I’m sick of this weird, constant sexism against Nicki Minaj — and she is, too

Nicki Minaj is among the best in the game — not just rap-wise, but across all genres. Period. Lyrics and longevity aside, she’s the highest paid woman in hip-hop, according to Forbes. She’s a commercial, financial, and critical success. By any standard, she’s a Great.

But when the rapper speaks on her prowess and accomplishments, she’s not always met with kindness. There’s a barrage of sexism, dismissal, and even odd accusations like, “Nicki makes everything about her.”

Eh, not so much.

Let’s examine the facts: Nicki’s established herself as an independent force in music, snagged major endorsement deals, won dozens coveted awards, released her own fragrance, and more — over the course of just a decade. (Full disclosure, yes I am a stan).

But despite her myriad accomplishments, Nicki says she still doesn’t feel like she gets the respect she deserves. In an interview with Ebro, cohost of New York’s Hot 97 morning radio, she says she holds men in power accountable.

In the short video clip, Minaj discusses how she doesn’t want to be labeled as “good for a girl” by male voices in media. She’s good period, and the “for a girl” qualifier is straight-up sexism.

“Good for a girl” is what men say when they feel the eeever so slight inclination to uplift a woman. Of course, they can’t overstep the boundaries of faux-superiority that stem from their toxic masculinity, so they have to toss out the “for a girl” to remind us of our place. They are so bound by their own insecurities and ideas of self that they can’t admit their enjoyment or acknowledge a talented, hardworking woman. It’s a sad case, really.

Nicki says then men who do cop to enjoying her music literally question their masculinity and sexuality, wondering if they’re “gay” now for liking her songs and verses.

“Any secure-ass man can give a woman props for what she does,” Nicki explains in the interview. “You don’t have to feel like, ‘Oh, am I a Barb now?’ You don’t have to be gay to think Nicki Minaj is an ill rapper.”

What other things are men not enjoying or participating in due to the fragile nature of their egos? Inner body cleanliness and exfoliating scrubs? A moisturized t-zone? Wine? Eating with a fork? Spend some time on Man Twitter and you’ll see some guys are so afraid of seeming gay, they don’t wash their assholes. I’m not kidding.

Guys, you’ve got to stop restricting yourselves and allowing women’s work to go under-appreciated in the process. If y’all were a bit more grounded and not so committed to walking around with dead skin on y’alls faces, you might realize that you’re not sacrificing anything by thinking Nicki Minaj is dope.

And since we’re taking it to the next level, let’s say it in addition to just thinking it so women aren’t always forced to constantly share our narrative because no one else will do it truthfully.

You just might discover some great new music in the process.

@brooklynrwhite