Nicki Minaj says SZA is not an icon, claim AI bots fuel her success

Nicki Minaj vs. SZA: A Feud Fueled by AI Bots and Industry Drama

The music world is ablaze with the latest clash between rap heavyweight Nicki Minaj and R\&B powerhouse SZA. On July 15, 2025, Minaj took to X, calling SZA a “dead dog” and mocking her appearance, accusing her of using AI bots to inflate her streaming numbers. The fiery exchange began after a cryptic Mercury retrograde tweet by SZA, which Minaj seemingly took as a slight. But the feud quickly unraveled into something deeper—touching on long-standing tensions between Minaj and Roc Nation, CEO Desiree Perez, and the controversial #JusticeForDemoree movement.

This article unpacks the explosive Nicki-SZA feud, the truth behind AI bot accusations, Minaj’s ongoing Roc Nation vendetta, and her long history of headline-grabbing rivalries.

The Reigning Queen: Nicki Minaj’s Ever-Controversial Reign

Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, known globally as Nicki Minaj, has redefined rap since the release of her 2010 debut album Pink Friday, which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. With hits like “Super Bass,” “Anaconda,” “Starships,” and “Chun-Li,” Minaj fused hip-hop with pop sensibilities to dominate airwaves for over a decade.

In 2022, her chart-topping solo single “Super Freaky Girl” cemented her legacy, and 2023’s Pink Friday 2 made her the first female rapper with multiple No. 1 albums in U.S. history. Selling over 100 million records and earning eight MTV Video Music Awards, Minaj is widely regarded as the most successful female rapper of all time. But with her success has come a wave of public conflicts, which have become as much a part of her story as her discography.

SZA’s Meteoric Rise: From TDE Underdog to Genre-Bending Star

Solána Imani Rowe—professionally known as SZA—emerged with a raw, genre-defying style that blended R\&B, neo-soul, hip-hop, and indie rock. Signed to Top Dawg Entertainment in 2013, her debut album Ctrl (2017) became a generational touchstone, earning four Grammy nominations and spawning hits like “Love Galore.”

Her sophomore album SOS (2022) shattered records, spending 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with viral hits like “Kill Bill” and “Snooze.” In 2024, her Lana deluxe reissue and Kendrick Lamar collaboration “Luther” proved her staying power. She’s now a five-time Grammy winner and 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee. Despite Minaj’s allegations, SZA’s resume reflects undeniable talent and cultural impact.

What Sparked the Feud: Retrogrades, Rumors & Rage Tweets

The feud escalated quickly after SZA posted a vague tweet about Mercury retrograde. While not directed at anyone specifically, Minaj interpreted it as shade and unleashed a barrage of insults on X. She mocked SZA’s voice—“like she got stung by a bee”—and called her a “dead dog,” claiming her success was artificially inflated by AI bots.

Minaj also alleged that TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson had been threatening her behind the scenes. SZA clapped back: “I don’t give a fck bout none of that weird sht you popping,” all while preparing for her Paris show with Kendrick Lamar.

Minaj, however, wasn’t done. She resurfaced the #JusticeForDemoree hashtag—linked to a disturbing lawsuit accusing Roc Nation’s Desiree Perez of physically assaulting Minaj’s daughter and having her wrongfully institutionalized.

AI Bots and Stream Wars: Are Nicki’s Claims Valid?

Minaj accused SZA of inflating her streams via AI bots. An echo of a growing concern in the industry about manipulated metrics. She contrasted SZA’s chart performance with her own “pure sales” from the early 2010s, claiming her impact was organic.

“Nicki’s debut outsold SOS in the pure sales era. No streams or bots,” wrote one supporter on X. But SZA’s streaming records tell a different story—SOS broke records on Spotify and Apple Music, and both “Kill Bill” and “Snooze” topped the charts organically.

Experts point out that streaming platforms now deploy AI themselves to detect bot behavior, making it difficult to inflate stats undetected. Minaj’s claims appear to stem from personal frustration and deeper industry resentment rather than factual evidence.

Roc Nation and #JusticeForDemoree: A Personal Crusade

Minaj’s feud with Roc Nation runs deeper than any one artist. She’s long blamed the label’s leadership for sabotaging her brand and wealth. Especially regarding her alleged \$200 million loss from Jay-Z’s sale of Tidal. She has also openly criticized Jay-Z for choosing Kendrick Lamar over Lil Wayne for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. Calling it a betrayal rooted in ego.

The most disturbing element? Minaj’s continued use of #JusticeForDemoree. The hashtag references a lawsuit claiming Desiree Perez assaulted her daughter and placed her in a mental institution without cause.

For those wondering how SZA got caught in the crosshairs, the answer is simple: as a Roc Nation-affiliated artist and TDE’s most visible star, she became collateral in a war much bigger than her.

Minaj’s Feud Files: Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion & More

Nicki Minaj has a long and public history of rivalries with other female artists—often erupting over competition for dominance in a male-dominated industry.

• Cardi B: Their feud ignited in 2017 and exploded during a 2018 Fashion Week brawl where Cardi allegedly threw a shoe. Minaj denied shading Cardi’s parenting, but the animosity continues to flare.
• Megan Thee Stallion: After their 2019 collab “Hot Girl Summer,” things soured when Megan worked with Cardi. In 2022, Minaj claimed Megan encouraged her to get an abortion. 2024 saw Megan fire back with “Hiss,” and Minaj retaliated with “Big Foot”. A vicious track that targeted Megan’s mother and the Tory Lanez shooting incident.
• Lil’ Kim & Remy Ma: Early in her career, Minaj drew ire from Lil’ Kim over style similarities. Remy Ma famously released “ShETHER” in 2017, accusing Minaj of cheating and surgery secrets—sparking yet another lyrical war.
• Mariah Carey: Their 2013 American Idol co-judging stint was riddled with tension and passive-aggressive jabs.

Minaj’s pattern of publicly confronting rivals reflects her defensiveness over legacy, power, and respect in a cutthroat industry.

An Interesting Time For Feuds In Music

This clash between Minaj and SZA goes beyond petty insults. It’s a snapshot of hip-hop’s high-stakes terrain, where power dynamics, industry politics, and personal wounds collide in real time. Minaj represents legacy and longevity—defensive of her throne. SZA embodies a new generation’s rise, powered by streaming, genre-blending, and emotional openness.

While Minaj’s fiery tweets reflect her combative spirit, SZA’s quiet confidence shows the power of poise. One fan on X summed it up: “SZA is shining, Nicki is spiraling.” It’s a battle between old-school dominance and modern-day grace—playing out in front of millions.

What Comes Next: More Diss Tracks or a Digital Ceasefire?

As it stands, the feud shows no signs of cooling off. Minaj continues posting about Roc Nation, and her legal battles may spur more music aimed at her rivals. SZA, meanwhile, seems more focused on touring and her upcoming Grammy campaign.

Still, Minaj’s pattern suggests more smoke is coming—possibly pulling Cardi, Megan, or even Kendrick into the fray. Whether fans are here for the bars or the mess, one thing’s for sure: this feud is far from over.