Nicki Minaj vs Cardi B A RAP RIVALRY THAT WON’T TAKE A BACKSEAT

In hip-hop, rivalries are as old as the genre itself. But few are as persistent, complex, and loaded with both personal and professional tension as the feud between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. Over nearly a decade, their conflict has evolved, resurfacing in media headlines, social media shade, interviews, and even physical moments. As of late 2025, a fresh flare up has brought their long-standing discontent back into sharp focus.

- By Umasha Caldera

The feud between these two powerhouse rappers didn't start with violence or public explosions.

It emerged more subtly: In 2017, fans and media first noticed signs; social media posts that seemed to throw shade, alleged lyrical jabs, and a competitive energy. For example, Cardi B's rise via hits Like "Bodak Yellow" pushed her into the spotlight, and there were moments where Nicki's fans (the Barbz) compared or contrasted Nicki's established legacy with Cardi's breakout moment. In October 2017, the song "MotorSport" by Migos (featuring both Cardi B and Nicki Minaj) became a flashpoint.

Scenes in the music video were filmed separately, and rumors swirled that lyrics or roles were altered. While both sides denied deliberate hostility, the moment increased speculation.

By 2018, tension had become too visible to ignore. At New York Fashion Week, during the Harper's Bazaar ICONS party, Cardi B lunged at Nicki and threw a shoe, an eruption many see as the public breaking point. Cardi claimed it was provoked by comments (direct or indirect) about her child, and the moment became a major cultural moment, replayed and dissected for weeks. Interviews, radio segments, and public comments on both ends followed, with each side admitting (sometimes) that things had been said, denied, or exaggerated by media. But by then, the feud was established; fans, media outlets, and other artists alike were invested in it.