Nicki Minaj Cancels Women’s Rights Concert in Saudi Arabia

Nicki Minaj chose morality over cash when she pulled the headline from the Jeddah World Fest in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (July 9).

The polarizing rapper became more educated about the Middle Eastern country’s rigid sex policies and wanted to promote the rights of women, the LGBTQ community, and freedom.

in her words:

“After careful reflection, I have decided to no longer move forward with my scheduled concert at Jeddah World Fest,”

The Queen’s author told The Associated Press in a statement.

Minaj continued, “While I want nothing more than to present my show to fans in Saudi Arabia, I think it is essential for me to make my support for women’s rights, the LGBTQ community and liberty of speech clearer after better teaching myself on the problems.”

 

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Gender segregation in Saudi Arabia is still legal and implemented in many restaurants, public schools, and universities. More lately, females were permitted in sports stadiums to drive and attend activities.

When she first embraced the gig, the Queens-bred musician caught pushing away from the Human Rights Foundation and other followers. The Foundation encouraged Minaj and the other artists to return from the concert through an open letter, asking her to “cancel your appearance as a sign of solidarity with the Saudi people’s continuing suffering.”

Minaj was commended by the non-profit organization for her heart shift. “This sounds like governance,” said Thor Halvorssen, President of the Foundation for Human Rights. “We are thankful to Nicki Minaj for her thoughtful and inspirational choice to dismiss the transparent attempt by the Saudi regime to use her for a stunt in public relations,” he continued.

 

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Previous Saudi-Arabia entertainers include Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, the Black Eyed Peas, Sean Paul, and more. This is not the first time that the Cash Money artist has regarded playing against the desires of the Human Rights Foundation in a nation.

In December 2015, despite the backlash, she agreed to a show in Angola and replied to the criticism stating, “It will be condemned every language that rises against me in judgment.”