Latto

Nicki Minaj has spoken up and has accused the Grammys of prioritising newer artists in rap categories, and made some striking claims about rapper Latto in ...

it’s the same answer I gave u when u asked why I didn’t congratulate you. [Nicki Minaj’s missing acrylic nail is being auctioned online for thousands of dollars](https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/nicki-minaj/missing-acrylic-nail-auction-online-ebay-thousand-dollars-barbz-reaction-vma/) [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/nicki-minaj-super-freaky-girl-grammys-pop-1235240981/) claimed that Nicki's tune 'Super Freaky Girl' was moved from the rap to the pop category for consideration, despite spending its eighth week at the top of the rap charts. You’re asking why I didn’t speak up in ur defense… [Nicki Minaj](https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/nicki-minaj/) has taken to her Instagram stories to take swipes at emerging rap artists, including Latto, as she accused the Grammy awards of prioritising newer artists in the rap categories. Nicki's song 'Super Freaky Girl' was reportedly denied to compete in the rap category at next year's Grammy Awards, and has instead been moved to the 'pop' category. Nicki Minaj has spoken up and has accused the Grammys of prioritising newer artists in rap categories, and made some striking claims about rapper Latto in the process.

Nicki Minaj criticized the Grammys for moving her song “Super Freaky Girl” from the rap to pop field. She then broadened the fight by bringing up Latto's ...

[Silk Sonic announced yesterday](https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/silk-sonic-bows-out-an-evening-with-album-grammy.html) that they would not submit their album An Evening With Silk Sonic, a perceived favorite after single “Leave the Door Open” won four awards last year. [“Super Freaky Girl”](https://www.vulture.com/2022/08/stream-nicki-minajs-tiktok-famous-super-freaky-girl.html) in the rap field, the awards moved the song to compete in pop, [according to the Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/nicki-minaj-super-freaky-girl-grammys-pop-1235240981/). [Latto’s hit](https://www.vulture.com/2022/05/lattos-big-energy-giving-mariah-carey-and-tom-tom-club.html), which samples the Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love” (which was also sampled in Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy”). In 2020, she criticized the awards for racism, citing that they gave Best New Artist to “the white man Bon Iver” over her despite her success. And the Weeknd and Minaj’s good friend Drake are continuing their boycotts of the Grammys. The two then went back and forth on Twitter over Minaj’s lack of support for Latto, before accusing each other of using ghostwriters and reminding the world that Minaj’s husband, [Kenneth Petty, is a convicted rapist](https://www.vulture.com/2022/07/nicki-minaj-husband-kenneth-petty-house-arrest-sex-offender.html).

After The Recording Academy said Nicki Minaj hit "Super Freaky Girl" categorizes as pop, the rapper got into an Twitter war with Latto.

FYI I only recorded cause I KNOW who tf I’m playing wit They’ll all tell u I WRITE TOO! [pic.twitter.com/SkNuiVfCP4] Luke and having a song with Kodak Black, who pled U literally told me I’m not “flourishing” and no one cares about my “little song” otp lol Peep “not again” because she thinks I was “using her fans” for simply teasing my “Wheelie” ft & then the BE remix ft it’s the same answer I gave u when u asked why I didn’t congratulate you. I wanted to speak up cuz like I said I do agree but the way u going about it seems malicious esp. “Says she waited in line for Pink Friday w [October 14, 2022] [Nicki Minaj](https://www.okayplayer.com/tag/nicki-minaj) and [Latto](https://www.okayplayer.com/tag/latto) last night. I have no prob being moved out the RAP category as long as we r ALL being treated FAIRLY.

Nicki Minaj and Latto have been beefing on Twitter following the Grammy nominations announcement,

So while the age gap is just 21 days, Latto was right in her tweet as her mom is younger than Minaj. it’s the same answer I gave u when u asked why I didn’t congratulate you. [wrote](https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1580703316073361408): “I have no prob being moved out the RAP category as long as we r ALL being treated FAIRLY. [tweet](https://twitter.com/Latto/status/1580756435084115968?s=20&t=IeNvXsnCJIKiDc4rOGcQ1A) in which she called Minaj older than her mom. ANY1 who says diff is simply a Nicki hater or a troll. I’d actually LUV 2 c a more street record win- male OR female!

"Big Energy" hitmaker Latto and "Super Freaky Girl" hitmaker Nicki Minaj go back and forth over the phone and on social media.

