With a herd of viral TikTok videos flooding the internet and one of two new songs ranked on the Billboard 100, it’s unlikely not to have noticed the recent feud between female rappers Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion. The ex-hot girl duo who were once showering each other with praise and love are now clawing at each other’s throats. But what caused these two artists to lose their composure? To answer this question, let’s start from the beginning.

In August 2019, Megan and Minaj linked up to record “Hot Girl Summer” and shoot the music video. At the time, both rappers were admirable of each other and had a connection, with Megan even admitting she’d been a Barb (Minaj’s fanbase title) since middle school. It wasn’t until after Megan joined Cardi B to produce “WAP” in August of 2020 that things began to falter. While Minaj did show approval, and Megan claimed her and Minaj’s relationship was unaffected by the collab, Minaj unfollowed Megan on Instagram just a few months later. Megan didn’t hesitate to reciprocate.

Then in September of 2022 during an episode of Queen Radio, Minaj accused Megan of shoving alcohol down her throat as well as allegedly suggesting she could get an abortion during a time she was trying to get pregnant. A fan alerted Megan of the claims and she put an end to the controversy by fervently denying the allegations which she labeled a “LIE” on Twitter.

The quarrel continued into March of 2023 when Minaj dissed Megan in her song “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” referencing her 2022 Super Bowl commercial campaign with Doritos and her being drunkenly shot in the feet by Tory Lanez in 2020.

This leads us to the most recent events that began in January, when Megan released her second single “Hiss” heading into her third album. She supposedly attacks Minaj as well as her husband Kenneth Petty — who is a registered sex offender — while utilizing shrewd wordplay referencing Megan’s Law which requires the disclosure of information about registered sex offenders for public protection. Petty was convicted of raping a minor 16-year-old girl in 1995 and ended up serving four years behind bars. When Minaj caught wind of this, she decided to step up with her own diss track.

After a few days of continuous social media onslaught from Minaj bashing various aspects of Megan’s life, she released “Big Foot” as the cherry on top. Many of the scathing bars contained subject matter Minaj previously tried out on social media including references to her late mother, allegations of touching a minor, ghostwriters, hooking up with her friend’s man, hanging with DaBaby, and the Tory Lanez shooting.

Debate broke out on social media between the rap queens’ fanbases arguing back-and-forth over who won round one between “Big Foot” and “Hiss.” Either way, Minaj’s response earned her the biggest debut on the U.S. Apple Music charts for a female artist with “Big Foot” slotting in at No. 5, and Megan’s venomous “Hiss” topped the Billboard 100 at No. 1.

With both songs surfing the charts, it’s safe to say this is simply the prologue of a bitter musical altercation between the rappers. Only time will tell who will claim the throne and rise as the true queen of rap.

If you’d like to share whose side you’re on or who you think will come out victorious, please leave a comment below!

Haven’t heard the hit singles? Take a listen here:

Hiss- Megan Thee Stallion

Big Foot- Nicki Minaj