Rapper Nicki Minaj is being asked to reconsider her decision to perform in Saudi Arabia at Jeddah World Fest later this month.
The 36-year-old entertainer, who is known for her distinctive flair and who has drawn criticism from detractors for her sexually explicit lyrics, is set to perform in one of the most conservative and restrictive countries for women. The Human Rights Foundation pointed out the dissonance in a five-page letter to the rapper, penned by HRF President Thor Halvorssen.
“Ms. Minaj, as you can see, you are scheduled to perform at a state-sponsored event in one of the most repressive regimes on earth — a country whose leader has also led a relentless campaign to silence women’s rights activists,” the letter reads. “Many of the women who have advocated to lift the driving ban in Saudi Arabia are currently in jail and being subjected to torture that includes electric shocks, flogging, and rape.”
Halvorssen, 43, also acknowledged in a press release that Minaj recently celebrated gay pride month in June, a month punctuated by parades and events celebrating the gay community. He contrasted her participation in Saudi Arabia, a country operating under Sharia law where homosexuality is criminalized.
“What is Nicki Minaj thinking? How does she participate at World Pride one week and then hop on a jet to collect millions from a regime that beheaded five gay men this past April?” Halvorssen wondered. “There is no good reason for Minaj to do business with the Saudi dictatorship. If she proceeds with the show, she will be whitewashing the vast array of human rights crimes committed by [Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman] including torture, rape, extrajudicial assassination, and the slaughter of innocent civilians.”
Jeddah World Fest has some other splashy performers slated to attend including DJ Steve Aoki, and singer Liam Payne. The event is billed as drug- and alcohol-free and women there will be required to wear clothing that conforms with the country’s Islamic law, a stark contrast to Minaj’s wardrobe.
Minaj later pulled out of the event, citing the kingdom’s treatment of women and gay people.
“After careful reflection I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest. While I want nothing more than to bring my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, after better educating myself on the issues, I believe it is important for me to make clear my support for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community and freedom of expression,” Minaj said in a Tuesday statement to the Associated Press.
