In a twist that has stirred the music and political worlds alike, Nicki Minaj, the renowned Trinidadian rapper, has found herself at the center of controversy. This time, the backlash comes from her own fanbase, the Barbz, following her unexpected endorsement of a "diss track" that features conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.
The track, titled "Facts" by Tom McDonald, unexpectedly climbed to the number one spot on the iTunes charts, thanks in part to Shapiro's verse that name-drops the "Pink Friday" star.
Initially skeptical, Minaj expressed her disbelief on X/Twitter, questioning the reality of Shapiro's musical endeavor reaching the top of iTunes. "Ben Shapiro? Ben Shapiro is #1 on iTunes? This better be a good edit. BARBZ if y'all don't quit playin!!!!" she posted. However, after giving the track a listen, Minaj's tone shifted from disbelief to apparent approval, a move that did not sit well with her fans.
"I just listened to it Ben Shapiro, not bad. Roman's Revenge," she remarked, adding, "Ben Shapiro put out a diss record. He said his comment sections are filled with woke Karens. The song is #1 on US iTunes. What is rlly happening & whos is that other man rapping???? Is this real life??!! He said "Nicki take some notes." Nah [laughing emojis] AYO nah."
The endorsement sparked immediate criticism from Minaj's followers, with comments ranging from confusion to outright disappointment. "Oh no baby what are you doing?" one fan exclaimed, while another questioned Minaj's awareness of Shapiro's controversial standing, "Did you read his Twitter bio?"
Shapiro, known for his critical take on Stallion's 2020 hit "WAP," responded to Minaj's comments with a mix of humor and bravado, "Didn't know what I was doing, but I put on a cape. Now it's, 'Which world tour should I go on today?'"
Adding to the complexity of the situation is Minaj's ongoing feud with Megan Thee Stallion, which recently escalated with Minaj's contentious remarks about Stallion's late mother, Holly Thomas, who passed away in March 2019. The feud, which had been simmering over lyrical exchanges in their respective songs, took a personal turn when Minaj suggested on Instagram Live that Stallion should "call up her mother and apologize" following Stallion's critique of Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, in her new track "Hiss."
This confluence of music, politics, and personal disputes underscores the volatile nature of public figures navigating their personal beliefs and public personas in the digital age. As fans and observers dissect Minaj's actions and their implications, the incident serves as a reminder of the intricate dynamics at play in the entertainment industry, where the lines between art, personal life, and political stance are increasingly blurred.
