BSHR Indie Music Magazine - Anniversary Issue [Sept. 2012]

Page 29

Nicki Minaj

An honest defense for Nicki Minaj

WRITTEN BY CHRIS THORNHILL

I

see it often, throughout the internet, becoming almost as common as the public distaste in Nickelback or Twilight. People are wondering how and why Nicki Minaj has fans at all, and it seems to be the norm to express a dislike for her, and her music. Why? Has she become repetitive to the point of annoyance? Has she taken her look too far? Has she gone too mainstream? Perhaps. It is true she is not rapping for the chance to get big; she has done her time there. She is now one of the biggest rappers in music today, and the most successful female rapper ever. And I enjoy her music, with no shame at all. As someone with a vast taste in music, like most people taking the time to read this, I of course respect music that has value. I love lyrics that speak to me, or have a wonderful melody, or that just flow together with a perfect blend of those two elements. But you know what other music I like? Any music. I love anything that makes me enjoy whatever moment I am sharing the song with. When I was little I loved The Backstreet Boys, and danced around like a dorky kid does when he is listening to cheesy pop. I don’t deny my love for the music just because it doesn’t speak to some artistic moment in my life. I embrace the love I have for the music based on the fact that I enjoyed it at one point. Backstreet Boys Millennium was a piece of my childhood. Nicki Minaj has some great catchy rap songs, that speak to the world about nothing but having a good time and how she is a female rapper in a man’s world. Being a woman in the rap game is a standout great thing in itself. I follow rap, and seeing a woman breaking boundaries, objectifying men for a change, speaking about the triumphs she has made is admirable in itself. The rap genre is not one that most people would consider full of integrity, but it is what it is. Rap is here to stay and Nicki Minaj has broken boundaries, and whether or not you enjoy her music, you should respect her, and how far she has come in her genre. And if you can’t dance at least a little to “Super Bass” then I just don’t know what to do to help you. Not every movie has to be deep and thoughtful, it is okay to watch a kids movie. Not every song has to be deep and emotional, it is okay to want to dance and feel like an empowered tough rapper. Indulge yourself.

BSHR Indie Music Magazine

29


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