Never one to shy away from controversy, Azealia Banks has joined Dev Hynes in criticising the BET Awards over Twitter. Banks took aim at Nicki Minaj’s domination of the awards for the last five years as nominations rolled out a few days ago. She also slammed black media as ‘pointless and stupid’.
Read the full sequence of tweets here:
I really hate getting nominated for @bet awards. They're so bogus.
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
The female rap award at the bet awards goes to nicki every year, it's not even a real award anymore lol it's a bit of a running joke.
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
They should just nominate nicki five times with five different wigs on and pick the best picture lol
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
*hears barbz buzzing in the distance* *rolls up car windows* *sound of little barb heads slamming into glass* *unconscious barbs on floor*
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
*turns up random nicki Minaj verse* *puts car in reverse* *backs up over barbs* *blood splatters* *puts car in drive and takes off*
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
Side note: “Barbz” refer to Nicki Minaj’s fans.
3,2,1 all the urban media sites gonna run a headline saying I'm throwing shots. Black media is so stupid and pointless. What a shitty cycle.
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
Black media hates me and I love white men.. What is my life ? LOL
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
I really really can't win with black men and It's really so so sad. Like truly and honestly sad.
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
I try and laugh it off but it's really hard being shitted on by the same men you'd lose your life to defend….. Lol
— AZEALIABANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) May 18, 2015
In criticising black media, Banks states that these comments aren’t meant to be shots at Nicki Minaj. However, although she never personally attacks Nicki Minaj, she does suggest running over her fans with a car – so take that as you will. Her comments regarding black media are interesting, and as with everything with Azealia Banks, there seems to be an extended history there.
Dev Hynes also backed up Banks in some ways by criticising the lack of diversity of the awards.
Why isn't BET awards just called the "Mainstream Rap/RnB/Pop with black people" awards?
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) May 18, 2015
Lol my point is we are more than just "rappers" and "RnB" singers. Where's Ambrose Akinmusire's award? https://t.co/kin5xXswtq
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) May 18, 2015
While some of these criticisms may have grounds, it is also is just as likely that the BET awards have awarded Minaj simply because she has been the top female rapper in the past five years. This year Minaj has dominated nominations across the boards with four others, the most of the awards, including Best Video and Viewer’s Choice.
Regardless of who wins Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, there will inevitably be controversy. With the two, eternally feuding Azalea/Azealia’s nominated alongside Nicki Minaj, a fight is probably going to break out sometime during the night.