids will believe ANYTHING. Just the other day I heard a student telling another student about blow jobs (yeah I know…dont even get me started) my point is: she was telling her that you blow on it and the other girl was like "ooooohh" (like she finally understood)….OMG, what the heck? Our young ppl today will believe and emulate ANYTHING…that is why Nikki is partially responsible for this catastrophe of an epidemic
That girl was a direct descendant of the Minaj family. No question. So no, its not going far at all to blame her for the idiocy. She's the reason for an entire legion of young girls patterning themselves like this. And that video… I dont know how I made it through it. Its was disheartening. That girl sounded ridiculous, straight up. And it speaks to a larger issue. No, we cant blame it all on Nicki Minaj, not in the least. But its reflective of an entire cultural mentality embracing superficial principles. We have to do better. I have a 17 year old sister, that admires Nicki Minaj. And that isnt a result of bad parenting. Its the fact that everywhere you look, pop culture is around you. Thats why its important to hold these people accountable. We need to hold the family structure, the media, and cultural icons accountable for the images they project. Because our future is a reflection of the ideals and values that are placed in the youth and young adults, and right now, its looking real ditsy.
In regards to your sister admiring Nicki Minaj…I have no problem with that. I actually don't have a problem with someone admiring someone that does this type of shit. I admire YOung Jeezy's music and how the anthems he makes. The problem moreso comes in when your sister, or myself, subscribes to that lifestyle. If I went outside and started traveling with bricks, then the blame stops at Young Jizzle and shifts to me. If your sister starts talking to you in a Barbie voice, she's underage, so I'm pointing to your parents to do something about it. Shit, I'm liable to hold you partially accountable if you stood by and let her do this to herself.
It's a fine line, but we should always remember that these people are entertainers. Rap has been a commercial commodity for a long time and we all know that all they are selling is images. It is up to the folks who know better to tell the ones who don't to fix their life goals and get them back on track. I'm pissed at this Minaj craziness b/c I think she's wack, lyrically and for the image she's trying to sell. I can't hold her accountable for what the rest of these silly ass GROWN (keyword here) women following that, because they should know better. We can't keep throwing this role model shit on people. Nicki just wants to make her money, she's not a role model. As a society, if we stop trying to make all of these people role models and making them responsible for all the silly shit that happens with other people, I think we might be able to get somewhere.
No need to hold me accountable. That will be the last thing that happens if I have anything to do with it.
The thing is though, admiration and action often go hand in hand. People admired activists during the civil rights movement, and they acted in kind. Its a recurring theme throughout history. Black people admired the mafia, crime families, and so on, and we began to imitate that. Sure, its on that person to not make the decision to go that route, but when people are saying "its ok" and "I dont see a problem with the fact that crime families are pumping tons of drugs into the black community and getting rich off of it", thats a part of the problem, not the solution. You cant go and fault and ridicule the crackhead for being a crackhead, when you sat there and watched the dope dealer sell tons of dope in the hood. You're a part of the problem if you turn a blind eye and dont address the fact that what this person is doing is promoting a way of life that is unacceptable.
So yea, Nicki Minaj may not be that deep of an issue, but teenage girls don't necessarily see Michelle Obama as being a realistic goal right now, when they see Nicki Minaj having fun on her pedal bike in Bedrock. Fake hair, fake eyes, fake breasts, fake ass, barbie voice, heavy make up, ditsy personality, not clear expression of anything knowledgeable… we're breeding an entire legion of like-minded girls.
Oh, and I actually do think she can rap, so I'm not "hating".
Its the fact that everywhere you look, pop culture is around you.
Yep. The pop culture of our teen years, to some extent, influenced us for better and worse too. If this was the case then, what is keeping that from being the case now? Life "does" often influence art, so the star ain't completely at fault for some trends. But if a star highlights a trend-"especially when it is bad", they play a role in the continuation of it at the least by not helping matters.
I think what we're also forgetting is that a persons private life is different than their image as an entertainer. Sadly because of the internet and our society's constant desire to be in people's business, we're constantly kept up-to-date about an entertainer's private life.
