Cardi B Delivers The Tweet That Shook Hip-Hop

This afternoon (October 1), Cardi B unleashed considered one of her most scathing tweets but in opposition to 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 stored the reality,” the assertion marked a brand new escalation in considered one of hip-hop’s most infamous rivalries.

What started as business shade has now reworked right into a bitter alternate 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 stress started in 2017 with subliminal disses and peaked in 2018 throughout New York Trend 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 girls persistently reignited drama at essential moments of their careers. By 2024, with each artists releasing new music and competing for industrial dominance, the rivalry resurfaced with renewed depth.

This yr, issues have grown uglier than ever. From fertility jabs to household insults, this yr’s exchanges have damaged new floor by way of private assaults, making this one 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 identified with schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction for 9 years instantly drew shockwaves throughout social media. Whereas Nicki has made cryptic posts prior to now about paranoia and feeling focused by the business, she has by no means confirmed any formal analysis.

The drug allegations additionally lower deep. Cardi referenced cocaine, Percocet, and Xanax, medication usually 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 check as not too long ago as August to disprove relapse rumors.

Critics argue Cardi’s wording dangers being seen as ableist and defamatory, given the shortage 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. In response to Cardi, Petty is the one one who “has energy” over Minaj, significantly when she is sedated, and he exploits this affect for monetary achieve.

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 via 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 character. 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 submit 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 consider to be long-suspected truths. Memes evaluating Nicki to erratic characters from TV exhibits unfold quickly.

Then again, Barbz dismissed the claims as defamatory lies. Many cited Nicki’s clear drug check from August as proof that Cardi was fabricating accusations. Others accused Cardi of weaponizing psychological well being stigma, turning reputable struggles into ammunition for clout.

Impartial observers, in the meantime, expressed exhaustion. Many famous that the feud has shifted from entertaining business beef to disturbing private assaults. Some criticized each girls for dragging kids and psychological sickness into the dialog, arguing that hip-hop beef has formally crossed a harmful line.

Broader Cultural Influence

Past stan wars, the tweet touches on essential cultural conversations about psychological well being, stigma, and accountability. Hip-hop has all the time 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 simple. Streams for each artists’ catalogs spiked within the hours following Cardi’s tweet. Nicki’s Pink Friday 2 rose 18% in every day streams, whereas Cardi’s Am I the Drama? held regular at over 120K models for the week.

For the business, 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 in regards to the price of spectacle, significantly when it entails kids 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. legislation, 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 chance.

Nicki Minaj has beforehand pursued authorized motion over comparable 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 court docket. If she follows via, 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 take a position about whether or not she is making 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 analysis, nor has there been any proof of ongoing substance abuse. She has, nevertheless, acknowledged previous prescription Percocet use and has handed a drug check as not too long ago as this yr.

These allegations ought to be handled as a part of a heated celeb feud fairly than confirmed reality. Media retailers, together with this publication, urge readers to strategy the claims with warning and consciousness of the potential for misinformation within the midst of public rivalries.