Nicki Minaj Performs in Angola Despite Criticism From Human Rights Foundation

Minaj shared photos and videos of her time in Angola on Instagram.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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On Saturday night, Nicki Minaj went ahead and performed in the Angolan capital, Luanda, despite a human rights group asking her to cancel it.

Minaj received criticism from The Human Rights Foundation when they learned she would be performing for President Jose Eduardo dos Santos. Thor Halvorssen, who is head of the Human Rights Foundation, cited the country’s history with human rights crimes as the main reason behind his request. He also says Minaj getting a reported $2 million payday is the result of "government corruption and human rights violations.”

Minaj never addressed or responded to the open letter. Instead, she shared some photos and videos of her time in Angola.

Here's a clip of the performance captured by TMZ.


Minaj isn’t the only artist who has been criticized by human rights activists. Jennifer Lopez was frowned upon in 2013 when she sang happy birthday to the leader of Turkmenistan, who was accused of violating human rights. Nelly Furtado, on the other hand, gave away her $1 million fee to charity in 2011 when she was paid to perform for the family of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

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