Whether scribbled in history books for some good, great, or awesomely bad reasons, 2018 brought with it some of modern Pop culture’s most memorable moments.
Now, as the year draws to a close, TGJ is reflecting on 31 moments that rocked – and to some degree shaped – the Urban and Pop musical landscape as we know it.
Next, we’ll look back on Nicki Minaj‘s most controversial year to date:
Nicki may have seen her personal life take a kick at the year’s kickoff (with the revelations of her imprisoned brother’s attack and news of her breakup with Nas), but professionally the rapper/singer/actress was certainly flying high on what seemed to be mounting anticipation for her long-awaited fourth album.
Taking an extended break to finish work on her newest opus, later called ‘Queen,’ the rapper re-emerged in April with songs ‘Barbie Tingz’ and ‘Chun-Li.’ News of the long-awaited singles’ arrivals was quickly overshadowed, however, by Minaj’s own confirmation that she was beefing with fellow rapstress Cardi B.
The beef, though long suspected, was believed to be squashed courtesy of the Migos-led ‘Motorsports’ video (which prominently features both femcees). Instead, that’s where the issues escalated apparently.
After the two were photographed at May 2018’s Met Gala in a seemingly cordial embrace (click here to read more), fans thought the incident was behind them. Shifting focus to her album (pushed back to late summer), August saw Minaj finally introduce music lovers to the body of work in full – a move that , to the surprise of many, was greeted with mixed critical reviews and lower than expected commercial acclaim. Unexpectedly, she was bested for Billboard 200’s top spot by rapper Travis Scott.
In addition to earning negative press for her unsportsmanlike response to the loss, Minaj took another L just weeks later when she announced the postponement of her co-billed tour with fellow rap hitmaker, Future, designed to support the ailing LP.
As if that didn’t give detractors enough reason to celebrate, they were overjoyed when reports surfaced indicating she and Cardi were not only beefing again, but nearly came to blows at the ‘Harper’s Bazaar’ Icons Party.
Later squashing the beef (as seen below), Minaj took yet another loss when she announced support for ‘Fefe’ co-star/rapper Tekashi 69, who is facing multiple charges including racketeering, child indecency, and more.
Though the losses were aplenty, there were several noteworthy wins too. In addition to learning ‘Queen’ crossed the platinum certification threshold just months after its release, she also was awarded news she’d become the first woman in Hot 100 history to have over 100 entries.
Here’s hoping 2019’s an overall better year for our favorite Harajuku Barbie.
![Met Gala 2024: Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Usher, Zendaya, Cardi B, Doja Cat, J. Lo, Tyla, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, & More Turn Heads with BOLD Looks [Photos]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/met-gala-2024-cardi-b-bad-bunny-nicki-minaj-ariana-grande-464x260.jpg "Met Gala 2024: Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Usher, Zendaya, Cardi B, Doja Cat, J. Lo, Tyla, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, & More Turn Heads with BOLD Looks [Photos].")
Surely her fans will suck her d*** until she’s dead & gone her pop/rap SUCKS!! ?”Bzzz”?
Sure they will with you leading the charge being that you are always first to comment on every Nicki post.
@Kara,right.
WOW her number1 fan Daniel is already here. Gurl you should create a fanclub you’re always #1st.
Someday I’d like to know what’s the deal you have with her? Are you envious of her body, or would you like to rock a wig her?
Xoxo
?”Bzzz”?
I don’t care about her personal life. I just respect and love that she is making money bags. Isn’t she supposed to be touring the UK early next year. The people who hate on her should take that hate and turn it into securing money bags too. Put the hate on a rap track and sell it and get your coins.
Lol Funny how I’m a cardi fan now that nicki has shown how weak she is. Team cardi over here!!
GUESS WHO SUPPORTS A CHILD M*******(S)?
Kodak Black is a sexual predator , Cardi welcomed him home and supported him
as many other other people have. Cardi hasn’t supported him financially, nor is she dating him.
it isn’t a WIN to have over 100 record entries when 95% of those tracks lack quality or any staying power. ANY ARTIST can record & release hundreds of songs that are then streamed enough by their core fan base to crack the Hot 100. it’s honestly NOT a big deal. Nicki needs to learn that jumping on every song she’s invited to feature on is nothing to brag about. she waters down her own brand & it’s TACKY at best.
Yeah girl I agree. Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson got their hit songs by being the leading artist on their tracks and not being a featured act. I think at this point the charts don’t matter. Besides Super Bass, I cannot think of one Nicki song I can remember which is sad. I could list numerous songs by MC, MJ, WH, etc easily without even thinking which mean their songs were solid material and that is why it sold millions of copies.
the fact that NONE of said 100 has made #1 and how many were top tens? How many are still getting play like aretha’s music? right. she just has a bunch of features! rihanna has fewer entries but she always hits the mark why because its about good music that ppl wanna listen too and thats it. stans are the ones that get wrapped up in who writes produces etc the general public just want something good to listen to.
