"She has never done anything to fight me down": Machel Montano apologizes to Nicki Minaj

Trinidadian soca icon Machel Montano has publicly apologized to rapper Nicki Minaj after comments he made during his performance at the Stink N Dutty fete sparked controversy.

The situation unfolded when Montano stated that Minaj and fellow soca artist Trinidad Killa were "fighting him down." The remarks were quick to become viral. It prompted a reaction from Nicki Minaj. She expressed confusion in a video posted on her official Instagram page.

Guardian reports that in the video, Minaj mentioned,

"What the **** I do? What I do?! What the **** is this? I will cuss you very, very, very **** stink. You understand? I will cuss you very, very, very **** stink."

It has also been reported that during the fete, Montano mentioned,

"Stop it! Stop fight me down. Nicki Minaj, Trinidad Killa, stop fight me down. I is dey daddy! I is dey daddy! My beard grey."

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Montano later issued an apology to Nicki Minaj

He claimed that his statement had been misinterpreted. He expressed his respect for Minaj. Machel Montano also called for collaboration.

Guardian reports that in a social media post, Montana gave a detailed explanation of the incident, mentioning,

"In the fete, I was just compelled to sing the Good Spirit song and as soon as I started to sing the Good Spirit song, it started to resonate deep within me especially when I said the line ‘don’t fight me down’."

He also added,

"The response from the audience was so overwhelming that I felt the joy of the Full Blown crew who had been writing these songs for me for so many years and that song being the feeling of support for a young upcoming artiste. It didn’t come out the way it was supposed to come out."

It continues:

"It was a misunderstanding—a mistake on my part—and I’m a big man and I will say that. Nicki, you know I respect you and you know I love you and I did not try to jump out there and attack you and I didn’t want any of your fans or you to feel that you have ever done anything to fight me down. You did the opposite. You always lift me up. I am saying forgive me. I am not perfect. In that moment, I was a little hot and I didn’t want it to sound to Nicki or her fans that she was the one fighting me down, because I did feel like I got a little fight from Killa and I want Killa to know it was never me. I love Killa songs. I’ve been singing it every night on stage."

The phrase “fight me down” is commonly used in the Caribbean dialect to suggest that someone is trying to hinder another person’s success.

Montana stated that his comment was aimed at Trinidad Killa and that he wanted Nicki Minaj to pass on the message. She has not yet responded to Montano’s apology statement and clarification.