Nicki Minaj and SZA shocked fans with a sudden online feud. From a cryptic tweet to harsh insults and industry controversy, here’s the full story behind the explosive drama.
In the ever-volatile world of celebrity social media, few things catch fire like a feud between two musical powerhouses. This week, fans were left stunned as rap queen Nicki Minaj and R&B sensation SZA locked horns in a public spat on X (formerly Twitter). What started as a seemingly vague comment spiraled into a full-blown online battle, complete with biting insults, controversial hashtags, and speculation about deeper industry tensions.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the online clash between Nicki Minaj and SZA—and what may have really triggered it.

A Mysterious Tweet Sparks Online Frenzy
It all began with a cryptic post by SZA. She tweeted: “Mercury retrograde .. don’t take the bait lol silly goose.” On the surface, the comment seemed innocent enough—perhaps even a reference to the chaotic energy the astrological phenomenon is often blamed for. But the timing of the post, coinciding with Nicki Minaj’s escalating criticism of ROC Nation CEO Desiree Perez, raised eyebrows.
Minaj took the tweet personally and clapped back sharply: “Go draw your freckles back on bookie.” Her reply escalated rapidly, adding, “Liar, liar pants on fire. Sounding like a fkng dead dog.” She followed with hashtags like #JusticeForDemoree and #DepositionPerez, drawing attention to a serious controversy involving Perez and her daughter, Demoree Hadley.
The Real Backstory: Nicki Minaj vs. ROC Nation
To understand the roots of this feud, it’s crucial to look at the ongoing drama involving Nicki Minaj and Desiree Perez, the CEO of Jay-Z’s ROC Nation. Minaj has been vocally supportive of Demoree Hadley—Perez’s daughter—who recently accused her mother of abusive behavior. The allegations, which include claims of institutionalization without consent, have triggered a wave of public scrutiny against Perez.
Minaj has been relentless in her campaign for justice for Demoree, often using her platform to call out Perez. This includes posts with pointed hashtags and references to legal depositions. When SZA’s tweet dropped amid this firestorm, Minaj interpreted it as an indirect jab—a dismissal of the issues she’d been raising.
The Punch Factor: TDE Gets Dragged In
Things took another twist when Minaj brought up past incidents involving Punch, the president of SZA’s label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Minaj accused him of bullying her on Twitter years ago. In a now-deleted tweet, she wrote:
“Yall remember that man from TDE who kept bullying me on Twitter for no reason? We have the receipts. I never even responded to him. What was his name again, yall? Ima call him ‘Minus 30 million’ from now on. #JusticeForDemoree.”
She added another dig, referring to him as a “Tiny D–k Executive,” reigniting old tensions and tying them into her ongoing narrative against the music industry’s powerful figures.
SZA Responds: Was It Just Retrograde Talk?
As the internet buzzed with drama, SZA jumped in to clarify her post. She claimed the tweet had nothing to do with Minaj or the ROC Nation controversy.
“I wasn’t even talking about or to anyone I had just got off stage talkin bout retrograde,” she explained. But once people began tagging her, she admitted she got upset: “N—AS @’d ME. The F–K YES IM MAD NOW DO YOU NEED THAT !??”
Despite her denial, the damage had already been done. The online back-and-forth had caught the public’s attention, and fans on both sides were already debating loyalties and interpretations.
Nicki Minaj Doubles Down
Minaj wasn’t satisfied with SZA’s clarification. She intensified her comments, calling out SZA directly:
“Go draw your freckles back on bookie #JusticeForDemoree #DepositionPerez. Liar liar pants on fire. Sounding like a fkng dead dog.”
Go draw your freckles back on bookie #JusticeForDemoree #DepositionPerez
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 15, 2025
Liar liar pants on fire.
Sounding like a fkng dead dog. https://t.co/wxRCnecRgs
The attacks didn’t stop there. In another post, Minaj said:
“Bi–i looking & sounding like she got stung by a f–king bee. dot dot dot Draws on my fake freckles #JusticeForDemoree.”
