If I was a different "kind" of artist, Anaconda would be nominated for best choreo and vid of the year as well. 😊😊😊
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015In her online tweet spree, Minaj expressed disappointment that the clip was left off the list — especially given the impact it's had on pop culture since its release.
Ellen did her own anaconda video and did the #choreo lol. Remember her doing that kick 😩. Even mtv did a post on the choreo @MTV remember?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015U couldn't go on social media w/o seeing ppl doing the cover art, choreo, outfits for Halloween...an impact like that & no VOTY nomination?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015Minaj went on to say that she believes the Video of the Year snub was a racially charged decision.
When the "other" girls drop a video that breaks records and impacts culture they get that nomination. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015Things really blew up, though, when Swift joined the conversation. Interpreting Minaj's tweet as a pointed criticism of her "Bad Blood" clip, Swift took the jab personally and responded by trying to keep the feminist peace. Minaj denied any attack against Swift and reciprocated the love.
@NICKIMINAJ I've done nothing but love & support you. It's unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot..
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 21, 2015Huh? U must not be reading my tweets. Didn't say a word about u. I love u just as much. But u should speak on this. @taylorswift13
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015Minaj claimed that she wasn't targeting Swift (though a string of retweeted messages from fans doesn't do much to support that theory), and tried to drive home her point about the media's unfair coverage of black women. In a since deleted tweet, radio personality Ryan Seacrest took Swift's side and spun the story to make her look like the victim of a cat fight in the situation. Minaj called him out for perpetuating the tactics of white media.
Ryan posted a headline of Taylor saying she loves & supports me. But not me saying the same to her. Lol. Their headline says I took a "jab"?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015I'm so glad u guys get to see how this stuff works. Taylor took her music off spotify and was applauded. We launched Tidal & were dragged.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015Despite Swift's attempt at keeping the peace, many in the Twitterverse accused her of taking Minaj's totally valid points about the portrayal of black women in media and slotting it in to a storyline that portrays Swift as the victim.
@NICKIMINAJ If I win, please come up with me!! You're invited to any stage I'm ever on.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 21, 2015.@taylorswift13 stop using "support all girls" as an excuse to not be critical of racist media that benefits and glorifies you
— berenice (@itsbereniced) July 21, 2015Things were left in a rather tense state with Minaj's last RT reading:
I'm baffled as to WHY @taylorswift13 felt the need to come at @NickiMinaj for speaking on behalf of unsung black female entertainers..
— Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) July 21, 2015The MTV Music Video Awards air on August 30, and as always, it's sure to be a night filled with drama. Maybe this year, though, a bigger message like Minaj's will actually cut through the clashing egos of flashy music stars and get some time in the spotlight.
