Even a conversation about childhood musical influences can stir up an argument when Nicki Minaj and Cardi B are involved. The Bronx rapper is pushing back against criticism for Minaj's absence from a list of artists who inspired her, saying she isn't interested in rewriting her musical upbringing to meet anyone else's expectations.
During an X Spaces conversation on Wednesday (Oct. 21), Cardi addressed complaints about her recent New York Times T Magazine profile. The interview highlighted Madonna, Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, and Trina as influential figures in her childhood. Some listeners, particularly Nicki's supporters, questioned why the Young Money rapper wasn't included. Cardi argued that the women she named were already part of her musical education before Minaj became prominent. Although she acknowledged listening to another female rapper when she was about 17, she distinguished that experience from the artists she admired throughout her younger years. She didn't mention Nicki by name in that explanation.
According to Complex, Cardi also questioned why people were so bothered by her personal choices, particularly when she's consistently credited those same women in previous interviews.
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Interestingly, Cardi admitted that her relationship with an artist doesn't determine whether she'll acknowledge their influence. She specifically mentioned Foxy Brown, claiming the Brooklyn rapper "never fucking liked me." Nevertheless, she maintained that their personal differences wouldn't change the fact that she grew up listening to Foxy's music.
That distinction is especially relevant given Cardi's longstanding feud with Nicki, which has included public insults and social media confrontations dating back to 2017. While some have interpreted her omission as another slight, Cardi explained that she focused on when certain artists entered her life rather than their accomplishments.
The conversation also expanded into what she believes distinguishes successful female rappers. Cardi praised Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and the City Girls for developing recognizable identities rather than copying another artist's approach. She pointed to their different regional influences and personalities, arguing that individuality is essential to maintaining a career.
She also challenged the notion that successful women in rap must follow a particular predecessor, warning that imitating another artist's mannerisms won't necessarily produce the same results.
"There's nobody I ever wanna be. I became famous being Cardi B," she explained.
Her comments come as she's also expressed frustration with the constant feuding among female rappers. During the same X Spaces conversation, Cardi said she was growing bored with exchanging insults and increasingly uninterested in responding to perceived disses. Whether that attitude holds the next time someone takes a shot at her is another question, especially when a discussion about her childhood influences can still bring her rivalry with Nicki back into the conversation.
