Nicki_Minaj_Anaconda - H 2015
MTV announced the 2015 VMA nominations earlier Tuesday (July 21), and despite Nicki Minaj getting three nods, Barbz across the Twitterverse were quick to point out that Nicki’s Beyonce collaboration “Feeling Myself” was nowhere to be found. That didn’t sit right with Nicki, who publicly called out MTV on Twitter hours after the nominations reveal. “MTV thank you for my nominations,” she tweeted. “Did Feeling Myself miss the deadline or … ?”
Hey guys @MTV thank you for my nominations. Did Feeling Myself miss the deadline or…?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
After retweeting a few fans’ similar complaints, Minaj opined that “Anaconda” (which is up for best female video and best hip-hop video) would be up for video of the year if she were “a different ‘kind’ of artist.” Minaj added, “When the ‘other’ girls drop a video that breaks records and impacts culture they get that nomination.” She’s presumably alluding to Taylor Swift‘s “Bad Blood,” the only other record-breaking video from a woman nominated for video of the year.
According to Nicki, “U couldn’t go on social media w/o seeing ppl doing the [‘Anaconda’] cover art, choreo, outfits for Halloween … an impact like that & no VOTY nomination?”
U couldn’t go on social media w/o seeing ppl doing the cover art, choreo, outfits for Halloween…an impact like that & no VOTY nomination?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
If I was a different “kind” of artist, Anaconda would be nominated for best choreo and vid of the year as well.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
One possible explanation for one of the snubs? “Feeling Myself” initially dropped as a Tidal exclusive, which meant fewer people saw the clip (at first) than if it had hit YouTube. Even some of Minaj’s fans were quick to point this out on her Twitter and Instagram.
When the “other” girls drop a video that breaks records and impacts culture they get that nomination.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Indeed, Taylor Swift appeared to pick up on the not-so-subtle references to her own video. Swift responded by tweeting at Minaj, “I’ve done nothing but love & support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other.” She also invited Minaj to join her on stage if she wins.
@NICKIMINAJ I’ve done nothing but love & support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot..
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 21, 2015
@NICKIMINAJ If I win, please come up with me!! You’re invited to any stage I’m ever on.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 21, 2015
Minaj replied to Swift’s tweets by denying that was referring to Swift. “U must not be reading my tweets,” Minaj wrote. “Didn’t say a word about u. I love u just as much.”
Huh? U must not be reading my tweets. Didn’t say a word about u. I love u just as much. But u should speak on this. @taylorswift13
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Other music and television stars couldn’t help but make light of the tension. Following Minaj’s posts, Bruno Mars tweeted, “Yo, I want in on this Twitter beef!! VMAs is the new WWF!! @edsheeran F— You!” He also retweeted an image of himself and Ed Sheeran that was doctored to resemble a boxing promotional poster.
Yo I want in on this twitter Beef!! VMAs is the new WWF!! @edsheeran Fuck You!
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) July 22, 2015
SHOW YOURSELF!!! @edsheeran https://t.co/J07BphUedV
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) July 22, 2015
Aaron Paul also chimed in later in the day, offering to treat the two female musicians to coffee and pancakes to “talk this thru”: “Dear @taylorswift13 and @NICKIMINAJ, I love you both. How about we all get together and talk this thru? Coffee? Pancakes?? My treat. Ap“
Dear @taylorswift13 and @NICKIMINAJ, I love you both. How about we all get together and talk this thru? Coffee? Pancakes?? My treat. Ap
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) July 22, 2015
July 21 at 7 p.m.: Updated to include tweets from Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars.
July 21, 8:23 p.m.: Updated with Aaron Paul’s tweet.
A version of this article initially appeared on Billboard
