So, I was talking to someone recently about what I wanted my next article to be about, and they suggested I write a piece on my feelings about Nicki Minaj. . . Now, if you know me at all, you already know, I don't like Nicki Minaj... that being said, my reasons for disliking for, and your reasons for disliking her... or rather, the reasons you may THINK I dislike her, are probably different.
Let's just take this from the top, shall we? Good then.
I want to start out on a positive note, and even defend Miss Minaj a bit (I know, what? Me? Defend her?! Fuck outta here... but seriously). I think that, in a society full of females trying to pass themselves off as something they're not (how many 'models', 'actresses', 'singers', etc, do you see on whatever social networking site you frequent that you look at and say 'yeah the fuck right'... I'm just sayin'), Nicki Minaj is one of few who is actually doing a job being what she is... now, whether what she is is a good thing or not is up for debate, but at least she is keepin' it a hunnid.
Barbie. As much as that term is viciously abused by heinous girls/women all over the world, it does represent something. It represents a plastic doll. Nicki Minaj refers to herself, and her legion of... females... as Barbies, Barbz, Barbie bitches, etc... In my opinion, that's the perfect moniker (dictionary.com it punk ass) for her. Barbies are fake, they're plastic, and they serve a purpose: to look good and entertain people... simple minded people, but people none the less. On those grounds, I think Nicki Minaj calling herself a Barbie is perfectly logical, and I commend her for that. I take that as her way of telling the world, 'don't take me seriously, as I am merely here for your most base level entertainment'.
That being said, I want to further defend Miss Minaj and her use of the term Barbie to refer to herself. I have seen a lot of talk lately from people bagging on Americas favorite Barbie bitch for (purportedly) having had some plastic surgery to enhance her bust and/or ass... Can I just say. . . WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU EXPECT FROM SOMEONE WHO REFERS TO THEMSELVES AS A BARBIE? She has named herself after a plastic doll. . . is it REALLY that surprising that she has turned herself into. . . well. . . a plastic doll? I mean, honestly. . . do you people know what a Barbie is? What it represents? She would be misrepresenting herself if she didn't have plastic surgery to obtain what is in her mind the perfect body. . . let's be honest here; if Nicki Minaj looked like Jill Scott, no one would listen to her music. . . and they CERTAINLY wouldn't stand behind the use of the term 'Barbie', because Jill Scott and her image do not accurately represent a Barbie. Nicki Minaj, in many ways (in terms of current standards of beauty) does.
That being said, I also want to throw this thought out there: What does having plastic surgery have to do with your ability to rap? Everyone seems to be so up in arms about the fact that her ass and tits are fake, and thus they don't want to listen to her music. . . why? Does silicone decrease your ability to write a solid verse? I was under the impression that it didn't, but. . . I mean. . . I could be wrong. I guess.
The point I am trying to make here is that. . . well. . . you people hate Nicki Minaj for all the wrong reasons. . . Her calling herself a Barbie, though annoying, and obnoxious, and. . . stupid, is still accurate, and one has to give her points for being honest with everyone. Also, like I said already, what does her plasticness have to do with her ability to rhyme? Build a bridge, put your Heelys, and skate over that bitch, cause that really shouldn't even be an issue. It's my opinion that people who dislike Nicki Minaj because they think she has had plastic surgery are probably just mad that they don't look like her/can't get a girl that looks like her, in which case, that's on YOU. Step your fuckin' game up, don't hate on her for that...
That being said. . . I personally hate Nicki Minaj's music. . . and I am not all that fond of her as a person either, BUT... that doesn't have an effect on how I feel about her music. Let me preface this by saying one thing: In terms of her actual rap 'skills', she's not bad. . . she is better than many fake internet rappers/McDonalds fry cooks. . . but being able to rap is only half the battle. . . to be a truly good rapper, you have to be able to rap, sound good, and have subject matter that. . . well, isn't horrible. . . it's in the last two categories that Miss Minaj fails in my opinion.
"These bitches so cranky, give them a hanky...
But mami I'm cold, give me my blanky..."
Like I was saying, in terms of content and sound, this bitch fails at life. . . The word blanky and hip hop are not two things that go together. . . it's like another rapper that Rhymes 'quail' with 'jail'. . . *cough* Hov *cough*. But that's not the only thing Miss Minaj and Jay-z have in common. . . in fact, I like they are quite similar, which is probably why I like neither of them... Follow my logic here for a moment. Nicki Minaj is a cocky, mildly talented rapper who does nothing but rap about how amazing she is and how shitty you are... Who doesn't that remind you of? The only difference between her and Hov is he doesn't it by talking about all the shit he owns and his broad. . . she does it by talking about how much better looking she is than you... But, its the same premise. . . these two individuals tell you how good they are, how they are a better rapper than you, how they are better than you in general, because of what they own or how they look. . . and you listen to that message, and never question it. Nor do you question their musical abilities, which is beyond me, but whatever.