Alicia Keys does triflin' stuff, but it's not as though she sings about how to steal a man. Lauryn Hill may be off her rocker, but it's not as though her songs were about how to let a dude dog you and drive you crazy. Sure some of her songs spoke about her pain, but I think several people related to that (i.e. Ex-Factor). We hold Jill Scott up, but she's got several of her own issues when it comes to being in a relationship.
Some of these modern joints are like "How To's" on being "basic" or whatever. Promoting trickin, promoting buying what you can't afford, promoting all sorts of foolywang. That's the difference. Like SW* said, a 15 year old listening to that stuff is a bit more impressionable than a 24 year old woman. So yes, we can sit there and listen and not act like weird "barbies" but I think we're giving 15 & 16 year old kids too much credit when we know that even we at that age had some dumb ideas.
The first time I saw that video, I just knew it had to be a joke… a parody of Nicki and her stans. Either that, or the chick was a little slow, mentally challenged. Seriously, I was confused.
As for Nicki Minaj, I've never heard her music, other than that part on Bedrock where she talks about asbestos. The Barbie crap is ridiculous and dangerous for young black girls. Hopefully, her career will be short lived, and we can begin de-programming the stans.
"As for Nicki Minaj, I’ve never heard her music, other than that part on Bedrock where she talks about asbestos"
This was the same thing I thought until my girl had to tell me otherwise. Like I swore up and down that she was talking asbestos and while I knew it didn't make any sense, it just matched the rest of the nonsense of the song. From what I was told, she is saying 'as best as'…still don't get it.
She says "I'll be cumming from the top *pause* asbestos" Or something like that. That may not be her direct quote.
I just finally figured out what she meant talking about bread and sesame seeds in the song "Little Freak". I couldn't understand why she would juxtapose bread (read: yeast) with having sex with another girl. LOL
Nah. Like this convo was so intense I had with this song. I really thought she was saying asbestos. Had other folks agreeing with me and everything. My girl made me search the lyrics online and still to this day gives me that look of "you really thought, she was saying that" with a disappointing head shaking.
Nicki Minaj…
"Ok I Get It,
Let Me Think, I Guess It's My Turn,
Maybe It's Time To Put This P*ssy On Ya Sideburns,
He Say I'm Bad, He Prolly Right,
He Pressing Me Like Button Downs On A Friday Night (Ha-ha-ha),
I'm So Pretty Like,
Be On My Pedal Bike,
Be On My Low Scrunch,
Be On My Ecko Whites,
He Say Nicki Don't Stop You Da Bestest,
And I Just Be Coming Off The Top As Bestest. "
We have officially failed as a people when we're really breaking down NM lyrics. LOL Not only that… but dang… so she's not saying asbestos?
Wait…what? no, she is definitely saying asbestos…which makes sense right because it comes off the walls and becomes airborne right? right? lol
Nah… its asbestos, lol. "And I just be coming off the top… asbestos". Its a Lil Wayne/Young Money thing. Say something catchy… then one word. Like when Wayne says "I been running this sh*t… blisters". Or when dude from YM says… "And I got her n*ggga…. grocery bag." LMAO.
LMAO! Yall killing me with this analysis. I’m still not sure if she says “asbestos” or “as bestest”. I don’t even like the damn song, so I usually turn when it comes on.
Look at how much we are dumb downed w/ her lyrics and we are college educated, on average, so you can only imagine how much damage her lyrics are causing to the younger generation.
As one person told me, asbestos would be too clever for her to think of. We are still holding out hope that their is an ounce of wordplay w/ her. Essentially she is using the same word twice w/ a slight twist, a la Mr. Cam'ron and others.
I love the analysis of NM lyrics in this thread. LMAO!!
Kudos to Rippa for his commentary.
There is no question that persons in the limelight need to do a much better job of holding themselves accountable for their actions. We, as a society of young, black professionals, also must hold them and their respective industries accountable! Whether we vow to NOT support a certain artist due to their lyrics, a certain entertainer due to their off-screen actions, or what have you. If this is such foolishness, WE need to call them out.
