Nicki Minaj & Latto Drag Each Other On Twitter While Exposing DMs & Phone Calls
Written by djfrosty on October 14, 2022
Nicki Minaj and Latto became embroiled in a heated Twitter spat on Thursday night (October 13) in which both rappers traded personal attacks and unearthed private conversations.
The feud began when Nicki Minaj’s Rick James-sampling “Super Freaky Girl” was denied eligibility in the rap categories at the 2023 Grammy Awards and instead put forward for Best Pop Solo Performance by the Recording Academy, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Nicki voiced her displeasure with the decision on social media and argued Latto’s “Big Energy,” which also leans heavily on an ’80s pop sample, should compete in the pop categories as well.
“I have no prob being moved out the RAP category as long as we r ALL being treated FAIRLY,” the Queen rapper tweeted. “If [‘Super Freaky Girl’] has [2 billion views] moved out RAP then so does Big Energy! ANY1 who says diff is simply a Nicki hater or a troll. I’d actually LUV 2 c a more street record win- male OR female! IJS rightIsRight.”
I have no prob being moved out the RAP category as long as we r ALL being treated FAIRLY. If SFG has 2B moved out RAP then so does Big Energy! ANY1 who says diff is simply a Nicki hater or a troll. I’d actually LUV 2 c a more street record win- male OR female! IJS rightIsRight 🫡
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 13, 2022
Nicki Minaj also brought attention to a tweet pointing out that MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” which also sampled Rick James’ “Super Freak,” was nominated in multiple rap categories at the 1991 Grammys.
Latto seemingly responded to Nicki’s complaint by tweeting: “Damn I can’t win for losing… all these awards/noms I can’t even celebrate.” Earlier on Thursday, she received multiple nominations at the 2022 American Music Awards.
Damn I can’t win for losing… all these awards/noms I can’t even celebrate
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
From there, things escalated into a messy — and more direct — back-and-forth laced with insults, accusations and below-the-belt shots, as well as DMs and phone conversations broadcast on social media.
“This Karen has probably mentioned my name in over 100 interviews. She waited in line for Pink Friday w|her Barbie chain on, bangs, pink hair,” Nicki Minaj fired back. “but today, scratch off decides to be silent; rather than speak up for the black woman she called her biggest inspiration.”
She also shared what appeared to be a DM from Latto in response to her Grammys complaint that read: “I agree w you however because of where we left off ion think u need to bring my name/song up to prove ur point,” referencing a recent phone call between the two of them.
Latto directly responded to Nicki Minaj’s tweet and called her out for her “ongoing subtweets” while branding her a “bully” who’s “older than my mom.”
“1st of all I texted u cause I didn’t wanna do the internet sht w sum1 I looked up to,” she wrote. “Just like the 1st time I DMed u asking about ur ongoing subtweets. I wanted to speak up cuz like I said I do agree but the way u going about it seems malicious esp. after how we left off.”
She added: “I’ve ignored countless subtweets since March and instead addressed u in the dm. You’re asking why I didn’t speak up in ur defense… it’s the same answer I gave u when u asked why I didn’t congratulate you. Ur literally older than my mom tryna be a bully @NICKIMINAJ.”
1st of all I texted u cause I didn’t wanna do the internet sht w sum1 I looked up to. Just like the 1st time I DMed u asking about ur ongoing subtweets. I wanted to speak up cuz like I said I do agree but the way u going about it seems malicious esp. after how we left off https://t.co/e5Z9GQutGe
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
I’ve ignored countless subtweets since March and instead addressed u in the dm. You’re asking why I didn’t speak up in ur defense… it’s the same answer I gave u when u asked why I didn’t congratulate you. Ur literally older than my mom tryna be a bully @NICKIMINAJ
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
The 23-year-old then pulled out “the most recent subtweet in question,” sharing a since-deleted tweet from Nicki Minaj from earlier this month that read: “Unfollowed. Ugh barbz I just said stop putting that dud on my timeline. I know ur defending me but leave the dud on tiktok. Lemme think #DUDSponDiTimelineBarbz.”
The most recent subtweet in question… but I’m finna start from the beginning #40yroldbully pic.twitter.com/3e7pKOskNY
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
Nicki Minaj denied she was talking about Latto and claimed the Atlanta rapper is upset because she turned down multiple feature requests from her.
“it was an actual person ON tiktok. A creator. Not even an artist. I’m sure the Barbz have receipts,” Nicki tweeted. “It goes to show she made up these ‘subtweets’ in her head simply b/c she sent me 2 songs I declined to do features on. They all do this.”
Nicki Minaj then addressed Latto’s “40-year-old bully” barb my mocking her appearance, as well as her album sales.
“Age shaming when you look like YOU the one pushing 40,” she snapped. “Age shaming but was BEGGING for a feature. Imagine what dem genes gon do in 10 years[.] Oh so you in your 20’s. Oh ok then. At least it match your album sales. You sold 20K right? Mad u flopped. That’s why u rlly mad.
