With a career fueled by hits chock full of provocative language and content, many were puzzled when Nicki Minaj accepted a gig at Saudi Arabia’s ‘Jeddah World Fest.’ A country renown for its conservatism, as well as repressive treatment of women and minorities, reports have it the nation’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman authorized the performance – an invitation accompanied by a seven figure payout for the rapstress.
As news spread about the forthcoming appearance, locals, fans, and human rights activists alike spoke out to urge the Grammy nominee to withdraw. While Saudi Arabians were generally more concerned about the femcee’s suggestive songs and stage attire, the latter seemed to focus on the country’s mistreatment of its citizens. The most headline-grabbing criticism came courtesy of Thor Halvorseen – the CEO and President of the Human Rights Foundation (who recently the rapper a lengthy reprimand for her involvement and strongly advised her to reconsider the outing).
Did you miss it? Read highlights inside:
Dear Ms. Minaj,
According to reliable information obtained by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), you will be traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform at Jeddah World Fest on July 18, 2019. I am writing to urgently inform you of the human rights crisis in Saudi Arabia; to explain the role that the regime of MBS has played in violating the rights of tens of millions of Saudis; and to request that, in light of your status as a global personality, you cancel your appearance as a symbol of solidarity with the ongoing suffering of the Saudi people.
…the Kingdom regularly engages in the systematic repression of activists and human rights defenders, often leading to numerous years of imprisonment, without trial, and the use of repressive measures against them. Advocacy organizations are not allowed to exist.
…Ms. Minaj, as you can see, you are scheduled to perform at a state-sponsored event in one of the most repressive regimes on earth — a country whose leader has also led a relentless campaign to silence women’s rights activists. Many of the women who have advocated to lift the driving ban in Saudi Arabia are currently in jail and being subjected to torture that includes electric shocks, flogging, and rape.
Saudi Arabia hosted its first public concert by a female artist just two years ago and gender segregation between unmarried men and women is still strictly enforced. Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship law requires women to obtain permission from a male for everything from registering for school to checking into a hospital. Any woman attending your performance will require permission from a man and will have to be accompanied to go there.
You recently celebrated Pride Week to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community. Yet, if you move forward with this performance, you will be condoning, and serving the public relations of a government that executes homosexuals for the “crime” of being who they are. If you move forward with this performance for a festival sponsored by the Crown Prince, you will be in league with the people who respond to freedom of expression and thought with murder.
Considering the information above, HRF believes that your participation in a performance sponsored by a murderous, repressive regime involved in gross human rights violations —especially of women and sexual minorities—would be highly unfortunate. Furthermore, it would be disastrous for a public figure of your standing who has articulated a commitment to education, women’s rights, and social justice. HRF asks you to urgently consider canceling your performance, scheduled for July 18, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
*****
Click here to read the letter in full. As of time reported, the event is scheduled for King Abdullah Sports Stadium in Jeddah on July 18.
![New Song: Nicki Minaj - 'FTCU (Sleeze Mix)' [featuring Sexyy Red, Chris Brown, & Travis Scott]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/nicki-minaj-thatgrapejuice-2024-ftcu-remix-sleeze-sexyy-red-chris-brown-travis-scott-464x260.jpg "New Song: Nicki Minaj - 'FTCU (Sleeze Mix)' [featuring Sexyy Red, Chris Brown, & Travis Scott].")
Why y’all keep using this same picture of Nicki Minaj???? Oh wait rashad wrote the article. Figures ???????
Still posting on this old broad daily ?
And you’re still responding to every article about her. GET OVER IT. YOU ARE PRESSED.
If Mariah can perform there why can’t Nicki? Mariah is a gay icon. Performing there ain’t hurt her gay icon status. Nicki can perform wherever she wants. The ‘problems’ in Saudi’s Arabia have nothing to do with Nicki and yes I said ‘problems’ in quotes. Women’s rights are portrayed as very bad over there but that is that country’s issues not other country’s concern. Two of my close girlfriends have homes there and are from there and they love it. Their husbands treat them like queens and lavish them in expensive gifts, jewelry, and houses.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/31/mariah-carey-defies-activists-to-perform-in-saudi-arabia
The same people who are calling for Nicki not to perform were the same people calling for Mariah not to perform, so what point were you trying to make?
