Dear Old Nicki…

Dear Nicki Minaj,

There was a point in time where I was one of your biggest fans. I loved everything about you, from your presence, to your authority, to the fun and empowering music you released. You were one of my favorite rappers.

When you did that MTV documentary “My Time Now” when Pink Friday was about to drop, I felt like I knew you. I even remember going to see you while you were on tour with Brittney Spears, you were the only reason I went. Over the years, though, my affinity for your music has drastically changed.

There was a specific moment when my separation from your art began, and why it’s been hard for me to support one of my favorite artists since.

In the summer of 2018, there was a writer on Twitter who critiqued your music and you were (allegedly) informed about it via your fan base, the Barbz. You proceeded to send the writer a direct message, calling her names and berating her viciously — all because she expressed how she desired mature music from one of her favorite rappers.

From that moment, it was chaos.

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the Barbz attacked this woman every day from the day you sent that direct message, and she reposted it on her timeline. They’ve emailed her death threats, degraded her daughter, and stalked her social media persistently. And she’s not the only one. They’ve also leaked phone numbers, home addresses, and harassed various strangers, all in support of you.

And you don’t say anything.

You advocate for women supporting women and feminism, but you allow these women to endure this unsettling behavior, but at what cost? I’m aware that your trek within the industry may have not always been the easiest, but I’ve had a really hard time trying to wrap my head around why you haven’t spoken out.

I know you may have felt disrespected or mistreated by that writer — or any other critic who had something to say — but does anyone’s opinion deserve this much pain in return?

I’ve asked myself if you were aware of what was going on, then I told myself you couldn’t control strangers, but I also said maybe you don’t care that much because you think it’s what they deserve.

As a person who loves Nicki Minaj and wants to continue to support you through your endeavors, I have to tell you I can’t support something which allows and inflates volatile and inhumane behavior on another woman. I have to fight for these women just like somebody fought for you. I hope one day you fight for them, too.

I also hope one day we can have a conversation about this and I can see life through your eyes for an hour or two. If we never do, I understand.

Signed,

A Puzzled Fan