Cardi B Delivers The Tweet That Shook Hip-Hop
This afternoon (October 1), Cardi B unleashed one in every of her most scathing tweets but towards longtime rival Nicki Minaj, accusing her of battling schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction for 9 years, whereas additionally alleging ongoing use of cocaine, Percocet, and Xanax. In her phrases, Nicki was “sedated” to the purpose the place solely her husband, Kenneth Petty, had energy over her—and even he allegedly mishandled funds, “maxing out the Amex.”
The tweet, posted at 5:26 PM EST, instantly went viral, racking up over 73,000 likes, 5,900 reposts, and three.7 million views inside hours. Whereas Cardi framed it as “quiet as saved the reality,” the assertion marked a brand new escalation in one in every of hip-hop’s most infamous rivalries.
What started as trade shade has now reworked right into a bitter change of non-public and unverified accusations, with Cardi taking the gloves off after Minaj mocked her daughter earlier this week. The tweet feels much less like leisure and extra like a private vendetta turned public spectacle.
A Feud That Refuses to Die
Cardi B and Nicki Minaj’s rivalry stretches again almost a decade. The strain started in 2017 with subliminal disses and peaked in 2018 throughout New York Style Week, when Cardi infamously threw a shoe at Nicki in a heated altercation.
Within the years that adopted, their feud cooled however by no means actually disappeared. From diss tracks and radio rants to social media spats, each ladies constantly reignited drama at crucial moments of their careers. By 2024, with each artists releasing new music and competing for business dominance, the rivalry resurfaced with renewed depth.
This 12 months, issues have grown uglier than ever. From fertility jabs to household insults, this 12 months’s exchanges have damaged new floor by way of private assaults, making this some of the poisonous feuds in fashionable rap historical past.
The Particular Allegations: Psychological Well being and Substance Abuse
Cardi’s declare that Nicki has been recognized with schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction for 9 years instantly drew shockwaves throughout social media. Whereas Nicki has made cryptic posts up to now about paranoia and feeling focused by the trade, she has by no means confirmed any formal prognosis.
The drug allegations additionally reduce deep. Cardi referenced cocaine, Percocet, and Xanax, medication typically related to dependency and impairment. Nicki has beforehand admitted to a previous Percocet habit stemming from a prescription in 2010, however she has additionally publicly taken and handed a drug take a look at as just lately as August to disprove relapse rumors.
Critics argue Cardi’s wording dangers being seen as ableist and defamatory, given the dearth of proof. However, her accusations tapped into long-running fan hypothesis about Nicki’s erratic habits on-line, fueling a firestorm of reactions.
The Kenneth Petty Angle
Kenneth Petty, Nicki Minaj’s husband, was not spared in Cardi’s assault. Based on Cardi, Petty is the one one that “has energy” over Minaj, notably when she is sedated, and he exploits this affect for monetary acquire.
This jab hit a uncooked nerve as a result of Petty’s previous has lengthy been a supply of controversy. As a registered intercourse offender with a number of authorized points, his relationship with Nicki has been broadly scrutinized by the general public and press alike. Cardi’s allegation that he manipulates funds, particularly by means of an Amex account, is designed to color him as each untrustworthy and parasitic.
Whether or not true or not, the reference to Petty repositions the feud past simply artistry and persona. It underscores the household dynamics and monetary vulnerabilities that Cardi claims plague Nicki’s non-public life, intensifying the drama right into a broader narrative of management and exploitation.
Fan Reactions: Stan Wars and Past
The publish lit up X (previously Twitter), the place Barbz (Nicki’s fanbase) and Bardi Gang (Cardi’s supporters) went head-to-head. Cardi’s followers celebrated the tweet as a second of “receipts,” praising her for exposing what they imagine to be long-suspected truths. Memes evaluating Nicki to erratic characters from TV reveals unfold quickly.
However, Barbz dismissed the claims as defamatory lies. Many cited Nicki’s clear drug take a look at from August as proof that Cardi was fabricating accusations. Others accused Cardi of weaponizing psychological well being stigma, turning professional struggles into ammunition for clout.
Impartial observers, in the meantime, expressed exhaustion. Many famous that the feud has shifted from entertaining trade beef to disturbing private assaults. Some criticized each ladies for dragging youngsters and psychological sickness into the dialog, arguing that hip-hop beef has formally crossed a harmful line.
Broader Cultural Impression
Past stan wars, the tweet touches on vital cultural conversations about psychological well being, stigma, and accountability. Hip-hop has at all times thrived on competitors and confrontation. Nevertheless, dragging psychological sickness and substance abuse into the discourse dangers reinforcing dangerous stereotypes.
On the similar time, the general public urge for food for the Cardi-Nicki feud stays plain. Streams for each artists’ catalogs spiked within the hours following Cardi’s tweet. Nicki’s Pink Friday 2 rose 18% in each day streams, whereas Cardi’s Am I the Drama? held regular at over 120K items for the week.
For the trade, the feud is each a legal responsibility and a advertising and marketing machine. It drives engagement, dominates headlines, and fuels virality throughout TikTok, X, and Instagram. Nevertheless it additionally raises questions concerning the price of spectacle, notably when it includes youngsters and unverified well being allegations.
The Authorized Fallout
Authorized specialists warn that Cardi’s tweet may expose her to a defamation lawsuit. In U.S. regulation, public figures should show each falsity and malice to win such a case. Nevertheless, Cardi’s use of particular medical phrases like “schizophrenia” and “bipolar dysfunction” heightens the danger.
Nicki Minaj has beforehand pursued authorized motion over related allegations. In 2022, she sued blogger Marley Inexperienced over claims of drug use. Moreover, she has by no means been shy about defending her popularity in courtroom. If she follows by means of, Cardi’s tweet may turn out to be proof in a high-profile trial.
For now, Nicki has not responded on to Cardi’s accusations. Her newest tweets focused Offset and Quavo, mocking their careers and private lives. Nevertheless, silence on the well being allegations could also be strategic—leaving followers to invest about whether or not she is getting ready a authorized counterstrike or plotting a lyrical one.
Disclaimer: Unverified Claims
Cardi B’s statements about Nicki Minaj’s psychological well being and drug use are unverified and unsubstantiated. Nicki Minaj has not publicly confirmed any schizophrenia or bipolar prognosis, nor has there been any proof of ongoing substance abuse. She has, nevertheless, acknowledged previous prescription Percocet use and has handed a drug take a look at as just lately as this 12 months.
These allegations needs to be handled as a part of a heated superstar feud somewhat than confirmed reality. Media shops, together with this publication, urge readers to method the claims with warning and consciousness of the potential for misinformation within the midst of public rivalries.
