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Celeb News: VIBE: Nicki the feminist
Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 10,399
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Her method may be unorthodox—the hyper-sexualized imagery and songs about "lookin' ass ******" and "stupid hoes" could serve as distractions to her message. But the Queens-bred rapper constantly cheerleads for women, not in traditional activism, but on billboard charts, in boardrooms and in interviews. Skeptical? Here, a brief history of Nicki's most notable feminist moments. —Niki McGloster
May 2009
Nicki Advocates Equal Opportunity At Work
"A lot of what people don't understand about the music is that it's a business. So if you come into it thinking that it's all about just being cute and getting some attention—I didn't do this for attention. I didn't do it for any reason other than I wanted to explore the business and take it to where the guys took it. As a businesswoman." —DJ Vlad TV
As history shows, the patriarchal status quo is committed to placing a ceiling on women's climb, whether socially, politically or in business. Recognizing that, Nicki strives to even the playing field.
October 2010
Nicki Goes Bar To Bar With Her Male Peers
"Pull up in the monster automobile, gangsta/With a bad bitch that came from Sri Lanka/Yeah, I'm in that Tonka color of Willy Wonka/You could be the king but watch the queen conquer" —Kanye West's "Monster"
There's little disputing that Nicki Minaj had the hottest verse on Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy gem. In the multi-bar rant, Minaj positioned herself as one of the hottest rappers, period.
April 2012
Nicki Promotes Girl Power
On her single "Moment For Life": "It makes girls feel like they can do anything. I always tell my Barbz, I'm like: Always be successful outside of a man." —Nightline
The opportunities for women don't always seem tangible, especially to those in male-dominated industries. Here, Nicki notes that success can be achieved independently from a man.
June 2012
Nicki Breaks Down The Meaning of Bitch
"When I am assertive, I'm a bitch. When a man is assertive, he's a boss. He bossed up. No negative connotation behind 'bossed up.' But lots of negative connotation behind being a 'bitch.'" —MTV's My Time Now documentary
Times have changed, but there's still a lag in the evolution of gender roles. Nicki waved her feminist flag by shooting down the depiction of female bosses in comparison to men and dismantling the "bitch" title that's bestowed on powerful women.
May 2013
Nicki Defends Herself Against Misogyny
"I handle my business and also I speak up for myself. But if I was not like this, so many people would've taken advantage of me. I took a lot of **** from people, from men who didn't want me to realize my own worth, who didn't want me to know the truth about who I was and how good I was." —Nicki Minaj Vs. Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg
While going toe to toe with Rosenberg—the Hot 97 personality who criticized her pop persona and single "Starships"—Nicki showed that women shouldn't have to diminish themselves or be less outspoken for the sake of a man.
October 2013
Nicki Pays Homage To A Media Mogul Idol
"I always reference [Queen Latifah] when I talk about female rappers who've paved the way in terms of a businesswoman, mogul and just all around entertainer, and to be sitting here doing your show is just a great moment in hip-hop." —The Queen Latifah Show
One of the cornerstones of feminism is supporting other women. Nicki's hat-tip to Queen Latifah for creating opportunities for other rising female MCs championed just that.
November 2013
Nicki Addresses Being Left Out Of The Male Power Circle
"I'm probably in the top-five mother****as he did mention, so go and do your mother****in' research. But I also feel like he's maybe one of those respectful gentlemen that probably felt like, 'I don't want to say a female's name.' Or maybe he just don't think the kid is ill. But the kid know the kid is ill, so I don't need to be on nobody's ****." —The Breakfast Club
When Kendrick shook the Internet with his now infamous, name-calling "Control" verse, Nicki—the only female MC worth mentioning at the time—was noticeably left out. The oversight proves even the most progressive men can abuse male privilege. In the aftermath, Nicki dismissed it, in the same breath urging everyone to be a little more inclusive.
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Member Since: 10/1/2011
Posts: 53,790
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 1,636
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Member Since: 5/14/2012
Posts: 12,274
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Another day, another Nicki article. 
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Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 10,399
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the overwhelming praise she's been getting >>>>
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 9,981
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Member Since: 10/1/2011
Posts: 53,790
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 12,457
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It's so true though she's changing the rap game for females, the way she reverses typical gender roles
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Member Since: 7/21/2012
Posts: 28,099
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All this praise before her critically acclaimed third album.
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Member Since: 6/2/2012
Posts: 37,284
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The amount of articles about her.  Crazy.
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Member Since: 3/27/2012
Posts: 3,188
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She's one of the better examples of feminism in music along w/ P!nk and Ke$ha. I'm at a loss as to why people on here seem to think Beyoncé is noteworthy in terms of feminism when her peers are overshadowing her in that respect.
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Member Since: 12/22/2011
Posts: 55,626
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 18,655
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Loved that. If they're saying all this stuff about her now, I wonder what they'll say once the album drops 
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 12,955
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Member Since: 8/29/2011
Posts: 3,420
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Quote:
Originally posted by OprahIsBlack
She's one of the better examples of feminism in music along w/ P!nk and Ke$ha.
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Pink is a chronic **** shamer though, so no.
Good for Onika though.
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Member Since: 6/2/2012
Posts: 37,284
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Originally posted by BeyNavi
Loved that. If they're saying all this stuff about her now, I wonder what they'll say once the album drops |
The acclaim.
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Member Since: 3/27/2012
Posts: 3,188
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Quote:
Originally posted by konaa
Pink is a chronic **** shamer though, so no.
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This is an idiotic thing to say. Asking girls to exhibit dignity and taste while frelling who and when and where they want to is not **** shaming.
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Member Since: 8/29/2011
Posts: 3,420
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Quote:
Originally posted by OprahIsBlack
This is an idiotic thing to say. Asking girls to exhibit dignity and taste while frelling who and when and where they want to is not **** shaming.
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If you don't see how problematic calling women who choose to do ****, wear push up bras, or dance in music videos 'stupid,' all the while perpetuating the 'not like other girls' trope and pitting women against each other, there is no point in having this debate lol.
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Member Since: 3/27/2012
Posts: 3,188
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Quote:
Originally posted by konaa
If you don't see how problematic calling women who choose to do ****, wear push up bras, or dance in music videos 'stupid,' all the while perpetuating the 'not like other girls' trope and pitting women against each other, there is no point in having this debate lol.
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If you can't see that she was pointing out that it is the WAY in which certain people do those things that she was criticizing, not those things themselves being done, then there's also no point in having this debate.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 15,128
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Feminist Icon Onika Maraj
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