Catholic League Blasts Rapper’s Grammy Performance, Asking ‘Is Nicki Minaj Possessed?’

February 13, 2012 10:10 AM

Singer Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles. (credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – What was that?

That’s the reaction many might be having to Queens-native Nicki Minaj’s exorcism-infused performance of her new single “Roman Holiday” at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

Perhaps we should’ve seen something strange coming when Minaj walked the red carpet in flowing red robes, looking like some sort of priestess.

minajredcarpet Catholic League Blasts Rappers Grammy Performance, Asking Is Nicki Minaj Possessed?

Rapper Nicki Minaj, dressed in robes, walks with a person dressed like a bishop or pope on the red carpet of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles. (credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

The performance began with the rapper in a faux-confession setting, sitting divided from a priest, who ultimately clutches his hands around his ears.

“I feel pretty, and witty, I slay,” rapped Minaj.

The “priest” seems to be mouthing the word “stop” over and over again.

The performance then cut to a scene reminiscent of the classic horror flick “The Exorcist,” with Minaj cast as a person possessed.

What followed was a spectacle of robe-clad dancers, Minaj rapping while strapped to some kind restraining device.

Minaj is then shown kneeling at an altar, before a mock exorcism commences, with wires hoisting Minaj as a priest gesticulates nearby.

The Catholic League was not amused.

“Perhaps the most vulgar was the sexual statement that showed a scantily clad female dancer stretching backwards while an altar boy knelt between her legs in prayer,” said Bill Donohue, the president of the Catholic League.

“None of this was by accident, and all of it was approved The Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammys. Wheter Minaj is possessed is surely an open question, but what is not in doubt is the irresponsibility of The Recording Academy. Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam,” Donohue said

“It’s bad enough that Catholics have to fight for their rights vis-a-vis a hostile administration in Washington also having to fend off attacks in the entertainment industry,” said Donohue. Donohue was apparently referring to the recent fracas between Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan and President Barack Obama. The two clashed over a health care policy requiring religious-backed institutions to cover the costs of birth control for their employees.

Reaction to Minaj’s performance was swift on Twitter – much of it negative.

“Maybe you had to be there,” Tweeted comedienne Wendy Liebman.

“Suddenly, Lady Gaga seems really, really normal,” Tweeted People magazine staff writer Steve Helling.

Did you catch the performance? What did you make of it? Sound off in our comments section below.

Catholic League Blasts Rappers Grammy Performance, Asking Is Nicki Minaj Possessed?

Mick

Mocking the church? how shocking…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
DG

Another loser with no talent
Allan

I would have like to see Tedeschi Trucks Band receive their award for Best Blues Album and Alison Krauss receive hers. Instead, viewers were subjected to no talent performances by the woman beating Chris Brown or the thing that crawled out from under a rock, Niki Minaj. I was glad to see, in the awards, that talent won out over shock factor and glitz. Congrats Adele. Dave Grohl was right, it should only be about the microphone and the instrument.

naptholk

Agreed!
Timothy

Art should challenge the establishment and press the limits of what is accepted…yes. But the Catholic Church? yawn… that’s so tired and done a thousand time already. Want to make a statement on a large stage that takes real courage? Challenge Islam’s treatment towards Women, Girls, and people of other convictions. Challenge your own beloved Obama and his hypocritical condemnation of the wealthy while he bails out his Wallstreet buddies and corporate cronies at GE and GM. There was a time for art to criticize the Catholic Church…to take on the Millionaire Televangelists of the 90′s…. I applauded it then. Very few are as “courageous” however, when it comes to addressing the actual modern day atrocities that need the voice of the artistic community. It’s a shame really.
cwilliams

Agreed-aside from Dream Theater and Journey, Foo Fighters have to be one of the best rock bands of all time-and it is pretty simple no matter how you play it-it’s rock.

The s–t we were subjected to last night was just that-and in typical progressive fashion-never disrespect Judaism or Islam-nope, but Christians are fair game.

Congrats to Adele, lady A, Foo Fighters, etc-Chris can crawl back under a rock with Minaj….
Karen Sing

Hear-hear! Well said! You certainly speak for me. Go Adele! This woman can actually sing!

omstrat

Rap , the home of talentless street garbage. Stupid popul;ation , stupid muisc.

PRC

by they who do you mean?

JOSE

ALL THE RETARDS YOU SEE JUMPING UP AND DOWN THAT’S WHO I MEAN , YOU KNOW ANY GARDEN SQUASHES?

