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Never shying away from controversy, Nicki Minaj is true to self!  The latest controversy surrounds her new single cover “LOOKIN ASS  N*GGA” with the infamous picture of Malcolm X holding a rifle, a M1 Carbine.  Since we are all adults here, yes, I am not paraphrasing the single title! So we are about to have a “grown folks” conversation.  Put the kids to bed! 

One of my faithful Facebook blog readers, Amado K. Figueroa, suggested I blog about this topic.  My first impression of Nicki’s single cover, was I am not surprised, this is Nicki Minaj after all.  Sad to say I was not the least bit shocked!  My instinct was to surmise what her motivation would be for using this historic photo with the foul terminology.  That’s how my mind works.  I always want to know why and I am always searching for a deeper meaning.  I guess that is the Virgo and writer in me!  So why did Nicki do this?  The obvious reason being would be to start a controversy and boost the sale of her single.  But there is always a hidden meaning behind the superficiality and I am wondering what was going through Nicki’s mind.

I had a chance to watch the video of her new single and that left me more perplexed.  I was at first thinking in some sort of twisted way Nicki was using the N word in terms of giving Malcolm X props in her own warped way.  As if to say, Malcolm was an OG Nigga!  He was “bout it bout it.” He was cool.   He was fly.  But after watching the video of Nicki berating no good men…or as we women like to say no good niggas, I am even more perplexed!  And the content of her video is another blog in itself!

However, in either scenario referring to Malcom X as a Nigga is disrespectful to his family and his legacy.  I also would like to know did she have to get permission to use the photo?  If so, who gave permission?  And if not, does she have the right to use it or any other photo for that matter?  We all use pictures in social media everyday that we do not have the rights or license to use.  We post pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and add  our own wording and some derogatory connotations.  So is Nicki wrong for doing what society has allowed?  But where do you draw the line between artistic creativity and freedom of speech?  Are we more offended at her use of the N word with a picture of Malcolm or would we be o.k. with her using just the picture of Malcolm?  Or neither?

At present there is a petition circulating to have the single cover removed through Change.org Do I think Nicki Minaj is a creative branding genius that definitely has more money in the bank than me, Yes!  Do I agree with all of her methods, No!  But that is the beauty of conversation and artistic freedom.  Nothing is in black and white and we all have the right to express ourselves.  And if you want change to occur, you can let your voice be heard and do something about it!

Written By

Cynthia Rogers

So not only is it Black History month but it is also the month of the Aquarius from January 20-February 18 Aquarius rules the skies and it is also my birth month and Sign . Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac, we are the humanitarians of the Zodiac signs they are honest truth seekers, and they are broad-minded and creative people,  alot of people think that Aquarius is a water sign because of its symbol, from his jug the water bearer pours out water like the ideas that come from a unrestrained mind but it is actually a intellectual air sign, that would explain my pure genius lols joke . Some famous celebrities who share my zodiac sign are Michael Jordan, Jennifer Aniston, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey, Alicia keys, Babe Ruth, and Rick Ross just to name a few

Some positive traits about Aquarians they are very talented people born with a natural intelligence. They are creative and innovative their  very honest in their business and professional life they are extremely dedicated to their work and craft and that’s what makes them great leaders. Its said that Aquarians are very impulsive they act off of there instincts, I know that with me being a Aquarius this is a true fact for me. Aquarians are also public people and social butterflies they take interest in various topics weather you are talking about sports, fashion, or the weather a Aquarius is always interested in giving there point of view on the particular topic at hand.

We all know that for every positive action there will always be a negative reaction and Aquarius is no different from any other zodiac sign. Some negative traits about a Aquarius is once they have a thought or plan in their mind they can be stubborn and determine their path is a right one regardless of if it is or is not. They can be somewhat emotionless in a relationship are too restless and become bored quite easily. Being somewhat rebellious and eccentric they can be a bit unpredictable in their actions. While very much attuned to the energies around them, Aquarians have a deep need to take time out and just be them selves, personally I like to sit in a very quiet room and do my thinking that way. The key word for this sign is  imagination, because the Aquarian can see a endless world of opportunity and possibilities even when  there appears to be none to the people around them. I could go on and on about the Aquarius Zodiac sign, because I am really interested in studying astrology and Greek mythology but this was just a brief introduction to the Astrology world I hope you found this information entertaining and that’s why I am proud to be team Aquarius.

Well, T.I. And Tiny had the internet buzzing the other day when the apparently tarnished their picture perfect relationship by posting some cryptic tweets that had everyone wondering if they were on the way to splitsville:

To which Tiny replied:

Now, Tiny’s girl jumped in quick to squash the hype. And later, rumors circulated like crazy after T.I. was a no-show at the Grammys and he and Tiny partied separately afterward.

T.I. says yeah, there was a big argument, but it was over something pretty stupid.  Tiny wanted to walk the Grammy red carpet and watch the show but T.I. wanted none of it.  He says they angrily challenged each other on who would end up having more fun that night.

T.I. says the next morning … they mended fences.

Uh huh.

That don’t sound quite kosher to ME, but hey.  Actually, it doesn’t sound right to a number of people.  The whispers have now turned to conversations about the whole incident being a publicity stunt to promote their new season of their show, and also to promote Tiny’s new Tequila line , which is unnamed at this point and she is trying to get people to submit ideas @ www.tinystequila.com .

Sooooo yeah…I’m thinking this was all a way to hustle up an audience for Tiny’s liquor, which I’ve NEVER heard of until this story dropped, cuz the break up story makes no sense, and neither one of these two are slow, lol.

Bet it works tho…

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Well looks like the rumors were true, Bey & Jay got the party started last night at the 2014 Grammy Awards!  Some thought the performance was a little too naughty!  I guess they missed seeing her new videos.  That should have given a clue to what kind of performance we could have expected!

There were a lot of unexpected moments including performances and award winners!  But thank God for DVR and LL Cool J’s lips!  I am sorry but half way through the show I somehow became so disenchanted that I had to take a nap. But after my little nap I was able to rewind and catch right back up.  During my little doze I did miss the return of the Geriatric Country Reunion with Willie Nelson and The Good Ole’ Boys!  Glad I slept through that!

Some other disturbing moments for me were as much as I love Pink, I am afraid she needs to learn some new tricks and I thought Lorde was having some type of psychotic episode during her performance.  I woke up with “Royal” in my head.  Not good!  And you know I cannot leave Pharrell out, Mr. Park Ranger in capris himself!  All I can say is, artists are truly free spirits but in need of better stylists!  But he has all the Grammy’s so who am I to judge!

And one of the best performances during the night was Daft Punk, including Stevie Wonder, Pharrell and Mr. Le Freak himself, Nile Rodgers!  Made you want to  go and “get lucky”  last night!  Love the song, but can someone please explain to me the concept of these French men with Darth Vader masks on!  All I know is they must have been hot as heck!

I did enjoy the Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “going to the chapel” performance.  I wasn’t sure what was going on with Madonna looking like a cowgirl on crack acting as if she had stage fright! Thank God Queen Latifah was the hype girl!  Guess she knew Madonna needed some help!

Speaking of hype- so was the Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons performance!  I do hope after the Grammy’s someone pulled Taylor Swift aside and told her not to ever dance like that again!

But all in all the Grammy Awards were once again unforgettable and still political.  No award for Blurred Lines and Kendrick Lamar or anyone else for that matter!  But that is why we have the Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards!  You can’t get robbed there at least not too badly!  

Written By

Cynthia Rogers