A human rights group have urged Nicki Minaj to cancel a planned concert in Angola on the grounds of their poor human rights record.
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF), which is based in New York, published a letter they say they have sent to Minaj and her management which seeks to “inform [her] of the human rights crisis in Angola” and asks her to “urgently consider cancelling [your] performance”.
The rapper posted a link to the event, which is planned to take place this Friday 19th December, on her verified Facebook page.
The concert is being funded by the communications company Unitel, which the organisation say is controlled by the family of Angolan president Jose Eduardo Dos Santos.
Mr Dos Santos has been in power of the African country for 36 years, during which time his regime has been known for imposing tight controls on journalists and creatives who have spoken out against it.
In May Rafael Marques de Morais, who has written a book alleging links between the rulers of Angola and the ‘blood diamond’ trade, was given a suspended sentence for defamation charges.
In 2012 the first ever protest against the regime was planned, but prior to the event all 17 protesters and three journalists were arrested on the spot.
According to the HRF, the average Angolan lives on a $2 per day yet the Dos Santos family have a net worth of $3.5billion.
Thor Halvorssen, the president of HRF said: “Nicki Minaj is a global artist. Millions of people look up to her for creative inspiration. There is no good reason for her to do business with the corrupt Angolan dictatorship and endorse the ruler’s family company.
Referencing Minaj’s past charity work with educational projects for young people, he said: “What kind of inspirational message is she sending to millions of young Angolans by performing for the dictatorship that has literally stolen their freedom and their future?”
The foundation also refers to the case of a fellow rapper and Angolan native Luaty Beirao who is currently under arrest for the crime of “studying a book on non-violent resistance”.
“HRF hopes Nicki Minaj will cancel her trip and instead issue a statement of solidarity with those jailed this month for opposing the dictatorship including rapper and hip-hop artist Luaty Beirao,” said Mr Halvorssen.
In 2013, Mariah Carey was criticised for reportedly accepting $1million to perform a private concert for Dos Santos and his family. Her manager at the time, Jermaine Dupri, said he didn't feel they "did anything wrong".
The Independent has contacted a representative of Minaj for comment.
