The ongoing tension between American music stars Nicki Minaj and SZA has taken a more dramatic turn.
What started as a subtle online shade has now turned into a public war of words, with both artists trading claims over their success, credibility, and past interactions.
The latest clash began on Tuesday night after SZA appeared to throw indirect shade at Nicki Minaj. The R&B star’s post came shortly after Nicki launched a furious rant on X (formerly Twitter), aiming at Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) president, Punch, who has long managed SZA’s career.
In her online tirade, Minaj made bold claims about her achievements compared to SZA’s. She stated that she had performed in far more countries than the R&B singer, even suggesting that there are places around the world where SZA is not known. The tone of the rant suggested a deep frustration, with Minaj implying that her legacy in music far outweighs that of her counterpart.
Minaj, known for her confident and often confrontational social media style, didn’t hold back. She said she has performed in places where SZA’s name holds no weight, portraying herself as the more successful and globally recognised artist.
These comments quickly caught the attention of fans and observers alike. Many viewed Minaj’s remarks as dismissive and unnecessary, especially considering the respect SZA has garnered in recent years for her chart-topping music and critically acclaimed albums.
Not one to let things slide, SZA responded with what many fans saw as a calm but pointed clapback. The “Kill Bill” singer shared a screenshot on X that appeared to show messages from Nicki Minaj’s team requesting a musical collaboration.
In her caption, SZA claimed she had declined Minaj’s request for a feature not once, but twice.
“You absolutely know my music and what I contribute,” SZA wrote, “cause you’ve asked for features twice to no response.”
The singer went further, pointing out that Nicki had previously rapped her lyrics from the song Feeling Myself a collaboration between Nicki and Beyoncé, in which the line “Cooking up the bass looking like a kilo” originates.
“Lol, ur having a moment… I’m not sure why, but be blessed,” SZA added, ending the message on a somewhat sarcastic yet composed note.
Fans react to SZA and Nicki’s saga
As expected, fans on both sides weighed in heavily. Supporters of Minaj defended her as a legend in the rap game, while SZA’s fans praised her for taking the high road and calmly calling out what they saw as hypocrisy.
The situation also sparked broader conversations about how female artists are often pitted against one another in the music industry, especially when both are enjoying successful careers in different genres.
Some fans pointed out that both Nicki and SZA have their unique strengths. Nicki as a groundbreaking rapper with over a decade of dominance, and SZA as a genre-bending artist who has reshaped modern R&B with her soulful sound and vulnerable songwriting.
This isn’t the first time Nicki Minaj has been caught in a public feud with another artist. Over the years, she’s clashed with several other female musicians, including Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Latto. Each incident has often played out publicly, mainly through social media, and has stirred fan debates for weeks.
In this case, however, SZA’s calm and factual response, complete with screenshots, seems to have turned the tide in her favour, at least for now.
It remains to be seen whether Nicki Minaj will respond again or let the matter drop. For now, both artists appear focused on their respective careers, but the drama has added yet another chapter to the complex world of celebrity feuds.
Fans can only hope that the tension dies down and that the music takes centre stage once again. Until then, social media remains on fire with memes, debates, and speculation about what may come next.
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