I have never seen social media so uncomfortable. The internet is in a frenzy after clips surfaced of Nicki Minaj’s Q&A at Turning Point USA’s America Fest on Sunday, December 21. Hip-hop royalty expressed her appreciation for President Donald Trump, leaving the world stunned or, in her words, gagged.
After seeing these clips, I immediately wondered if her fans would turn on her. We have seen celebrities like Nelly face backlash for performing at certain events, and R&B singer Chrisette Michele seemed to get canceled in the Black community for doing the same. I immediately wondered if Nicki would face a similar reaction.
The difference is her level of stardom. She has a devoted fan base called the Barbs, and these fans are ready to follow Nicki’s lead in almost everything. That made me wonder what happens when someone with this much influence expresses political views that may not appeal to the typical fan. Is an artist’s political opinion a make or break for a music fan?
You might think that if a fan is truly loyal, they would support the artist beyond the music, whether it is who they date, what they say, or even who they support politically. On the other hand, this is a lot heavier than who they sleep with. This involves issues like the economy, healthcare, education, and more. I can imagine how awkward it must feel for someone who disagrees with her political stance to see an artist they admire support that person.
At the end of the day, an artist is primarily in the business of making music. Still, I wonder how her fans are feeling. From looking at social media, this could impact Nicki Minaj’s legacy in a significant way. At the same time, it highlights the risks public figures face when sharing political opinions. I am curious to see how fans will react and what changes this could potentially bring to the music industry.
Leave a Reply