*Nicki Minaj is known to leave folks talking on any given day and Wednesday (Nov. 18) was no exception as she took the mic for a powerful reading of Maya Angelou’s classic inspirational poem “Still I Rise.”
The Huffington Post notes that Minaj brought her swagger in to her recitation while asking the crowd, “Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise, that I dance like I’ve got diamonds at the meeting of my thighs.”
One of Angelou’s best-known works, “Still I Rise” touches on themes of racism, misogyny and triumph over adversity. For Minaj, the themes strike a nerve as the Post points out how they “resonate with Minaj’s commitment to calling out sexism and racial discrimination in the music industry.”
Minaj’s reading of “Still I Rise” was among the highlights that took place at Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America, a benefit concert held to raise money for United Way fund as well as awareness of America’s racial inequality.
In addition to Minaj, the event featured performances from Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Sia and Bruce Springsteen, among others. Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America is set to air today (Nov. 20) on on A&E, and will be simulcast on AOL
To see Minaj’s reading of “Still I Rise,” check out the video below:
