Nicki Minaj attempted to walk back insults directed at Cardi B’s young daughter this week, but the apology backfired spectacularly, deepening the rift between hip-hop’s most contentious rivals and drawing criticism for dragging children into their ongoing beef.
The 42-year-old “Super Bass” rapper took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday evening with what she framed as an apology to six-year-old Kulture Kiari Cephus. However, the post immediately raised eyebrows as Minaj opened with comments about the child’s appearance before offering any contrition.
“Dear Kulture, truth is: I did all of this for a bigger purpose, and one day you’ll understand. You’re a cute child & lots of kids have cute little funny looking gums before they grow into all of their features,” Minaj wrote, apparently referencing previous insults she had made about Cardi’s daughter earlier in the week.
The Queens-born artist eventually pivoted to an apology, invoking her faith and position in the hip-hop community. “One day you’ll see this, so I have to say: I apologize. As a child of God & QUEEN of my community who looks to me for integrity. You’re an innocent child & don’t deserve any of this,” she continued.
But any goodwill the apology might have generated evaporated as Minaj pivoted to attacking Cardi and her family, making cryptic threats while referencing her own son. “One day your mother, aunt & many more will be brought to their knees for what they’ve said AND TRIED to do to my young prophet/beautiful boy,” the rapper warned ominously.
The response from Cardi B, was swift and furious. Within minutes, the Bronx native fired back on the same platform, rejecting Minaj’s apology outright and demanding she keep Kulture’s name out of her mouth entirely.
“Don’t give my child any backhanded apology,” Cardi shot back. “Keep my child’s name out of your mouth because I’m always going to take you where you don’t want to go about mine.”
Cardi also penned her own letter to Minaj’s son, Papa Bear, mimicking the format of her rival’s post—a move that underscored how quickly the situation had spiraled. More significantly, the “WAP” rapper expressed exhaustion with the increasingly dark tone of their feud.
“Honest truth, this going back and forth about kids is really draining my energy. I don’t wanna keep mentioning kids, it feels very nasty and dark, but the energy you keep giving my kids imma resend back to Messenger,” Cardi wrote.
The controversial apology marks yet another chapter in the years-long feud between the two rap titans, which has included social media battles, subliminal lyrics, and even a physical confrontation at a 2018 New York Fashion Week event. However, the decision to involve their children represents what many fans and industry watchers see as a troubling new low.
Minaj’s move comes as she prepares to release a new project on March 27, which she’s been teasing with references to “Gag City,” much to the delight of her devoted “Barbz” fanbase. Meanwhile, Cardi is celebrating the success of her recently released album Am I the Drama?, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 200,000 album units after dropping September 19.
Neither artist has commented further since Thursday’s exchange, but given the explosive nature of their relationship and the massive online followings both command, the feud shows no signs of cooling down anytime soon. Whether Minaj will truly keep her word about recognizing children as off-limits remains an open question.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nicki Minaj’s attempt at apologizing to Cardi B’s six-year-old daughter backfired dramatically when the “apology” included insults about the child’s appearance and threats against Cardi’s family.
The Queens rapper’s backhanded message—which referenced Kulture’s “funny looking gums” before claiming remorse—was immediately rejected by Cardi B, who demanded Minaj stop mentioning her child entirely.
