BY NAN ET EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Nov. 24, 2025: Tributes from around the world began flooding social media and news platforms this morning, Nov. 24, 2025, within minutes of the heartbreaking announcement that Jamaican musical icon Jimmy Cliff had passed away at age 81. The news came through an emotional Instagram statement from his wife, Latifa Chambers, who revealed that the reggae legend died following a seizure and pneumonia.

Jamaican singer, musician and actor Jimmy Cliff, his head back as he sings in concert, 1990. (Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over,” she wrote. “To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career … Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.”
The message was signed by Chambers and their children, Lilty and Aken, who thanked the global community for embracing the man whose music reshaped reggae and carried Jamaica’s spirit around the world.

Global Leaders and Music Icons Pay Tribute

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness was among the first to respond, calling Cliff “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world.”

“Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul,” Holness stated. “His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”

International tributes poured in just as quickly.

UB40’s Ali Campbell honored Cliff as “a true foundation, a pillar of our music, and one of the first to carry reggae out into the world.”

Reggae group Inner Circle wrote: “We’re devastated. Today we say goodbye to our friend and reggae legend, Jimmy Cliff… Your legacy is eternal, brother. Rest in Power.”

VP Records issued a statement saying “Rest in Power, Jimmy Cliff.” They added he will be sadly missed, fondly remembered, and forever honored for the legacy he leaves behind. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to his wife, children and family.”

A Monumental Career Rooted in Jamaican Soil

Born in St. James, Jamaica, in 1944, Jimmy Cliff’s rise began in Kingston under the guidance of producer Leslie Kong, who recognized the young singer’s raw talent. Cliff’s determination earned him early hits and led to his selection as one of Jamaica’s musical ambassadors to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.

But it was his signing to Island Records later that decade that propelled him to international fame. His breakout hit, “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” soared to No. 6 on the UK charts in 1969, marrying upbeat ska with lyrics critiquing global injustice. That balance of joy, activism, and optimism became his trademark.

His anti-war anthem “Vietnam” drew praise worldwide, including from Bob Dylan, who called it the “best protest song” he’d heard.

“The Harder They Come”: A Cultural Earthquake

Cliff’s legacy was cemented in 1972 when he starred in The Harder They Come, playing outlaw Ivanhoe “Rhyging” Martin. The film became a cornerstone of Jamaican cinema, while its soundtrack – which included “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “The Harder They Come”—ignited global reggae fever.

In the U.S., the film’s 1973 release introduced millions to Jamaica’s music, language, and culture.

A Life of Reinvention and Global Influence

Cliff continued shaping music for decades. He toured the world, scored hits like “I Can See Clearly Now” from Cool Runnings, and collaborated with the Rolling Stones, Sting and Wyclef Jean. Bruce Springsteen popularized Cliff’s “Trapped” during his 1980s world tours, making it a concert staple.

Cliff won two Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received Jamaica’s Order of Merit, one of the nation’s highest honors. In 2018 he broke his hip and had to cancel a tour.

His 2022 album Refugees, created with Wyclef Jean, was his final studio project – an echo of his lifelong devotion to themes of struggle, hope, and liberation.

A Loss Felt Across Generations

The grief expressed today spans continents and genres – musicians, political leaders, activists and fans all mourning a man whose work shaped reggae’s global identity.

Jimmy Cliff leaves behind a towering legacy: over 30 albums, iconic film roles, and songs that defined an era and inspired millions. Yet perhaps his greatest contribution was the message woven through every track – a belief in resilience, unity, and the unstoppable power of the human spirit.

Rest in power, Jimmy Cliff. The world will hear your music forever.

Here is a flashback to some of his past performances.

Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff performs on the set of a pop music television show in London circa 1970. (Photo by Ron Howard/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Jimmy Cliff at Circa 1980. (Photo by Maurice ROUGEMONT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Jimmy Cliff in 1986 (Photo by Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

Jamaican singer, musician and actor Jimmy Cliff, wearing a red jacket with yellow and green motifs, and his arms raised as he performs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana, 6th May 2000. (Photo by Leon Morris/Redferns/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Singer Jimmy Cliff performs onstage during day 1 of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 13, 2012 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)

Singer Jimmy Cliff performs on stage at Theater Circo Price on July 16, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage)

Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff performs during the Rototom Sunsplash festival in Benicassim, Castellon province, on August 16, 2014. Rototom runs from August 16 to 23. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP) (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Jimmy Cliff performs at the Wickerman festival at Dundrennan on July 25, 2015 in Dumfries, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Gilmore/Redferns)

