The long-running feud between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj has reignited — this time over chart records, allegations of manipulation, and personal shots surrounding Cardi’s pregnancy.
According to new data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Cardi B has officially surpassed Nicki Minaj and Doja Cat to become the highest-selling female rapper in U.S. history, a title that instantly sent shockwaves through the hip-hop world.
But not everyone is celebrating — especially Nicki.
Nicki Minaj’s Outburst: “She Played the Game — and the Game Ain’t Fair”
Shortly after the announcement, Nicki Minaj took to social media (in posts that were later deleted) to accuse Cardi of “cheating the system” and using her pregnancy as a publicity stunt to boost album sales for Am I the Drama?.
“Some people become mothers. Some people become marketers. And some people turn motherhood into a marketing plan,” Nicki allegedly wrote.
Nicki also mocked Cardi’s album promotion strategy, calling the $5 album bundles and limited-edition drops “cheap tricks” that “inflate sales numbers without real streams.”
She hinted that Cardi’s timing — announcing her pregnancy during the album rollout — was “too convenient to be coincidence,” suggesting it was part of a broader publicity plan.
Cardi B Fires Back: “My Baby Ain’t a PR Campaign”
Cardi didn’t take long to respond. In a fiery livestream, she denied all accusations, insisting her pregnancy was real, private, and not a business move.
“I don’t need to fake a baby bump to sell records. Everything I do — the pain, the love, the pregnancy — is real,” Cardi said.
The WAP rapper also hit back at Nicki’s jealousy, claiming that Minaj has become “bitter” watching a younger generation of women achieve what she once dominated.
“I didn’t buy bots. I didn’t fake streams. The people who support me are real. The numbers don’t lie — feelings do,” she added.
Cardi even shaded Nicki directly, accusing her of depending on artificial streaming tactics:
“She was streaming magnet hard as hell, but that doesn’t make you queen forever.”
Legacy, Rivalry, and the Politics of Female Rap
This feud goes far beyond social-media jabs — it’s a battle for legacy in female hip-hop.
- Cardi B represents a new era of digital dominance: viral marketing, social-media connection, and cross-genre appeal.
- Nicki Minaj, on the other hand, stands as the traditional hip-hop powerhouse who built her fame on lyrical skill and longevity.
Industry insiders note that Cardi’s rise has disrupted the balance Nicki held for over a decade — a dynamic that fuels both fan-base wars (#BardiGang vs. #Barbz) and public perception battles.
While Cardi’s supporters celebrate her as “the new queen of rap,” Nicki’s fans argue that commercial success doesn’t equal artistry or authenticity.
Cardi’s RIAA Milestone
According to official RIAA records, Cardi’s combined digital sales — including singles like Bodak Yellow, I Like It, and WAP — have now surpassed 100 million certified units, edging out Nicki Minaj to claim the top spot.
Her new album Am I the Drama? debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and quickly achieved multi-platinum status.
That achievement has cemented her place as not just a chart-topper but a symbol of commercial power in hip-hop’s evolving landscape.
What’s Next: Peace or a Diss Track War?
Music insiders believe this latest flare-up could spill over into music. Sources claim Nicki Minaj is already recording a new track rumored to contain subliminal shots at Cardi, while Cardi’s camp hints that a lyrical response is already in the works.
Given their history — from physical altercations to public clapbacks — a full-blown “diss-track war” may be inevitable.