Nicki Minaj recently released a new song with the hopes of building anticipation for her upcoming album, The Pink Print, and Young Money’s compilation Rise of an Empire.
Called “Lookin A– N—,” the song is Nicki’s attempt to disparage weak men who aren’t living up to her standards.
While the song is meant to serve as a hardcore comeback for Nicki, the presentation falls short. Apparently, Nicki Minaj and Cash Money/Universal thought it would be a powerful statement to use Malcolm X’s iconic image on her cover art. As Malcolm X peeks out of the window while holding an assault rifle, the words “Lookin A– N—” are printed on the cover.
It comes off as disgraceful and an overt display of ignorance. Beyond talking down to men who annoy her, Nicki’s lyrics aren’t thought-provoking and never represent the legacy of what Malcolm X stood for.
Moreover, the ‘N-word’ is used 42 times in a span of two minutes and 52 seconds. It’s embarrassing considering that a successful rapper is dishonoring one of our legends during Black History Month.
It is a song you probably wouldn’t want to hear if you’ve been following Jordan Davis and his killer’s (Michael Dunn) murder trial.
It’s a case where Dunn’s defense has attached “thug” rap music to the victim in an attempt to dehumanize him. Who wants to hear the ‘N-word’ 42 times in a rap song when knowing that Michael Dunn, just like George Zimmerman, likely used the racial slur before killing an innocent black teen?
When it comes to art, entertainers are allowed to express themselves. However, when their expression becomes a grotesque misrepresentation of a culture, that artist should be condemned.
Nicki Minaj isn’t the first, and won’t be the last, rapper to overstep that boundary. But the ignorant presentation of “Lookin A– N—” proves, again, that success won’t always buy a conscience.