Latto asked, “What’s not going to benefit me?” At that point, Nicki Minaj apparently ended the telephone call. Nicki Minaj has yet to directly respond to Latto posting their phone conversation. The conversation also included Nicki Minaj telling Latto, “It’s not going to benefit you. As a result, Latto fired back at Nicki Minaj which led to both women posting numerous tweets taking aim at each other. Latto talked about how more female rappers are “thriving” now versus the time period when Minaj basically ruled alone. Minaj specifically called out Latto’s “Big Energy” remaining in contention for rap-focused Grammys.

Nicki Minaj and Latto called each other "Karen" and "Grandma" on Twitter after Minaj suggested that the Grammys shifted her from rap to pop to help Latto's ...

“Soon female rap will really not have any Black women,” Minaj said in the IG speech, without making any specific references as to who she was talking about at that point. Although the awards have become a third wheel in this argument, with Minaj and Latto seeming to leave the spurring controversy behind as they go after each other, probably never before has there been this much attention paid to the Grammys almost four months out from the show actually airing. Luke refers to the producer having been accused of rape by Kesha, with a defamation lawsuit by the producer against the artist that continues to wind through New York appeals court. They don’t want the people that they have in the industry to go up against me.” That’s why u really mad.” (The “777” album debuted at No. If there’s such a thing as a possible winner in this feud amid this much open warfare — and there probably isn’t — it might be the Grammys, at least as heightened interest goes. “And by the way, this is not to say any song is bad or any female rapper is bad. [Minaj unloaded on social media and in a 17-minute Instagram video](https://variety.com/2022/music/news/nicki-minaj-grammys-move-super-freaky-girl-rap-pop-category-latto-1235403285/), contending that the move would only be fair if Latto’s “Big Energy” was also shifted from rap to pop categories. The younger artist even referred to Minaj as “my idol-turned-rival” as the conversation went nuclear. I wanted to speak up cuz like I said I do agree but the way u going about it seems malicious esp. but today, scratch off decides to be silent; rather than speak up for the Black woman she called her biggest inspiration.” “If you can’t tell by now that there is a concerted effort to give newer artists things that they really don’t deserve over people who have been deserving for many years, then you’re not paying attention,” Minaj said in the video.

This argument is the latest in a weekslong debate among female rappers that has fallen into a proxy war between Minaj and other popular artists.

[Submit it here](https://tips.buzzfeed.com) [Steffi Cao](/author/stefficao) at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Steffi Cao is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.

Is 'Super Freaky Girl' a pop song or a rap song? In the meantime, two stars fight online.

The only category that they can manage to fit me in is in a rap category, maybe because I’ve rapped in the past or because I’m Black.” (The Recording Academy did not respond to a request for comment for this story.) I don’t like that ‘urban’ word — it’s just a politically correct way to say the n-word to me.” [Nicki Minaj](https://www.rollingstone.com/t/nicki-minaj/), the ever-polarizing rap icon seeking more Grammy gold with “ [Super Freaky Girl](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-super-freaky-girl-new-single-1396258/),” and [Latto](https://www.rollingstone.com/t/latto/), the buzzing Atlanta MC whose “Big Energy” hit [is one of the biggest songs of 2022](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/latto-atlanta-rapper-big-energy-1248824/). Tyler, The Creator expressed similar discontent with the Grammys over his 2019 album Igor, calling their decision to name the melodic, R&B-inspired project 2020’s Best Rap Album a “backhanded compliment.” During a post-Grammys press conference at the time, he said, “It sucks that whenever we — and I mean guys that look like me — do anything that’s genre-bending… [hip-hop](https://www.rollingstone.com/t/hip-hop/) heads have contended that these artists should rise above petty tweets and take their gripes to the booth, which might at least yield an entertaining diss track. all these awards/noms I can’t even celebrate,” a line that many onlookers perceived as a response to Nicki’s commentary on the Grammys. As Minaj noted in her Instagram Live session, Drake was confused about why “Hotline Bling” won a rap Grammy, telling DJ Semtex This isn’t the first example of their inability to properly categorize Black music, especially from rappers. Still, there’s the question of whether it’s worth it for Latto or another rising artist to wage war on Nicki, and by extension the Barbs. “’Freaky Girl,’ where I only rapped on the song, was removed from the rap categories at the Grammys,” Minaj sarcastically noted. Nicki responded with a barely subliminal shot at Latto, tweeting, “This Karen has probably mentioned my name in over 100 interviews.

Nicki Minaj and Latto engaged in a war of words on the timeline Thursday night. Many of the tweets were removed but we have the receipts.

