Rapper Nicki Manaj has been widely criticised for the artwork of her new single “Lookin Ass Nigga”.
The promotional artwork showed a picture of the late 1960s civil rights leader Malcolm X peering through curtains and holding a gun, with the picture sparking a backlash with many complaining she was disrespecting Malcom X’s legacy just days before the 49th anniversary of his death on 21st February.
On Instagram, Manaj said that the promotional artwork was never official artwork, but apologised for any offence caused to Malcolm X’s family, saying:
What seems to be the issue now? Do you have a problem with me referring to the people Malcolm X was ready to pull his gun out on as Lookin Ass Niggaz? Well, I apologize. That was never the official artwork nor is this an official single. This is a conversation. Not a single. I am in the video shooting at Lookin Ass Niggaz and there happened to be an iconic photo of Malcolm X ready to do the same thing for what he believed in!!!! It is in no way to undermine his efforts and legacy. I apologize to the Malcolm X estate if the meaning of the photo was misconstrued. The word “nigga” causes so much debate in our community while the “nigga” behavior gets praised and worship. Let’s not. Apologies again to his family. I have nothing but respect an adoration for u. The photo was removed hours ago. Thank you
Rapper Nicki Minaj has taken down the online artwork for her new single after her use of an iconic image of Malcolm X sparked controversy following its release on Wednesday (12Feb14).
The Starships hitmaker unveiled the promo for Lookin’ A** N**ga on her social networking pages, but the cover art attracted criticism over the use of a picture of the late civil rights leader, holding a gun and peering through curtains.
The image, which originally appeared in Ebony magazine in 1964, prompted a backlash on the web, with some critics accusing Minaj of disrespecting the groundbreaking activist days before the 49th anniversary of his death (21Feb14).
Kimberly Foster, editor of the black culture blog ForHarriet.com, writes, “As a fan of Nicki Minaj, I can say that the artwork is tasteless”, while HipHopWired.com writer Alvin Aqua Blanco states, “To equate a man that literally died for his cause – the advancement of human rights for people of color – is just wrong on multiple levels.”
Minaj has yet to speak out about the controversy, but it appears she has taken note of the comments – the original Twitter.com link to the artwork was no longer active on Thursday (13Feb14).
