Music

Nicki Minaj's director is sorry you're offended by Nazi imagery

by Tyler Munro

“Yikes” is the first word that comes to mind when we think of “Only,” the new Nicki Minaj video that is absolutely littered with Nazi-inspired imagery. And it’s not subtle, either: Red arm bands, “Triumph of the Will” shot remakes and stark, authoritarian imagery.

To her credit, Minaj was quick to apologize. She says that while she didn’t come up with the video’s concept, which was apparently partly inspired by Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse, she does take full responsibility for it offending people.

Jeffrey Osborne, the video’s director, took a different approach in his approach to response to the video—victim blaming. On Myspace, Osborne writes that he will not apologize for his work before stating that “The flags, armbands, and gas mask (and perhaps my use of symmetry?) are all representative of Nazis.”

From there he goes onto write all of the American symbolism in the video, naming specific planes, missiles, weapons and uniforms. There’s also Russian, Belgian and German imagery in the video, he notes.

Okay, so that’s true. But instead of realizing why appropriating something as horrific as the Third Reich for a rap video might offend people, Osborne essentially writes it’s your fault, not his, that you’re so sensitive.

“I think it’s actually important to remind younger generations of atrocities that occurred in the past as a way to prevent them from happening in the future,” Osborne offered up as an explanation. “And the most effective way of connecting with people today is through social media and pop culture. So if my work is misinterpreted because it’s not a sappy tearjerker, sorry I’m not sorry. What else is trending?”

He then went onto misrepresent the First Amendment, a right he writes that Americans “willfully squeeze themselves out of every day” and a right he, unfortunately, seems to barely understand. To remind Osborne, the First Amendment and right to Freedom of Speech in the United States Constitution entitles a citizen to speak freely without prosecution from the government. It doesn’t mean people can’t call you insensitive, or an idiot.

Here’s Osborne’s statement in full:

Before I start, be clear that these are my personal views and not the views of Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, or Young Money.

First, I’m not apologizing for my work, nor will I dodge the immediate question. The flags, armbands, and gas mask (and perhaps my use of symmetry?) are all representative of Nazism.

But a majority of the recognizable models/symbols are American: MQ9 Reaper Drone, F22 Raptor, Sidewinder missile, security cameras, M60, SWAT uniform, General’s uniform, the Supreme court, and the Lincoln Memorial. What’s also American is the 1st Amendment, which I’ve unexpectedly succeeded in showing how we willfully squeeze ourselves out of that right every day.

Despite the fact heavy religious and economic themes were glossed over, there’s also Russian T-90 tanks, Belgian FN FAL, German mp5 (not manufactured until 1966), an Italian Ferrari, and a Vatican Pope.

As far as an explanation, I think it’s actually important to remind younger generations of atrocities that occurred in the past as a way to prevent them from happening in the future. And the most effective way of connecting with people today is through social media and pop culture. So if my work is misinterpreted because it’s not a sappy tearjerker, sorry I’m not sorry. What else is trending?