Nicki Minaj is once again speaking out about her complicated relationship with the Recording Academy. The rap icon revealed that she was invited to join the organization—but chose to turn down the offer after the snub of her 2023 album Pink Friday 2.
“I appreciated it. I thought that it was a very, very, very kind gesture,” Nicki shared. “But my integrity couldn’t allow me to accept it.”
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She explained that while she was flattered by the outreach, her decision to decline came down to principle. Having been repeatedly overlooked by the Grammys despite her long-standing success, she felt it would be disingenuous to participate in a system that has yet to fully recognize her. “Why would I be sitting on the board if I don’t have a Grammy?” she added. “It made absolutely no sense to me—and to anyone who understands.”
Nicki Minaj’s comments reignite an ongoing conversation about representation, fairness, and transparency in the Grammy nomination process. Despite being one of the most commercially successful and influential rappers of her generation, Nicki has never won a Grammy—an omission many fans view as glaring.
In 2022, her hit single “Super Freaky Girl” was controversially moved from rap to pop categories—a decision she openly criticized. And while Pink Friday 2 received both critical and fan acclaim upon its 2023 release, it was also shut out of Grammy nominations, sparking another wave of backlash.
Just days ago, the Recording Academy announced the invitation of nearly 3,600 artists to join its 2025 class, who will vote in the 2026 Grammy Awards. Among those invited are notable names such as Addison Rae, KATSEYE, and Grupo Firme. The new class reflects a wide spectrum of talent, with 49% identifying as women, 56% as people of color, and 60% under the age of 40.
Photo: Charlotte Rutherford
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