Nicki Minaj delivered an outstanding performance of "Still I Rise" at Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America. The “Anaconda” rapper and songwriter read historical author, poet and civil rights activist Angelou’s world famous poem (Still I Rise). It has been recited including world leader Nelson Mandela at his inauguration speech in 1994, as South Africa’s first black president.
Minaj, 32, took the stage in a gold, glistening Balmain gown and executed Angelou’s words in a graceful and elegant manner. The lines “You may shoot me with your words/ You may cut me with your eyes/ You may kill me with your hatefulness/ But still, like air. I’ll rise,” clearly resonated with the rap royalty. In the past few months, she’s managed to keep her head high above the critical media industry that has been slamming her boyfriend, Meek Mill, and his beef with label mate Drake.
Their beef and her name trended for months on Twitter, Instagram (poking fun at the situation with memes) and even reached New York Times Magazine’s cover profile. In addition, Minaj has been slaying on social media regarding culture and body image, and even went on stage to call out Miley Cyrus at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
The concert reflected on the racially motivated acts of violence and brutality that have been impacting America for the past year and a half. Musical guests attended the special in Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium including Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and Jill Scott. Additionally, the event benefited the nonprofit organization United Way, and will broadcast as a two-hour special on A&E Saturday night. “Any solutions have to begin with dialogue , and we want to help get that dialogue going," Pharrell Williams, 42, told The LA Times about the benefit’s intentions.
Angelou influenced many other poets and activists in the world and has received more than 30 honorary degrees, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S.’s highest civilian honor, according to Time magazine.
