Nicki Minaj: Apology Issued for Nazi Imagery in 'Only' Music Video

Nicki Minaj tweeted an apology Tuesday after fans complained that her "Only" music video included Nazi imagery.

I didn't come up w/the concept, but I'm very sorry & take full responsibility if it has offended anyone. I'd never condone Nazism in my art.

— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014

The singer explained that the offensive content was unintentional, saying the artist was influenced by a cartoon and that the person who oversaw the video is Jewish.

Both the producer, & person in charge of over seeing the lyric video (one of my best friends & videographer: A. Loucas), happen to be Jewish

— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014

The artist who made the lyric video for “Only” was influenced by a cartoon on Cartoon Network called "Metalocalypse" & Sin City.

— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014

The animated video was criticized for the use of red and black flags with symbols resembling swastikas and soldiers wearing arm bands.

"Nicki Minaj’s new video disturbingly evokes Third Reich propaganda and constitutes a new low for pop culture’s exploitation of Nazi symbolism,” National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abraham H. Foxman said, according to Fox News.

Twitter users had mixed reactions to her apology.

but seriously @NICKIMINAJ i love you and appreciate the apology, but please change your avi to something less 'third reich fascist dictator'

— not a white man (@NotAllBhas) November 11, 2014

so Nicki Minaj has apologised about what I ranted about this morning so yeah. I despise what she did but I appreciate her apology - cara x

— 1D Updates & News ™ (@1DwwaupdatesWW) November 11, 2014

Nicki Minaj used the same exact language folks hate in that apology and you ate it up. SAME.EXACT.LANGUAGE.

— Jawn the Baptist (@EyanJ) November 11, 2014

nicki minaj's apology would have been ok if she left out the "the ppl who worked on it were jewish" that just kidna soured the whole thing

— Ken Kardashian (@Persona3Golden) November 11, 2014

If anyone wants to learn how to make a good apology, a context-rich apology that prioritizes impact over intent, see @NICKIMINAJ's timeline.

— Ghost Witch (@mcdaldno) November 11, 2014

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