The hip-hop industry, which has long been a battlefield for lyrical prowess and personal branding, is witnessing another episode of its most talked-about feud: the clash between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. SKG, a Los Angeles-based rapper and songwriter, has taken to Instagram, not to fan the flames, but to offer her perspective on a rivalry that has cast a shadow over female rap’s camaraderie.
The discord between Minaj and Cardi B traces back to 2017, escalating into a physical altercation involving their entourages at a New York Fashion Week event in 2018. This conflict has ebbed and flowed, occasionally surfacing in public spats and social media exchanges, including their husbands’ recent verbal confrontation.
As other artists have aired their views, with 50 Cent expressing his admiration for Minaj and acknowledging Cardi B’s rapid rise to fame and fulfillment of the “American dream,” SKG provides a more reconciliatory stance. Revering both artists, SKG emphasizes that the perceived animosity is often amplified by the fans and those who benefit from the drama. She asserts, “Both ladies are beautiful, successful, talented, married, great mothers, and both have an impact, especially within the hip hop culture.”
SKG, born Helecia Choyce, doesn’t shy away from expressing her respect for Minaj, heralding her as an “Icon, legend” and crediting her with paving the way for emerging female artists. Recounting her early admiration for Minaj’s grind alongside Gucci Mane in Atlanta, SKG reveals a personal connection—she was instrumental in securing Minaj a lucrative booking deal early in her career.
While appreciating Minaj’s contributions, SKG also celebrates Cardi B’s achievements and hopes for a future where both artists could share the stage, mending their rift for the betterment of hip hop, particularly its female scene.
SKG herself is no stranger to the grind of the music industry. With roots at the iconic Death Row Records and recent accolades from her work with BLAKDOUT Records, she embodies the resilience and reinvention that mark a successful artist. Her music, a blend of raw lyrical talent and genuine storytelling, mirrors her journey and the evolution of female rap.
As SKG continues to shape her legacy with her latest album “Unfinished Business,” available for preview here, her call for unity in the female rap community is a poignant reminder of the genre’s potential for empowerment over enmity.
In this climate of competition and comparison, SKG stands out by advocating for a harmonious hip-hop culture. Her voice resonates not just through her music but also through her commentary on the industry’s most intense rivalries. Perhaps, through the insights and aspirations of artists like SKG, the narrative of female rap can shift from feud to fellowship.