But we all need to realize their purpose is not to be a role model – it is to ENTERTAIN. They do this to earn a paycheck, a car, a cool house — it is not to develop & stimulate the minds of youth across America. WE need to do a better job of promoting the REAL role models of our community and letting the Nikki Minaj's of the world do what it is that they do… which is for entertainment purposes only. Not suitable for real-life implementation or impersonation.
Somehow as a youth, I was able to listen to Kris Kross & SWV and whoever else…without thinking to myself, I'm going to grow up and miss the bus & then declare that I'll never do it again. (Bad example, but I can't think of any artists/music from my childhood. LOL.) Instead, I thought to myself, "Hmm I'm going to grow up and be an entrepeneur like Sis. Booth or a news anchor like Courtis Fuller or a doctor like Dr. Ciambrella."
Let's make ourselves visible to be role models… apparently, all you need is Youtube.
Agreed!
Let it be disclosed that I grew up on Uncle Luke… and I turned out just fine. Just LAWD don't let Scarred come on and I'm in the room.
Be ye not 'shamed. Uncle Luke played the muscial score to many a stroll competition victory at Ohio State. *duck walks & sets owt hops in cubicle*
Wait…grew up on? LOL. No judgment.
I'm from Florida! LOL
#DEAD….O lawd
I AM GUILTY AS CHARGED TOO!Snickers.I stand accused…. of liking him, Trick Daddy, Kilo, and DJ LAZ-and I'm from Georgia!
There is hope for alot of kids. But the crazy images, messages, and role models seem to outweigh the bad ones!
So alot of my post sounds similar to Garfield's and beyond, forgive me, LOL. I've been multi-tasking & by the time I finally posted… there were other similar comments as well. Sorry for the jacking of e-swag, not intentional.
I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Nicki Minaj looks good spreading the coonery that she does. If that's any consolation.
No consolation. Womp.
I don't think it's necessary to list my credentials or level of intellect to say that I am a Nicki Minaj fan. Although I think this article was well written and had a solid premise with supporting facts, I have to disagree in part. First and foremost, Nicki Minaj, just like Beyonce(someone I am very critical of), are entertainers. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm glad that you provoke dialogue about the type of sisters our young and older black women are looking up to. I question this all the time myself. However, to propose that she "peddles self-hate" is absurd. Clearly as a fan I've seen probably 90% of the interviews she has done. She has thoroughly explained why she coined herself Nicki Lewinsky. Not that I fully agree with it, but the justification she gave for it is 100% logical. As a female rapper, Nicki cannot only appeal to Black America. She would not get very far. Thus, the only reason she has self-proclaimed herself "the black Hanna Montana, the black Sarah Jessica Parker, etc." She knows white girls will hone in on that and immediately she's "cool" in their world. Why do we always equate anyone who associates themselves or mentions anything that is considered "whiteness" as this being self-hate? That is nonsensical. Then you talk about her voice. If you have watched the videos before Nicki Minaj blew-from like 2007-she has always had a soft spoken low voice and has always spoken articulately. Again, you are equating her articulate voice with whiteness. As far as her British accent, it's entertainment. Come on! Lastly, you asked why don't black women emulate or look up to Jill Scott or India Arie in comparison to Nicki Minaj or Natalie Nunn. How about our young black girls look up to NONE OF THE ABOVE. Although I love Jill Scott and India Arie, they are singers. What have they done for the advancement of black people? Our young girls and women should look up to the likes of Elaine Brown, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Nikki Giovanni, and the likes. It's sad when the only alternative is Jill Scott or Niki Minaj. How about we encourage our black women to look to those who have actually been involved in the struggle, not just those they see on TV.
