If you thought the cover for the single was quite odd, seeing Drake being dressed up as the pope, Wayne a man in a business suit and Nicki as what we assumed was a some sort of super hero. Instead, from what it seems in the video she’s a powerful female dictator in charge of a large army.
Known to cause a bit of controversy, we don’t think these were her intentions when this video was put together, but who in there right mind would okay this shit? From the Young Money logo flag looking like the swastika, her team of soldiers wearing armbands that resemble those of a Nazi soldier, and even suited up in uniform like them as well.
There’s no denying the Nazi symbolism in the video, so the outrage by those affected is understandable. After taking another look at the single artwork, it’s evident that this aesthetic was part of her new single’s marketing roll out, so it’s a bad look for the record whether it was to intended to affect people or not. This was not the right way to get people talking about your albums new single.
The clip was directed Jeff Osborne, who Nicki has worked with in the past for her Anaconda lyric video.
UPDATE 11/11: Nicki Minaj Apologizes to Fans
The artist who made the lyric video for “Only” was influenced by a cartoon on Cartoon Network called "Metalocalypse" & Sin City.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014
Both the producer, & person in charge of over seeing the lyric video (one of my best friends & videographer: A. Loucas), happen to be Jewish
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014
I didn't come up w/the concept, but I'm very sorry & take full responsibility if it has offended anyone. I'd never condone Nazism in my art.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014