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Shabazz voiced her concerns when Minaj released the aforementioned “Lookin’ Ass Ni**a” track’s promotional cover, used without consent from the family.

“Ms. Minaj’s artwork for her single does not depict the truth of Malcolm X’s legacy, is completely disrespectful, and in no way is endorsed by my family,” Ilyasah Shabazz said to the New York Daily News back in February.

“That was never the official artwork nor is this an official single,” Minaj wrote on her Instagram page in a now deleted post. “I apologize to the Malcolm X estate.”

Minaj has never pretended to be some grand champion of civil rights, but she has used the power of her celebrity for good recently. What message is Minaj sending to her fans with this new tough-girl image and the blatant disregard of the Shabazz family? It doesn’t shock that there’s little chatter online regarding the lyric, but one should wonder if there would be outcry if a less beloved artist pulled this stunt.

Why isn’t Minaj sticking to her apology and reviving the the tasteless and, quite frankly, erroneous affair? Are we to expect yet another apology via Instagram that will later be deleted, or is this bravado displayed Minaj is what we’re left to deal with? Freedom of speech is definitely a right that the rapper should have, but Nicki Minaj should be reminded that the efforts of individuals like Malcolm X is why she has that platform of empowerment now.

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