Human Right: Nicki Minaj criticized for Show Unitel Boas Festas performance in Angola

She’s got beef with Miley Cyrus, but Nicki Minaj is fine with dictators.

Nicki Minaj

The hip hop superstar will fly to Angola, ruled by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, to perform for “millions” at the Show Unitel Boas Festas on Dec.19. And in a twist of irony, dos Santos currently has democracy activists who questioned human rights abuses locked up without charges or a trial. The group, known as the Angola 15, includes some musicians, like Angolan hip-hop artist Luaty Beirao. Hear that Nicki?

The gig was flagged by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights group, whose Africa Policy Director, Jeffrey Smith told Confidenti@l: “Nicki Minaj is following in the footsteps of Mariah Carey, callously taking money from a dictator who's been in power for nearly four decades and who has effectively and ruthlessly choked free expression, setting a horrible precedent not only for Angola, but for the entire region. This sustained crackdown on basic human rights in Angola has swept up activists, opposition members, journalists, and even musicians, including Luaty Beirão, part of the collective now known as the Angola 15, who was until recently on a hunger strike to protest his inhumane treatment in prison.”

 

The Human Rights Foundation has asked the rapper to cancel the appearance, but a video promoting the Christmas festival has the rapper herself saying she’ll be there. 

“It’s on Saturday, there’s still plenty of time for her to cancel,” said Daniel Cronin, Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “Maybe she could go play a concert for people who need cheering up right now, like in San Bernardino.”