The point is: “Performing there won’t hurt her gay icon status. “
Okay. Got it.
America is a country known for racism yet we still make money here. These are not activist for civil rights, they are radicals who are power hungry, know the difference.
NICKI MINAJ ONLY MAKES DECISIONS TO IMMEDIATELY BENEFIT HER POCKETBOOK & BRAND … or at least, that’s what her selfish, insecure, mindless behinds thinks she is doing.
No one purchased tickets to see her live on tour here in the states, so she has no other option than to jump at any & every opportunity to perform elsewhere.
Nicki Minaj is a self sabotaging witch — a demon spawn whose sole purpose on earth is to dominate earthly ground & attempt to reign over other people.
she is a disgrace to humankind & an embarrassment to her community at large.
FACTS.
Just live your life and don’t worry about how she live hers.
Wow I thought Brent was talking about that trashy Jasmine troll thing for a second.
TROLLmine is a “witch — a demon spawn”
Shut up Brent!!!!!!! If you don’t like Minaj why are you on every post about her?? Get back to trolling the other webpages you have open in the background of your prepaid phone
Shut it FAKE Jasmine. Don’t be speaking to Brent that way little boy.
TROLLmine and his multiple personalities smh
i mean https://youtu.be/oMp58oVociw
What else do you expect from a woman currently dating a man spent time in jail for the r*** of a minor. A woman that has a brother in jail convicted of child molestation. A woman that collaborated with another rapper currently in U.S. federal prison for gang violence and recording an underage girl on tape. She is a terrible, narcissistic evil woman who likely hates other women. GARBAJ also uses her gay fans for exploitation of their aesthetic rather than actually uplifting them in any meaningful way. This woman is a total fraud. I highly doubt she will NOT perform since GARBAJ has repeatedly made it clear “all these b****** is her SONS”, a line so blatantly misogynistic and dehumanizing of other female’s womanhood.
That letter addressed to her is a waste of time on a person so evil and narcissistic. She will fit in perfectly w/ the oppressive Saudi regime.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for expressing blatant honesty & unyielding truth.
she is the most vile female entertainer who exists in our present day industry.
Nicki is the purest form of raw, human poison that exists in real form.
cannot stand seeing or hearing her.
karma is already teaching her the evils of her irrational, impulsive decisions. the c|_|nt has not grown in any form & her fifth album sales + critiques will exhibit such.
I truly APPRECIATE your commentary & perspective.
Thank you.. incredibly for speaking up!
I began to see her vile evil ways after watching the Playtime Is Over series exposing her copying Lil Kim’s entire aesthetic and then dissing her in the process. Then Lil Kim had the Breakfast Club interview exposing what actually happened between them. Then she came out w/ that atrocious video for Anaconda.. and it’s been downhill ever since. She is the biggest fraud in female rap history. Period.
Preach!
This woman can’t s*** without yall in her toilet!!
Megatron is predicted to drop 50 spots in its second week….
LMAO! NO SURPRISE FROM THOSE OF US WHO FULLY UNDERSTAND HER PLUMMETING CAREER.
Nicki’s leftover fanbase no longer possess the power to carry her singles forward beyond basic charting status & unbalanced consistency.
They act like she’s the only performer scheduled to perform. Did they sent a letter to Steve Aoki and Liam Payne as well?
Why does she need to get all the backlash when shes one of many scheduled to perform?
If thats the case stop performing in America too!
Get your coin Nicki. Just keep it covered lol…
Y’all wanna talk s*** about her and tell her what to do? Pick a side ?
No wonder
It is admirable that Nicki Minaj has made a stand against an oppressive and backward regime. It’s deeply unfortunate the other singers and rappers haven’t followed suit. For them money is far too big a motivation regrettably, and they need to do some soul searching.
.