“Who wanna hear the reference tracks scratch off ghost writers rapping her bars????? she used me & the Barbz in every interview until that album sold double wood[.] now she wiping that spray tan off & being a Karen. They black when it’s beneficial chi.”
Latto continued to pull out receipts of Nicki Minaj’s alleged subtweets, including a tweet from September that read: “When you hear ppl comparing themselves to you but the fakks don’t ever seem to be in their favor. memba what I told y’all about 2022? Chiiiiii. Same as what who?”
“Ok first…This is from when I teased Big Energy Remix. You didn’t deny subtweeting me otp???” Latto asked. “I’m confused. Peep ‘not again’ because she thinks I was ‘using her fans’ for simply teasing my ‘Wheelie’ ft & then the BE remix ft.”
She added: “Now all of a sudden u seen all the love I showed you but chose to respond to a clip taken out of context…Literally fishing for a reason to backup being a bully.”
Ok first…This is from when I teased Big Energy Remix. You didn’t deny subtweeting me otp??? I’m confused. Peep “not again” because she thinks I was “using her fans” for simply teasing my “Wheelie” ft & then the BE remix ft pic.twitter.com/N14wCHgrFE
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
Now all of a sudden u seen all the love I showed you but chose to respond to a clip taken out of context…Literally fishing for a reason to backup being a bully pic.twitter.com/8DhPJ5oTov
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
The clip in question was from Latto’s interview with Hollywood Unlocked in March, during which she observed that there are significantly more female rappers “thriving right now” compared to years ago when it was “Nicki and everybody else.”
Her comments seemingly got under the skin of Nicki Minaj, who, as one fan pointed out, ranted about an unnamed female rapper on her Queen Radio show.
“A lot of other people come in one day, and the next day you’re trying to categorize yourself with people who’ve been fucking working and putting their blood, sweat and tears in this shit for 15 and 20 muthafucking years?” Nicki said at the time.
“And then that album come out and you can clearly see you haven’t built up a loyal fanbase yet who actually likes your fucking music? And then what they start doing is, they start digging the whole deeper for themselves.”
Latto brought up Nicki’s remarks by tweeting: “This lady so meticulous w her shade so she can twist it later and act like it wasn’t about you. Stand on that shit.”
This lady so meticulous w her shade so she can twist it later and act like it wasn’t about you. Stand on that shit. https://t.co/C3QuxEHLLB
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
Nicki Minaj dug deeper into her DM history with Latto, unearthing a conversation from July 2021 in which the 777 hitmaker sent her a song in hopes of landing a feature.
“Now pay attention. every dm from scratch off is about a feature,” Nicki tweeted. “I was kind everytime. But scratch off feels she has pull behind the scenes w|a few diff white men (won’t name right now) Now look @ my next tweet to see the very next messages she sent me after I declined 3 features.”
Latto’s ‘Big Energy’ Puts Her In Rare Company With Nicki Minaj, Cardi B + Lauryn Hill
Nicki Minaj declined Latto’s request telling her: “I think you came off on the song but I don’t hear myself on it.” Latto replied: “I respect it!” before trying her luck again. “Is there a specific direction u looking for?” she asked. “I had a couple in mind but just sent my fav first.”
Nicki explained she wasn’t interested in jumping on a “real explicit record” and would only entertain a collaboration if the song had already built momentum on its own. Latto circled back in February and asked Nicki Minaj if she’d be interested in doing a remix of “Big Energy,” which was making waves on radio and the charts.
“Look @ how this Karen makes up fake beef in a passive aggressive attempt to show her frustration about me politely declining 3 feature requests,” Nicki snapped in a follow-up tweet. “Scratch off is just an entitled Karen who blames others for her album flopping. betta stop it scratch off.”
Latto responded by sharing a DM exchange from September where she respectfully questioned Nicki Minaj about her alleged subtweets. “I’ve shown u nothing but the utmost respect & genuine love as a FAN & someone who looked up to you,” she wrote at the time. “I’m tryna figure out what happened like what changed?”
Nicki replied: “You’ve shown me too much genuine love for what? To be exempt from something? I could say the same thing. But would you or big foot care? No … I don’t talk in circles and & I don’t get questioned,” seemingly referring to Megan Thee Stallion.
“We see everything. Trust. It’s clear as day,” she continued. “Did you think I got to where I am by not peeping everything? Do you think I don’t know every release schedule at every record label? Did you think I don’t know how many things move up on the list as soon as I say I’m about to do something? Lol.”
The conversation ended with the pair agreeing to talk on the phone, during which Nicki allegedly told Latto she’s “not flourishing and no one cares about [her] little song.”
I literally named u as my dream collab multiple times in multiple interviews… like I told u otp I looked up to u… u still never answered my question about where the random shade started coming from https://t.co/DpKSKepkVQ pic.twitter.com/XNkzDBiDWw
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
With all this being said this wasn’t JUST about a Grammy category. U being funny bringing me up to defend ur case knowing our last convo didn’t end on good terms. U literally told me I’m not “flourishing” and no one cares about my “little song” otp lol @NICKIMINAJ
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
Latto’s anger grew as she labeled Nicki Minaj a “super freaky grandma” and claimed she’s “related to fucking rapists” while providing more evidence of her alleged subtweets. (Nicki’s brother is serving 25 years to life in prison for raping an 11-year-old girl, while her husband was convicted of attempted rape in 1995.)
