The rap world has seen its fair share of feuds, but few have captured public attention like the simmering beef between Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion. Once collaborators and seemingly supportive of each other, their relationship has taken a sharp turn into rivalry. So, how did Nicki and Megan beef start? Let’s dive into the timeline and key moments that ignited this high-profile feud.
From Collaboration to Controversy: The Early Days
Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion were not always at odds. In fact, they shared a friendly and professional relationship early on, highlighted by their collaboration on Megan’s 2019 hit “Hot Girl Summer.” Megan openly admired Nicki as one of her idols in the music industry, and their partnership was seen as a powerful union of female rap talents.
However, things started to shift around 2020, a pivotal year for both artists.
The Cardi B Factor: A Rivalry Sparks
One of the earliest cracks in the relationship appeared when Megan teamed up with Cardi B in August 2020 to release the song “WAP.” This collaboration was monumental, debuting at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and marking a significant moment for female rap.
But Cardi B has been a longtime rival of Nicki Minaj, with their own public disputes dating back to the 2018 Met Gala altercation. Megan’s association with Cardi B put her in a tricky position, as Nicki’s ongoing feud with Cardi cast a shadow over Megan’s alliances.
This collaboration subtly shifted Megan closer to Nicki’s nemesis, which some speculate planted the seeds of tension between Nicki and Megan.
The Instagram Unfollow: A Public Sign of Rift
By January 2021, the tension became more visible when Nicki Minaj unfollowed Megan on Instagram. This act is often considered a clear signal of distancing in celebrity circles. Megan later unfollowed Nicki as well, confirming the cooling of their relationship.
Fans began to speculate about the reasons behind the fallout, but neither artist publicly addressed the issue in detail at that time.
Queen Radio Shade and Accusations
In September 2022, Nicki Minaj appeared on her show Queen Radio and made cryptic comments that many interpreted as shade towards Megan. Nicki recounted an incident where someone allegedly tried to convince her to drink alcohol while she was pregnant, implying a betrayal. Although she didn’t name Megan directly, many fans believed the remarks were aimed at her.
Nicki also hinted that the same person used gestures like sending flowers post-childbirth for clout, which sparked further speculation. Megan responded on social media with a simple but pointed “Lie,” denying the accusations.
Musical Digs and Dark References
The feud escalated musically in March 2023 when Nicki released the track “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” which contained lines interpreted as jabs at Megan. One notable lyric was, “I don’t f* with horses since Christopher Reeves,” a veiled reference to Megan’s stage name “Thee Stallion” and a dark nod to Christopher Reeve’s paralysis, which coincidentally happened the year Megan was born.
Nicki also rapped about “Dorito bitches mad that they not chose,” seemingly referencing Megan’s Super Bowl commercial with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Doritos. These lines were widely seen as direct shots at Megan.
Megan’s “Hiss” and the Sex Offender Law Reference
The most explosive moment in their beef came in January 2024, when Megan released her single “Hiss.” The song included a lyric about “Megan’s Law,” a U.S. federal law requiring registered sex offenders to disclose their information publicly.
This was widely interpreted as a diss aimed at Nicki’s husband, Kenneth Petty, who was arrested in 2020 for failing to register as a sex offender after moving to California. This personal jab clearly struck a nerve with Nicki.
Nicki’s Fiery Response
Nicki didn’t hold back in her response. She went live on Instagram sharing a snippet of her revenge track “Big Foot,” which mocked Megan’s 2020 incident when she was shot in the foot by Tory Lanez.
During the live, Nicki criticized Megan’s rapping skills and even “liked” anti-Megan posts on Twitter, fueling the online fire. Unlike Megan’s cryptic disses, Nicki’s retaliation was blunt and aggressive, signaling how serious the feud had become.
The Bigger Picture: Industry Rivalries and Alliances
The Nicki-Megan feud is part of a larger pattern in hip-hop where alliances and rivalries often shape careers. Nicki’s long-standing feud with Cardi B, Megan’s rising star power, and personal issues involving family members have all contributed to the complexity of this beef.
While both rappers have achieved tremendous success individually, their rivalry has become a focal point for fans and media alike, demonstrating how personal and professional lines can blur in the music industry.
Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion’s beef started from a mix of industry rivalries, personal grievances, and pointed musical disses, culminating in public and musical confrontations that have kept fans talking. What began as mutual respect has evolved into one of the most talked-about rap feuds of recent years. Only time will tell if they’ll reconcile or continue to clash on and off the stage.