DINH DOONG

Nicki Minaj has once again stirred up the music industry, this time by taking aim at Jay-Z, Tidal, and his affiliates, including Steve Stoute. Known for her outspoken nature, Nicki isn’t one to back down from controversy, and her latest accusations revolve around a financial dispute over her involvement with Tidal. The platform, launched by Jay-Z in 2015, was designed to be a direct competitor to services like Apple Music and Spotify. Sixteen artists, including big names like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Madonna, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj herself, were given stakes in the company. However, it seems that not everything went according to plan, leading Nicki to publicly call out the company.

Nicki recently revealed that she never received any payment from Tidal despite giving the platform exclusive rights to stream her music and videos. She was particularly frustrated as she felt she had invested a lot of energy into promoting Tidal, but her efforts were not compensated. Nicki’s remarks have reignited discussions about the fairness of artist contracts and their treatment within the music industry.

In a series of tweets, Nicki claimed she was offered hush money—specifically a million dollars—to stay silent about the lack of payment. She alleged that the deal was orchestrated by Rock Nation’s Desiree Perez, who had given her 24 hours to sign the agreement, or else the offer would be taken off the table. Nicki declined the offer, making it clear that she refused to be silenced, stating, “The grace of God is sufficient. I didn’t need their hush money.”

Tidal’s launch, while ambitious, faced several hurdles. Initially, the idea of artist co-ownership seemed groundbreaking. However, the reality didn’t match the expectations. According to Nicki, Kanye West was another artist who felt cheated by the company, claiming that Jay-Z owed him $3 million. Additionally, Nicki referenced Kanye’s decision to pull out of the Tidal deal, highlighting that he, too, had concerns over the platform’s financial transparency.

Nicki’s comments were met with a defense from Steve Stoute, a close affiliate of Jay-Z. On the Pivot Podcast, Stoute criticized Nicki, claiming that her accusations were misplaced and that she simply hadn’t signed the paperwork that would have secured her millions. Stoute expressed disappointment that Nicki, a fellow Black artist, would publicly criticize Jay-Z, a man who had opened doors for many within the Black community. His comments, however, only seemed to fuel the fire, as Nicki continued to speak out.

In response to Stoute’s comments, Nicki didn’t hold back. She took to Twitter to call out several individuals, including Stoute, referring to him by various nicknames like “short and stout” and “burger face.” Her pointed remarks hinted at a broader dissatisfaction not only with Tidal but also with the inner workings of the music industry, specifically the power dynamics at play between artists and executives.

Nicki also took aim at what she described as a “rat pack” of powerful men in the industry, insinuating that their silence on certain issues was telling. She made veiled references to Diddy, Jay-Z’s close friend, and the ongoing legal controversies surrounding him. Nicki’s implication was that these men, including Stoute, were quick to comment on her situation but were conspicuously silent when it came to addressing their own scandals or those involving their close associates.

The controversy surrounding Nicki’s involvement with Tidal is not the first time she has found herself at odds with major players in the music industry. In fact, her relationship with Rock Nation has been strained for some time. She hinted that her documentary was blocked by the label, speculating that it had something to do with her past relationship with Meek Mill, a former Rock Nation artist. Nicki suggested that the label didn’t want certain information about her personal life to be made public, further exacerbating her frustrations with the company.

As if the drama with Tidal wasn’t enough, Nicki also touched on the swirling rumors about Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s marriage. There has been speculation that Jay-Z has met with both a criminal defense attorney and a divorce lawyer, sparking rumors that the power couple may be headed for a separation. While the specifics remain unclear, Nicki’s comments suggest that these developments may be tied to the recent legal troubles surrounding Diddy, who has been accused of engaging in illegal activities, including blackmailing other celebrities.

Diddy’s downfall appears to be sending shockwaves throughout the industry, with many speculating that he might not go down alone. There are rumors that Diddy has incriminating information on several high-profile figures, and if he were to reveal it, it could have a cascading effect on some of the biggest names in entertainment. Nicki alluded to this possibility, noting that there’s a reason so many CEOs and celebrities are currently scrambling and staying silent.

The Kardashians have also found themselves caught up in this web of controversy. Allegedly, Kim Kardashian had knowledge of Diddy’s activities and even helped cover them up. While these claims remain speculative, they highlight just how far-reaching the fallout from this situation could be.

Nicki Minaj’s decision to speak out against Tidal and the broader industry has sparked renewed conversations about the treatment of artists, the distribution of wealth, and the power structures within the music world. As always, Nicki remains unafraid to speak her mind, even if it means going up against some of the most powerful figures in the business.