Nicki Minaj Slams Kanye West at Essence Fest, saying, “We Don’t Fuck with Clowns!”.
Prior to playing “Monster,” Minaj addressed her former collaborator.
During her headline act at the 2022 Essence Music Festival on Friday, July 1st, Nicki Minaj didn’t mince words about former partner Kanye West.
The diss occurred about halfway through the rapper’s set, when her DJ played her guest line from Ye’s star-studded blockbuster “Monster” from 2010’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. (The song is widely regarded for catapulting Minaj to hip-hop prominence.)
“However, a monster!” But a monster! But we don’t fuck with clowns,” she teased before putting her figurative giant Giuseppe heel down and pausing the act entirely to pay tribute to the show’s host city, New Orleans.
It’s unclear what prompted Minaj’s rant, but she previously expressed displeasure with West’s decision to shelve their 2019 collaboration “New Body.” West also appeared on Cardi B’s latest single “Hot Shit,” which features Minaj’s longtime rival.
Minaj sang “Carpool Karaoke” with James Corden on The Late Late Show with James Corden for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began in April. She’ll then headline Rolling Loud New York in September alongside Future and A$AP Rocky, as well as Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, Pusha T, and 21 Savage.
The Barbz are not happy with Essence Fest, and apparently, Nicki Minaj isn’t happy with her longtime friend and collaborator, Kanye West.
What y'all think about this?? #CardiB #KanyeWest #NickiMinaj #EssenceFest #Lovelytitv pic.twitter.com/ZNVUpGkcAb
— lovelyti (@lovelyti) July 2, 2022
NICKI MINAJ performing at Essence fest #NickiMinaj #essencefestival pic.twitter.com/EiYhWO9zH9
— ✈️Dre🚀 (@blackaneseboy) July 2, 2022
