Distinctive rapper Nicki Minaj continued to stir  controversy with her new video “Only,”(link contains explicit language) released on November 7th.  This video comes just weeks after her “Anaconda” music video displayed overly provocative dancing and actions, sparking global criticism from the British Broadcasting Company and American news organizations.

In “Only,” a cartoon-version of Minaj sits on a throne with a clear replica of the German Reichstag, the seat of the Nazi government, behind her.  The Nazi symbolism continues throughout the video with the use of Nazi banners. Minaj replaced the swastikas with her production company, Young Money’s, logo.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)  spoke out against the video, decrying its insensitivity.  The glorification of Nazi soldiers through the use of Nazi Storm Trooper (SS) arm bands caused many to feel as though Minaj’s video was disrespectful to the American soldiers who had fought against the Nazis.  The ADL posted a press release on their website directly following the video’s release. It not only deemed the video offensive, but pointed out the fact that the video was released on the anniversary of Kristallnacht.  Kristallnacht, or the night of broken glass, widely considered to be the beginning of the Holocaust, remains one of the most solemn days in German history.

“As a Jewish student at Palmetto, I felt as though Nicki Minaj’s producer did not take into consideration how their blatant use of Nazi symbolism would affect and offend us [Jewish people] ,” sophomore Brian Morrison said.

The media called for an apology from both Minaj and the director of “Only,” Jeff Osborne, for the video’s offensive content.  Minaj obliged and separated herself from the controversy, promising that the concept had not been her own.  Osborne, on the other hand, made no effort to shrug off the blame or apologize for any offense he caused.  He called the video a “misinterpreted Nazi criticism” in a Buzzfeed interview earlier this month.

Not all reactions to Nicki’s video have been negative.  The YouTube Channel “Hitler Reacts” debuted a video based on Minaj’s that features an enraged Hitler.  “How could Nicki Minaj rip off my director like this?” the subtitles show a parodied Hitler shouting. “Without giving me any credit? Without espousing any Nazi ideology!”

While some take the video lightly, as the “Hitler Reacts” channel did, many are horrified by its Nazi symbolism.  As E! News suggested, perhaps Minaj needs to lay off the controversy for a while and produce a few wholesome videos reminiscent of her “Superbass” days.