The ongoing tension between Nicki Minaj and Jay-Z/Roc Nation has intensified, with recent developments rooted in the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show controversy.
The Super Bowl Trigger
When the NFL and Roc Nation announced Kendrick Lamar as the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime headliner in New Orleans, Lil Wayne’s hometown, many fans and Nicki felt Wayne was overlooked. Since Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s company) curates the halftime show, Nicki, loyal to Lil Wayne, perceived it as a personal slight.
She expressed her frustration in a remix of “Banned From NO,” taking direct shots at Roc Nation and the NFL, calling them out for allegedly sidelining Wayne for ego-driven reasons. She previously posted tweets accusing Jay-Z of denying Wayne recognition, stating it was due to ego and industry politics, even referencing the NFL deal with, “One dude took a knee, the other took the bag.”
New Allegations: Surveillance and Sabotage
On June 19, 2025, Nicki posted tweets hinting that Roc Nation, specifically CEO Desiree Perez, was sabotaging her career. She implied her online activity was monitored, referencing “listening devices, cameras, car tags,” and alluding to Roc Nation tracking her likes and movements online.
Nicki also shared details from a lawsuit filed by Desiree Perez’s daughter, Demoree Hadley, against her mother for allegedly orchestrating an unlawful psychiatric detention. Nicki reposted related content, stating it felt familiar and compared it to attempts to tear families apart with lies, vowing “no more distractions.”
Roc Nation Silent, Memphis Bleek Responds
While Jay-Z and Desiree Perez have remained silent, Memphis Bleek (Jay-Z’s longtime friend) told TMZ that Nicki should “chill out” and consider working with Roc Nation instead of fighting them. Nicki clapped back, questioning why she should work in an environment where she is allegedly kept from her audience.
She continued posting about the lawsuit’s claims against Roc Nation, referencing racketeering, false imprisonment, stalking, and hacking, while mocking Memphis Bleek with “Goofy Bleek to the rescue.” Nicki further alleged Roc Nation had unauthorized access to her social media accounts, allowing them to manipulate her presence online while implying a deep, corrupt system working against her.
Fan Reactions
Fans are split:
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Some support Nicki, believing she’s exposing industry manipulation and Jay-Z’s history of controlling artists.
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Others worry about her claims, suggesting she has become paranoid and is seeing conspiracies where none exist.
Regardless, the feud has sparked discussions about industry politics, artist autonomy, and the hidden power structures within music.
Other Industry Updates
Dylan (Da Band) on Diddy
Former Diddy artist Dylan called out the music industry for staying silent about Diddy until his legal troubles escalated, accusing people of only speaking up after Diddy’s arrest. Online users noted that figures like 50 Cent and The Lox were vocal long before, with many adding that artists often claimed they left Diddy’s infamous parties early, denying witnessing any misconduct despite years of attendance.
Pusha T vs. Travis Scott
During a segment on the Rory & Mal podcast, Mal commented that Pusha T is “just like me,” sparking online jokes that Pusha would be disgusted by the comparison. As Pusha T recently had public tension with Travis Scott, fans joked that Pusha might drop a deluxe album diss track in response to the chatter. Many found Mal’s comment ironic given his prior support for Drake during the Drake vs. Pusha feud.
Eminem’s “Buffalo Bill” Praised by Producer
Mark Batson, who co-produced “Buffalo Bill” with Dr. Dre for Eminem’s Relapse deluxe edition, responded to a fan praising the track, calling it “one of the grimiest beats I ever worked on with Dre and Em in the grimiest of eras.” He reminisced about the raw energy of that period, noting it was “so gangster and grimy.” Batson’s last known production with Eminem was “Premonition” on Music to Be Murdered By.
Final Thoughts
The Nicki Minaj vs. Roc Nation drama underscores long-standing tensions in the industry, revealing how personal loyalty, business decisions, and power dynamics collide publicly. Fans are closely watching to see if Jay-Z or Roc Nation will respond directly, while others debate the legitimacy of Nicki’s claims and her ongoing social media campaign.
Meanwhile, updates across hip-hop—from Diddy’s controversies to Pusha T’s ongoing movements and Eminem’s celebrated past projects—keep fans engaged, showing that the intersection of music, personal lives, and industry politics remains as intense and unpredictable as ever.
