Yo Miley, here’s the attention your ordered.
Over the weekend Pop star—and sometimes Hip Hop, depending on record sales—Miley Cyrus debuted three new songs at a BBC Radio 1 festival in wake of the release of her new album, She Is Coming.
During her performance of a song entitled, “Cattitude”, the singer named dropped two female rappers, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B in a line that went “I love you Nicki, but I listen to Cardi.”
https://twitter.com/PopAIertNews/status/1132393930920796166
Both women have been in an ongoing feud that reached a maximum peak at the Harper’s Bazzard fashion Week event back in September in which a shoe was thrown. Afterward, Nicki took to Twitter to declare a cease-fire, to which Cardi agreed and so far, things have been good on both ends.
Meanwhile, social media dragged the “Wrecking ball” singer for her lyric.
Miley explained in her Capital Breakfast interview that the reference was misunderstood and there’s a very different message she wants people to take from the lyrics.
Cyrus started, “I don’t think there is beef now anymore.” Adding, “Actually, one of my songs says, ‘You want to know if we’re really beefing? There’s no beef; I’m a vegan.’ I think that you’re allowed to enjoy two artists who fill a similar lane.”
The star then finished by pointing out that artists like Nicki Minaj and Cardi B have earned their own place on top that no one can take: “When you are authentically yourself, no one can be you so you’re never worried about someone stealing your place because it can’t be taken because you’re the only one, and I think what they do is so different from each other. That’s why they both get a crown. They don’t have to share; they don’t have to break it in half; there’s no reason to fight over it. They’re both queens. And any time you want to feel powerful and strong, that’s my go-to: Cardi and Nicki.”
Miley also had a brief beef with Nicki in that past. Nick famously called out Miley out at the VMAs, asking the singer “What’s good”? A beef, which too, was reportedly squashed.
Perhaps Miley’s brief brush with Queen Barb is what prompted the singer to put in her two cents and even more so, use it as a tool to bring attention to herself—something Miley often does with Hip Hop and anything involving the genre.
Miley’s album is slated to release May 31 so now would be the best time to attract as much attention as possible.
Miley is often referred to as a serial cultural appropriator and has a track record for using the genre when it’s in her best interest and equally bashing the genre when it no longer benefits her.
In an interview with XXL, the singer stated that she “distance” herself from Hip Hop back in 2017, calling the genre out on its sexism and lust for luxurious items, only to announce that in 2019 we’d be hearing the genre again sprinkled throughout her new album—is it Oochie Wally or is it One Mic Miley?
Miley Cyrus distances herself from hip-hop: "'Come sit on my d*ck, suck on my c*ck.’ I can’t listen to that anymore" https://t.co/DnUa0JJl4T pic.twitter.com/PhZgEhTr42
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) May 4, 2017
Artists have always dappled in genres outside of their primary sound. You often hear artist saying that they’re returning to their roots after experimenting with other sounds.
But Miley has a particular problem with going back and staying with her country roots—contrary to her father, Country legend, Billy Ray Cyrus.
Papa Cyrus has always stayed true to his roots and it’s only now that he’s dabbling in Hip Hop—and for good reason.
The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer stepped outside of the box to collaborate with newcomer, rapper Lil Nas X for the remix to X’s hit single, Old Town Road.
When Old Town Road topped the country charts, it was quickly taken down by Billboard due to the lack of country elements. X recruited Billy to add the “elements” Billboard claimed he was missing.
A case like this is acceptable. Billy Ray was invited to the cookout as oppose to his daughter, who prefers to invite herself, trash talk the food but still take a to go plate.
The love-hate relationship Miley has with Hip Hop only proves that the genre is borollic and that Hip Hop sells. Why else would Miley keep running back? Being told that your non-hip hop album was a “doozy” by Rolling Stones must’ve really struck a nerve.
The Hip Hop community isn’t entertaining Miley or her comments. And neither Nicki nor Cardi have responded, which is probably best, at least for Miley.