Bitch looking & sounding like she got stung by a fucking bee. 😩 dot dot dot *Draws on my fake freckles* #JusticeForDemoree
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 15, 2025
Clearly, the situation had spiraled beyond a misunderstanding. For Minaj, this was about loyalty and justice for Demoree. For SZA, it seemed to be an attempt to remain neutral in a situation she claimed she never intended to enter.
SZA Claps Back: “I Don’t Give a F–k Bout None of That Weird Sh*t”
SZA didn’t hold back. She addressed Minaj’s attacks and the growing online chatter:
“I don’t give a f–k bout none of that weird sht you popping.”*
I don’t give a fuck bout none of that weird shit you popping .
— SZA (@sza) July 15, 2025
When fans warned her about the wrath of Minaj’s fanbase (a.k.a. the Barbz), SZA highlighted her own successes. She reminded everyone of her chart-topping SOS Tour and the deep love she receives from her fanbase:
“I stepped my a– out onna packed stadium tour where ppl show me REAL love. IN REAL LIFE.”
She also took the opportunity to contrast her personal life with the drama:
“My parents alive and well. My man love me. I’m high, successful and blessed. Let’s goooo!”
I get bullied by millions online every day then step my ass out onna packed stadium tour where ppl show me REAL love . IN REAL LIFE . My parents are healthy and I’m the most successful I ever been . GET SOME FUCKING PERSPECTIVE n BARK AT THE WALL !!! https://t.co/g4olWPzArK
— SZA (@sza) July 15, 2025
Flexing the Numbers: SZA’s Tour Success
To further prove she could stand her ground, SZA cited numbers from her tours. She mentioned the 2023 SOS Tour grossed an impressive $95.5 million, while the 2024 leg added another $41.5 million.
These achievements placed her among Billboard’s top-grossing R&B acts, signaling that she’s not just an online personality but a major player in the music industry.
Calm Before the Stage: SZA Wraps Up With Grace
Before heading into her Paris concert with Kendrick Lamar, SZA signed off with a mix of sarcasm and peace:
“Lmao lemme go back to being calm shy and meek. Yall have blessed night! See you tomorrow for night 2 Paris!!”
Lmao lemme go back to being calm shy and meek . Yall have blessed night ! See you tomorrow for night 2 Paris !! ❤️🫶🏾
— SZA (@sza) July 15, 2025
Despite the drama, she made it clear she was ready to move on and focus on her music.
Nicki Minaj Keeps It Going
But Nicki Minaj wasn’t ready to let the matter rest. Even while reportedly in a business meeting, she posted:
“Shutup ugly. #JusticeForDemoree. I’m in a meeting so idk if u was still talking s–t or not so if you didn’t I’ll delete later. Hoe.”
Shutup ugly #JusticeForDemoree
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 15, 2025
I’m in a meeting so idk if u was still talking shit or not so if you didn’t I’ll delete later. Hoe https://t.co/GwpNPznSR9
The post made waves, with fans and critics questioning whether the feud was rooted in personal grudges or genuine concern for the Demoree Perez case.
What the Feud Means: Industry Lines Being Drawn?
This feud may be about more than just a misunderstood tweet. It reflects deeper rifts within the music industry—between artists, management, and powerful institutions. Nicki Minaj has increasingly positioned herself as a vocal critic of what she sees as corruption and abuse of power within major entertainment conglomerates.
SZA, on the other hand, may have become collateral damage in a larger war she never intended to join. Her attempts to distance herself from the issue were met with intense backlash, showing how tense and divided the industry’s top figures have become.
A Feud for the Digital Age
In an era where celebrities often use their platforms to advocate for personal causes, the line between genuine activism and online theatrics can become blurry. The Nicki Minaj and SZA clash is a prime example of how quickly misunderstandings can evolve into headline-grabbing drama.
Whether the feud continues or fades away, it has already left a significant mark on the music discourse in 2025—and offered a glimpse into the complex, often combustible world behind the curtain of stardom.A
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