That being said, there is one difference between Nicki Minaj and Jay-z. . . and no, I don't mean her implants. . . I mean, Nicki Minaj is always going to be questioned more than Jay-z simply because she is female. . . this is an inevitable fact. As women, whenever we enter a typically 'male domain' (such as hip hop), we are always looked upon as secondary. . . a guest if you will. What I mean by this is, Nicki Minaj could have the exact same skills as Jay-z, be loved by just as many people (she has a lot of fucking fans), etc, but, she will NEVER be taken as seriously as Jay-z, because she is a female...
I don't know if you have noticed this trend when it comes to female rappers, but, for the most part, female rappers usually go one of two ways. . . they are either overtly sexual (Lil Kim, Trina, Nicki Minaj, etc) or they are particularly masculine (for whatever reason). . . Now, there have been a few exceptions to this rule. . . Lauryn Hill for example, who, in my opinion, embodied the best possible balence for a female MC. . . but we see where she is now. My point here is that, it feels like, for a female to succeed in this game, she has to either get herself to a point where men look at her as. . . well. . . one of them. . . or, as extremely attractive in a sexual way. Now, it seems like, from my experience, the former get more respect from males, but don't get as far, while the later, the forwardly sexual, go much father than their masculine counterparts, but are never taken as seriously. I think that someone female MCs think they can use their sexuality as a way to get their foot in the door, but unfortunately, when people come to expect something from you. . . you sort of have to deliver on that to keep their interest. This is why, if tomorrow Nicki Minaj kept rapping the exact same way, but started wearing cardigans, khakis, and loafers, she would lose her whole following. With her, it's not about her skill... its about her image.
To me, that's unfortunate on two levels. One, people will like her whether she is good or not based on how she looks. Two, people will dislike her whether she is good or not based on how she looks. In my opinion, this is bad business. I am not saying that for males, image has nothing to do with it. . . but, um. Well... lesssssbbbbiiiihhhhhoooonnneeeesssstttt... MANY male rappers are unattractive. . . yet it has absolutely no effect on their level of popularity. . . If Nicki Minaj looked like a female version of Biggie, none of us would have even ever heard of her. . . if we are talking about real life here, then we all have to agree with the fact that a man can be ugly and succeed in the rap game. . . a women, not so much. For not so provocative and/or attractive females who want to rap, this is a problem, and it's not fair...
Now, there is a flip side to this problem, and that is, attractive females with huge boobs and a nice ass (real or not) are not only accepted into the game. . . but in some cases, they are held to a lower standard. . . There are SO many problems with that... being pretty does not make you a good rapper, and it certainly shouldn't give you a pass on being annoying... You want to be honest? Let's be honest. Nicki Minaj is annoying, but she can rap, her verses just suck because they are about stupid fake shit that no one should care about and her voice makes me want to slit my wrists. . . but she looks good in a bra and panties and not much else, so people are embracing her. . . they are saying 'Meh, she's cute so. . . fuck it, let's let this shit go'. That line of thinking is wrong. Period. It's wrong. I don't care if she wants to walk around naked with the words 'fuck me' painted on her body in chocolate... if the conglomeration of hip hop is going to embrace her, it should be on the basis of her skill alone.
If she does have fake breasts and a fake ass, why do you think thats the case? Do you think that was for her own edification? Probably not. . . I am guessing, her lady parts enlarged because she knew all about the point I am trying to make here. . . that she was only going to become popular by appealing to the publics sexual desires. . . not their musical ones. For that reason, I both respect and disrespect her, because. . . I mean, mission accomplished. You really can't knock her hustle. . . she makes horrible music and everyone loves her, how can you really look at that and not respect it (I don't mean respect the music, I mean respect that fact that she has made a name for herself)? She didn't just luck up either. I think all of this, everything that she is, it was all very strategic, and in that regard, I respect her. On the other hand, I would respect her more if she came to the table with some amazing skill showcased on some amazing tracks (big tits or not). . . so in that sense, she took the low road in my opinion, and that's kinda wack. . . don't get me wrong, if you are a sexual female, that likes to be provocative, etc, I don't knock that. AT ALL. But, have something more to offer than just that. . . that's my point. Especially when you are trying to pass yourself off as a rapper. There are enough garbage rappers in the world, just because you come in a prettier package, doesn't make you any less garbage.
"A yo', I was on the plane with the Wayne
You can call me Whitley, I go to Hillman
Listen, I'm the baddest in the school, the baddest in the game
Excuse me honey, but nobody's in my lane..."
Really? REALLY? In what world is that 'good' hip hop? Have the standard gone down SO LOW that we will just accept anything as being good? As long as someone just isn't piss poor at spittin' rhymes, it's all good? This broad is like the female Gucci Mane, accept, I think she is actually a better rapper! But in terms of content? Get the fuck outta here! I have listened to several songs of hers, and it's all the same Harajuku Barbie Bad Bitch BULLSHIT over and over again. . . Either the mainstream American musical audience is really fucking stupid, or something isn't right here.