Jimmy Cliff performs on stage during Day 3 of Bestival 2018 at Lulworth Estate on August 4, 2018 in Lulworth Camp, England. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns)

In this image released on December 21, (L-R) Jimmy Cliff and Shaggy perform onstage during Homeward Bound: A GRAMMY Salute To The Songs Of Paul Simon at Hollywood Pantages Theatre on April 06, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Nov. 21, 2025: Haitian-American rapper Pras Michel, a founding member of the legendary hip-hop group the Fugees, was sentenced on Nov. 20th to 14 years in federal prison following his 2023 conviction on multiple charges including conspiracy, money laundering, and illegal foreign lobbying.

Michel, whose full name is Prakazrel Samuel Michel, received the sentence from Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in a Washington, D.C. federal courtroom, according to Billboard. After completing his prison term, he will also serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had pushed for a much longer sentence spanning several decades, while Michel’s attorneys urged the court to impose no more than three years.

Michel is expected to surrender on January 27th, and his legal team plans to appeal both the conviction and the sentence.

“Throughout his career, Pras has broken barriers,” said spokesperson Erica Dumas. “This is not the end of his story. He appreciates the outpouring of support as he approaches the next chapter.”

Michel was first indicted in 2019 on charges of funneling illegal foreign donations into Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. In 2021, prosecutors expanded the indictment to include additional counts of bank fraud, witness tampering, concealing material facts, violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and acting as an unregistered agent for China.

The case centered on Michel’s ties to Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, the fugitive at the center of the massive 1MDB corruption scandal involving the theft of $4.5 billion. Prosecutors said Michel helped route money connected to the scheme and participated in a covert lobbying effort aimed at getting the Trump administration to drop investigations into Low and to facilitate the deportation of a Chinese dissident.

After his conviction, Michel sought a retrial, arguing his former attorney used an AI-generated closing argument, which he claimed amounted to ineffective counsel – a request the court ultimately rejected.

Amid the legal turmoil, Michel briefly reunited with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean for Fugees performances in 2023 but later distanced himself from additional reunion plans.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PRAS

1: Pras was born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents. He was raised in Irvington, New Jersey and attended Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey.

2. When he was 15, he met Hill in school. In 1988, Pras introduced Hill to Wyclef Jean. Pras, Jean, and Hill began to rehearse under the guidance of Kool and the Gang’s producer, Ronald Khalis Bell, and subsequently they formed a musical group called The Rap Translators in 1989 (also known as Tranzlator Crew).

2: They would go on to become one of the most influential hip-hop groups of the 1990s with Pras as the founding member of the Grammy-winning group, The Fugees.

3: Beyond The Fugees’ multi-platinum success with The Score, Michel built a solo career with global hits like “Ghetto Supastar,” and expanded into film, producing documentaries such as Skid Row and the award-winning Sweet Micky For President.

4: His political involvement grew over the years, including fundraising for Democratic causes – activities that ultimately became central to the federal case that led to his conviction and the 14-year prison sentence.

BY NAN ET EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Nov. 20, 2205: A powerhouse lineup of Caribbean music heavyweights will hit the stage in New York this December for the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert, a major fundraising event aimed at supporting the island’s recovery after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

Caribbean stars unite for the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert on Dec. 12 at UBS Arena, raising up to $1M for Hurricane Melissa relief and rebuilding efforts.

The concert — produced by Jammins Events as part of the “I Love Jamaica Concert Series” — is set for Friday, December 12, 2025, at UBS Arena in Belmont, NY, and aims to raise up to US$1 million for Jamaica’s official Hurricane Relief & Recovery Fund. Net proceeds will go directly toward rebuilding homes, restoring communities, and providing food, medical care, and long-term support to families hardest hit.

The effort brings together some of the biggest names in reggae, dancehall, soca, and Jamaican culture. The lineup includes:

Shaggy

Sean Paul

Kes

Inner Circle

Ky-Mani Marley

Tessanne Chin

Aidonia

Chronic Law

T.O.K.

Gramps Morgan

Richie Stephens

Mikey Spice

Marcia Griffiths

I-Octane

Kevin Downswell

More artists are expected to be added in the coming days.

The event is being staged in partnership with Irie Jam Radio, The Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation, The Sean Paul Foundation, and several Caribbean diaspora organizations, with the endorsement of the Government of Jamaica.

