Radio host and activist Nessa “Nitty” Diab has reignited long-standing criticism of entertainment mogul JAY-Z.
This time, the Hot 97 personality has drawn a controversial parallel between his 2019 partnership with the National Football League (NFL) and recent allegations of industry suppression involving rapper Nicki Minaj.
Diab, the longtime partner of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, posted a series of comments on Instagram Wednesday (July 16). The post was an expanded re-post of Nicki Minaj, who continues to levy claims against Roc Nation. The entertainment agency is helmed by JAY-Z and led by CEO Desiree Perez.
“@NICKIMINAJ exposing the smear campaign tactics that Jay-Z, Roc Nation, Desiree Perez did to her behind the scenes, is VERY similar to what I was told they did to @Kaepernick7 when Jay purposely co-opted Colin’s protest by siding with the NFL to help ‘their image’ after they blackballed Colin for his protest.”
The claim references the 2019 deal JAY-Z brokered between Roc Nation and the NFL. The partnership was valued at $25 million over a five-year period. The agreement, according to a report by ESPN, was designed to enhance the league’s entertainment offerings and amplify its social justice initiatives. It was also reportedly meant to help it “move beyond the controversy around teams’ unwillingness to sign Kaepernick.”
In a press conference at the time, JAY-Z famously stated, “I think we’ve moved past kneeling,” referring to Kaepernick’s silent protest during the national anthem. That controversial move began in 2016 to raise awareness about police brutality and racial injustice. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 and has not worked in the NFL since then.
Diab was among the earliest and most vocal critics of JAY-Z’s NFL alignment. She said the deal neutralized Kaepernick’s influence and appeased team owners. She pointed to a statement allegedly made by Patriots owner Robert Kraft:
“The NFL isn’t picking up on these social issues. We need your help,” Kraft reportedly told JAY-Z, leading to the introduction that helped facilitate the partnership.
In her comments, Diab also took aim at Perez, Roc Nation’s CEO.
Diab said:
“Desiree even said ‘We love that everybody wants to be on the stage, that we’ve completely changed the conversation to fighting for it versus boycotting. We’ve come a long way.’ She got her pardon by Trump – no coincidence the NFL owners are his buddies and also donated millions to his campaign. I still don’t watch that league or whoever is performing at whatever game they have playing.”
Diab referred to Perez’s pardon for a 1994 cocaine conspiracy conviction by then-President Donald Trump.
While Diab’s comparison between Minaj and Kaepernick drew support from some users, others questioned the validity of conflating the two situations.
“Right message, but wrong messenger when it comes to Nicki,” one commenter wrote. “Her reputation grown into the mean girl… Had she not taken that turn, it might have been impactful.”
Another stated, “Nicki ain’t it… She isn’t for the ppl and ain’t did s### to forfeit her career either!”
Diab remained resolute in her position, replying:
“It doesn’t change the message. Smear campaigns happening behind the scenes to harm people’s lives are not right. And calling out powerful people doing it takes a lot of courage.”
Actor and comedian Faizon Love also weighed in, writing, “These are two separate situations like???”
Diab responded:
“Sure, two different situations with the supposed same smear tactics done against them behind the scenes.”
JAY-Z, Roc Nation, and Desiree Perez have not publicly responded to Diab’s recent remarks.
Diab’s comments have once again placed JAY-Z at the center of a complex conversation.
Funk Flex, another Hot 97 host, weighed in, tagging Jay’s rarely used account.