When Nas said hip hop is dead. . . this is what he meant. There is no standard anymore... ESPECIALLY for women. . . and there will continue to be no standard until we create one and start holding artists to it.
Like I said before, it's not her actual rhyming abilities that are horrible, it's her sound and here content.
Please tell me her voice doesn't make you want to slit your wrists. . . PLEASE TELL ME THAT. I mean, for a singer to be considered talented, they have to sound good. . . including of course, their tone. . . maybe not to the same extent, but this goes for rappers as well. . . and in terms of sound, I honestly cannot see how anyone can stand to listen to this broad. I mean really. . . really? She sounds like she has the accent of a white girl from LA. . . combined with a black chick from Jersey. . . that's just really obnoxious.
Also, her content. . . I mean, content is personal, and so lot of discussion is not needed here. . . if you can relate to a woman talking about being a lesbian, riding a good dick, wanting to be named after a woman who sucked the presidents dick, and a whole host of other crazy, nonsensical, bizarre, and, yeah, annoying, shit. . . then God damnit, Nicki Minaj is the rapper for you! But I, even being a female, cannot relate to that. . . and I certainly don't see how any male could find that at all appealing. . . but whatever.
"And they be thinkin they can spit, spit shine my shoes
You know I keep a bad bitch, let me sign ya' boobs
I'm the only thing hoppin', like a kangaroo
I mean the only thing poppin', like a can of brew..."
Ummm. . . Yeah, okay. DOOM could TOTALLY get away with that. . . in an alternate universe. . . if there were no other living beings in it. . . and he couldn't even hear himself say it. . . Really though, it's garbage, like pretty much everything else she says. . . which is actually a shame because, if her voice didn't make me want to end my life, and she talked about something. . . anything. . . other than what she raps about now. . . she could actually be pretty legit.
I guess in summation. . . Nicki Minaj is not a bad rapper. . . per se. Her music IS terrible, but she can rap. . . maybe she just shouldn't. I mean, just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD... I'm just sayin'.
You can call me Whitley, I go to Hillman
Listen, I'm the baddest in the school, the baddest in the game
Excuse me honey, but nobody's in my lane..."
Really? REALLY? In what world is that 'good' hip hop? Have the standard gone down SO LOW that we will just accept anything as being good? As long as someone just isn't piss poor at spittin' rhymes, it's all good? This broad is like the female Gucci Mane, accept, I think she is actually a better rapper! But in terms of content? Get the fuck outta here! I have listened to several songs of hers, and it's all the same Harajuku Barbie Bad Bitch BULLSHIT over and over again. . . Either the mainstream American musical audience is really fucking stupid, or something isn't right here.
When Nas said hip hop is dead. . . this is what he meant. There is no standard anymore... ESPECIALLY for women. . . and there will continue to be no standard until we create one and start holding artists to it.
Like I said before, it's not her actual rhyming abilities that are horrible, it's her sound and here content.
Please tell me her voice doesn't make you want to slit your wrists. . . PLEASE TELL ME THAT. I mean, for a singer to be considered talented, they have to sound good. . . including of course, their tone. . . maybe not to the same extent, but this goes for rappers as well. . . and in terms of sound, I honestly cannot see how anyone can stand to listen to this broad. I mean really. . . really? She sounds like she has the accent of a white girl from LA. . . combined with a black chick from Jersey. . . that's just really obnoxious.
Also, her content. . . I mean, content is personal, and so lot of discussion is not needed here. . . if you can relate to a woman talking about being a lesbian, riding a good dick, wanting to be named after a woman who sucked the presidents dick, and a whole host of other crazy, nonsensical, bizarre, and, yeah, annoying, shit. . . then God damnit, Nicki Minaj is the rapper for you! But I, even being a female, cannot relate to that. . . and I certainly don't see how any male could find that at all appealing. . . but whatever.
"And they be thinkin they can spit, spit shine my shoes
You know I keep a bad bitch, let me sign ya' boobs
I'm the only thing hoppin', like a kangaroo
I mean the only thing poppin', like a can of brew..."
Ummm. . . Yeah, okay. DOOM could TOTALLY get away with that. . . in an alternate universe. . . if there were no other living beings in it. . . and he couldn't even hear himself say it. . . Really though, it's garbage, like pretty much everything else she says. . . which is actually a shame because, if her voice didn't make me want to end my life, and she talked about something. . . anything. . . other than what she raps about now. . . she could actually be pretty legit.
I guess in summation. . . Nicki Minaj is not a bad rapper. . . per se. Her music IS terrible, but she can rap. . . maybe she just shouldn't. I mean, just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD... I'm just sayin'.
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