Fans were puzzled when Nicki Minaj wasn’t included in Spotify’s “The Gold Standard Exhibition,” which celebrated women setting the bar in hip-hop. However, it seems Nicki chose to sit this one out.
On Thursday, the streaming app launched its New York City activation, showcasing “fine art portraits” of influential female hip-hop artists like Flo Milli, Cardi B, Latto, Ice Spice, GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Sexyy Red, City Girls, Doja Cat, and more. The event aimed to honor the women shaping the genre, yet many noticed the absence of Nicki Minaj, as well as icons like Lil Kim and Missy Elliott.
Singer Summer Walker also pointed out the omission, expressing her surprise on social media: “I don’t even listen to hella Nicki cause I’m an R&B lover. But where is the Queen.. or Lil Kim at least or Missy Elliott…this mad disrespectful,” Walker wrote. “This is why I make my music and go home, the industry is weird.”
Another fan expressed their disbelief, saying, “This can’t be serious…. Foxy Brown, Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? Now come on @spotify NICKI MINAJ IS STILL THERE SELLING BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM WHERE IS SHE ????”
According to the artist behind the portraits, Manon Biernacki, Nicki Minaj actually chose not to be part of the exhibition. Biernacki shared a behind-the-scenes clip showing the creation of the project, which was her first solo art show. “Thank you so much for all your support in this adventure and to everyone who helped make this dream a reality!” Biernacki wrote on Instagram. “Ps: don’t come after me in my DMs, Nicki didn’t want to be part of the show.”
