Why are Nicki Minaj and SZA beefing? Rapper takes aim at singer's music, 'morals'
A new beef has entered the music world.
Platinum-selling rapper Nicki Minaj took to social media on Tuesday, July 15, to air her grievances, going on to spark a feud with Grammy-winning singer SZA, dissing everything from the "Snooze" singer's music to her appearance.
The exchange came after the "Starships" artist claimed SZA's manager and Top Dawg Entertainment label president, Terrence "Punch" Henderson, was "bullying" her. SZA, 35, seemingly indirectly addressed the claims by writing, "don't take the bait lol silly goose."
The assumed subtweet got Minaj, 42, riled up, igniting a series of profanity-filled digs. The "Super Freaky Girl" rapper replied to the post: "Go draw your freckles back on bookie," and later claimed the "Kill Bill" artist is "looking & sounding like she got stung" by a bee.
Minaj continued slighting the singer's career, going as far as to say, "SZA if every song you've ever done vanished right now the music business wouldn't even miss you. I've been to countries that never heard of you."
The rapper also aimed at SZA's record-breaking album "SOS," her 2022 9x platinum album that made the singer the longest-running Black artist on the Billboard 200's Top 10 chart, surpassing Michael Jackson's "Thriller." SZA celebrated the feat earlier in the day, writing: "I'm really bout to have my first diamond album .. in under 3 years."
She "put out a whole new album as a deluxe to an already existing album that was out for like a year or 2 so the original album could break records," Minaj tweeted. "Like what in the insecure lack of morals & integrity you doing?"
SZA fires back at Nicki Minaj after X feud, claims 'Feeling Myself' song credit
SZA expressed anger at the attacks, saying she "wasn't even talking about or to anyone." She also went back and forth with Minaj's at times viciously loyal fanbase, referred to as the "Barbz."
"I get bullied by millions online every day then step ... out onna (sic) packed stadium tour where ppl show me REAL love . IN REAL LIFE," said the singer, currently on the international leg of her Grand National tour with Kendrick Lamar. "My parents are healthy and I'm the most successful I ever been."
Later in the day, SZA responded to one of Minaj's tweets about the "Love Galore" singer being a "fake girl's girl" and a "hater," citing a clip of SZA trying and failing to get Rihanna's attention at the 2018 Met Gala as evidence.
"Nicki . You absolutely know my music and what I contribute cause you've asked for features twice to no response," SZA shot back, with a screenshot of an unidentified person texting someone claiming to be Minaj inquiring about a collaboration with the singer. "In addition to rapping my lyrics on feeling myself 'Cooking up the bass looking like a kilo'? Lol ur having a moment ..im not sure why but be blessed."
If SZA did contribute to "Feeling Myself," Minaj's 2014 track with Beyoncé, she is not officially credited.