YIKES!
This is not a good look for Jeff Osborne’s video directing career.
Nicki Minaj’s “Only” video has received criticism for containing Nazi imagery. The “Anaconda” rapper apologized for the imagery, maintaining that the producer overseeing the video’s creation, A. Loucas, is in fact Jewish, and never thought about the video being offensive.
In a recent interview with Spencer Stein from MySpace, Osborne, the man responsible for directing Nicki Minaj’s “Only” lyric video, responded to all the criticism he’s received over the past few days.
“Before I start, be clear that these are my personal views and not the views of Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, or Young Money.
First, I’m not apologizing for my work, nor will I dodge the immediate question. The flags, armbands, and gas mask (and perhaps my use of symmetry?) are all representative of Nazism.”
He goes on to point out the other imagery he was inspired by when creating the visual.
“But a majority of the recognizable models/symbols are American: MQ9 Reaper Drone, F22 Raptor, Sidewinder missile, security cameras, M60, SWAT uniform, General’s uniform, the Supreme court, and the Lincoln Memorial. What’s also American is the 1st Amendment, which I’ve unexpectedly succeeded in showing how we willfully squeeze ourselves out of that right every day.
Despite the fact heavy religious and economic themes were glossed over, there’s also Russian T-90 tanks, Belgian FN FAL, German mp5 (not manufactured until 1966), an Italian Ferrari, and a Vatican Pope.”
But just to grind the knife in the back of those who were extremely offended by the video, he ends his statement by saying he’s not sorry.
“As far as an explanation, I think it’s actually important to remind younger generations of atrocities that occurred in the past as a way to prevent them from happening in the future. And the most effective way of connecting with people today is through social media and pop culture. So if my work is misinterpreted because it’s not a sappy tearjerker, sorry I’m not sorry. What else is trending?”
Well, at least Nicki Minaj apologized, and hopefully she’ll never work with this guy again. He’s definitely giving her a headache.
SOURCE: MySpace