PRC

no I do not know any garden squeashes haha ill keep a look out

Taijh Guerrier

yay for ignorance!

Greg

That’s what’s so GREAT about Adele–and Whitney. No gimmicks and garbage, just VOICES!

TreeOfLifeSword

Very well said. The black community needs to distance itself from the rap rabble. Losing performers like Whitney Houston points out what trash is left as far as female (and male) black entertainers. It does nothing but DRAG THE CULTURE DOWN.

MsKira

That’s because people want to see negativity.. There are plenty of talented Black Artist you just want to see the negative ones.. Rappers are not the only black artist… what about Common and Alicia Keys.. Jennifer Hudson.. they were on their no one mentioning them when they mention black people but HELLO they are BLACK… since they didn’t do something negative why bring them up though right?
I think the performance was stupid but come on.. Christians do plenty of bad things too.. let me guess you are going to say where right? Thats because they do it in other countries.. they have already made their mark on North America and the Caribbean…. Colonizations was Christians purging other religions and cultures..

I see a lot of “Christians” on this page mad because someone insulted their HOLY Religion but yet are reduced to making Racist statements and having Racist attitudes….. Thanks for validating

Rell

I agree. There are other artist with AMAZING voices that are not getting recognized. Chrisette Michele has a beautiful voice but has not gained the fame that Adele or Nicki has gained. Nicki’s fame is a reflection of AMERICA, not just BLACKS. White people, Asians, etc buy her music too, i.e. Taylor Swift. So, America should reevaluate their choices in music.

Bryan

Yes, lets dump praise on a dead crack head. Such a role model…b

KBKBKB

People are praising her voice and talent, not her drug use. She was world famous, and you’re nothing.

Steinmann

Again, what one does that has no real talent to sell other than shock. It’s why most of these people are sold to the public as unbelievable but are not around in 3 to 5 years because the public realizes it was caught into believing a lie. Record companies are becoming more irrelevant. Too many outlets to bypass them and sell. Steve Jobs saw it.
claudia

This was a black mass. No disguises. It was meant to offend Christians and tear down sensibilities in the name of entertainment. It was blasphemous. And the network knows it, allowed it, and promoted it. CBS needs to apologize to viewers. It needs to understand, we cannot tolerate a delibeate affront to our faith, the value of life, rather than child sacrifice which this portrayed, and needs to realize there are more Christians than satanists who watch their network. Apologize, and never run this occult crap in disguise or on stage again. Note: The winners of the night were Adele, Taylor, Jenifer Hudson, Foo Fighters, Glenn Campbell who all delivered honest, and heart felt, and artistic heroic work. Grace, Courage, Love delivers. Everytime.

God Lover

1 Timothy 2:11

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.”

if you were really a Christian you would forgive them and stop complaining.

my.$02

Is that what Jesus did when He overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the Temple? Or is anger not a sin, but an emotion?

God Lover

If the grammys are your “temple” then you have serious problems.

You can’t start a sentence with the word “Or” and no one is stating anything about anger being a sin or otherwise so stop gas-lighting with your lame attempts at a comeback.
DH

Sorry but I think the anger of God is allowed, it’s called “righteous anger”.

PRC

thank you GOD LOVER! thats all i see is complaining right here

Gary McLoughlin

Well, I’m not complaining. I’m just pointing out that you have the intelligence of a squid, obviously dropped out of school in the 6th grade to have a baby, have never worked a day in your life, subsist on the welfare of others and probably smoked a big pipe of crack before writing your drivel this morning…

God Lover

wow, Gary McLoughlin, that’s some rough hating there, why would you say such horrible things to someone for voicing their opinion- many people aren’t well-spoken or articulate and should not be criticized for voicing their thoughts.

PRC

i wish this was facebook so i can like this… and thats what I do not understand Why some of these Comments are relavant to the performance. these comments are yes disgusting.

Gary McLoughlin

That’s right. You cannot like this unless this is Facebook

Luvmom

So you are saying we should all go out of our way to pinpoint and attack someone else’ particular religion because that is what freedom of religion is all about? But if those who were attacked try to comment about it, they should NOT have the freedom to do so?

Gary McLoughlin

It was a Black Mass… also a Black Mess
ronda

You discredit yourself with the stroke of your first sentence. You people are giving this performance WAY too much credit and letting your imaginations of satan and conspiracies run amuck.This was nothing more than a no talent hood rat trying to drum up a massive amount of attention with this controversial but mostly BORING act. Nicki Manaj…. WINNING!
.Fools.
Rodin

Just another myth-lovin’ Christian. Christians are offensive. Just read through the so-called Christian posts here. Nothing but frothing.

