Following a week of intense back-and-forth between rap artists Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion, a definitive victor has ultimately emerged from the aftermath.
Despite Minaj weaponizing her huge fanbase to slap down her former Hot Girl Summer collaborator, Megan’s Hiss topped this week’s Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first solo No 1. Meanwhile, Minaj’s response track Big Foot – a song disappointingly trading on racist and misogynistic tropes – debuted at No 23.
This is an unusual misstep for Minaj, who has declared herself the queen of rap. It is especially noteworthy because she had to overcome similar challenges as Megan to reach her success.
Megan Thee Stallion, a popular artist known for her bold and sexually explicit songs like “Big Ole Freak,” “WAP,” and “Savage,” addresses past rumors about her body and sexual experiences. She also confronts the backlash she has faced from fans and fellow artists after revealing that Tory Lanez was the one who shot her in 2020.
Despite the extensive scope of Megan’s criticism, Minaj, who is not explicitly mentioned in the lyrics, was offended by the phrase: “These women are not angry at Megan, they are angry at Megan’s Law.” This line is widely believed to refer to Minaj’s spouse, Kenneth Petty, who is listed as a sex offender after being found guilty of attempted rape in 1995. (Megan’s Law is a federal law passed in 1996 after the tragic death of Megan Kanka, which mandates that details about convicted sexual offenders must be accessible to the public and monitored by law enforcement agencies.)
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During a series of constant attacks, Minaj orchestrated a deliberate effort, with the help of her large Barbz fan group, to embarrass Megan. This resulted in the creation of “Big Foot.” In addition to a lackluster musical response, Minaj’s loyal followers utilized social media to expose and harass influencers and celebrities who showed support for Megan. They even shared the location of her mother’s burial site in Texas.
Regrettably, the origins of this conflict go back before Megan’s Hiss was released. Minaj has been subtly taking shots at her previous collaborator since 2021, including the obvious innuendo about a stallion on Red Ruby da Sleeze: “I no longer associate with horses after Christopher Reeves.”
Nicki Minaj’s derogatory comments towards Megan Thee Stallion make fun of her physical appearance, raise doubts about her claims of being a victim of gun violence, and accuse her of having ghostwriters. Minaj also attacks Megan’s sexual past and brings up her mother’s recent passing.
It is unfortunate that Minaj, who is well aware of the challenges faced by female rappers in the music industry, responded with such a tone. As a veteran at 41 years old, she has had to address numerous accusations about her character and talent over the years. Not only has she defended herself against claims of using ghostwriters, but she has also publicly addressed rumors of having sexual relationships with her fellow Young Money artists Lil Wayne and Drake. Minaj has also spoken out about being a victim of abuse from her past boyfriends Safaree and Meek Mill, demanded respect from male colleagues when faced with diss tracks like Remy Ma’s “Shether” that made claims about her sexual history, and opened up about the pressure to undergo plastic surgery in order to conform to societal beauty standards.
Rivalry and discord have always existed – during her prime, the previous rap queen Lil’ Kim often challenged fellow artists like Foxy Brown and Eve. However, repeating the same accusations that hindered Minaj’s own success is a simplistic strategy that perpetuates outdated attacks, making her appear insecure and intimidated.
It would be terrible for Minaj’s highly regarded career to be tarnished by a hateful diss track. Hopefully, with time and maturity, she will be able to reclaim her status as the beloved artist who once proudly supported other female rappers.
Source: theguardian.com
