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Nicki Minaj: The Super Freaky Queen of Hip-Hop Feminisms in the Maraj of a…

- - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that speaks to the legacy of slavery and the ongoing economic, social, and political challenges faced by Black people is her song "Chun-Li." In the song, Minaj references her own success and wealth as a Black woman in the music industry, but also acknowledges the systemic barriers and racism that she and other Black people have faced. She raps, "They need rappers like me, they need rappers like me / So they can get on their keyboards and make me the bad guy, Chun-Li." Here, she is pointing out the ways in which Black people are often demonized and vilified in the media and by the public, even when they are successful. Moreover, the title of the song "Chun-Li" is a reference to a character in the video game Street Fighter who is also a woman of color. By using this reference, Minaj is making a connection between herself and other Black women who are often excluded or marginalized in mainstream culture. Through "Chun-Li," Minaj is illustrating how the libidinal economy continues to impact the lives of Black people in the present day by shaping the way in which Black success is perceived and the obstacles that Black people must overcome to achieve it.
  - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that highlights her commitment to centering the experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups, particularly Black queer individuals, is her music video for the song "Bed" featuring Ariana Grande. In the video, Nicki and Ariana are depicted in a dreamy, underwater world surrounded by attractive men. However, what's notable is that many of these men are queer men of color, a demographic that is often marginalized and underrepresented in mainstream media, especially hip-hop music. By including these men in her video, Nicki is making a statement about the importance of representation and centering the experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups. Additionally, the song itself is a celebration of sexual liberation and pleasure, particularly for women. By combining these themes with a diverse cast, Nicki is making a powerful statement about the importance of centering the experiences of those who have historically been excluded and marginalized.
  - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that demonstrates her representation of the ways in which anti-fatness serves as a continuation of the policing and punishment of Black bodies that originated in slavery is her collaboration with Beyoncé on the song "Feeling Myself" and its accompanying music video.
        In the music video, Minaj and Beyoncé are seen confidently celebrating their bodies and their sexuality. They wear various outfits that accentuate their curves and dance in a way that celebrates their bodies rather than attempting to hide or diminish them. The lyrics also reference their bodies and their confidence in them, with Minaj rapping lines such as, "Cause we dope girls we flawless, we the poster girls for all this (Uh)." Furthermore, Minaj and Knowles poke fun at anti-fat and anti-black comments made toward them in the media by eating hamburgers in the music video and Minaj rapping lines such as, "Lemme get a number two, with some Mac sauce."
        By portraying their bodies in a positive light and rejecting societal beauty standards that prioritize thinness, Minaj and Beyoncé challenge the anti-fatness that seeks to police and punish Black bodies. The video also features a diverse group of women of different shapes and sizes, further emphasizing the importance of body positivity and inclusivity in the Black community. Overall, "Feeling Myself" serves as a powerful cultural production that aligns with the goals of Afterlife of Slavery Studies and highlights the ongoing struggle against anti-fatness as a continuation of the policing and punishment of Black bodies.
- - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that shows her representation of the idea of empowering black women to create a new form of feminism rooted in their experiences is her lyrics and music video to "Anaconda" released in 2014. The song samples Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back" and features lyrics about female sexual agency and body positivity. In the music video, Nicki Minaj and other women of color are shown confidently dancing and celebrating their curves, reclaiming their bodies from the male gaze and societal beauty standards. By celebrating her own body and those of other women of color, and by using her platform to spread messages of body positivity and self-love, Nicki Minaj is empowering black women to embrace their own bodies and experiences and to challenge dominant narratives around beauty and sexuality. This aligns with the aspect or goal of hip-hop feminism that Durham, Cooper, and Morris discuss in "The Stage Hip-Hop Feminism Built," namely the idea that hip-hop culture can be used as a tool for black women to create their own feminist narratives and to challenge dominant ideas of femininity and womanhood.
  - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that shows she represents the aspect of intersectionality is her song "Bed of Lies" featuring Skylar Grey. In this song, Minaj raps about a failed relationship and the emotional toll it takes on her. However, she also touches on the intersecting issues of gender and class, as she discusses her partner's financial dependence on her and the power dynamics that creates in the relationship.
        For example, in the first verse, Minaj raps:
        "Do you ever think of me when you lie, lie down in your bed, your bed of lies?
        And I knew better than to look in your eyes
        They only pretend you would be mine
        And oh how you made me believe
        You had me caught in every web that you weaved"
        Later in the song, she raps:
        "You could never make eye contact, everything you got was based off of my contacts
        You a fraud, but I'ma remain icon-stat
        Balenciaga's on my boots with the python strap
        You was caught up in the rush, and you was caught up in the thrill of it
        You was with me way before I hit a quarter mil' in it
        Put you in the crib and you ain't never pay a bill in it
        I was killin' it, man you got me poppin' pills in it"
        These lyrics demonstrate how Minaj is using her personal experiences to highlight the intersection of gender and class, specifically how women can be financially taken advantage of in relationships and how that dynamic can contribute to emotional abuse. By addressing these intersecting issues in her music, Minaj is representing the aspect of intersectionality in hip-hop feminism.
  - - - The lyrics and music video to "Super Freaky Girl" released in 2022 suggest that Nicki Minaj is embracing and taking ownership of her sexuality. She talks about how she can do all sorts of sexual acts and satisfy her partner, and how she enjoys it. This demonstrates that she is comfortable with her body and is not afraid to express her desires. Furthermore, she challenges the patriarchal norms that dictate how black women should behave sexually by not conforming to them. In doing so, she is using her sexuality as a means of empowerment rather than shame or oppression. The line "He want a F-R-E-A-K (freaky girl)" suggests that she is reclaiming the term "freak" and turning it into something positive rather than negative. This is a key aspect of hip-hop feminism as it encourages women to challenge the traditional gender roles and stereotypes that have historically oppressed them. By embracing her sexuality and expressing herself in this way, Nicki Minaj is empowering herself and other women to do the same.
- - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that demonstrates her understanding and recognition of ongoing systemic violence and oppression is her song "All Things Go." In the song, she addresses the loss of her cousin and the struggles she has faced in her personal life, including issues related to race and inequality. The lyrics such as, "I lost my little cousin to a senseless act of violence," touch on themes of violence, trauma, and resilience in the face of adversity, demonstrating Minaj's commitment to shedding light on the experiences of marginalized groups and the systemic forces that contribute to their oppression.
  - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that speaks to the recognition and condemnation of the United States government's actions against Black people as a form of genocide is her music video for the song "Freedom." In the video, there are images of riots, police brutality, and protests, while the lyrics speak to the struggle for liberation and justice. The song includes the lyrics "They'll never thank me for opening doors / But they ain't even thank Jesus when he died on the cross." This line can be interpreted as a commentary on the lack of recognition and gratitude for those who fight for justice and liberation, as well as a comparison to the sacrifice of Jesus. Overall, the song and video emphasize the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice for Black people in the face of systemic oppression and violence.
  - - - "Chi-Raq" by Nicki Minaj is a powerful cultural production that centers the experiences and perspectives of those who have been most impacted by violence in the city of Chicago. The song was inspired by the ancient Greek play "Lysistrata," which tells the story of women who go on a sex strike to end a war. In "Chi-Raq," Nicki Minaj adopts the persona of the leader of a group of women who use their bodies as a means of protest against the violence that plagues their community.
        Through her lyrics, Nicki Minaj sheds light on the senseless violence that has ravaged Chicago for years, particularly in Black and Brown communities. She highlights the devastating toll that this violence has taken on families and communities, and emphasizes the need for change and for an end to the violence. By doing so, Nicki Minaj contributes to a larger conversation about the ongoing effects of systemic violence and oppression in society, particularly against marginalized groups.