“This is a practical way for us all to support the response and get resources where they’re needed,” said Christopher Chin, CEO of VP Records, one of the coordinating partners behind the scenes.

Diaspora Relief Efforts Already Underway

The benefit concert follows an extraordinary show of diaspora-led humanitarian action earlier this month. On November 10 and 11, more than 100,000 pounds of critical supplies were flown to Jamaica through the Mission of Hope: Humanitarian Flights to Jamaica, spearheaded by Captain Barrington Irving, the Jamaican-born aviation pioneer and Guinness World Record holder.

The two-day mission – powered by Captain Irving’s nonprofit Experience Aviation – brought together a coalition of foundations, including:

The Buju Banton Foundation

Best of the Best Foundation

We The Best Foundation

The Miami-Dade County Commissioner’s Office

Other corporate, cultural, and diaspora donors

Supplies were delivered aboard a Boeing 737-800 cargo jet and Captain Irving’s personal aircraft, landing at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston before being dispatched to hard-hit communities across the island.

“We are incorporating and aligning ourselves as the foundations and working together to make a difference,” said Grammy winning Jamaican singer, Buju Banton, emphasizing the urgency of sustained support. “Remember Jamaica in your prayers, remember Jamaica in your giving.”

Captain Irving, known for leading past humanitarian missions in the Bahamas and the U.S. after major storms, said the Jamaica flights show what unity across borders can achieve.

Supporting Jamaica’s Recovery

With Hurricane Melissa leaving widespread destruction in its wake — from washed-out roads and damaged homes to dislocated families – the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert represents the next major push to fund recovery efforts.

Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster.

For the Caribbean Diaspora, it is another moment of collective mobilization – proof that even in the face of disaster, Jamaica and its people are never alone.

RELATED: Jamaican Global Diaspora Pitches In: Here Are The Credible Organizations To Support Hurricane Melissa Victims

By NAN ET EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Nov. 20, 2025: Several Caribbean contestants are proudly representing the region at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand tonight – but the celebration took a somber turn after Miss Universe Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, suffered a shocking and dangerous fall straight off the stage during Wednesday’s preliminary show. Henry, an ophthalmologist and advocate for the visually impaired, was rushed out on a stretcher. As of press time, no official update has been released on her condition, and her Miss Universe journey remains uncertain. While Jamaica anxiously awaits news, here are other Caribbean contestants of Miss Universe 2025 tonight.

Miss Aruba – Hannah Arends

Arends, 24, launched her first business at just 13 — a kids’ sushi concept called “Kids Dushi Sushi.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in law and is completing her master’s in civil law while working as a paralegal.

A singer-songwriter who also plays guitar and drums, Arends dreams of creating businesses centered on culinary arts, entertainment, and community development. She also leads a financial literacy and life-skills initiative for teens.

Miss Bahamas – Maliqué Maranda Bowe

Miss Bahamas Malique Maranda Bowe walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Maliqué Bowe, 25, graduated magna cum laude with a degree in accounting and has graced the runway at New York Fashion Week.

Diagnosed with anxiety at age 10 and later high-functioning depression, Bowe says pageantry helped her regain confidence. Her platform focuses on mental health awareness, trauma recovery, and youth empowerment across the Bahamas.

Miss Belize – Isabella Zabaneh

Miss Universe Belize Isabella Zabaneh at the Los Angeles premiere of Footage Films’ “Run” at TCL Chinese Theatre on August 27, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

Zabaneh, 21, is pursuing a master’s in professional communication. At age 15, she founded Project Royalty, a nonprofit that provides prom dresses and mentorship to young women.

She has traveled to more than 20 countries and worked in reconciliation programs in a conflict zone during her time in the Middle East.

Miss Bonaire – Nicole Peiliker-Visser

Miss Bonaire Nicole Peiliker Visser walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

At 42, Peiliker-Visser is one of the oldest contestants this year. A mother of four, she once managed a bank and later returned home to focus on family before entering pageantry, inspired by her daughter’s success at Mini Miss Universe.

She uses her platform to promote confidence, representation, and community purpose.

Miss British Virgin Islands – Olivia Freeman

Miss British Virgin Islands Olivia Margaret Freeman walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Freeman, 22, is a standout academic who served as head prefect and head girl in school before earning an honors degree in economics from Georgia State University.

She supported herself through school by offering professional braiding services. Today, she works as a budget officer at the BVI Ministry of Finance.

