Nicki Minaj pulls out of Saudi Arabia festival after backlash

9 July 2019

Rapper Nicki Minaj has cancelled a scheduled performance in Saudi Arabia next week, citing her support for the rights of women and the LGBT community.

Her headline billing at the festival in Jeddah triggered an outcry from critics of the country's human rights record.

Others questioned how her revealing outfits and explicit lyrics would go over in the ultra-conservative kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has been trying to ease restrictions on entertainment and to encourage growth in its arts sector.

'Better educating myself'

Scrutiny of the country's human rights record intensified after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October.

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