        Overall, "Chi-Raq" demonstrates Nicki Minaj's commitment to centering the experiences and perspectives of those who have been most impacted by genocide and other forms of mass violence, and her willingness to use her platform to bring attention to these important issues.
- - - - In this guest appearance on the Queen Latifah Show, Nicki Minaj praises Queen Latifah’s contributions to entertainment.
        “You’ve opened so many doors for me and so many other women and it’s insane because I always reference you when I talk about female rappers who’ve, like, kinda paved the way in terms of a business woman and mogul and just all-around entertainer,” Nicki Minaj says in the clip, which is on Queen Latifah’s YouTube page. “To be sitting her doing your show, it’s just a great moment for Hip Hop. So, thank you for having me.”
  - - - From Lady Patra to Supercat to Lauryn Hill and Capleton – Nicki Minaj’s Inspirations (Outro) shows what are her musical influences, more specifically the ones from the Caribbean. In specific, she references Lauryn Hill in the line, "Marchin' with Lauryn Hill to Zion," which is in reference to the song Lauryn released on her infamous solo album. The song, titled To Zion, is where she references marching to Zion: "Marching, marching, marching, marching to Zion." Nicki uses this reference to describe how Lauryn is her inspiration, and that Nicki is marching with Lauryn to Zion.
  - - - In this 2014 tweet, Nicki discusses the different level of respect that she holds for Missy Elliott.
        "It's the same reason I have a different level of respect for Missy. I know she's a writer and a producer. Women MUST aspire for more."
- - - - Nicki Minaj's Instagram caption following the death of George Floyd highlights the unequal treatment of Black individuals by the criminal justice system in the United States. By pointing out the different standards applied to Black and white individuals in the justice system, Minaj is calling attention to the systemic racism and inequality that pervade the criminal justice system. In addition, Minaj is also questioning the effectiveness of the current system in addressing issues of racism, inequality, and violence. Her reference to the lack of accountability for the officers involved in George Floyd's death suggests that the system is not capable of providing justice for marginalized communities. Overall, Minaj's caption contributes to the growing recognition that the current criminal justice system is inherently flawed and cannot be reformed to address issues of racism, inequality, and violence. Her call to action encourages individuals to speak out against the systemic injustices that continue to impact Black communities in the United States.
  - - - In the 2015 Billboard Interview, Nicki Minaj addressed the issue of the prison-industrial complex and the need for alternative systems of justice and community care. She stated that the US prison system is like slavery and that there are too many young Black men and women behind bars. She emphasized the need for education and rehabilitation programs within the prison system to address the root causes of crime and prevent recidivism. She also stressed the importance of investing in communities and providing opportunities for people to succeed, rather than relying solely on punishment and incarceration. Overall, Nicki Minaj's comments align with the principles of abolition democracy, which advocates for dismantling the prison-industrial complex and creating alternative systems of justice and community care.
  - - - One cultural production by Nicki Minaj that touches on the theme of transformative justice is "Champion" featuring Nas, Drake, and Young Jeezy. In the song, Nicki raps about her own struggles with poverty and how she overcame them through hard work and perseverance. She also addresses broader societal issues such as the unequal distribution of wealth and the need for systemic change. For instance, she starts the song with, "This is a celebration, this is levitation; Look at how you winning now; This took dedication; This is meditation, higher education; This the official, competitor elimination; I was taking trips, with Web to move weight; Came back to Queens, to hit up a new state." In these lyrics, Nicki acknowledges the challenges she faced growing up in poverty in Southside Jamaica, Queens and the struggle to succeed in a society that is often unjust. She also emphasizes the importance of gratitude and avoiding a negative attitude towards others, while still advocating for herself and her community. Overall, "Champion" speaks to the idea that transformative justice is about creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. It emphasizes the need to address the systemic issues that perpetuate harm and violence, and to create a society that is more just, equitable, and inclusive for all.