So…. I actually like Nicki Minaj. I think she is just this younger generations Lil Kim, and I its just fantasy, not real, just entertainment. Music sucks these days, I miss the early 90's when music was MUSIC. Today's music almost everyone has a gimmick, no one just "creates" anymore. Theres always a new dance (the jerk), alter ego (Sasha Fierce) or you got beef with another artist. Marketing by any Means is what I call it. When Lil Kim and Foxy Brown came out I was probably in Middle School, and I listened to Hardcore every…single… day. Mind you I had NO IDEA what she was rapping about, nor was I engaging in the heavily sexually explicit acts either, but it was a different type of female rapper to hit the scene and she was feminine, in the sense she was not dressed like MC Lyte or Queen Latifah. (whose music i like too) I'm not sure if Nicki really means the Mattel's Barbie when she calls herself that..given her features and "black girl" shape she couldn't possibly be serious..in my opinion. I thought she refereed to herself as that because shes a girly girl, and every girly girl has a barbie, however it doesn't mean the image of perfection. I think shes more about girl power and empowerment (crazy i know) but look at her fans, the majority are all women. Lil Kim had male fans, not sure if its for her bars or her pictures but Nicki is def on this female power girls rule kick and I think if anything thats why young women and maybe older women are attracted to her. Ive also never really heard her rap about being in love, or a man doing her wrong (just crossed my mind) When Lil Kim did the "How Many Licks" video and dressed as a barbie, or changed her wigs and constantly reinvented herself, people still focused more so on her explicit lyrics than her appearance. Which in my opinion is backwards as hell… I admit ..I dont understand the British Accent thing…I get the Barbie (gimmick) and all her alias (Sasha Fierce) but the accent still…boggles me, Im not really sure of its purpose. ALSO, i have seen other interviews where she doesn't talk how she raps, but I think its a big performance. Ive listened to a few Nicki Mixtapes old ones (check the OLD ones out..diff Nicki) before she "blew up" and the most recent and she doesnt "rap" (i use the term loosely) during the majority. As a matter of fact, as she gets more popular, Ive noticed on the songs where shes feat with another artist is when she goes into Barbie rap mode I guess. Either way its not real, just like Beyonce, Rick Ross, Lady Gaga, Tpain (who is much better rapper than autotuner) personals aren't real. Yeah..the young lady in the video is bad example of Nicki Minaj gone wrong, but if she looked in the mirror and has a higher self esteem and more confidence than she did before whats wrong with that? Eventually (Hopefully) she come to understand it just an image, and develop into her own persona. Needless to say, I like Nicki, her music is good when I need energy to clean my house, or jamming in the car on the way out with my girls. I'm Black, and degreeD and please believe I WILL NOT by any means NOT be making a YouTube video to showcase Barbieness anytime soon.
"but if she looked in the mirror and has a higher self esteem and more confidence than she did before whats wrong with that?"
Well I just pray that any girl I come in contact with I can get her to have higher self-esteem without her thinking she has to pretend or act slow to be confident.
Dr. Joy Degruy Leary speaks about cognitive dissonance in a her book "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" and to sum it up, cognitive dissonance is basically one's ability to separate themselves from a situation and make it okay for what hey are doing.
When artist say "Im just an entertainer", I think they are doing just that. Every artist out there talks about some artist they were influenced by coming up but they can turn around and say that they arent responsible for influencing anyone? NAH! They are only creating this cognitive dissonance for themselves so that they dont have to feel responsible when a something happens to a child for something a child learned from their foolish antics (whether thats possessing illegal guns, drugs, or dressing like a stupid barbie with all their goodies posted out)…we provide them with the same means for cognitive dissonance when we give them excuses like "they are just entertainers".
Great point!
PREACH!
I've been a fan of that book and Dr. DeGruy, and in all honesty I push much of what she says on my site. You made me smile by hitting on this because it broadens the discussion of our pathologies and just how we got this way. Someone said something earlier in the thread about solutions? Well how about understanding the psychological and lasting effects these images have on our minds.
Man I could go on FOREVER about this book. It is one of my fave's and I wish people were more hip. More so than that I wish people were OPEN to what she had to say. A lot of times we dont want to admit why we feel the way we do. For example, nobody wants to say that there is a problem with feeling like you NEED a perm. Nahhhhhh! Thats a problem lol. But I know thats a wholllle 'nother discussion for a whollle 'nother day
*love your blogs/articles Rippa~ Always hot…Nice to see someone (a group of people) passionate about educating the people also!