“I’ll die on this hill by myself!” she proclaimed. “Everybody ain’t lying on you! We see the pattern! BFFR!”
BEEN subbing… super freaky grandma is married AND related to fucking rapists. You ain’t gone bully me BITCH! My idol turned rival now u hating! https://t.co/SGc78CZqDc pic.twitter.com/WOIxu4bu1n
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
I’ll die on this hill by myself! Everybody ain’t lying on you! We see the pattern! BFFR!
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
Nicki Minaj doubled down on her argument that Latto’s anger stems from her feature requests being rejected, while reminding her younger counterpart that she has never trashed her own idol, Lauryn Hill, despite never working with her.
“notice a pattern? Oh ok. U only get called old when you pass on their features,” Nicki wrote. “i ain’t never diss my idols for not giving me a feature. I bowed to lauryn hill feet when I met her. Feature or no feature. Should I call her old now? She a grandmother & still out rapping you.”
Nicki then addressed Latto’s rape remarks, bringing up the Atlanta native’s collaborations with Kodak Black (“Bussdown”) and pop producer Dr. Luke (“Big Energy”), both of whom have been accused of sexual assault.
“1. Didn’t care about rape when she was begging for features,” she retorted. “2. Didn’t care about Kodak’s past 3. Didn’t care about the accusations made about Dr. Luke who produced Big Energy 4. News Flash scratch off. I’ve never raped anyone. I’ve inspired millions. You’re one of them BOZO.”
Nicki added: Y’all keep letting these bozos weaponize the WORD rape when they’re being dragged & not holding them accountable for not actually CARING about rape victims in REAL LIFE. They have the same 2 drags about me & one of them ain’t eem bout me. That’s how you know when you dat btch.”
Nicki Minaj delved deeper into Latto’s own family history, sharing a tweet from a fan claiming the rapper’s father was “roughly in his late 30s” when she was born, while her mother would’ve been “16 or 17.”
“Scratch off getcho dumb ass to the mic[.] RIGHT NOW!!!!!” Nicki commanded. “Explain this shit!!!!! Since you just became a rape activist in the last 5 minutes hoe you BETTA HAVE A GOOD EXPLANATION FOR THIS SHIT!!!!! RIGHT TF NOW!!!!! this BETTA be a typo.”
Latto didn’t address her parents’ supposed age gap, but she did turn her attention to Nicki Minaj’s aforementioned “reference tracks” tweet and accused the Young Money superstar of also relying on ghostwriters.
“I’ll post em my got damn self. They’ll all tell u I WRITE TOO!” she wrote. “I heard a few of ur refs before they came out too boo. U forgot WE ALL collab w the same writers?? Difference is I don’t deny it. The world seen me writing since 16 on national TV tho.”
I’ll post em my got damn self. They’ll all tell u I WRITE TOO! I heard a few of ur refs before they came out too boo. U forgot WE ALL collab w the same writers?? Difference is I don’t deny it. The world seen me writing since 16 on national TV tho ✍️🥴 https://t.co/cVcb0l5LN3
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022
Just when it looked like the feud had cooled off, Latto returned hours later to post audio clips of a recent phone call between herself and Nicki Minaj.
The heated conversation found Nicki calling Latto “delusional” for her Hollywood Unlocked comments and told her: “I’ma have somebody send you the information about all the women in the last 10 years who have had Billboard recognition, worldwide global recognition since you are clearly putting yourself above these people.”
Latto accused Nicki of “purposely” misconstruing her remarks before clarifying her original statement. “What I’m saying is it was you running shit for a long time. I never said that you’re no longer running shit,” she explained. “I said that there are other females flourishing. What is the problem with that?”
The conversation ended with Nicki warning Latto: “If people around you cared about you, they would’ve told you, ‘That’s not going to benefit you.’” Latto asked: “What’s not going to benefit me?” After a long pause, Nicki replied: “Lemme go. I have to do a Zoom. I’ll hit you back. Thank you” before hanging up the phone.
“Lemme specify I’m sorry. Im delusional for saying ‘we’re’ (newer female rappers) are flourishing & u said no one cares about my little song LYRICS my bad,” Latto tweeted while sharing the audio. “FYI I only recorded cause I KNOW who tf I’m playing wit #40yroldbully.”
Lemme specify I’m sorry. Im delusional for saying “we’re” (newer female rappers) are flourishing & u said no one cares about my little song LYRICS my bad. FYI I only recorded cause I KNOW who tf I’m playing wit #40yroldbully https://t.co/ocBAA3uVeF pic.twitter.com/RHqEu8XFYD
— BIG LATTO 🎰 (@Latto) October 14, 2022