The Nicki Minaj-SZA Feud, Explained

Topline

Rapper Nicki Minaj continued to attack singer SZA on social media Thursday night as their feud has raged for days, with Minaj making posts urging the CIA, FBI and a member of Congress to investigate what she said is a threat made by a DJ affiliated with SZA’s label.

Minaj and SZA traded disses on social media Tuesday night. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty … More Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueKey Facts

Minaj and SZA—but mostly Minaj—have traded disses over social media since Tuesday, when Minaj first accused “that man from TDE”—an apparent reference to Terrence “Punch” Henderson, president of the Top Dawg Entertainment label, to which SZA is signed—of “bullying” her.

Minaj claimed in a post Thursday night she was originally intended to be featured on Drake’s song “Rich Baby Daddy” instead of SZA but declined, appearing to accuse her of having sex with Drake (Drake and SZA dated in 2009, but it’s unclear whether Minaj is referring to their brief relationship or a more recent interaction).

Minaj on Thursday responded to a post SZA made on Wednesday, in which the singer said Minaj knows her music because she had “asked for features twice” and rapped lyrics she wrote on Beyoncé’s 2014 song “Feeling Myself,” alleging neither her nor Beyoncé “wanted to sing those sh— lyrics.”

Minaj also reposted a video appearing to show MackWop, a DJ known for working with TDE artists including SchoolboyQ, telling Minaj to “relax before you get put in a blender.”

“Is this a threat ? @FBI,” Minaj posted, stating in a follow-up tweet she wants him “investigated right away,” alleging he has “ties to other ppl who’ve been a part of very shady business,” though it’s unclear what she is referring to.

Minaj tagged Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., in a post, stating MackWop “publicly threatened me” and she “notified the FBI & CIA,” and in response, Luna told Minaj to text her and said she “will forward this to law enforcement immediately.”

Why Did The Nicki Minaj-Sza Beef Start?

In her tweet about Henderson on Tuesday, Minaj accused him of “bullying” her after she “rejected his business proposition on more than one occasion.” Minaj did not provide details about how Henderson bullied her, but claimed she has “receipts.” Minutes after Minaj’s tweets, SZA, who is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and was managed by Henderson until December, made a post stating: “Mercury retrograde .. don’t take the bait lol silly goose.” Though SZA did not mention Minaj in her post, Minaj seemed to interpret it as a diss. Minaj reposted a tweet from a fan who said SZA “‘coincidentally’ came on twitter talking about ‘not taking bait’ and a ‘retrograde’ that’s not even happening…after not tweeting since june…until nicki spoke out about her manager who’s been harassing nicki since literally 2012…” (Fact check: Mercury was not in retrograde at the time of SZA’s post, but is now in retrograde as of Friday until August 10.) Minaj responded to SZA’s post, telling her to “draw your freckles back on,” calling her a “liar” and stating she sounds “like a fkng dead dog.” “I don’t give a f— bout none of that weird shit you popping,” SZA wrote in response to Minaj, who then responded: “Shutup ugly. I’m in a meeting so idk if u was still talking shit or not so if you didn’t I’ll delete later. Hoe.” SZA denied her tweet about Mercury being in retrograde was related to Minaj, and made several tweets celebrating the success of her tours and albums, before signing off: “Lemme go back to being calm shy and meek . Yall have blessed night!” Minaj continued to criticize SZA in more posts, stating if her music “vanished right now” the music industry would not miss her, stating SZA is not “more successful than me” and that a “vocal coach” would “cost the btch her whole budget.” Following Minaj and SZA’s back-and-forth, Henderson made a post: “So what did I miss?”

What Does #justicefordemoree Mean?

Minaj included the hashtag #JusticeForDemoree under many of her tweets Tuesday night, referring to Demoree Hadley, daughter of Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez. Minaj has emerged as a fierce critic of Roc Nation, the record label and entertainment company founded by Jay-Z, in recent months. Demoree Hadley reportedly filed a lawsuit in Florida court earlier this year alleging her mother had her unlawfully detained and institutionalized under the state’s Baker Act, which enables family members to seek emergency mental health care for loved ones. Minaj shared an interview Hadley gave last week in a post on X, in which Hadley accused her mother of trying to control her by orchestrating her detainment. In her post, Minaj accused Perez and Roc Nation of also attempting to exert control over her. “Remember the 3 Times my home was swatted claiming a ‘man’ in the home had a gun?!?!! Does this not all sound FAMILIAR to what did & what IS happening to me?” Minaj posted, referencing multiple swatting incidents she has faced in recent years. On Thursday, Minaj made a post tagging the FBI and CIA claiming she would give them information relating to Perez. “Hey @fbi @CIA I’m willing to be a snitch just like DESIREE PEREZ if it has to do with her, ROC NATION or TDE!!” Minaj wrote.

What Did Minaj Previously Say About Megan Thee Stallion And Jay-Z?

Minaj targeted both Megan Thee Stallion and Jay-Z in social media posts last week, both of which appear tied to her grievances with Roc Nation, to which Megan Thee Stallion is signed. Megan Thee Stallion and Minaj engaged in a high-profile feud in early 2024 in which both rappers traded diss tracks. Last week, Minaj taunted the rapper after a judge denied Roc Nation’s request to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed against Megan Thee Stallion in 2024, alleging she harassed an employee by having sex with a woman while he was inside a vehicle with her. Minaj also accused Jay-Z of owing her money after his streaming service Tidal, which Minaj had a stake in, was sold. She also said Jay-Z and Roc Nation “ruined hip-hop,” “ruined touring” and ruined social media in further posts.

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