OK, TIME TO SPIT FROM THE SCROLLS…… 1st, I cut that shit off 3:22 when she was singing; I couldn't hear nomore of that Kebbler Elf voice… 2nd, this bitch come straight out of a comic book; & if you mad at me calling her a bitch, females look at what we dealing with… 3rd, honestly that Broad look like a nigga to me; so I don't know, maybe that nigga is a nigga… 4th, to my niggas out there; there ain't no changing these chicks mindset, give up, and campaign for some new fly shit overseas (i.e Paris, France)………………. See this shit reminds me, remember back to last month when (I think) Diana Sawyer interviewed that group of single "independent" black women for Atlanta and they all was claiming they was soooo mothafuckin successful (I'm not hating on progress but sometimes we got to put an asterisk by this successful shit, when we actually do what the avg employee does) & its hard to find a successful or honest black man; what the fuck ever, "GIRL BYE"…. well they was able to catch up with one of the niggas that dated one of the chicks talking all that shit on tv (I am about to bounce but when I get back I will try and post the interview) and the nigga said some shit along the lines of, he dated ol girl, she had some mental issues and was crazy as cat shit & a son from the previous relationship (I'm not knocking relationships where other children come into play from previous relationships… I'm just saying thats what ol boy said)….. So at the end of the day, don't consume yourself with the hype; these young knuckle-headed niggas don't want to listen to advice and hear the message.. hey let them learn the hard way….. If these niggas don't have enough commonsense to know the musicians and movie stars they idolize are just putting on a front and all that fake shit comes off when the cameras are off, they got insecurities just like we do…. look at what lil duval did to lil wayne on twitter with the (#lilwaynedeeptweets); and that nigga lil wayne (a proclaimed blood, a nigga going to prison) get soft at some tweets & said he done tweeting cause he ain't loved??? The most ultimate WTF X WTF… C'mon son…. man I don't know whatelse to say but…. MY NIGGAS OUT THERE, don't get sucked into the hype…. church like a mothafucka…. peace
What bothers me about this is the appropriation of white culture. Why does she have to be a white girl? Oh yeah, because Barbie is white, The Black one's name is Christy or some sh*t.
But really, is it bad that I blame Sex and The City for this? Like its clear that too many women are falling into this "I want to be like that lonely 40 yr old rich white woman syndrome". NEWSFLASH: it's not cute!
We need some new educational programs or service learning programs to teach young Black women what beauty is because it is NOT the appropriation of white culture!
In agreement with the author. My sentiments are the same re: Beyonce also.
Okay, so I like Nicki Minaj. Of course I am not looking to her to raise my kids, determine how I interact with my man or dress myself. She is to black women/girls what a Gucci Mane or Soldier Boy is to black men/boys. You see the same emulation that you see with the “barbies” that you see with “thuggy boys”. She is silly. But I like silly in my music. In fact, I need a little silly in my music. I think people hate on her more because she is a women and we are always held to higher standards in everything. I don’t see her disrespecting her blackness anymore that other rappers. She definitely had to try something new to even get noticed because of the state of the female hip-hop artist. She is not a role model. She is a rapper. She is a entertainer. We are in a sad state when we are looking for entertainers to be a role models. We have Michele Obama for that.
I think the comedian paul mooney said it best…" some niggas are amazed and awed by the most simple shit!"….LOL..and its so true…the way people give some much credibility and respect to some of the dumbest, ignorant crap and then try and charge it off as "well such and such is just entertaining and there really not taken that seriously"…BULLSHIT..if that was the case you wouldn't have grown ass MEN and WOMEN out here trying to emulate the style, dress, demeanor, slang and mental attitudes of half of these entertainers…."as a man thinketh so is he"…..that's what's most depressing about the whole situation is how we as a people are borderline accepting of this mess and will pass off the negative effects as "its not my fault this child, man, woman, or teenager is acting this or that way..it goes back to home training"…well past home training and being in the home you have society, media and government waging a bigger mental war for the human psyche..
