Music

Nicki Minaj Calls Out Designers for Exploiting Black Culture

The rapper made a strong statement while performing at Phillip Plein's NYFW after-party.

Though there’s been a strong push to increase diversity in fashion, Nicki Minaj reminded the industry there is still plenty of room for improvement.

On Sunday night, the 34-year-old artist took to the stage at Philipp Plein’s NYFW show after-party, where she performed "Rake It Up," "No Flag," as well as her rendition of "Black Beatles" alongside 21 Savage, Rae Sremmurd, and Yo Gotti.

The Cut reports that toward the end of her performance, Nicki took the time to thank Plein for his work as well as supporting diversity through his label. She also blasted other unnamed designers for not only exploiting black culture, but also refusing to include black people in their shows.

"Thank you, Philipp Plein, for including our culture," she told the crowd. "Designers get really big and really rich off of our culture, and then you don’t see a motherfucker that look anything like us in the front row half the time. So let’s make some noise for Philipp Plein tonight."

Earlier this year, Nicki also called out designer Giuseppe Zanotti after he refused to take her call about a potential business partnership. Nicki called the situation “disrespectful,” as Zanotti had previously used her name on his footwear designs.

"Just go on google, you'll see all the different pairs he's named after me," she wrote on Twitter. "Lil black girl can inspire u but ain't worth a collection my nig?"

As she was leaving the Phillip Plein event Sunday night, Nicki showed love to a crowd of fans waiting outside.

"I love you and I adore you," she said, before mentioning her highly anticipated fourth studio album. "Oh, the album. Oh my God! The album is so fuckin’ good!”

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