The rivalry between foul mouthed hip hop loudmouths Cardi B and Nicki Minaj was inevitable.
The 35-year old, Trininda and Tobago-born, Queens New York City-raised hip hop artist Nicki Minaj styles herself the reigning queen of rap to whom new female rappers like Cardi B owes some respects. Nicki is a talented rapper in her own right. She's got chat-topping popular hits to her name. In fact it is fair to say, in terms of raw rap skill, Nicki beats Cardi B. Both produce low rent gutter lyrics, so it is fair to call it a draw in terms of lyrics.
Nicki seemed to blow up the already brewing rivalry with two verses in different songs. In May 2017 in the song "Swish Swish" a collaboration with pop star Katy Perry, Nicki trolled Cardi B's boy friend Offset and his group Migos
"Silly rap beefs just get me more checks
My life is a movie, I’m never off set
Me and my amigos (no, not Offset).
Swish Swish, awww I got them upset! "
"Lil’ bitch
I heard these labels tryna make another me
Everything you getting little hoe is ’cause of me."
Since then they have had drama between them as detailed in this NME piece.
Anyway, Nicki Minaj feels Cardi B is getting more attention and support than she deserves. Influential talkers like Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne don't make things easy for her too, as you can hear in this discussion.
Indeed, Cardi B is making more popular music recently. And Nicki Minaj seems rusty. She recently said she is retiring which she later clarified.
It's safe to say for now Cardi B "is up," and Nicki Minaj "is down."