Nicki Minaj Fires Back Against “Racist Comment” By Steven Tyler

Forget the battle with Mariah Carey…Nicki Minaj is setting her sights on a new “American Idol” judge!

In a recent interview with MTV, former “Idol” judge Steven Tyler gave his opinion on the controversy that seems to have plagued the current season’s judges, saying,

“You just have to give your opinion. It wasn’t hard for me, but I would imagine it’s hard for some people, and they need a manager to say ‘Shut the f— up, and just give them your opinion.’ “

Tyler went on to express what he felt was the difference between his panel of judges and the new panel: the ability to nurture a talent:

“These kids, they just got out of a car from the Midwest somewhere and they’re in New York City, they’re scared to death; you’re not going to get the best [out of them]. … If it was Bob Dylan, Nicki Minaj would have had him sent to the cornfield! Whereas, if it was Bob Dylan with us, we would have brought the best of him out, as we did with Phillip Phillips. Just saying.” 

That last comment, however, didn’t sit too well with Minaj, who immediately took to Twitter to mouth off against the rock legend:

“Steven Tyler said I would have sent Bob Dylan to a cornfield??? Steven, you haven’t seen me judge one single solitary contestant yet…I understand you really wanted to keep your job but take that up with the producers. I haven’t done anything to you. That’s a racist comment. You assume that I wouldn’t have liked Bob Dylan??? why? black? rapper? what? go f— yourself and worry about yourself babe.” 

The singer didn’t stop there, and even brought her former Twitter target, Barbara Walters into the mix:

“LOL lets make him a shirt that says “No Coloreds Allowed” then escort him down 2 Barbara Walters so he can tell how he was threatened w/guns. When Steven 1st went on Idol he was ridiculed by his peers &fans alike. Called a sell out. So what does he do? Ridicule the next judge.” 

Was Tyler being a little egotistical about his performance as an “Idol” judge?  Maybe…but something tells me that a bit of an ego doesn’t automatically equal racism.

So far, however, both the Aerosmith legend and FOX have had no comment on the issue.