There was a Twitter storm after a Nigerian Nicki Minaj fan, Ramat Victory, expressed disappointment that Nigeria was not included in the rapper’s 2024 tour.
Rapper Minaj reacted by advising Victory to sign up for her city on the tour website, suggesting it could influence the tour’s locations. Minaj, using Pidgin language, declared “Naija no de carry last,” translating to “Nigeria never comes last.”
This statement has sparked excitement among Nigerian fans online, as they anticipate the possibility of her world tour including their country, according to the BBC.
Minaj had excluded African countries, including Nigeria, from her pre-sale tickets released on November 17. In response to Victory expressing disappointment, Minaj’s verified account on Twitter (formerly known as X) encouraged fans to sign up on the tour website.
“Abeg sign up where it says ‘if you don’t see your city’ so that when I get to Africa your city/country will be there,” Minaj’s account responded.
Victory, a fan of Minaj, shared her excitement with the BBC, describing Minaj’s response as the “best thing ever.”
She communicated with Minaj in Pidgin, a blend of English and local languages widely used as a lingua franca in Nigeria, and was amazed when the hip-hop star responded in the same language.
Following Minaj’s interaction with Victory, the fan urged all Minaj enthusiasts in Nigeria to sign up for the tour in hopes of bringing it to the country.
In April, Beyoncé fans expressed disappointment over the absence of African countries in her tour, despite African artists featuring on her album “The Lion King: The Gift.”
Victory pointed out that there is an untapped potential market for artists in Africa. She lamented over the exclusion of the continent from world tours by superstars. Globally, there’s a broader conversation among music fans questioning the affordability of tours by top artists, with many participating in the discussion.
In the UK, post-pandemic, ticket prices have surged by 19%, deterring 51% of people from attending gigs in the last five years. In response to the discussion about Minaj’s tour, a fan jokingly remarked, “I might just sell my father’s house if she decides to come.”
Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if this pricing trend influences Minaj’s choice of tour locations. Victory expressed hope for a Nigeria visit, emphasizing the country’s deep affection for the artist. She added, “I’ve loved her from day one.”
