Look what you started! Nicki Minaj may have just been venting her frustrations against MTV on Twitter on Tuesday, July 21, because she received only two 2015 VMA nominations for “Anaconda,” but her gripes on social media quickly turned into a series of funny misunderstandings with fellow nominee Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian.
After the nominees were revealed earlier in the day, the “Only” performer made clear to the network that while she appreciates the recognition she did receive, she feels she should be up for more than three awards. (In addition to the two nominations she received for "Anaconda," she and her "Bang Bang" cohorts Jessie J and Ariana Grande are contenders for "Best Collaboration.")
Hey guys @MTV thank you for my nominations. ???????????? Did Feeling Myself miss the deadline or…?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Minaj also took issue with the fact that while "Anaconda" is up for "Best Hip Hop Video" and "Best Female Video," it missed out on bigger categories like "Video of the Year." The nominees for that honor include Swift, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar.
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
Ellen did her own anaconda video and did the #choreo lol. Remember her doing that kick ????. Even mtv did a post on the choreo @MTV remember?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
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 your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
To back up her point, the Pink Friday rapper retweeted several fan complaints about the perceived snubs, including some that made note of how "Anaconda" broke the Vevo record for most views in a 24-hour period.
Minaj's tweets caught the eye of Swift, who received a "Video of the Year" nomination for her star-studded "Bad Blood" video. In response to the "Bang Bang" hitmaker's complaints, the "Style" songstress wrote:
@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
Minaj followed up with:
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
@taylorswift13 I'm still confused as to why u just tweeted me when I made it abundantly clear… pic.twitter.com/A5kJyi6fQC
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
Swift replied by extending an invitation to the rapper:
@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
Fans of Kardashian, 34, then thought the reality star was jumping into the fray with Swift and Minaj. The Selfish author, who had been posting gorgeous images from her makeup-free Vogue Spain shoot throughout the day, shared a photo from the spread with the caption “Imma let you finish but…”
And no wonder her millions of followers thought she was getting in on the action! Her husband, Kanye West, infamously jumped up on stage at the 2009 VMAs as Swift was accepting the Moonman for Best Female Video, took her mic and began his meme-spawning “Imma let you finish” speech.
Once Kardashian became aware of the hilarious misunderstanding, she quickly clarified that she was not, in fact, getting involved.
Wait wait I'm in Paris it's the middle of the night & I'm posting my Vogue Spain pics not having a clue what's going on in the music world
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) July 21, 2015
I'm not trying to shade anyone! That's not my style! I just thought that caption was perfect for that pic! Changing the caption now! #ironic
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) July 21, 2015
Minaj wasn't the only artist who took issue with MTV's list of nominees, though. Rapper Azealia Banks — who had a couple of big videos with "Ice Princess" and "Yung Rapunxel" but received no nominations on Tuesday — also voiced her frustrations on Twitter.
All my videos deserve VMas and my album deserves a Grammy but I'll never get one because America doesn't like opinionated black women.
— AZEALIA BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) July 21, 2015
