Nicki Minaj, the Trinidad-born rapper, has voiced her concerns about her recent arrest in the Netherlands, alleging racial discrimination.
While interacting with her fans on the Stationhead livestream platform, she discussed the incident that led to the cancellation of her Manchester concert just a few hours before it was scheduled to start.
The 41-year-old artist expressed her disappointment, saying, “The inability to reach Manchester was one of my lowest moments. It felt like I was being targeted intentionally because of my race.”
She further shared her experience at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, stating that some individuals seemed to derive pleasure from her predicament. She added, “Among all the men there, there was one woman who seemed to have a heart. The treatment I received was appalling, something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. And yes, I’ve been incarcerated before, but this has nothing to do with past experiences.”
Minaj broadcasted her arrest on social media, denying ownership of the drugs found in her luggage. She spent approximately six hours in custody on Saturday before being permitted to travel to the UK.
Dutch authorities reported the arrest of a 41-year-old woman on Saturday for allegedly attempting to transport “soft drugs” from Schiphol Airport to another country. After paying a fine, the police later announced that the suspect had been released and was free to leave.
When questioned if she felt she was treated humanely by Dutch officials, Minaj responded with a firm “No”. She added, “Even when they announced my release, I was still inside the building. Perhaps they were trying to manage the situation, I’m not sure.”
Minaj chose not to delve further into the incident, stating that she was in high spirits and wanted to focus on her tour. She said, “I’m on tour, and if I give energy to that, I can’t do what I have to do, that’s my job… My Barbz [her fans] come first.”
A representative of the Netherlands’ military police, responsible for all airport incidents, told Sky News that Minaj’s arrest was standard procedure when someone attempts to cross the border with drugs in their luggage.
The artist, currently on her Pink Friday 2 Tour, is set to perform at the newly inaugurated Co-op Live in Manchester on Thursday evening, and will return for the rescheduled Saturday concert on Monday.
