No one’s going to invite us to their shows, Frank. Why? Because we’re going to take everything. Yeah, but everyone does that, right? Well, yeah, everyone does, you know, but we actually engage with everyone, compliment their shows, and genuinely enjoy them. It seems like the tension between Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé is escalating because Nicki just accused Beyoncé of being disingenuous and exploiting other black artists to advance her own career. This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has faced criticism for allegedly appropriating from smaller artists without giving credit. However, many were critical of Nicki for targeting Beyoncé in this way, seeing it as an attempt to discredit her. Beyoncé didn’t take this lightly and responded with some pointed remarks, indicating she’s not willing to tolerate any nonsense from Nicki. It’s surprising to see Nicki and Beyoncé at odds like this, but here we are. So, what exactly did Nicki say about Beyoncé allegedly exploiting other black artists, and how did Beyoncé respond? Let’s dive in.
If you’re active on social media, chances are you’ve caught wind of the rumors swirling around Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj’s supposed beef. Initially dismissed as fan-driven speculation, tensions escalated in 2020 when both artists seemingly took shots at each other in their music. It all kicked off when Beyoncé collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on “Savage,” while Nicki teamed up with Doja Cat for the “Say So” remix, both dropping on the same day. As fans dissected the lyrics, it became apparent that Beyoncé was throwing subtle shade at Nicki’s rumored plastic surgery, rapping, “If you’re looking for real curves, here’s your chance. Can’t debate with these slackers, just raised my price.” Nicki swiftly fired back, alluding to Beyoncé’s marital woes with Jay-Z, quipping, “Why critique someone’s body with all that work on your face? Your authentic assets didn’t keep your man at home. Now you’re looking foolish, a nod to silicone.” After this lyrical exchange, both artists kept mum about each other until recently, when Nicki seemingly accused Beyoncé of appropriating from other black artists. This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has faced such allegations; in 2018, she was accused of mirroring Rihanna’s British Vogue cover, donning a flower crown just a month after Rihanna. And the controversy didn’t end there. In 2022, Beyoncé’s album “Renaissance” sparked further uproar for sampling tracks without proper consent or credit, notably Kelis’s “Milkshake.” Kelis expressed her frustration on social media, revealing that Beyoncé hadn’t sought her permission for the sample nor credited her, leaving Kelis without any royalties. It’s clear that tensions between these iconic artists run deep, with their interactions stirring up waves of controversy in the music industry.
From one artist to another, there’s a certain expectation of decency, common sense, and courtesy to reach out. It’s frustrating and disrespectful when that doesn’t happen. Both parties should have initiated contact. It’s frustrating because I have the right to feel frustrated. Why? Because nobody extended the simple courtesy of reaching out and saying, “Hey, would you like to use your record?” As a human being, I naturally get upset. As an artist, I’m particularly sensitive about my work. As Erica said, “I’m sensitive about my…” It’s evident in Kelis’s comments under a fan’s post expressing astonishment at the disrespect and ignorance displayed by all parties involved. Kelis heard about the situation the same way everyone else did. Things aren’t always as they appear. Some individuals in this industry lack soul and integrity, deceiving everyone. Instead of Beyoncé attempting to make things right with Kelis, she completely disregarded Kelis’s vocals in the song, showing no regard.
Shortly thereafter, Erykah Badu accused Beyoncé of imitating her style during one of her “Renaissance” World Tour appearances. Erykah took to her IG stories, sharing a photo of Beyoncé sporting a chrome hat at her “Renaissance” Tour, accompanied by the caption, “Hm, she.” Moments later, she juxtaposed a side-by-side image of herself wearing a similar chrome hat with Beyoncé’s photo, quipping, “I guess I’m everybody’s stylist.” Adding to the exchange, Erykah commented under a post featuring Beyoncé in the hat, stating, “I’m flattered, Jo.” It’s evident that Erykah isn’t mincing words when it comes to Beyoncé’s alleged style appropriation.
Beyoncé has faced accusations of appropriating Amerie’s go-go sound, and she was sued by Des’ree for her rendition of “Kissing You,” which she renamed “Still in Love (Kissing You)” and credited herself for, despite not contributing to its creation. Another case involves Jennifer Armour, who submitted her song “Got a Little Bit of Love for You” to Beyoncé’s label, Columbia Records, in 2009, only to hear Beyoncé performing it on the radio months later, retitled as “Baby Boy.” Although Armour filed a lawsuit, she couldn’t prove that Beyoncé had heard the song prior. Despite these controversies, Beyoncé continues to face allegations of plagiarism, such as the recent accusation by Japanese artist Hiyama Sorama, who claimed she appropriated visuals from his work for her “Renaissance” World Tour. Sorama pointed out striking similarities, notably in the silver headpiece worn by Beyoncé in one of her videos. These incidents highlight a pattern of Beyoncé allegedly appropriating the work of other artists, particularly from within the black community.
Now, despite Nicki Minaj often drawing polarizing opinions, many found themselves in agreement with her when she called out Beyoncé for allegedly appropriating from various artists. Recently, Beyoncé unveiled her latest singles, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold Them,” both leaning into country music—a departure from her usual style. While some lauded her for embracing her country roots and aiding in the representation of black artists in the genre, others couldn’t ignore the pattern of Beyoncé claiming pioneering status in the realm of black artists crossing over into country. K. Michelle, for instance, didn’t hesitate to push back against the notion, responding to a fan’s concern about Beyoncé overshadowing her work in country music. When asked if anyone had checked up on K. Michelle amidst Beyoncé’s influence, she confidently asserted her position as a significant figure in African-American country music, despite not even having an album out. Her response, “Why would anyone need to check on me? I’m one of the greatest African-American country singers of all time with no album even out. Y’all keep mentioning me all night. I’m just happy to be spoke about in my genre,” made her stance clear. In a twist, following K. Michelle’s statement, Nicki Minaj stirred up some controversy by joining Stationhead with her fans, playfully imitating Beyoncé’s country accent as a jab at her alleged appropriation of the genre’s sound.
Okay, I’ll play another song just because I want to give a shoutout to Mom. She didn’t know it was December 8th when Ona mentioned it earlier, so I just wanted to clarify. And hey, OA still remembers, even if it’s not the big deal right now.
A bunch of folks, especially the Beyhive, weren’t happy about this. They went after Nicki, with one person saying, ‘Going on Stationhead to mock Beyoncé? Meanwhile, your tour starts in 2 weeks, no openers, no dancers, no rehearsal, just Coke.’ Nicki also seemed to endorse some tweets hinting at industry gossip and artists allegedly borrowing from others to climb the ladder, with many assuming Beyoncé was the target. For instance, she liked a tweet from a Rihanna fan account saying, ‘Love her or hate her, I admire how Nicki Minaj spills all the industry tea. Every word she says seems to come true.’ And if you recall, there were whispers before about Beyoncé allegedly taking ideas from Rihanna. Not only that, but rumors have swirled about tension between Rihanna and Beyoncé. So Nicki liking that tweet right after what seemed like a dig at Beyoncé’s twang speaks volumes.”
As usual, opinions vary on this situation. One individual remarked, “While Beyoncé undeniably possesses immense talent, it’s troubling to see her hailed as an original when she’s been accused of plagiarism, deceit, and appropriation. It’s baffling how she continues to receive acclaim for these actions.” Another commenter added, “Beyoncé is undoubtedly a formidable performer, but let’s not exaggerate her prowess as a musical or creative genius. Her lack of instrumental prowess and songwriting contributions raises questions about her numerous Grammy wins.” Additionally, it’s worth noting that her acclaimed video “Single Ladies” has faced accusations of being derivative.