If you were online in September 2018, you remember the shoe.
It wasn't just any shoe. It was a red platform heel flying through the air at the Plaza Hotel during the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party. That single moment—the Nicki Minaj and Cardi B fight—turned a cold war of "subliminal" song lyrics into a full-blown physical brawl that changed the landscape of female rap for the next decade.
Honestly, it was messy.
People still argue about who "won," but the reality is much more complicated than a single viral video. To understand why Cardi B left a high-society gala with a massive knot on her forehead and only one shoe, you have to look at the psychological warfare that led up to that night.
The Breaking Point at the Plaza
New York Fashion Week is usually about champagne and $5,000 dresses. But on September 7, 2018, the atmosphere at the ICONS party was thick. Nicki Minaj was seated at a table with her crew, including Rah Ali. Cardi B arrived later, wearing a voluminous red Dolce & Gabbana gown.
The explosion happened fast.
Witnesses say Cardi approached Nicki’s table to "address the lies" she felt Nicki was spreading. Within seconds, security was scrambling. Video footage shows Cardi lunging toward Nicki, screaming about her daughter, Kulture. Then came the footwear. Cardi ripped off her heel and launched it toward Nicki. She missed.
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In the chaos, someone—allegedly Rah Ali or a security guard—elbowed Cardi in the face. That’s where the infamous "knot" came from.
Nicki, for her part, stayed remarkably still. She didn't throw a punch. She didn't throw a shoe. She stood behind her security detail, looking "unbothered" as Cardi was escorted out of the building barefoot, her dress ripped, and her team trying to cover her up.
Why Did It Actually Get Physical?
It wasn't just about rap supremacy.
Cardi later took to Instagram to explain her side, basically saying that all bets are off when you talk about someone's child. She accused Nicki of "liking" comments on social media that questioned Cardi’s parenting skills.
"But when you mention my child, you choose to like comments about me as a mother, make comments about my abilities to take care of my daughter is when all bets are fuckin off!!" — Cardi B via Instagram, Sept 2018.
Nicki went on her Beats 1 show, Queen Radio, a few days later to deny everything. She called the incident "mortifying" and "humiliating." She swore on her life she never spoke about Cardi's baby.
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The "Motorsport" drama was the real fuel, though.
Earlier that year, both rappers appeared on the Migos track "Motorsport." It was supposed to be a moment of unity, but it became a disaster. Cardi claimed Nicki changed her verse after hearing Cardi's. Nicki felt Cardi didn't show enough "genuine love" in interviews. It was a classic case of two people hearing different versions of the same story.
The 2025 Reignite: "Am I The Drama?"
If you thought the beef died in 2018, you haven't been paying attention lately.
Fast forward to late 2025. Cardi B released her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I The Drama?. It should have been a victory lap. Instead, it became the battlefield for Round 2.
Nicki didn't hold back on X (formerly Twitter). She mocked the $4.99 promotional price of Cardi's album. She nicknamed her "Barney B," mocking Cardi's rhyming style as elementary. The insults got personal—fast.
The Recent Blow-for-Blow
- The "Magnet" Diss: Nicki parodied Cardi's song "Magnet," tweeting "A-B-C-D-E-F-G / SUR GER REE TO LOOK LIKE MEEEEEE."
- The Family Shots: Cardi responded by posting mugshots of Nicki's brother and bringing up her husband's legal history.
- The TikTok Trend: One of Cardi's retorts about Nicki's son—claiming his favorite color is "five"—actually went viral on TikTok as a soundbite.
It's been a decade of this. They trade jabs, delete the tweets, and then go quiet for a few months. But the tension is always there.
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What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that this is just "catty" behavior.
In reality, it's about the business of being the "Queen of Rap." For years, there was only room for one woman at the top. When Cardi B burst onto the scene with "Bodak Yellow" in 2017, the industry didn't know how to handle two dominant female voices.
Fans played a huge role in the Nicki Minaj and Cardi B fight too. The "Barbz" and the "Bardi Gang" are two of the most intense fanbases in music. They dissect every "like," every deleted post, and every lyric, often creating beef where there might have just been a misunderstanding.
Actionable Insights: Navigating the Drama
If you’re following this feud or working in the entertainment space, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the Timestamps: In the age of AI, "leaked" screenshots of tweets are often fake. Always look for archived links or video screen recordings before believing a new "diss" has been posted.
- Separate Art from Interaction: Both artists have massive discographies. You can appreciate the music without feeling the need to choose a "side" in a personal dispute that has lasted nearly ten years.
- Watch the Charts: Often, these spikes in drama coincide with album rollouts or tour announcements. It’s a pattern as old as the industry itself.
The beef between Nicki and Cardi isn't just a celebrity gossip story. It’s a study in how social media, fan culture, and industry competition can turn a simple disagreement into a decade-long saga. Whether they ever actually sit down and reconcile—like they briefly tried to do at the 2018 Met Gala—remains to be seen. For now, the "cold war" continues.