Nicki Minaj defended by fans after being labelled ‘dramatic’ for calling out racism at the Grammys

The ‘Queen of Rap’ is clearly still not impressed with the Grammy Awards, and was not afraid to make her position clear.

After artists like The Weeknd and Fiona Apple appeared to be ‘snubbed’ by the Recording Academy on Tuesday, Nicki Minaj reminded fans on Twitter about how she felt like she was ignored several years back.

"Never forget the Grammys didn't give me my best new artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on Billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade—went on to inspire a generation,” she tweeted.

"They gave it to the white man Bon Iver. #PinkFriday,” she added.

The tweet, which currently has over 350 thousand likes, spurred debate about the Grammy Awards, and whether Minaj had the right to voice her complaints.

Some people perceived the rapper as being dramatic and somewhat ‘petty’ (ironically, her married name is now ‘Mrs. Petty’).

Nicki Minaj Twitter screenshot

“This just sound like an excuse, she trying hard to explain why she NEVER HAS WON A GRAMMY,” one person commented on her post. “It’s a award show...not that deep Nicki”, another wrote.

Others were quick to defend Bon Iver, a folk musician with a decidedly different sound to Minaj. “She needs to let it go,” one user said.

“As much as I hate them for snubbing you, please do not drag Bon Iver. He does make quality music. You deserve numerous Grammy's but he deserves as well," another person fan wrote.

Many others, however, were quick to defend Minaj about what they perceive as both the inherent sexism and racism surrounding the award show, saying “preach queen” and “facts are facts”.

Over the years, the Grammy Awards have been criticised for their general aversion to hip hop, and have systematically failed to  acknowledge women in certain categories. 

“Kanye literally pissed on his award , recorded it and posted it online but it’s Nicki that’s dramatic for speaking up on the racism in the industry,”  seemingly referencing Kayne West appearing to urinate on his Grammy Award earlier this year.

“'They gave it to the white man Bon Iver’ has taken me out this life and into the next,” another person wrote in agreement with Nicki.

“PERIOD QUEEN EXPOSE THE SCAMMYS,” another fan joked.

In February 2019, she had said she was mistreated by the Recording Academy and was bullied about publicising her experience.

"I was bullied into staying quiet for 7 years out of fear,” she said at the time.

Minaj was certainly not the only artist to call the Academy out on Tuesday: “The Grammys remain corrupt,” The Weeknd tweeted on Tuesday. “You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…”

The R&B artist was completely shunned by the Recording Academy despite every song from his albumAfter Hours making it to Billboard’s Hot 100 list.

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