It was blasphemous?

“Mockery of religion is one of the most essential things because to demystify supposedly ‘holy text dictated by god’ and show that they are man made and what you have to show [is] their internal inconsistencies and absurdities. One of the beginnings of human emancipation is the ability to laugh at authority… it is an indispensable thing. People can call it blasphemy if they like, but if they call it that, they have to assume there is something to be blasphemed – some divine work, well I don’t accept the premise.” ~ Christopher Hitchens
Rodin

Black mass, Catholic mass, a mass is a mass is a mass. Same difference.

Free from religion, good without gØd!

mgusto

I hope we’ve seen the last of this faux “artist”. It was a very, very low point in an otherwise decent show. LL did great!..and Adele, Congratulations for showing some class up there and not trying to make it by shocking and offending people. We really had enought of that with Madona…Lady Gaga is getting old, and with Adele beating her in every category, looks like others are feeling the same fatigue. Jennifer, wonderful performance along with Alicia and Bonnie!! Thank you!
Jeff

..it NEEDED to be addressed?.. so you actually got something out of THAT?.. OK then.
freecheese

The Grammy’s every year gets to be a bigger and bigger freak show. I quit watching that and the Oscars because of that.
Rap is CRUDE, and alternativ “rock” is not music, rather it is NOISE.
Roger

We not only do not watch the Grammy awards but stopped listening to 90% of what passes for music these days. The hip-hop just suggests minority women just want s e x and all minority men are willing to give it to them.. much other music is about foul words and unrecognizable lyrics. And most of today’s performers are machine enhanced and have no voice otherwise. I didn’t grow up with the “Oldies but Goodies” however upon hearing them today at least the words are audible and the voices were their own!
Doug Rose

Just another “Non-Talented” using gimmicks to get attention…
Nothing to see here….Move along…………….
Teacookies

It’s what they (rappers) do. Why don’t they have their own award show and leave the Grammy’s to REAL music. Who would think someone could make Gaga look sane.

Stevie the K

bravo

Fyodor Camus

It was intensely stupid!
MC

Man…she’s REALLY ugly.
Yuck

At least it accomplished one thing. I no longer have to peek under the kitchen sink to see trash. It was live, pathetic and on my television set. Saved me a trip to the kitchen……
cattyfan

This is what people with no talent do. They create a spectacle so they can still have attention.

I can’t imagine the producers agreeing to include her performance if it had mocked some other religion, though…say Judaism or Islam.

Let’s hope her career is mercifully and appropriately short.
Pious III

I would have loved to see her mock Islam and seen the reaction from that! … or may be the sacred cow of Hinduism! (sorry, just had to get that in there!)
GlarryB

Crap like this is why I stopped watching the Grammy’s years ago. It’s gone into the gutter along with what they call “music”.
CHRIS VIDRINE

SHE’S JUST NUTS. WHY CAN’T PEOPLE JUST SING? OUR LOVELY WHITNEY DIDN’T HAVE TO PERFORM OUTRAGEOUS STUNTS.

Jeff

..’cuz she has no talent..
Yuck

The answer is in your timely question: People CAN’T sing today. They need AutoTune and a host of studio gadgetry to make them sound good. Whitney only needed a mike, and sometimes, not even that. What a voice.

sas

More tawdry church-bashing for cheap publicity. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Rob in STL

I just found the whole thing very odd. It was offensive only in that it was intended to BE offensive, I think she was really trying to make waves by offending Catholics and the Church, but I didn’t really get offended, I was too busy going “WTF is the point again?”

Yeah, it’s funny to say but Lady Gaga, now looking really blase…
Monica WhoDat Finley

It SUCKED!
Lavonia Graham

I didn’t find it offensive in anyway because I know my GOD and I’m comfortable in my skin. She was expressing something that needed to be address!

matthew

are you retarded????
http://filipinosforronpaul.com filipinosforronpaul

“something that needed to be address” What is that?

What she addressed is that popular music in this country has become another low quality product force fed to the brain washed youth, yes, I said that.

Is this good music? tell me, honestly.
TeaRunner

Yes, we’re already aware there are stupid people running free. It was addressed decades ago by pooling them into the Democrat party.

Jequato

Keep drinking the tea, genius.

PRC

the best comment on this site!!!!! as long as you kno YOUR God then it shouldnt matter. I feel the same way you do
karen

Recycling a theme from a ’70′s movie is not expressing a contemproary nor relevant issue.