Nicky Minaj and the producers of 'Only', a music video that contains 'Nazi inspired' imagery have been strongly condemned.
Also featuring the voices of Chris Brown, Drake and Lil Wayne, 'Only' has been met with condemnation forcing Minaj to apologize for the symbolism. Following on from the song's release, the Anti-Defamation League has issued a strongly worded public statement:
"Nicki Minaj’s new video disturbingly evokes Third Reich propaganda and constitutes a new low for pop culture’s exploitation of Nazi symbolism. The irony should be lost on no one that this video debuted on the 76th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the “night of broken glass” pogrom that signalled the beginning of the Final Solution and the Holocaust."
While Minaj didn't take direct responsibility for the art direction she made it clear that she would take the full blame for the negative backlash.
I didn't come up w/the concept, but I'm very sorry & take full responsibility if it has offended anyone. I'd never condone Nazism in my art.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014
Both the producer, & person in charge of over seeing the lyric video (one of my best friends & videographer: A. Loucas), happen to be Jewish
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014
E! Online highlights that Drake, who is half Jewish has not made any public statement regarding the video. So far the video has received a negative reception, but on Youtube the likes and dislikes are about 50/50.