March 2024

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Rapper Nicki Minaj is being criticized by human rights organizations because she is scheduled to perform in an event in Angola, a country that has often been on the news for human rights abuse and corruption.

Human rights organizations are angry

Minaj was invited to perform at Show Unitel Boas Festas, a Christmas show sponsored by Unitel, the country’s leading mobile operator. Human rights organizations are appalled because Isabel dos Santos, the president’s daughter, is a major shareholder of Unitel. Human rights activists believe that Minaj is in some way associating herself with a family that is accused of violating human rights. Thor Halvorssen, the Human Rights Foundation president, said:

“Millions of people look up to her for creative inspiration,” said Halvorssen. “There is no good reason for her to do business with the corrupt Angolan dictatorship and endorse the ruler’s family company.”

Indeed Isabel Dos Santos, one of the richest women in Africa, has been receiving some bad press lately. Transparency International cited her among the 15 people who symbolize grand corruption.
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A common story

In the past, many artists were in the same position as Minaj, who was probably not aware of what she was getting into when she signed her contract with Unitel. Diva Mariah Carey was criticized for accepting $1 million to perform for Santos in 2013. She also participated to a New Years Eve party organized by the son of Libya’s late leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2009 along with fellow celebrities such as Jay Z, Lindsay Lohan, Beyoncé and Usher. Beyoncé and Usher chose to donate their fees to human rights organizations.

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