Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Reuters/Getty
If you’d told me a few years ago that rising queer pop star Kim Petras would collaborate with rap legend Nicki Minaj, I would have the same answer, with two different layers of implications: “Of course.”
“Of course,” because prior to the pandemic, Petras began releasing a slew of trap-pop hits that formed her first full-length project, 2019’s Clarity. The sound that Minaj was peddling around the same time would’ve fit seamlessly on one of Clarity’s many singles—plus, Minaj will apparently work with just about anyone if the check clears.
The second “Of course”—intended to be said with a resolute sigh and a dejected bowing of the head—would stem from the fact that over the past five years, both Petras and Minaj have proven themselves willing to cozy up to alleged abusers at almost every turn. This pattern of behavior by both parties has majorly dampened the excitement over their new single, “Alone,” released today.