"that’s what’s most depressing about the whole situation is how we as a people are borderline accepting of this mess and will pass off the negative effects as “its not my fault this child, man, woman, or teenager is acting this or that way..it goes back to home training”…well past home training and being in the home you have society, media and government waging a bigger mental war for the human psyche.."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
WOW this girl almost made me vomit, like REALLY??!! REALLY?!! Is this what some women aspire to be these days?? I am truly disgusted by Nicki Minaj and that whole barbie image which is only further perpetuating the ideal that white equals right…..Since when do grown black women want to be a stereotypical "valley white girl"? As a real black woman who is completely comfortable with who she is, I have nothing fake on me. Not a strand of weave, not a fake set of eye lashes, no pounds of makeup, no booty pads, no breast enhancements and not an acrylic nail in sight. I am nobodies Barbie and I am not meant to be played with because i am NOT a toy. All of the mainstream artists it seems, are promoting this ideal of being a robot who is easily programmed to obey and just do what you are told or a plastic barbie with this fake exterior and no brains or feelings in the inside. Everybody wants to "get money" or "throw it in the bag". But what about your soul?? It is obvious there is truly a battle going on for the souls of men. God bless this crazy world we live in…..
**disclaimer-my user name on this site is only Nikki because my middle name is Nicole** lol
Good convo!
I have always been a Lil Kim fan. I never looked up to her but saw her as just a stage persona. She was the answer to the hyper-masculine gangsta rapper. So when I saw Nicki Minaj I was wondering "Who is this Lil Kim wannabe without the skills?" I guess Nicki Minaj is just the 21st Century version of Lil Kim.
Think about it. Lil Kim was the homegirl who was just as nasty as the boys. For years the rappers have been regarding women like her as the ho they call at 3am. But the coveted girl that they have been rapping about was a "suburban good girl," she's spoiled and talks like a Valley Girl. She only wears Chanel and Gucci (that comes from the store not Chinatown). Enter Nicki Minaj with "chinky" eyes and all. She is what an unexposed thug would desire to have, hence Lil Wayne put her out there.
BTW, I think the desire to be like Barbie is not a race issue, it is a women's issue. if you don't think so, look at the late Anna Nicole Smith, Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian. There are women who think all men desire this. Scary!
wow is all i can say right now.
meh. I don't know. I think it's cool that Nicki Minaj can take something like Barbie, the whitest, blondest chick around, and reclaim that image. It's like she's saying she can be an archetype for what is percieved as feminine in the dominant culture, in spite of the fact that she might not physically satisfy that image. I don't think she's rejecting black womanhood by doing so, it seems that you're confusing the performance of black/whiteness with black/whiteness in general.
Furthermore, isn't it kind of IMPORTANT that she equates "the atypical to whiteness?" In a culture where women like Nicki Minaj are othered said to be "exotic" because they do not fit into white standards of beauty, isn't it great that she's turning that notion on its head? In the greater culture, Nicki Minaj would be the atypical.
And why the Lady Gaga hate? She's great, and her "absurdity" I think is a BREATH OF FRESH AIR in pop music. She's not scared of the grotesque, to look odd or ugly, which is wonderful, especially in a world where our popstars all put out this one image of sexiness.
It's like she's saying she can be an archetype for what is perceived as feminine in the dominant, in spite of the fact that she might not physically satisfy that image.
I kinda see what you saying.But the Barbie ideal is questioned to some extent by mainstream society/ some white women! If they have at least some valid misgivings about the Barbie archetype, why should/could we not wonder some things about the ideal to some degree? I am not saying to blindly reject nothing, but everything is open to question; plus, I feel like sometimes some black folks on some things blindly embrace stuff that white people do without really thinking about it, considering what they are embracing, why they are embracing it, and what they stand to gain or lose! Even when white people have misgivings about this same stuff or outright dissenting views.
All I can say is when you listen to Nicki Minaj's entire body of work it is a more broad reflection of who she is artistically and personally. This woman is an actress she is NOT dumb, she knows how to market herself. Those that hate, continue to hate and watch her money pile up. All the aforementioned neo soul artist have their place in the industry as does Nicki Minaj her wordplay is ingenious now get ta dat!…….. NICKI RULES!
lol I missed a good one. I see it as young girls having fun. Most will outgrow it. Trust me. I dont think their mimicking nicki minaj is destroying the "black community"
Of all the criticisms I can think of re: Nicki Minaj, her glorifying whiteness would have been last on my list. To me, she doesn't sound like or try to sound like a white girl. So, to me, this article makes no sense.
