Nicki Minaj sure has a lot going on, what with her album release, Queen Radio and her media feud with her ex-boyfriend Safaree. In the midst of her whirlwind of a media presence, fashion enthusiasts and divas, alike, took to Twitter to share their gratitude. From Elle to Porter and back to Vogue, Black feminine icons are front and center for September issues. Most notably referred to as the ‘Wakanda Effect’ or ‘Beychella Effect’ by Maiysha Kai, managing editor of The Glow Up, this seeming trend of placing powerful Black women on the cover is important.
Historically, magazine editors in the high fashion world have attributed lack of Black femme bodies on magazine covers to being sales based, not racial bias. The thought is that Black faces aren’t going to sale- writer Mikelle Street tweeted some thoughts contrary to that prevailing stereotype: ” I’m returning to this to point out that last September (Vogue) had Jennifer Lawrence on the cover, he tweeted. “When they put Rihanna on in June, sis outsold. People are more interested.” This interest in seeing Black women dominate is both revolutionary and controversial; Rihanna’s British Vogue cover was the first time a Black woman had graced the September issue in the 102 years the platform has been running. Her cover also prompted an opt-ed piece from a Latinx writer about her issue with Rihanna’s thin eyebrows.
Whether a plant to distract from Black prowess or an actual disgruntled intersectional claim, the proof remains that Black women are worth reveling in their beauty. Nicki Minaj and all of her media baggage are no different. Her countless forays into the high fashion world have no doubt paved the way for her contemporaries and the next generation to come. From being ogled as sub-human (see enslaved hottentot venus story) to gracing covers worldwide, Black women continue to achieve commercial, cultural and communal success in the face of racial adversity.
