Nicki Minaj Fans Blast Essence Fest for Not Livestreaming Rapper's Performance

Despite headlining the Essence Festival of Culture on Friday night, Nicki Minaj's performance was not livestreamed on Hulu as initially scheduled.

Nicki Minaj attends the 2022 MET Gala
Getty

Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

Nicki Minaj attends the 2022 MET Gala

The Essence Festival of Culture has landed itself in hot water with Nicki Minaj’s loyal fan base.

Ever since announcing Minaj as the festival headliner, Essence promised that the rapper’s performance would be livestreamed via Hulu on Friday night. The Barbz received bad news at the last minute, however, when the festival announced that it would no longer be streaming Nicki’s set.

The change of plans didn’t sit well with Nicki’s fans, and for good reason, considering the 2022 Essence Fest had used Minaj to promote its livestream event. As a result, numerous Barbz took to Twitter on Friday to blast the festival for leading them on.

“Nah because this is so messed up, Hulu and essence has been promoting all week saying we’ll be to see Nicki Minaj LIVE on stream...it seems like they sued us for interactions once again,” one Twitter user wrote.

Another fan took their frustration one step further, writing, “Hulu and Essence Fest — y’all are going to hell for not showing Nicki Minaj when you know that’s the only reason we’re watching.”

Although Nicki’s performance was witnessed only by those in attendance, Minaj delivered as expected, running through a string of classic hits like “Beez in the Trap,” “Moment 4 Life,” and “Did It On Em.”

Scroll down to see how Nicki’s fans reacted to her performance getting cut from the Hulu livestream.

Essence Fest Dead fucking wrong for not showing Nicki Minaj performance

— The God Father of Spirituality (@quishawnammir) July 2, 2022

Hulu and Essence Fest — y’all are going to hell for not showing Nicki Minaj when you know that’s the only reason we’re watching #ESSENCEFest #ESSENCEFest2022 #ESSENCEFest2022 #EssenceFestOnHulu pic.twitter.com/SXDAepjjOE

— Kejiwhen (@kejiwhen) July 2, 2022

me pretending as if i didn’t waste all my time watching essence fest just for nicki minaj’s not to be live streamed: pic.twitter.com/A1J3LMo1gq

— 𝑪𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒂˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ NM5 (@ca6ria) July 2, 2022

Nah because this is so messed up, Hulu and essence has been promoting all week saying we’ll be to see Nicki Minaj LIVE on stream.. it seems like they sued us for interactions once again.

— She’s Fishy ➐ (@ShesFishy) July 2, 2022

They literally used Nicki Minaj to promote the Essence Livestream #ESSENCEFest

— Stephanie 👑 (@__StephanieJoy) July 2, 2022

i love nicki minaj so much. she looked like she was having a blast tonight at essence fest. though it would’ve been nice to have a picture perfect stream, i know she going to address it & i know it’s probably out of her control. mad love for her. it’s still FUCK @hulu tho.💗✌️

— NICHOLAS (@NLiddle16) July 2, 2022

it’s not Nicki’s fault. she is the paid artist. @Essence has the contract with @hulu and they used the #barbz for publicity. they could’ve said something earlier if @NICKIMINAJ wasn’t going to be part of the live stream but they didn’t bc viewership was more important to them!

— kiira 💞✨ (@justkiira) July 2, 2022

Latest in Music