Nicki Minaj took to Twitter earlier today (February 3) to lash out at Giuseppe Zanotti, accusing the Italian shoe designer of “racism” and “disrespect.”
Zanotti currently sells a line of sneakers called “Nicki,” a collection that lists 23 designs that came about after the pair met and he supposedly told Minaj that she “inspired him to design a sneaker in [her] honor.”
However, the rapper says that after reaching out to Zanotti’s PR agency, she was informed that the famed designer wouldn’t be returning her phone call. “Lil black girl can inspire u but ain’t worth a collection my nig,” Minaj tweeted in response. The rapper went on to joke about going toe-to-toe with Zanotti after the proposed fight between Chris Brown and Soulja Boy.
“This is wonderful. #GiuseppeZanotti seems to think it’s ok to name his sneakers after me but his PR says they won’t take our call. Lol,” Nicki Minaj tweeted before continuing in subsequent posts. “I met #GiuseppeZanotti years ago. At which time, he told me I inspired him to design a sneaker in my honor. Wore them on the cover of Cosmo Recently when he gave other artists capsule collections, my agency reached out and was told they’re not taking our call. Just go on google, you’ll see all the different pairs he’s named after me. Lil black girl can inspire u but ain’t worth a collection my nig? #RunMeMyCHECK #GiuseppeWhatsGood I got time today. barbz trend this cuz he gon learn today. The racism & disrespect won’t b tolerated. Take the poll. Should Giuseppe Don’t care about the money. It’s just the disrespect. You’re not taking MY call? Lol. Give some money to charity in my name or smthn. U know what I gotta go. My phone ringing. Tell Floyd, Fif & Mike Tyson to book me for the next fight. Me and Giuseppe. after cb & Draco”
This is wonderful. #GiuseppeZanotti seems to think it's ok to name his sneakers after me but his PR says they won't take our call. Lol.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
I met #GiuseppeZanotti years ago. At which time, he told me I inspired him to design a sneaker in my honor. Wore them on the cover of Cosmo
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
Recently when he gave other artists capsule collections, my agency reached out and was told they're not taking our call. ?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
Just go on google, you'll see all the different pairs he's named after me. Lil black girl can inspire u but ain't worth a collection my nig?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
#RunMeMyCHECK#GiuseppeWhatsGood I got time today. ? barbz trend this cuz he gon learn today. The racism & disrespect won't b tolerated.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
Take the poll. Should Giuseppe
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
Don't care about the money. It's just the disrespect. You're not taking MY call? Lol. Give some money to charity in my name or smthn. ??
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
U know what I gotta go. My phone ringing. Tell Floyd, Fif & Mike Tyson to book me for the next fight. Me and Giuseppe. ? after cb & Draco ?
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
Continuing with the fight theme, she posted a video of herself in boxing gloves to Instagram. Fans chimed in calling for the fight, too.
#GiuseppeWhatsGoodpic.twitter.com/XbnUayBxAx
— ✨Taylor (@Piinkslam) February 3, 2017
#GiuseppeWhatsGoodpic.twitter.com/owGsqG9MC0
— Anthony (@AnthonyRCruz_) February 3, 2017
Since her posts on Twitter went viral — with the tag #GiuseppeWhatsGood trending — the Giuseppe Zanotti online store seemingly took down the shoes.
Giuseppe have taken all shoes named after @NICKIMINAJ off their site. Oohhhhh ??????? #GiuseppeWhatsGoodpic.twitter.com/kdzcbZbHcO
— Sian x (@siaanhaydenn) February 3, 2017
Nicki clarifies that she’s not in it for the money, but is concerned about getting the respect she deserves. She says the larger issue at hand is equal treatment of women in business and offers to match a donation of up to $500,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help make her point.
Women are always shamed by other when speaking up in the work place. That's why women cont. to earn less. Jada spoke up & Oscars madeAchange
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
Scarlett spoke on her pay vs. her male co-stars & was shamed by other women as well. WakeUp! This is our work place! Just like u have yours!
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
I'd like them to donate to St. Jude's Children's hospital on my behalf. #GiuseppeWhatsGood Giorgina, I don't wanna post your email.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
Just imagine if I walked into your office building & told you not to take a meeting with your boss regarding a deserved pay increase. lol
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
This isn't a sneaker. Zanotti spoke to me on the first sneaker. But 23 pairs of sneakers later & u still don't wanna break bread?!?! ??yikes
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
#GiuseppeWhatsGood I'll match whatever you give to #StJudesChildrensHospital up to half a million dollars. ?? #23PairsOfSneakersLater yikes
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) February 3, 2017
This isn’t the first time Nicki’s stood up for equal treatment for black women as she blasted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2015 for not nominating “Anaconda” for Video of the Year.