The only angle by which I could understand this interpretation is if, in the writer's mind, the Barbie doll is synonymous with vapid white female culture. However, I don't believe Nicki Minaj has adopted the symbol to mean as much, despite the disastrous straight weave and colored contacts. For her, it is the ultimate representation of fun, care-free, girl-centered femininity.
man i hate when people like yall waste your time talking mess bout her yall need to get a life and leave her alone….
i dont know if any one said this but niki is the end of the slippery slope landscaped by BLACK MEN. first you have black men sweating non black women in videos etc…then you got cats like Jay Z and Puff trying name all the brands and ish rich ass white use as if that was a right of passage. then you had Young LA and Young Dro with their black boy swag white boy tags dressing like preps and shit…kanye etc…now you have niki minaj …its where the shit has been heading. cant blame her for rejecting black women steez because it gets clowned these days.
Niki is a good artist as far as todays hip hop goes. shes more like missy eliot than lil kim. her art is just imitating life. dont shoot the messenger. its like mos said, hip hops not a monster from the hills, its gonna change when we do. sure execs blow the ish out of proportion, but niki is not some evil genius selling snake oils eeither.
Nicki Minaj is always gunna be the baddest bitch; no one knows her -.- like dead ass DONT get mad cuss she got ummm…. 9 times more money then you & your family has
just saying as a real fan – Fake or not- i Love nicki Minaj her rap is good & i enjoy her music Like C'mon let her be
I loved this article and enjoyed the comments I did read. Thanks for the post.
I think the fair thing for us to do is not throw darts at Ms. Minaj for doing things the way she chooses to do them. I believe she is great to watch and has a gift. It entertainment. She is that. Lets not forget that this is the intertainment business. *What we should be doing is focusing our attention on WHY EVERY GIRL IN THE WORLD (it seems) wants to copy her. Nikki Minaj should not have to be anything less than herself (even if its is fake) because she has a bunch of wanna be fans. How will we get more black women to be themselves? By educating them on who they are. If they had any idea of the horrible things that happened to them during slavery they wouldn’t want to be on “their white girl shyt”. If they understood the way white women were held up so high a black man couldn’t even look her in the eyes, but yet a black woman could be raped by her master legally, they would know why we think the way we do. smh I remember hearing as a little girl “You have to know where you been to know where your going”- My God, what a real statement that is.
Check me out- http://www.RisingSpivey.com >> I just want to help make the world a better place… And Im looking forward to reading more of your post. God bless.
People need to stop putting everything on artists and raise their own damn kids.
RIPPA, don't tell anyone you from Trinidad if you dissing your own countrywoman!!!!!!!! All of you people are criticizing her for her individuality!!!!!!!!!! Go check yourselves, you try to raise your kids to be individuals and not to follow the crowd and then you want to bash someone for self expression??? Raise your kids properly, my mother never had a problem with wondering whether or not i was going to follow someone who is being paid to put on a show, if your kids know it isn't real you won't have a problem parents….
AMEN PROUD TRINI! i am amazed by this single view of blackness – its like this writer, and all the commenters have decided on blackness and have some god given right to determine other people's expression in accordance with it. niki minaj is an entertainer! she can and will do what she wants to gain attention and make that money. i say, more power to her. if she wants to refer to herself in other terms, that is her choice. and the barbie thing – nigga please. find something useful to comment on. another thing – as a member of the african diaspora, from trinidad, i think you need to reassess your views of blackness rippa. your personal idea of blackness is weak if it is so easily eroded!
man people should just get off of nicki's back. she and her record company know exactly what they are doing. the girl is in it to make money. girls wore wigs when the supremes did, girls dressed like madonna when she first came out. guys dress like their favorite rap star, gang member whatever. dont try and act like nikki is responsible. shes is an actress whether you think she's good or bad all she is trying to do is gain an audience and make a paycheck. nothing wrong with it. of course its your opinion but dont dog her out b/c you dont like her
that youtube girl is a RETARD
I agree and I'm a parent of a 13 yr old daughter and recently found one of this trick songs on my child phone. This trick shouldn't have a record deal she be in the hospital. Please don't believe the hype it not just grown people who are her fans it our children too. I pray everyday that she fads out !