Artist News

Nicki Minaj Only director ‘sorry not sorry’ for ‘Nazi-representative’ imagery in lyric clip

By | Published on Thursday 13 November 2014

nickiminajonly

Nicki Minaj may have said she’s ‘sorry’ for deploying what many claim is Nazi-like imagery in the lyric video for her new single ‘Only’; but the clip’s director Jeff Osbourne certainly hasn’t. Said sorry, that is. Though, he’s said he’s sorry for not being sorry… which is nearly the same thing as really saying sorry, right? Erm.

Following a series of contrite tweets sent by Minaj, Osbourne yesterday released his own separate statement (via Myspace, strike one), which he’s made clear in no way reflects Nicki Minaj’s personal views. Or those of the track’s ‘featured’ co-stars Drake, Lil Wayne and/or Chris Brown.

And it reads: “First, I’m not apologising for my work, nor will I dodge the immediate question. The flags, armbands, and gas mask (and perhaps my use of symmetry?) are all representative of Nazism”.

Oh, so that’s pretty clear then. Even if Minaj didn’t seem to be that aware of that fact. But, adds Osbourne, “a majority” of the paraphernalia and symbolism featured in the video is also American, not least the Lincoln Memorial, which is represented as a big throne-like seat on which Minaj sits. “What’s also American”, he goes on, “is the First Amendment, which I’ve unexpectedly succeeded in showing how we wilfully squeeze ourselves out of that right every day”.

And at last, an explanation. Of sorts. Writes Osbourne: “I think it’s actually important to remind younger generations of atrocities that occurred in the past as a way to prevent them from happening in the future. And the most effective way of connecting with people today is through social media and pop culture. So if my work is misinterpreted because it’s not a sappy tearjerker, sorry I’m not sorry. What else is trending?”

As previously reported, the ‘Only’ lyric vid was criticised by viewers (and America’s Anti-Defamation League) earlier this week, when people began pointing to certain visual aspects of it (its stark black, red and white colouring, for instance) that seemed to cite so-called Nazi iconography.

Once the complaints started rolling in, Minaj took to Twitter to apologise and explain that the clip was in fact inspired by various cartoons and comic books, whilst at the same time covering her back somewhat by stating that she hadn’t “come up with the concept”. Oh, and she also said that she does not “condone Nazism in [her] art”.



READ MORE ABOUT: |