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”
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Continuing with the fight theme, she posted a video of herself in boxing gloves to Instagram. Fans chimed in calling for the fight, too.
Since her posts on Twitter went viral — with the tag #GiuseppeWhatsGood trending — the Giuseppe Zanotti online store seemingly took down the shoes.
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.
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.
