A throng of human rights protesters wasn't enough to stop Nicki Minaj from performing in Angola.
The hip-hop star went through with her much-maligned concert in the
dictator-led nation on Saturday — just days after activists begged her
to cancel the show.
Members of the Human Rights Foundation and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights group hoped the 33-year-old artist would nix her holiday concert gig since it was hosted by Unitel, a company run by Angola's dictator, Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
Dos Santos has been accused of heading an extremely corrupt regime
since taking over in 1979. Many people in his country live off of less
than $2 per day, and he has been widely criticized for his treatment of
those opposing him, as well as his treatment of human rights.
In the days leading up Minaj's concert, the Kennedy Humans Rights group
expressed tremendous displeasure with the rapper performing at a show
on Dos Santos' behalf.
"(Minaj is) callously taking money from a dictator who's been in power
for nearly four decades and who has effectively and ruthlessly choked
free expression," the group's Africa Policy Director, Jeffrey Smith told
the Daily News' Confidenti@l page.
"This sustained crackdown on basic human rights in Angola has swept up
activists, opposition members, journalists and even musicians."
Minaj, however, never wavered, as she posted several messages on social media to promote the controversial show.
On Saturday, Minaj shared a snapshot of herself stepping off of her plane as she arrived in the African country.
"See u at the show tonight, Angola!" she wrote.
She then shared another message in the moments leading up to the concert, writing: "Oh hai, Angola. Ready for the show?"
The "Super Bass" singer then thanked her audience after the show,
sharing a photo of herself with Angola's flag draped over her back.
Saturday's show isn't the only reason Minaj has been in the news lately. The rapper announced on Instagram on Friday that 11-year-old actress Ariana Neal will play her in the upcoming ABC sitcom about her life and career, "Nicki."
"I literally cried watching her taped audition," Minaj captioned a
photo of the young actress. "She's tough! And so sweet & cute."
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