Nicki Minaj and SZA Engage in Heated Social Media Feud

On July 15, 2025, a social media exchange between R&B singer SZA and rapper Nicki Minaj escalated into a public feud that has captured the attention of fans and industry observers alike. SZA’s seemingly innocuous tweet, mentioning “Mercury retrograde… don’t take the bait lol silly goose,” was interpreted by Minaj as a personal affront. What followed was a barrage of insults from Minaj, who targeted SZA’s appearance, career relevance, and loyalty within the music industry.

Minaj, who boasts 27.9 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), questioned SZA’s success, stating, “If every song you’ve ever done vanished right now, the music business wouldn’t even miss you.” She further mocked SZA’s physical appearance, suggesting that the artist drew on her freckles and implying issues with hygiene. The rapper’s remarks quickly shifted from subtle jabs to overt personal attacks.

The confrontation intensified when Minaj challenged SZA’s streaming numbers, alleging that the singer inflated her statistics and relied heavily on autotune. The 42-year-old rapper contrasted her own experiences, stating that she had headlined shows with crowds of up to 80,000 attendees, questioning whether SZA had ever achieved such solo success.

In response, SZA, 35, adopted a calmer tone, asserting her resilience against online bullying. She tweeted, “I get bullied by millions online every day then step my ass out onna packed stadium tour where ppl show me REAL love… GET SOME F**KING PERSPECTIVE n BARK AT THE WALL!!!” SZA is currently co-headlining the Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar, with a notable performance scheduled at Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic on July 30. Her latest album, SOS, continues to perform well, accumulating over 8.3 million daily streams on Spotify.

Beyond the personal exchanges, Minaj reignited her longstanding conflict with Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, linking it to the trending hashtag #JusticeForDemoree. This campaign is connected to a legal dispute involving Perez’s daughter, Demoree Hadley, who is suing her mother for allegedly placing her in involuntary psychiatric care under Florida’s Baker Act. Minaj has publicly supported Hadley’s allegations, accusing Roc Nation of harassment and coercion.

Minaj did not stop there; she also took aim at SZA’s label head, Terrence “Punch” Henderson, president of Top Dawg Entertainment. In a social media post, she referred to him derisively as “Minus 30 million,” suggesting a personal grievance tied to a business proposal she declined.

The feud has mobilized fan communities, with supporters on both sides rallying to defend their favorite artists. Memes, interviews, and comparisons of streaming statistics and album sales have flooded X, igniting renewed interest in both artists’ discographies.

Industry analysts note that high-profile social media disputes often serve as strategic maneuvers to energize fan bases and redirect attention towards new projects. As both artists maintain their positions at the forefront of the music scene, the implications of this feud extend beyond personal rivalry. Rather, it opens dialogues about celebrity culture, misogyny in the music industry, and mental health.

With fan loyalty and reputations at stake, it appears this public spat between Nicki Minaj and SZA is far from over.