Nicki Minaj and Cardi B feud turns uglier | The Express Tribune

The long-simmering feud between hip-hop heavyweights Nicki Minaj and Cardi B has once again exploded into public view—this time with personal insults that have pulled their children into the spotlight, sparking backlash and raising concerns from fellow artists, including 50 Cent.

The rapper and entrepreneur took to Instagram to share his apprehension over the escalating rivalry. “I hope the girls stop fighting before things escalate,” he wrote, cautioning that the situation “is not gonna end well.” He added that after reading their heated exchanges, he believed the dispute could easily spiral into uglier territory.

His intervention comes as the feud, which first surfaced in 2017, entered a new and bitter phase this week. What began as a war of words on social media has turned intensely personal, with the rappers hurling insults not only at each other but also at one another’s families.

Nicki Minaj faced a storm of criticism after she directed derogatory comments at Cardi B’s daughter, Kulture, calling the child a “roach” and a “monkey.” The backlash prompted Minaj to issue a rare public apology.

In a statement shared on X, the rapper sought to clarify her remarks and addressed Kulture directly: “Dear Kulture, truth is: I did all of this for a bigger purpose and one day you’ll understand…you’re a cute child & lots of kids have cute little funny looking gums before they grow into all of their features.”

Minaj went on to say: “I apologise. As a child …you’re an innocent child & don’t deserve any of this.” However, even in apology, Minaj’s words carried veiled hostility. She hinted at grievances against Cardi and her circle, stating: “One day your mother, aunt & many more will be brought to their knees for what they’ve said AND TRIED to do to my young…beautiful boy.”

Cardi B, for her part, swiftly responded by defending her daughter and warning Minaj never to mention her children again. “Let this be the LAST TIME you mention my kids,” she wrote, while also retaliating with comments aimed at Minaj’s son.

The public clash has reignited debate within the hip-hop community over the nature of celebrity feuds in the age of social media. While Waka Flocka Flame dismissed the spat as “corny” and urged the artists to move on, Charlamagne suggested the tension reflected unresolved personal issues between the two women.

The timing of the feud is striking. Cardi B is riding high on career success, with her new album ‘Am I the Drama?’ — featuring Selena Gomez — topping the Billboard 200. Minaj, meanwhile, has teased a forthcoming project slated for March 2026, a follow-up to her 2023 ‘Pink Friday’ sequel.

Yet the renewed hostility threatens to overshadow their music. Fans and industry voices alike have called for restraint, but with both rappers continuing to trade blows online, 50 Cent’s warning that “this could get ugly” feels less like speculation and more like a grim prediction. As one of hip-hop’s most enduring rivalries enters its eighth year, the question remains whether this feud is destined to burn out — or explode.