The ongoing tension between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B took a fresh twist when Minaj addressed the drama surrounding their 2017 collaboration on Migos’ track “MotorSport.” While speaking with Beats 1 Radio on April 12, Minaj revealed the backstory behind the controversial collaboration, emphasizing that Atlantic Records and Quavo pressured her to change her verse, ultimately resulting in the now-infamous friction between the two rappers.
Nicki Minaj’s Original “MotorSport” Verse Sparks Controversy
When “MotorSport” was released, fans quickly pointed to Minaj’s lyrics, where she rapped, “If Cardi B the QB, I’m Nick Lombardi,” as a potential jab at Cardi. The verse, now resurfaced online, fueled speculation, with some suggesting it was an intentional diss aimed at the rising rapper. In response, Nicki took to Twitter to clarify her version of events, blaming Atlantic Records—Cardi’s label—for demanding changes in her lyrics.
“How can you say someone changed their verse & forget to say Quavo TOLD me to remove my singing part (which I loved) & Atlantic told me to remove your name from my verse per your request?” Minaj tweeted. This statement gave fans insight into the behind-the-scenes tension, shedding light on the circumstances that may have escalated the feud.
Cardi B Reacts to “MotorSport” Changes
In a 2017 interview with Capital XTRA, Cardi B gave her perspective on the “MotorSport” process. She claimed she hadn’t heard Minaj’s verse when she initially joined the track, noting that it wasn’t finalized at that point. According to Cardi, Quavo invited her onto the song, which she saw as a major opportunity to collaborate with high-profile artists.
Minaj Reflects on Cardi B’s Comments and “MotorSport” Fallout
During her Beats 1 Radio interview, Minaj shared that Cardi’s remarks following the release of “MotorSport” were painful for her. Cardi had expressed frustration with Minaj’s involvement in the song, emphasizing her alleged changes to the verse. This, according to Nicki, left her feeling “really, really hurt.”
“I remember when I first came in the game, if a female of that stature had done a feature with me on it, I would only be singing their praises and saying thank you,” Minaj said. “The first interview she did after ‘MotorSport’ came out, it just really hurt me, cause she looked so aggravated and angry.”
Quavo’s Role in the “MotorSport” Drama
Minaj also expressed her disappointment with Quavo for not publicly supporting her when fans accused her of lying. After fans questioned her account of “MotorSport,” Minaj reportedly texted Quavo, asking him to back her up on Twitter. However, his response was dismissive, hinting he would only do so if Minaj were his girlfriend.
“That hurt because I love him,” she admitted. “Quavo told me, ‘I’m not gonna go on Twitter and address that… If I do an interview, I’ll address it.’” The lack of support from her industry peers contributed to what Minaj calls the “Nicki Hate Parade,” a wave of negativity and criticism directed toward her in recent years.
The “Nicki Hate Parade” and Minaj’s Frustration with Cardi B
Minaj believes the “Nicki Hate Parade” played a significant role in allowing Cardi to address her publicly with an apparent lack of respect. She felt blindsided by Cardi’s tone, expecting more gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate. Minaj shared that she’s always supported Cardi and was hurt by what she saw as a lack of acknowledgment for her efforts.
“I really fully supported her, and up until this recent interview she did, I had never seen her show me genuine love in an interview,” Minaj said emotionally. “The first thing out of your mouth when someone asks you about a Nicki Minaj feature is, ‘She changed her verse’ … Excuse me?”
As the fallout from the “MotorSport” collaboration continues to unfold, both Nicki Minaj and Cardi B seem to be maintaining their positions, with each feeling slighted by the other. The drama has only added to the intensity of their rivalry, leaving fans divided in support of each artist.