Miss Cayman Islands – Tahiti Moorea Seymour

Miss Cayman Islands Tahiti Moorea Seymour walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Seymour, 22, holds a degree in politics and international relations from Queen Mary University of London and is an actress, model, and multilingual martial artist with a black belt in Purple Dragon Don Jitsu Ryu.

She partnered with the United Nations to launch the Zero Hunger Universe campaign.

Miss Cuba – Lina Luaces

Miss Cuba Lina Luaces walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Luaces, 23, was raised in Miami by her Cuban parents and is a professional model who has worked with brands like Victoria’s Secret. She became certified in nutrition after overcoming depression.

She collaborates with the Adolescent Wellness Academy to support teens recovering from substance abuse.

Miss Curaçao – Camille Thomas

Thomas, 26, attended a military academy in North Carolina where she held leadership posts, and later studied psychology, theater, and acting.

Back in Curaçao, she co-owns a restaurant and helps run her family’s farm, which donates food to underserved youth. She also leads a community project repainting homes for elderly neighbors. Thomas is fluent in four languages and is an experienced archer and freediver.

Miss Dominican Republic – Jennifer Ventura

Ventura, 27, holds dual degrees in civil engineering and a master’s in business management. She is CEO of her construction firm, Ventmar .Her advocacy for autism families is fueled by personal tragedy — she lost her mother in the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse earlier this year.

Miss Guadeloupe – Ophély Mézino

Mézino, 26, has found success as a model and actress, appearing in the Netflix hit “Lupin.”

Miss Guadeloupe Ophely Mezino walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

She learned sign language before speaking, as both her parents are deaf. She co-founded Un Mot, Un Signe, supporting the deaf community, and also champions survivors of domestic violence through her initiative, We Are HERd.

Miss Guyana – Chandini Baljor

Miss Guyana Chandini Baljor walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Baljor, 23, is simultaneously pursuing a medical degree and a degree in public health. Her goal is to expand equitable healthcare access across the region.

She also owns a baking business, Popalicious, and has been published for her poetry and photography.

Miss Haiti – Melissa Sapini

Miss Haiti Melissa Sapini walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sapini, 22, is a model, broadcast journalist, and sports reporter who began appearing on-air at age 18. She has appeared on “Hell’s Kitchen” and in a Super Bowl campaign for Dunkin’.

Although born in the U.S., she proudly uplifts her Haitian heritage and co-founded The Two Queens Foundation to improve literacy and scholarships for Haitian children, inspired by her grandmother who learned to read at 78.

Miss Martinique – Célya Abatucci

Abatucci, 31, works in management and sustainable development and previously worked for L’Oréal. She advocates for women’s health, domestic violence awareness, and greater access to menstrual and healthcare products.

Miss Puerto Rico – Zashley Alicea Rivera

Rivera, 26, is a ballerina, gymnast, model, graphic designer, and social-media manager. She founded ElevArte, offering free dance and art programs for youth.

Miss Saint Lucia – Shianne Smith

Miss Saint Lucia Shianne Smith walks on stage during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on November 19, 2025. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Smith, 21, is a neuroscience student who survived a life-threatening birth. She founded Mindfield, a digital mental-health platform, and has presented mental-health advocacy at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum.

Miss Trinidad & Tobago – Latifah Morris

Morris, 32, is a mother, entrepreneur, and founder of the BBL Movement — Building A Better Life, supporting youth empowerment.

Miss Turks & Caicos – Bereniece Dickenson

Dickenson, 22, overcame discrimination, poverty, and limited access to education. She earned multiple scholarships and founded The Butterfly Effect Project to support young women.

Miss US Virgin Islands – Brittany Robinson

Robinson, 33, became a caregiver early in life and has worked in hospitality for 17 years. She is the founder of BARE Artistry and advocates for women’s entrepreneurship.

Despite the Drama, the Show Goes On

The 2025 Miss Universe pageant has already been marked by controversy — from onstage falls to viral confrontations — but the competition continues. A new Miss Universe will be crowned Friday morning in Thailand by reigning queen Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark.

HOW TO WATCH

Fans in the U.S. can tune in to the Miss Universe 2025 final on Telemundo, which will air the full show live in Spanish, or stream it via Peacock (Spanish) or The Roku Channel (English). Viewers around the world can also watch the event for free on the official Miss Universe YouTube channel.

The final airs November 20, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET.

Where to Watch:
English:
• The Roku Channel – Free for all Roku device users or through the Roku app.

