You See Right Through Me

[DISCLAIMER]

I recall listening to rapper Lil Wayne’s ninth mixtape, No Ceilings (2009), and hearing the track “Sweet Dreams” which featured vocalist Beyoncé and rapper Nicki Minaj. Thus, it was around the time of hip hop label Young Money Entertainment’s reign that I became familiar with Minaj.

Personally, Minaj is a rapper and not a lyricist. For context, a lyricist concentrates on the art of storytelling, devotes attention toward written lyrics, experiments with wordplay, emphasizes poetic depth, often uses complex rhyme schemes, and utilizes a unique ability to deliver lyrics.

A rapper focuses more on an entertainment factor. By my subjective view, most of Minaj’s musical catalogue doesn’t appeal to me. However, there is one exception. On her debut studio album Pink Friday (2010) was the song “Right Thru Me”, produced by Drew Money.

I don’t care for the verse-specific lyrics, as one source expresses that “Minaj wonders how a lover can see through her,” though I like the chorus. On it, Minaj states, “You see right through me. How do you do that shit? [x3] How do you? [x5].” It’s a catchy chorus.

Generally, I don’t like content of female rappers who devote most of their lyrical content and image toward hyper-sexuality, fashion, and superficiality. Thus, I’ll stick to lyricists such as Eternia, Jean Grae, Reverie, Rapsody, and the like. Still, I have nothing personal against Minaj.

In any event, I recently spoke with a friend and her daughter about controversy in which Minaj has apparently found herself. For context, one source states:

Nicki Minaj appears to have deactivated her Instagram account amid public outrage over her surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s four-day AmericaFest 2026 summit.

On Sunday 12/21/2025], the final day of the conservative conference, the rapper [Minaj], 43, joined Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, to speak about her newfound admiration for President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Her remarks led to significant fan backlash, and as of Wednesday [12/24/2025], her Instagram account now reads: “Sorry, this page isn’t available.” A number of followers, however, pointed out that the “Beez in the Trap” artist had previously quit Instagram, doing so in October. Minaj’s X account remains active.

Since watching online clips of the aforementioned event, I’ve witnessed Minaj being dragged (being disrespected or humiliated on an internet forum). About this matter, I’ve considered the helpful psychotherapeutic modality known as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

Specifically, I think of unconditional acceptance (UA) that relieves self-induced suffering regarding irrational beliefs. This is accomplished through use of unconditional self-acceptance (USA), unconditional other-acceptance (UOA), and unconditional life-acceptance (ULA).

With my approach to REBT, I incorporate author Stephen Covey’s concepts regarding the circles of control, influence, and concern, as well as an area of no concern. UA maps onto the circle of control (USA), circle of influence (UOA), and circle of concern and area of no concern (ULA).

The circle of control encompasses only oneself, the circle of influence encapsulates elements which may be subject to one’s sway, the circle of concern engrosses most matters one can imagine, and the area of no concern relates to all content which isn’t yet imagined.

Since I couldn’t possibly speak on behalf of Minaj, I’ll instead imagine that I was being dragged on a world stage. Keeping in mind the chorus of “Right Thru Me”, I suspect that it would be easy to think about the dragging, “You see right through me. How do you do that shit? How do you?”

UA addresses this statement and associated questions. First, each and every individual alive is merely a fallible human being that is neither good nor bad (USA). When other flawed people (UOA) see right through an individual for the imperfection of life (ULA), no shame is necessary.

“They see right through me,” I may helpfully acknowledge, “and there’s nothing wrong with people observing my imperfection.” Simply because a human being exists, the individual has worth (USA). Even when fallible people make mistakes, they are worthy nonetheless (USA).

Even when other flawed individuals unfavorably drag people perceived to have made mistakes, those imperfect human beings are worthy, as well (UOA). “How do you do that shit? How do you?” I may ask. The answer is simple. In life, imperfect beings behave imperfectly (ULA).

What’s more important about this matter isn’t how others behave; though, how we react to undesirable actions can make a world of difference (UA). Therefore, I hope that rapper Nicki Minaj is able to healthily weather the storm of online dragging. It’s a bumpy ride thus far.

Even though, for the most part, I don’t appreciate her contribution to hip hop, Minaj has worth as a human being nevertheless. Similarly, if you find yourself being dragged – hopefully not on the world stage, for your sake – you can use UA to keep from self-disturbing about the matter.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

References:

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