American rapper Nicki Minaj and R&B sensation SZA were embroiled in a messy social media spat this week, with SZA publicly revealing she had turned down collaboration requests from Minaj on two occasions.
The feud, which played out across X (formerly Twitter), began after Minaj launched a tirade on Tuesday night, targeting Terrence Punch Henderson, President of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and SZA’s former manager.
Minaj accused Henderson of bullying her following alleged rejections of business propositions.
Go draw your freckles back on bookie… Sounding like a dead dog, Minaj tweeted, while accusing SZA of being ugly and a liar.
The Mother of two continued with a barrage of insults, stating, If every song you’ve ever done vanished right now, the music business wouldn’t even miss you.
The tweets drew several mixed reactions.
In one of the most scathing tweets, Minaj said again, Bitch, what have you ever done besides yodel with auto-tune that needed retuning? Boo, I’m an icon. You’re not. The end.
SZA, known for her low-drama public persona, broke her usual silence to respond.
In a calm yet pointed clapback, she criticised Nicki for downplaying her and posted seeming evidence of a rejected collaboration.
Nicki. You absolutely know my music and what I contribute cause you’ve asked for features twice to no response. In addition to rapping my lyrics on ‘Feeling Myself’—‘Cooking up the bass looking like a kilo’? Lol ur having a moment… I’m not sure why but be blessed, SZA wrote.
She included a screenshot of a direct message exchange, allegedly from Minaj’s team, requesting a collaboration.
The screenshot, which appeared professional and cordial, raised doubts over Minaj’s suggestion that she neither respected nor acknowledged SZA’s artistry.
While replying to fans, SZA reaffirmed her stance that she gets bullied by millions online every day, then step my ass out onna packed stadium tour where people show me real love. In real life. My parents are healthy and I’m the most successful I ever been. Get some perspective and bark at the wall!!!
As tensions escalated, Minaj resurfaced old tweets allegedly made by SZA, criticising fellow superstars Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, and Ciara, accusing the R&B star of “targeting women for no reason,” whom the singer later worked with.
The altercation also revived Minaj’s ongoing grievances with Roc Nation and its CEO Desiree Perez. Using the hashtag #JusticeForDemoree — in reference to Perez’s daughter Demoree Hadley, who has accused her mother of unlawful detainment — Minaj linked the feud to broader allegations of bullying and control within the industry.
This latest clash added to Minaj’s growing list of high-profile disputes with female artists, including Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Miley Cyrus, and Mariah Carey.
Netizens had highlighted that SZA’s decision to speak up marked a shift from her usually reserved online behaviour.
In what appeared to be a final note, SZA bowed out of the feud, writing, Lmao lemme go back to being calm, shy and meek. Y’all have a blessed night! See you tomorrow for night 2, Paris!
Despite the ongoing drama and online traction, SZA is currently on tour with Kendrick Lamar and recently performed at Paris La Défense Arena.