In the footage, Latto can be heard telling Nicki that she never meant to make it sound like she was diminishing her role in paving a way for women in the industry, while Nicki combatively responds saying that Latto doesn’t know her history and should do more research. [receipts](https://twitter.com/Latto/status/1580759764761726977) of Nicki seemingly calling her a “dud” at the beginning of October as well, later calling her a “40-year-old bully” after Minaj made a joke about thinking she was in her mid 30s. but I’m finna start from the beginning [ #40yroldbully](https://twitter.com/hashtag/40yroldbully?src=hashtag_click).” This rhetoric from Nicki falls in line with a history of issues she’s had with the younger generation of artists. Nicki and Latto continued to trade shots live on the timeline, which included Nicki sharing private messages she received from the young rapper a year ago asking to work together and other reference tracks. While some believed Latto was the first to send subliminal messages a few weeks ago, she claims she’s been ignoring slick shots from Minaj that date all the way back to March. [the Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/nicki-minaj-super-freaky-girl-grammys-pop-1235240981/), a source cited that Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girls” was pulled from Grammy consideration for any rap categories, and instead was being considered for Best Pop Solo Performance. Nicki Minaj was understandably upset yesterday when she learned that her massive single [“Super Freaky Girl”](https://www.complex.com/music/nicki-minaj-super-freaky-girl-music-video) will reportedly [not be considered](https://www.complex.com/music/nicki-minaj-responds-super-freaky-girl-grammy-rap-categories) for hip-hop categories at the Grammys; it will be in the running for Best Pop Solo Performance instead. Minaj was not having that, though, and would go on to air out their conversation, which escalated the feud even further. The theories were unsubstantiated, however, and Minaj did not directly respond to Latto’s tweet while it was still up a few weeks ago. [Lil Baby](https://www.complex.com/tag/lil-baby)’s new album to drop, [Nicki Minaj](https://www.complex.com/tag/nicki-minaj) was prepping for war. It goes without saying that a confused Latto logged into Twitter last night; she mentioned she didn’t respond to Minaj publicly until she revealed that she had tried to have a private conversation with her. It turns out, some cited subliminal tweets that Latto made a week prior to that could have been directed at Minaj.

Nicki Minaj and Latto engaged in a heated back-and-forth on Twitter stemming from the Recording Academy's decision to dub 'Super Freaky Girl' as a pop song.

[“all these awards/noms I can’t even celebrate,”](https://twitter.com/Latto/status/1580713652776116224) and began firing back at the musician. Minaj alleged that Marley Green, the personality behind “Nosey Heaux,” claimed the rapper was “shoving all this cocaine up her nose” and made crass remarks about her 1-year-old son. “I feel like later on, years from now, we’re gonna look at this time for female rap and be like, ‘Wow, this was like a special moment. “I have no prob being moved out of the RAP category as long as we r ALL being treated FAIRLY,” Minaj tweeted Thursday evening. [replied to a fan’s tweet. [shared her ](https://twitter.com/Latto/status/1580766670687125504) [collection of screenshots](https://twitter.com/Latto/status/1580766670687125504) of Minaj fans seemingly facing criticism from Minaj for even mentioning the “Big Energy” singer. I have no prob being moved out the RAP category as long as we r ALL being treated FAIRLY. ANY1 who says diff is simply a Nicki hater or a troll. Minaj wasn’t expecting the pivot to pop. Nicki Minaj is beefing with a fellow artist on Twitter, again. She later echoed her grievances on Twitter, still mentioning Latto. If SFG has 2B moved out RAP then so does Big Energy!

After it was revealed that "Super Freaky Girl" was moved from the rap field to pop on the 2023 Grammy ballot, Minaj pulled Latto's "Big Energy" -- which is ...

(A live version is in contention because the original “Big Energy” was released in September 2021, outside the eligibility period.) “They stay moving the goal post when it comes to me,” Minaj added multiple times. This didn’t sit well with Latto, who had been trying to celebrate her AMA nominations (including favorite female hip-hop artist and favorite hip-hop song with “Big Energy”) amidst social media backlash to her BET Hip Hop Awards win, sparked by Kodak Black. Luke and Vaughn Oliver; a live version of “Big Energy” is eligible to compete in the best melodic rap performance category at the 2023 Grammys. Minaj also went on to say in a tweet that Latto is In the video, she mentions Drake’s best rap song win with “Hotline Bling” at the 2017 [Grammys](https://www.billboard.com/t/grammys/) (a point of contention for the Toronto rapper, who [said the song was pop](https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-calls-grammy-wins-hotline-bling-weird-beats-1-interview-7694499/) but only categorized as rap because of his race and past music) and [Latto](https://www.billboard.com/t/latto/)’s “Big Energy” being eligible to compete in this year’s rap field. Minaj — who despite countless hit singles and albums and 10 nominations over the years has yet to win a Grammy — is not the first artist to raise questions about the Recording Academy’s categorizing methods.