Nicki Minaj has made an indelible mark on not only hip-hop, but the entire music industry—just ask her.
On Friday, the multi-hyphenate shared a lengthy Instagram post in which she boasted about her accomplishments as well as receiving love from fellow female artists. Nicki reminded the world it was only 12 years ago when she dropped her first full-length project, and that she has continued to secure No. 1s without the help of ghostwriters or "a crusade by radio stations, influencers and blogs."
"12 years ago I dropped my 1st mixtape. Wrote every single word on every single song. I was so proud of that," she wrote. "Eventually the Barbz were all wearing pink hair, Chinese bangs, & Barbie chains. Colorful wigs came all the way back in style. Everyone became Barbies & Dolls."
Though she's obviously aware of her far-reaching impact, Nicki acknowledges she, too, was inspired by others who came before her, and she was never too proud to admit it.
"I always shouted out my influences in my interviews," she continued. "Now a days, it’s become cool to pretend u weren’t influenced by other artists. S/O to the ones big enough to do it: Kash, Asian, Cuban, Saweetie, Meg, Malibu, YOUNG MA, Ms. Banks, Lady Leshurr, etc. No female rapper (other than Trina) did a song w/me or congratulated me on my billboard accomplishments. I didn’t mind. I never felt they were obligated to do so."
Nicki went on to criticize writers who have dismissed her accomplishment and focused on everything she "didn't do." She then issued a stern warning: "Y'all are rlly sick & ima call y'all out one by one on Queen Radio. Most of y'all doing these write ups have never fought for anything in life. You just sit on the sidelines & watch the doers do!"
You can read her full statement below.
Shortly after she made the post, Nicki took to the comments section to respond to fans. "Taylor Swift can speak but I can't," she wrote when responding to criticism.
Nicki is now facing mounting backlash over a planned performance at the Jeddah World Fest in Saudi Arabia. Many human rights activists have called on the rapper to back out of show, citing the country's oppressive policies that target women, gay people, and other minorities.
"Just three months ago five gay men were beheaded after they confessed to crimes under torture," Human Rights Foundation CEO Thor Halvorssen wrote in an open letter. "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."
