The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards were a hot mess, but, not without a bit of drama. Of course, people were throwing shade left and right at each other, seeing as there are a lot of artists who have some unfinished beef.
Everyone’s eyes, however, were stuck on Nicki Minaj at the awards show, after she had a tantrum on Twitter this week. Minaj called out Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott–along with their 6-month-old daughter Stormi–for preventing her from hitting number one on Billboards Top 200. Scott’s new album Astroworld has been sitting at number one, while Minaj’s album Queen is at number two. Point blank, she blamed Kylie for helping Travis promote his merch and music. *yawn*.
Scott and Jenner were originally seated behind Minaj at the awards show but moved their seats last minute to the opposite side of the room–next to rapper Cardi B.
It’s no secret that Cardi B and Nicki Minaj have had their fair share of drama. From back in the day throwing subliminal messages in lyrics, to finally addressing the beef last year–they’re not the best of friends.
A bit of history:
Minaj appeared on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Show on earlier this year and was asked about Cardi–obviously–in the interview. Both rappers appeared as features on Migos’ song “Motorsport,” which would make it seem like all is well, but, apparently, Minaj was really hurt over Cardi’s words about her. According to Minaj, the song was supposed to be a collaboration between just her and Quavo–a member of Migos. But, Offset, another member of Migos, is engaged to Cardi B. Apparently, Quavo sent Minaj a text asking if it was “cool if Cardi could also have a verse on the song.” Minaj–of course–said yes, I mean, it would be awesome to see two of the biggest female rappers collab like that. But, Migos and Cardi told a different story.
“The only thing with Cardi that really, really, really hurt my feelings was the first interview she did after ‘MotorSport’ came out. With ‘MotorSport,’ I kinda felt ambushed. The first thing that came out of her mouth about a Nicki Minaj feature was ‘she changed the verse’ … When it was time to clear the air about that, no one did that. All of them allowed me to look like I lied.”
She added:
Up until this recent interview that she did, I had never seen her show me genuine love. I could just imagine how many girls wish they could have been on a song with Nicki Minaj. I’m not saying in it a cocky way, but yikes … It’s because of the Nicki hate train that she felt like she could speak about me in that manner.
But, it seems as though Minaj and Cardi have reignited their beef. Cardi took the stage at the MTV VMAs not once, but twice, throwing shade at Nikki Minaj. First, when she came out in the beginning, Cardi referred to herself as an “empress.” Fans immediately caught onto the shade being thrown towards Nikki–whose new album is called Queen.
She said ???? "I am the Empress" An #Empress is higher than a #Queen on the royal hierarchy ???? Low key a dig at Nicki ????????♀️
— KiSoSweet (@KISOSWEET_) August 21, 2018
Cardi B really got on stage at the VMAS and said "It's me, THE EMPRESS" shady!!!! I love the drama!!!!
— Styled By Vonluxx (@vonluxx) August 21, 2018
But, during her acceptance speech for Best New Artist, Cardi made sure to make her mark. She ended her speech with a rather shady and obvious slam towards Nikki, saying the love her fans give her is “something money can’t buy…b*tch.”
She didn’t outright name Nicki Minaj in the speech, but, last week Minaj gave an interview with Ebro–insinuating that Atlantic Records had “bought” Cardi B her number one song. Therefore, everyone really knew who the dig was for.
Cardi B gave the best double meaning acceptance speech ????????????. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/IMbRpyHDQS
— Tasty Recipe (@tastyrecipes4u) August 21, 2018
Immediately after, Twitter was on fire with reactions–and, wanting to know when this standoff is going to take place (sign me up, too, because I love to see my New York women go off).
After Nicki Minaj’s comments last week, I can’t help but think Cardi B was directing this at Nicki. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/N2sx8HhC6K
— Graeme O'Neil (@GraemeONeil) August 21, 2018
Cardi B really just called Nicki Minaj a “Bitch” on LIVE TV.
— MASE (@MasinElije) August 21, 2018
Cardi B wins, shades Nicki, and immediately after that Travis Scott performs. Messyyyyy. ???????? #VMAs
— Murphy Two Times (@Murphy2x) August 21, 2018
Cardi B and Travis Scott shaded Nicki. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/qSbtbyz8uz
— Meka ???? (@iheartmylife82) August 21, 2018
Cardi’s speech at the VMAs! ???????????? Nicki where you at ????????????
— Andrew Valles (@AndValles09) August 21, 2018
Cardi B said “bitch” at the end of her speech so convicting, I know Nicki felt that
— cocoabutta&koolaid???? (@duragderrick) August 21, 2018
Cardi B finally got tired if Nicki Minaj bullying her. Cardi finally spoke up for herself #VMAs pic.twitter.com/084KDPoWhZ
— Truth Only (@TruthTellerAsh) August 21, 2018
#vmas
Cardi B: The love I recieve is something you can’t buy …. bitch.Nicki: pic.twitter.com/AlVcBFEdlu
— Shaun Lester (@novacxnx) August 21, 2018
So did Nicki leave the building? Can’t believe there wasn’t a single camera pan to her during Cardi’s speech or Travis’ performance #VMAs
— Legna Dora Milaje (@legna1029) August 21, 2018
whew cardi’s speech, the shade ????
— deb (@edenscfc) August 21, 2018
The “BITCH” at the end of Cardi’s acceptance speech dkdjshsg she shook the table
— ʝanise.⚢ (@JunoCassandra) August 21, 2018
Nicki Minaj, in her dressing room, watching Cardi's acceptance speech and DJ Khaled introduce Travis Scott. #VMAs #VMAs2018 pic.twitter.com/YzazzHzVQx
— IncogNika (@chocolate_skin1) August 21, 2018
Cardi B acceptance speech was everything!! ???????? #VMAs
— Too_Pretty_4U (@K_Carr_4) August 21, 2018
Cardi B speech just now #CardiB #VMA pic.twitter.com/gtN05YHBSQ
— Ilse Lazos (@lazos_ilse) August 21, 2018
that little shade Cardi thru at the end of her acceptance speech was PERFECT. #okurrr
— Yoni Berra (@Theylovekara) August 21, 2018
LMFAOOOOO CARDI’S SPEECH >>>> PERFECT BALANCE OF HUMBLE AND EXTRA unlike the other one
— Armani (@elusivewizard) August 21, 2018
IM SHOOK FROM CARDI’S SPEECH
— alex ☼ (@gaebeehanna) August 21, 2018
Cardi speech at the end!!! You just cant buy that! pic.twitter.com/EczNTsJmHS
— Josh (@UnofficialJosh) August 21, 2018
Damn, Cardi’s thriving on stage after throwing shade in her last acceptance speech #VMAs ????☕️
— Em (@_princesspotato) August 21, 2018
Now, all we need to wait for is Nicki to clap-back on Twitter and it’s a wrap.