Nicki Minaj vs Cardi B

The rivalry between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B has been one of the most high-profile feuds in modern hip-hop, especially among female rappers. It’s a mix of personal animosity, industry competition, and fan-fueled drama. Here's a breakdown of the key moments and context:

Background:

Nicki Minaj rose to fame in the late 2000s and dominated the female rap scene for nearly a decade.

Cardi B broke through in 2017 with her hit single “Bodak Yellow”, quickly gaining fame for her raw style, humor, and Bronx persona.

Initially, fans were excited about the potential collaboration between the two, but things soon turned sour.

Key Events in the Rivalry:
2017–2018: Tensions Rise

In 2017, Cardi B's “Bodak Yellow” became a massive hit and topped the Billboard Hot 100 — the first solo female rap single to do so since Lauryn Hill in 1998. This led to comparisons with Nicki Minaj, who hadn’t yet achieved a solo No. 1 at that time.

Both women appeared on Migos’ “MotorSport” (2017), which was supposed to show unity. However, there were immediate rumors of behind-the-scenes drama:

Nicki later claimed her verse was altered without her knowledge.

Cardi suggested Nicki was being passive-aggressive and fake.

There were conflicting accounts about how the collaboration came about.

2018: The Infamous Fight

At a Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party during New York Fashion Week in September 2018, tensions exploded.

Cardi B allegedly tried to confront Nicki Minaj about comments Nicki or her associates had made about Cardi’s daughter.

Cardi was seen throwing a shoe in Nicki’s direction.

Cardi left the party with a torn dress and a visible bump on her head.

Nicki later addressed the incident on her “Queen Radio” show, denying any comments about Cardi’s daughter and accusing Cardi of being overly aggressive and making up stories.

Fan Involvement & Online Drama

Their respective fanbases — the Barbz (Nicki’s fans) and Bardi Gang (Cardi’s fans) — often escalate the feud online.

Social media posts, likes, and subtweets have kept the tension alive, even when the rappers weren’t directly addressing each other.

2020s: Cooling Down?

Since around 2020–2021, the open hostilities seemed to have cooled somewhat.

Both artists focused on their families (both became mothers) and careers, often ignoring questions about each other.

Still, subtle jabs and rumors persist, especially whenever either drops new music.

Recent Status (as of 2025):

As of now, there has been no public reconciliation, and no collaboration is in sight. Though both have downplayed the feud at times, the tension still simmers under the surface, fueled by fans and media speculation.

42.8bn all-time streams (11 Nov '25)

20.9bn all-time streams (1 Nov '25)