On January 26th, rapper Megan Thee Stallion released her new single “HISS.” Fans all over the internet immediately loved this song due to its interesting rhythm and keen lyrics. They pointed out her clever diss track, which never actually singled any one person out. However, someone did not share the same adoring sentiments. Fellow female rapper Nicki Minaj took to social media to criticize the song and Stallion’s performance of it. Their “beef” has sparked a wide controversy across the internet, with some defending Minaj’s title as the Queen of Rap, while others push for Stallion to dethrone her.
Some might wonder why Minaj is so angry about Stallion’s song when her name is not explicitly mentioned. However, there are some lyrics that many online, including Minaj herself, believe to be about her. One specific line from “HISS” that caught people’s attention was “these — don’t be mad at Megan, these — mad at Megan’s Law.” This bar refers to Megan’s Law, a federal law requiring authorities to make information available to the public on registered sex offenders. These laws were made in response to the rape and murder of seven-year-old Megan Kanka. Minaj was insulted by this lyric because her husband, Kenneth Petty, is a convicted sex offender himself.
Only an hour after the song was released, Minaj took to an Instagram live stream to play the clip, laugh at it, and mock Stallion. While it is possible that the Megan’s Law line is directed at Minaj, it could also just be a more general diss at the large number of male rappers charged with similar crimes. In fact, there is much more evidence in the song to suggest that the true slight was towards Tory Lanez, who is currently serving 10 years in prison for shooting Stallion in the foot. One line “on the internet typing this — to me? Write him a letter or something,” refers to fans of Lanez who believe Stallion lied about him committing the crime, and “schedule a conjugal visit or something,” similarly calling out those who continue to slander her name in order to clear Lanez’s. Despite all of this evidence against Minaj’s connection, she took it as such a personal affront that she hinted at a new track– a rebuttal to Stallion’s song.
Less than a week later, Minaj released “Bigfoot” which, as opposed to “HISS,” did call Stallion out by name. After some accusatory and rude insults also including her name, Minaj goes on to say “shots thrown but I still ain’t let Megan score,” describing the way she will not let Stallion get away with slandering her the way Minaj believes she did.
Not only does Minaj mention Stallion’s name, she also uses her mother against her. In support of her husband and Lanez, Minaj calls her a liar and takes an unfair jab, claiming that Stallion is lying on her dead mothers name. This is a harsh dig at Stallion, who cites her mother as one of her biggest inspirations in life and music. Stallion’s mother died from brain cancer in 2019, and the artist was deeply affected by this loss.
Additionally, Minaj comments on the shooting that Stallion experienced. She brings up this already traumatic event and doubles down, referencing an internet theory that Stallion was not actually shot, but simply stepped on a piece of glass. Obviously this has been debunked because of the actual court ruling, but with this and many other quips, Minaj manages to attack her disproportionately more than Stallion did in the first place.
This heated rapper feud, along with its extreme traction online, only goes to show the dramatized and often over-publicized lifestyle of celebrities. Although they are both well known artists, they resort to causing a fight to promote their new music. Regardless of whose side you’re on, this internet conundrum is an exciting, yet jarring look into the world of the rap industry.