The Cardi B-Nicki Minaj feud reignited with fresh accusations of hypocrisy and industry rivalries, drawing in other stars like SZA and Beyoncé amid ongoing social media clashes.

The longstanding rivalry between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj has once again captured the attention of the hip-hop community, escalating into a public war of words on social media platforms. In a series of pointed posts, Cardi B accused Minaj of feigning solidarity with women of color while engaging in conflicts with prominent Black female artists, specifically naming SZA and Beyoncé. This latest chapter comes on the heels of Minaj’s criticisms of Cardi’s recent album sales, highlighting deeper tensions within the genre’s competitive landscape.

Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, released her sophomore album “Am I the Drama?” in September 2025, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The project marked her return after a three-year hiatus from solo releases and featured subtle references that fans interpreted as digs at Minaj. Minaj, responding via X (formerly Twitter), questioned the legitimacy of the album’s performance, alleging inflated sales through bundles and promotional discounts. “Abcdefgeeeeeeee. SUR GER REE TO LOOK LIKE MEEEEE,” Minaj posted in one deleted tweet, mocking Cardi’s success.

Cardi fired back swiftly, urging Minaj to benchmark herself against contemporaries like Taylor Swift rather than emerging artists. “You been in the game like 16 years.. you need to compare yourself to YOUR peers that started around YOUR time,” she wrote. The exchange quickly turned personal, with Minaj referencing Cardi’s children in derogatory terms and Cardi countering by alluding to Minaj’s family issues and past legal matters involving her brother.

At the heart of Cardi’s recent accusations is Minaj’s perceived inconsistency in supporting Black women. Cardi highlighted Minaj’s earlier disputes with SZA, questioning why Minaj would target “unproblematic” figures like SZA and Beyoncé while publicly celebrating achievements of white artists. “Always wanna fake ‘dear black women’… girl STFUUU done beefed with every black woman in the industry like girl who tf beef with SZA??? And you be slick throwing shots at Beyonce the most unproblematic people ever while always bootlicking a white artist ass,” Cardi posted on October 2, 2025.

Minaj’s feud with SZA dates back to July 2025, when Minaj accused SZA’s management of bullying her over industry matters. Minaj resurfaced old tweets from SZA that shaded Beyoncé, Madonna, Rihanna, and others, using them to question SZA’s authenticity. “Like do you know the level of inside HATE for yourself you had to have had to be this much of a c— for no reason to the women you later worked with?” Minaj wrote, escalating the conflict. SZA responded minimally, posting “Mercury retrograde” and later sharing evidence of Minaj’s feature requests, which went unanswered.

Beyoncé, often cited as an exemplar of professionalism in the industry, has been indirectly pulled into the fray through these references. Minaj has a history of subtle criticisms toward Beyoncé, contrasting with her overt praise for non-Black artists. Fans and commentators have noted this pattern, with some X users pointing out Minaj’s support for white pop stars while clashing with Black counterparts like Cardi, SZA, Megan Thee Stallion, and Latto.

The Cardi-Minaj rivalry traces its roots to 2017, when Cardi rose to prominence with hits like “Bodak Yellow.” Initial signs of tension emerged during the collaboration on Migos’ “Motorsport,” where Minaj allegedly altered her verse, leading to accusations of sabotage. Cardi felt ambushed, and Minaj later expressed hurt over the narrative that portrayed her negatively.

The feud peaked in 2018 at New York Fashion Week, where Cardi approached Minaj at a Harper’s Bazaar party, resulting in a physical altercation. Cardi sustained an injury above her eye, blaming Minaj’s entourage, while Minaj denied involvement and claimed self-defense via her friend Rah Ali. Cardi detailed her frustrations in an Instagram post, accusing Minaj of spreading lies, attempting to derail her career, and threatening collaborators.

Post-incident, both artists released tracks perceived as diss records. Minaj’s “Ganja Burn” from her album Queen contained lines aimed at Cardi, while Cardi’s lyrics in subsequent releases echoed the beef. A brief truce seemed possible, but subtle disses persisted in interviews and songs. For instance, Minaj discussed the “Motorsport” fallout with Zane Lowe, emphasizing scheduling conflicts, while Cardi maintained Minaj’s actions were deliberate.

Minaj’s broader pattern of conflicts underscores the accusations. She has sparred with Megan Thee Stallion over “Hiss” and “Big Foot,” Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift. In 2019, Minaj boycotted the BET Awards after perceived slights favoring Cardi. Her July 2025 clash with SZA involved claims of bullying by SZA’s label, Top Dawg Entertainment, and critiques of SZA’s deluxe album release strategy.

Cardi, too, has faced criticism for her role in intra-community tensions. Some observers note her own disses toward Black women in lyrics and past comments, such as calling detractors “roaches.” However, her defense of figures like SZA in this instance positions her as calling out perceived double standards.

Social media has amplified the drama, with hashtags and fan posts dissecting every tweet. Platforms like X saw trends like #CardiVsNicki surge, with users debating loyalty and authenticity. Supporters of Minaj, known as Barbz, defend her as a trailblazer who paved the way for artists like Cardi, while Cardi’s fans highlight her organic rise and business acumen.

Industry experts view these feuds as symptomatic of hip-hop’s competitive nature, where female rappers face heightened scrutiny. Minaj, a veteran with multiple platinum albums and a lasting influence on rap aesthetics, has built an empire including her Pink Friday fragrance line. Cardi, a former stripper turned reality star, leveraged Love & Hip Hop fame into global stardom, amassing endorsements and a net worth estimated in the tens of millions.

The involvement of SZA and Beyoncé adds layers, as both represent different facets of Black excellence in music. SZA’s R&B success with albums like SOS and its deluxe LANA has earned her Grammy nods, while Beyoncé’s cultural impact remains unparalleled. Minaj’s resurfacing of SZA’s old posts about Beyoncé fueled narratives of envy and unresolved grudges.

As of October 3, 2025, neither artist has issued formal statements through representatives, though Cardi hinted at ending the online exchanges to focus on her career and family. Minaj continued posting cryptic messages, teasing her next project for March 2026. The feud’s resolution remains uncertain, but it underscores ongoing discussions about solidarity among Black women in entertainment.

Public reactions vary, with some praising Cardi’s candor and others criticizing both for perpetuating division. Azealia Banks, in a lengthy X thread, analyzed Minaj’s career strategy as leveraging rivalries for relevance, particularly against figures like Cardi and Kim Kardashian. Fan accounts dissected the hypocrisy claims, noting Minaj’s support for non-Black artists like Sabrina Carpenter while clashing with peers.

Media coverage has been extensive, with outlets like Rolling Stone, Billboard, and USA Today detailing the timeline and implications. Commentators suggest these battles distract from collaborative potential, as seen in past unity efforts like female rap cyphers.

In the broader context, the feud reflects challenges for women in hip-hop, where success often invites comparison and conflict. Minaj’s influence on barbiecore aesthetics and viral marketing persists, while Cardi’s unfiltered persona resonates with younger audiences. SZA’s involvement highlights how feuds can spillover, affecting reputations across genres.

Ultimately, this episode may boost streams and visibility for all parties, a common outcome in rap beefs. As Cardi focuses on her pregnancy and Minaj prepares new music, fans await whether reconciliation or further escalation lies ahead. The music industry watches closely, as these dynamics shape narratives around empowerment and rivalry.