A while back, I posted a career analysis article about Nicki Minaj (http://bit.ly/twPNoG). In short, I stated that if Nicki made the right, strategic career moves to establish herself as a formidable artist, it could result in the breaking down of gender-biased barriers for future female hip-hop artists. Nicki is featured on Big Sean’s “Dance (Ass),” and in the recently released video, Nicki slides her buttocks into Sean’s groin area and proceeds to bounce and shake her rump like the other video girls seen (see the video below). I AM LIVID. ABSOLUTLEY LIVID. Nicki has spoken extensively about the double standards and disrespect she has encountered while trying to expand her career and how she would like to change things for future female MC’s. Shaking your tail like a video girl for a song you’re featured on is completely counteractive to that goal. It’s hard to get people (especially male industry peers) to respect and view you as a serious artist when you display yourself as rapping sex-toy. It’s bad enough that she would even offer a verse to a song called “Ass.” It’s bad enough a song called “Ass” exists, but that’s another topic. I’m so perplexed by Nicki’s decision to be a part of this project and behave the way she did in the video. Some may not be surprised by her choice, but I really thought Nicki was trying to purposely get away from anything that would objectify her.
I’m starting to think that Nicki doesn’t know who she is an artist. She appears to have the ultimate goal of being a mogul, artist and actress who will redefine female rap (“I’m here to save a thing called female rap” as she says on “Can Anybody Here Me?”), but I don’t think she knows, nor decided, how to get there- hence the inconsistencies in her music and disparities between her statements and actions. I support her goal (girls run the world :) ), but I’m not liking how’s she’s presenting herself. I’m so disappointed in and irritated with her because I feel like she’s screwing up a golden opportunity. Do I have to hold my breath and wait another 3,000 years for a female MC to get Nicki’s status so we change things for other artists?
I’m starting to think that Nicki doesn’t know who she is an artist. She appears to have the ultimate goal of being a mogul, artist and actress who will redefine female rap (“I’m here to save a thing called female rap” as she says on “Can Anybody Here Me?”), but I don’t think she knows, nor decided, how to get there- hence the inconsistencies in her music and disparities between her statements and actions. I support her goal (girls run the world :) ), but I’m not liking how’s she’s presenting herself. I’m so disappointed in and irritated with her because I feel like she’s screwing up a golden opportunity. Do I have to hold my breath and wait another 3,000 years for a female MC to get Nicki’s status so we change things for other artists?
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