Politics of Hip Hop Culture: Nikki Minaj = Lil Kim 3.0
Nikki Minaj
Today I kick off my 2010 Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour. I’ll be speaking about sex, race, capitalism, and the criminal justice system as it relates to hip hop in Newport Richey, FL. When I speak about women, I will speak specifically on Nikki Minaj and how her marketing seems so Lil Kim 3.0. So much of how she is positioned is sexual and there is not much made of her actual lyrical skills but how big her booty is. Funny to me because I have yet to see a female rapper really build financial security when all they are made to be is Black barbies. So therefore, if you’re a female rapper in 2010, why do you wanna be Lil’ Kim? I’d rather be Queen Latifah who still (20 years in) gets acting and music checks. I’d rather be Lauryn Hill who is getting songwriting royalty checks. I’d rather be MC Lyte who is getting voice over and acting money. So whoever is marketing Nikki Minaj, please do your homework, particularly if you care about the longevity of her career. I, for one, would like to see her be more than a flash in the pan.
Lil Kim in the 90's
College students, we’re bout to get it in. I don’t play when it comes to hip hop. What do you think? Should Nikki Minaj become the 2010 version of Lil Kim? What’s in it for her in the long term?
Tags: hip hop culture, Lil Kim, nicki minaj, nikki minaj, politics of hip hop culture
About the Author
Yasmin Shiraz is the President of Still Eye Rise Films, an independent production company which films educational and thought provoking documentaries that chronicle the lives, traumas and experiences of youth. Her first production, Can She Be Saved?, a documentary that examines violence among middle school girls, was an official selection of the 2009 Roxbury Film Festival and recently won a 2009 Indie Award of Merit from IndieFest.
Yasmin Shiraz is the Award winning Author of Retaliation a novel about a community’s response to youth violence. In 2009, it was selected as one of the top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers by the American Library Association. She is the author of The Blueprint for My Girls: How To Build A Life Full of Courage, Determination & Self Love (Simon and Schuster) and five other books. Her best selling “Blueprint” empowerment series is utilized as a self esteem, motivational, and educational tool at middle and high schools, after school programs, non-profit youth centers, as well as Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country. 
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