Nicki Minaj has escalated a long-standing feud with Jay-Z and his Roc Nation empire, unleashing a torrent of accusations, demands, and barbs that have captivated fans and stirred controversy across social media platforms. The rapper, known for her candid and often confrontational style, has publicly accused Jay-Z and Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez of wrongdoing, while also demanding a staggering payout she claims is owed to her from the TIDAL streaming service deal.
On July 8, 2025, Minaj took to X (formerly Twitter) to air her grievances in a series of pointed posts. She accused Jay-Z of allowing Perez to "do a lot of evil to black ppl" while remaining silent, asserting that the duo had "ruined hip-hop, football, basketball, touring, Instagram, Twitter," and more. "The jig is up," she wrote, emphasizing that her statements were "alleged & for entertainment purposes only." Minaj also questioned whether Jay-Z had "not like us playing at the Super Bowl after his CEO was pardoned by President Trump," referencing a complex web of political and personal dynamics.
Adding fuel to the fire, Minaj demanded a massive payout from Jay-Z, calling it a "karmic debt" that has only been "collecting more interest." She estimated the amount owed to be between $100 million and $200 million, a figure she calculated based on her stake in TIDAL, the streaming platform Jay-Z launched in 2015. At TIDAL's inception, 15 artists—including Minaj, Beyoncé, Rihanna, J. Cole, and Ye—were gifted 3% equity collectively, valued at $56 million at the time.
However, when Jay-Z sold a majority stake of TIDAL to Jack Dorsey's Square in 2021 for $302 million, Minaj claimed she was offered only $1 million for her share, far less than the roughly $9 million she expected based on the sale price. "#JayZ call me to settle this karmic debt," she urged, adding with a mix of defiance and humor, "You still in my TOP 5 tho. Anyone still calling him Hov will answer to God for the blasphemy." She further announced plans to use the money she claims is owed to her to support her loyal fanbase, known as the Barbz, by funding their college tuition and student loans through her #StudentOfTheGame charity.
The dispute over TIDAL is only one facet of Minaj's growing conflict with Roc Nation and Jay-Z. Earlier in the year, she launched a scathing attack on Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, sharing allegations and a lawsuit that accused Perez of wrongfully institutionalizing her own daughter, Hadley, in a mental health facility for two weeks. The suit, filed in June 2025, claimed Perez used her influence to detain Hadley without clear cause and interfered in her marriage by fabricating domestic violence claims. Hadley was released in April after Perez dropped the case against her husband, Javon Hadley.
Minaj's criticisms didn't stop there. She reignited a sensitive topic by referencing a paternity lawsuit involving Jay-Z. A man named Raymir Satterthwaite, 31, has been publicly seeking a paternity test to confirm whether Jay-Z is his biological father. Minaj commented on this ongoing saga with a cryptic post: "Oh is this why he was trending the other day? Idk. I hope all is well. To God be the glory." Raymir has expressed frustration over Jay-Z's silence, stating, "If he is not [my father], why can't he prove me wrong? Go to the courtroom and do what everyone else has to do. I can take a no. I can take being embarrassed. I just can't take him not saying anything. It is not fair." As of now, Jay-Z has not publicly responded to these claims.
The tension between Minaj and Roc Nation extends into the realm of other artists as well. She has taken aim at Megan Thee Stallion amidst a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed against the Houston rapper by her former cameraman, Emilio Garcia. Garcia alleges that during a 2022 trip to Ibiza, Megan engaged in a sexual act with another woman in his presence, made degrading remarks about his appearance, and retaliated against him professionally after he spoke up. A federal judge recently ruled that Garcia's lawsuit can proceed, a development Minaj mocked with a post referencing "Karma's Law" and "Vengeance is the Lord's law," thanking the media for "posting lies" that she says mean "more money for me." Megan Thee Stallion and her team have strongly denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit "baseless."
Minaj's public feud with Megan Thee Stallion is well-documented, with both artists exchanging barbs over the years. The conflict intensified after Lil Wayne was passed over for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show in favor of Kendrick Lamar, a decision widely believed to be influenced by Jay-Z, who serves as the NFL's live music entertainment strategist. Minaj has not hesitated to express her displeasure, taking shots at Jay-Z's role and the Super Bowl decision in her verse on Lil Wayne's "Banned From N.O." remix.
Throughout the unfolding drama, Jay-Z, Roc Nation, and TIDAL representatives have remained publicly silent, declining to comment on Minaj's accusations or the various lawsuits and allegations swirling around the label and its associates. Meanwhile, Minaj's fans, known for their fierce loyalty, have rallied behind her, amplifying calls for Jay-Z to settle what they view as long-overdue debts and to address the grievances she has aired.
This escalating saga highlights the complex intersections of business, artistry, and personal relationships within the music industry. It underscores how disputes over money, influence, and reputation can spill into the public eye, drawing in fans, media, and legal systems alike. As Minaj continues to wield her platform to challenge powerful figures and demand accountability, the industry watches closely, pondering what this might mean for the future of hip-hop and the dynamics within its most influential circles.
