Nicki Minaj's Ex-BF Safaree Samuels -- Yo, Meek Mill ... I'm Not Gay, I'm Jamaican!

Safaree Samuels wants to set the record straight after Meek Mill's verbal assault -- saying he's not gay ... he's just an awesome dancer.

Nicki's current BF, Meek ... went after her ex during that Tuesday night Twitter rampage. He referenced an old clip of Safaree dancing, and said ..."This n***a SB was twerking mannnnnnnn....i always thought u was gay."

Sources close to Safaree tell TMZ ... he has no problem with anyone who is gay, it's just not HIS thing. We're told the video is from a Jamaican dance battle Samuels did when he was 17 -- and he thinks Meek should be less concerned with his moves ... and more concerned about Nicki.

According to our sources, Safaree says Minaj still reaches out to him from time to time.

#MicDrop