Nicki Minaj Won’t Back Down From Malcolm X Controversy


Seems like Nicki Minaj is ready to rehash the controversy surrounding her song that featured Malcolm X’s image prominently. Like any other artist Minaj is doing this through song. Her song “Lookin A– N—a” featured fan art of the late political activist and that’s when the media stirred up the controversy. In a new song released this week, Minaj addressed her Malcolm X debacle.

In the song titled “Chi-Raq” Minaj raps about Malcolm X’s daughter while talking about her relationships with kingpins and drug lords, and how she will never back down from a fight. This is assuming that Malcolm X’s daughter is looking for a fight.

Earlier in the year, as stated, Minaj posted a photo on her Instagram of fan art for her single “Lookin A– N—a” which used Malcolm X’s likeness. Apparently Minaj’s use of his image was looked down upon and called disrespectful. After the backlash the album cover received, Nicki took down the photo.

During that time Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X didn’t mince words when she alluded the use of the photo was in poor taste.

“Ms. Minaj’s artwork for her single does not depict the truth of Malcolm X’s legacy. Situations like the recent portrayal of our father on the [single] cover for Ms. Minaj’s new single only highlight the fact that we as a society need to take more responsibility for what we’re teaching our children.”

She continued in her statement against the use of her father’s photo on Minaj’s cover:

“It is our family’s hope that the true legacy and context of Malcolm X’s life continues to be shared with people from all walks of life in a positive manner that helps promote the goals and ideals for which Malcolm X so passionately advocated.”

The following day Minaj apologized:

“I apologize to the Malcolm X estate if the meaning of the photo was misconstrued … I have nothing but respect (and) adoration for us.”

That said, it sounds like Nicki Minaj was offended that the activist’s daughter spoke out against the cover, because in her new song, the rapper spits out a wicked verse:

“Malcolm X’s daughter came at me. These n—-s I roll with don’t let a single thing get by”; as well as making reference to the absence of gun laws in Chicago, and her love for “broke b—-es that talk s–t.”

The track “Chi-Raq” featured rapper Lil Herb but is not a single from her upcoming album The Pink Print.

[Image Credit: 21st Century Fox]

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