Nicki Minaj's Rosa Parks Line Was No Disrespect, Timing a Coincidence

Nicki Minaj teased a new song invoking Rosa Parks‘ name — on the eve of the legendary civil rights icon’s birthday — but the Queen didn’t plan to flex when she did and meant no disrespect either.

Sources connected to the femcee tell TMZ … Nicki’s aware of the heat she’s been catching from folks after releasing a snippet of a track she’s been working on called “Yikes” — which includes the line, “All you bitches Rosa Parks // Uh oh, get your ass up.”

Some people found it humorous, but lots of others didn’t … and actually thought it was a slap in the face of a civil rights legend, who would’ve turned 107 Tuesday.

Fact is … we’re told Nicki was NOT in any way, shape or form attempting to diss the great Mrs. Parks — she was just using her in what she thought was a clever metaphor aimed at her haters. It’s about as simple as that … our sources say it wasn’t a slight at all.

As for the date — again, right before Rosa’s born day — we’re told Nicki didn’t arrange that on purpose. It was a coincidence and in hindsight … we’re told maybe bad timing. Our sources say Nicki was excited to give her fans new tunes, and everything came together by chance.