Itcs funny you should say that since that’s exactly what Cardi’s fans do. Cardi didn’t get all them certifications from sales it was mainly streams. Y’all keep bringing up Nicki’s chart status like every song on Cardi’s album made it in the top 10. Chun-li made it to #10 and everybody called it a flop. Cardi only has 2 top 10s on her album, the 2 that went #1. Yet, y’all say her whole album fire.
nobody mentioned cardi tho. the point being made is out of 100 entries she doesnt have a #1 and less than half went to the top 10 even with streaming being a thing. does she have success yes she does, she’s been in the game long enough. Since u brought up cardi its safe to say we can’t actually call the nicki the queen cuz the new girl came and did alot in a small amount of time meaning there are others that can come and do more. cardi is nicki’s first real competition and the fact she let everyone see her bust a sweat even she knows she has some.
Money done broke that record, sis. It’s finna peak on the billboard charts tomorrow at #8 aka Dec 31st. Highest solo female rap single for 2018 goes gon cardi B and it won’t bounce off the charts like Run-Li did after one week ??
Every song on Invation Of Privacyis at LEAST GOLD, EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM
Water down a brand. She’s trying to feed her and her loved ones. F ur opinion.
NO DEAR… she’s trying to feed her inflated ego & self serving heart. That’s her interest.
The family is financially set Nd so is she.
@blaaah, the point is all her songs did not make it in the top 10. Eventhough her songs received way more airplay than Chun-li. Be Careful,Bartier Cardi and Ring got way more airplay than Chun-li. They still didn’t make into the top 10.
The point is suck your mom. Why you’re comparing a new artist to 10 years rap tyrant Nicki is beyond me but it’s ok, keep holding on to what remains of Onika because female rap will progress to higher heights without her.
@biancacook, since you brought up competition. Who is Cardi’s competition? People been saying for a while that Nicki was only on top because she didn’t have competition? Now everybody says Nicki is washed up, her career is over… So, where is Cardi’s competition? I don’t hear no other female rappers on the radio. All I hear is Cardi and occassionally they’ll play something by Nicki or featuring Nicki.
Agreed. Nicki has been over for years. Hopping onto a 1000 features hoping for a hit is weak
She def took one of the biggest L’s this year.. she was really her biggest downfall smh
she tried pullin rank over the new it girl and it backfired because the new it girl actually has hits that go hard 3 of which are #, and one banging #1 debut album. I think she sees herself as the beyonce of female rap not realizing she doesn’t have beyonce achievements. cardi did what rihanna did, came out doin her own thing and not trying to use the pinkprint nicki thought she created for female rappers.
Nicki bought all of this on herself. She needs to take let go of all that petty crap because unlike Cardi she can rap and she writes her own raps.
Still the Queen of Rap.
At the end of the day, Nicki Minaj built her entire career off hate, sneak dissing legends and stealing Lil Kim’s swag and the real hip hop community will never ever ever forgive her for it. Her success will never negate the truth, should she keep fighting karma til she’s old and washed we will continue to manifest our hatred by supporting other female rappers. We refuse to be brainwashed…period!
“In addition to learning ‘Queen’ crossed the platinum certification threshold just months after its release,”
Fake news
queen album is NOT platinum! stop lying! RIAA still has it as GOLD
@blaaah, it’s ok for y’all to compare Cardi to Nicki but when someone else’s comparison isn’t conducive to your narrative it’s a problem. B****, go suck on a sick d***.
Tbh I’m over the Cardi vs Nicki thing. They both can co-exist. I really want us to put this energy in supporting other female rappers. As for Nicki, I think this is definitely a reflective/work in progress year for her, I do hope she has learned her lessons.
Y’all have got to stop with calling Nicki for working with Tekashi but when he works with male artists (ABoogie, Kanye, 50 Cent, Casanova, Swizz Beats, Murda Beats, etc) y’all quiet or calling him king of New York. Also, how about actually look at the details of Tekashi’s case. If he had money st the time of his case, he would have won his case. Plus, Fefe was a hit. So, what L????
.
The media took a L for falling for a fake beef and reporting false narratives to its readers. Y’all are one of the worst at this.
I’m a huge Nicki Minaj fan but being totally honest 2018 was just not her year. Queen is a good album but it was not for this era. Nicki I’m begging you please just let this Cardi B nonsense go. It is clear she does not have half the talant you have. Go back to being the Nicki we know and love not this bitter petty woman we saw in 2018.
This woman needs to check her wack attitude rthis year!
No One wants bitter angry old lady yelling! especially for no dam reason!
Stop lying too woman! like really STOP LYING!!!!!!
oh and loose some of that weight or take out those implants your looking stuffy!
happy new year round gal!
Chile the riaa did not give her a platinum plaque for queen. Damn how tf are yall a blog and dont never have NONE OF THE INFO CORRECT
QUEEN PRETTY NIKI. YOU OTHER TRAP NO RAPPING THOTS CANT TOUCH THIS.