Spanish:
• Telemundo – Live TV broadcast.
• Peacock – Live streaming on the platform.

Worldwide Free Stream:
• Miss Universe YouTube Channel – Available globally at no cost.

By ET Editor

News Americas, NY, NY, Tues. Nov. 17, 2025: Trinidad and Tobago–born rapper Nicki Minaj shocked many more today, publicly praising President Donald Trump and thanking him from the podium of the United Nations Headquarters. Her appearance — the first time a female rapper has addressed the UN — instantly raised eyebrows across the Caribbean, the African Diaspora and the immigrant and music world.

Trinidadian-US rapper Nicki Minaj speaks during the panel discussion “Combatting Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria” at the US Mission to the United Nations in New York City, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

But Minaj’s sudden embrace of Trump is rooted in one specific issue: what she sees as the “persecution” of Christians in Nigeria.

The megastar spoke softly but firmly during a four-minute address ahead of a panel titled “Combating Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria.” She thanked Trump “for prioritizing this issue,” claiming Christians in Nigeria are being killed “simply because of how they pray.”

Trinidadian-US rapper Nicki Minaj speaks during the panel discussion “Combatting Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria” at the US Mission to the United Nations in New York City, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Her comments echoed Trump’s own narrative. And that is precisely where the controversy lies.

A Coordinated Appearance – Not an Organic One

According to reporting by TIME, Minaj’s participation was arranged by Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz. Before she took the podium, UN Ambassador Mike Waltz thanked her for being willing to “demand action” on behalf of Christians.

This follows a recent pattern: Minaj has repeatedly amplified Trump’s messaging online, including:

• reposting a Truth Social message claiming Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria
• sharing a White House pro-MAGA video soundtracked by her own hit “Beez In the Trap”
• promoting a xenophobic and anti-trans video praising Trump’s achievements — a move that cost her more than 100,000 followers

In each instance, Minaj publicly aligned herself with Trump’s framing of Nigeria’s violence as a one-sided religious war.

But Is Trump’s Claim True?

Research indicates otherwise.

Independent data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, (ACLED) and the Council on Foreign Relations, shows violence in Nigeria is complex — driven by overlapping factors including:

• extremist activity
• criminal banditry
• farmer–herder land disputes
• economic insecurity
• political instability

Not religion alone.

Experts interviewed by ABC, CNN, and Al-Jazeera agree: The violence is indiscriminate and affects both Christians and Muslims.

Nigerian officials have repeatedly pushed back on the “Christians only” framing. Gimba Kakanda, Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President, wrote in Al-Jazeera that conflicts often “unfold along regional or community lines, not strictly religious ones.”

Human rights lawyer Bulama Bukarti added that presenting the crisis as Christian persecution alone “distorts reality and inflames tensions.”

Why Minaj Aligns With Trump — The Real Answer

Based on the timeline, three factors explain her sudden praise:

1. She has increasingly embraced faith-based rhetoric.

Minaj has recently emphasized Christianity as central to her identity and public messaging. Trump’s narrative directly appeals to that shift.

2. Trump is elevating celebrity voices who amplify his foreign-policy messaging.

Her UN appearance was facilitated by Trump’s political team — not by the UN itself. This was a platform engineered to validate his claim.

3. Minaj may be stepping into political influence — intentionally or unknowingly.

By repeating Trump’s talking points, she instantly became a megaphone for his Nigeria narrative — even though the data behind it is contested.

Minaj Says She’s “Not Taking Sides” — But Her Speech Chose One

Late in her speech, she emphasized she was “not taking sides politically.” But thanking Trump first — and exclusively — contradicted that claim. Her remarks came after Trump threatened to “invade Nigeria guns-a-blazing” to stop supposed “Islamic extremists,” despite no evidence of a religion-only genocide.

What This Means Going Forward

Nicki Minaj — a Caribbean-born global superstar with massive influence — has now waded into one of Africa’s most misunderstood crises.
Her endorsement gives Trump’s Nigeria narrative celebrity amplification, even as researchers and Nigerian leaders warn that such framing can worsen division on the ground.

Whether Minaj intended to or not, she has become part of a geopolitical messaging war — one where data and politics often clash.

For now, the answer to the question: “Why is Nicki Minaj singing Trump’s praises?” is clear:

Because she has embraced his narrative on Nigeria – a narrative her team has not independently vetted, but which aligns with Trump’s strategy, messaging and political goals.

Watch The Speech Here