Nicki Minaj ‘losing fans’ over ‘homophobic’ lyrics in new album ‘Queen’
Nicki Minaj pulled out of a concert in Saudi Arabia to show support for women and LGBT+ people. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
LGBT fans of Nicki Minaj are criticising the artist’s latest album ‘Queen’ over lyrics which some have deemed ‘offensive’ and ‘homophobic’.
The 35-year-old, who released her latest catalogue on August 10, references themes related to gay culture in two of her tracks.
On the song “Barbie Dreams”, which is about all of the men she’s rejected and lists other artists such as Drake, 50 Cent and DJ Khaled, Minaj describes Young Thug in what some see as a derogatory manner.
The artist’s lyrics explain that she didn’t continue a relationship with Young Thug because the rapper likes to wear dresses.
“Used to fuck with Young Thug / I ain’t addressing this shit / caught him in my dressing room / stealing dresses and shit / I used to give this ni**a with a lisp testers and shit / how you want the pu-thy? / can’t say s’s and shit,” Minaj raps.
Another track on the album which has also received criticism from LGBT fans is “Majesty” which features guest artists Eminem and Labrinth.
During the song she says: “Who want it with Nicki now? / I smoke ‘em like hippies now / they see me say ‘Yippie’ now / home runnin’ like Griffey now / they switchin’ like sissies now / you n***as is iffy now.”
Some disgruntled listeners hit out at Minaj’s use of the word “sissies”, labelling it as “casual homophobia.”
One Twitter user wrote: “I was about to buy @NickiMinaj’s album #Queen until I heard her track with Eminem where she says “They switching like sissies now” – sweetie, the LGBT community are the majority of your fanbase and got you to where you are. Casual homophobia in 2018? You’re over sis. #QueenRadio.”
The same ex-fan on social media also wrote: “The barbz will do anything to defend Nicki, as a barb I used to do the same. But there’s a young gay boy out there listening to her music hearing ‘faggot’ and ‘sissy’ – the same taunts he gets from bullies at school and is wondering why even his idol is against him.”
INGLEWOOD, CA – AUGUST 27: Nicki Minaj attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
It’s not the first time that the singer has caused controversy with ‘homophobic’ lyrics. She’s previously used the word “faggots” on her 2008 track “Dead Wrong.”
The lyrics read: “First they love you / then they switch / yeah, they switch like faggots / that’s why I keep the llamas in Gabbana’s fabrics.”
However some fans defended Minaj against the accusations and said it was “a reach” for people to be complaining about ‘homophobic’ lyrics.
One fan wrote: “[Sic] Lmao, that couldve meant anything… stop being so damn sensitive and actually dicpher what she was saying. Nicki got punchlines that make you think twice. “Sissies” could mean scaredy cat, baby, or wimp. Switching up means theyre switching up and becoming scared of her.”
However another Twitter user disagreed and wrote: “I think we can all agree that Barbie Dreams by Nicki Minaj is a homophobic text at worst, and at best an unwarranted dismissal of cultural innovators Young Thug and Lil Uzi Vert. She has revealed how ignorant and regressive she truly is.”
Minaj has not yet responded or commented publicly about the accusations.
