Nicki Minaj has reignited tensions in the hip-hop industry by publicly accusing Jay-Z of owing her up to $200 million related to her stake in the streaming platform Tidal. In a series of social media posts that have gone viral, Minaj also took aim at Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, Megan Thee Stallion, and music executive Steve Stoute, leveling allegations of financial misconduct, hypocrisy, and industry coverups.
Minaj Alleges Tidal Equity Was Undervalued
Minaj was one of 15 artists gifted a reported 3% equity stake in Tidal when the platform launched in 2015 under Jay-Z’s leadership. In 2021, Square, the fintech company founded by Jack Dorsey (now Block Inc.), purchased Tidal for $302 million. Minaj now claims she was only offered $1 million for her stake and alleges she never received a proper payout from the sale.
“We’ve calculated about $100–200MM so far. #JayZ call me to settle this karmic debt,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter). “You still in my TOP 5 tho.”
Now you’re going to be sued. Lol. This is so much fun. Btw, yall trying so hard posting lies in hopes I’ll come & spell it all out so your massa is prepared for what’s to come. HA! Nope! Also, while we’re on the topic, can you shed some light on Demoree & Desiree Perez???? 😬 https://t.co/AQRw0vOj7Y
She added that any funds recovered would go toward her philanthropic effort #StudentOfTheGame, a scholarship initiative designed to cover tuition and student loan debt for her fans.
Steve Stoute Responds: “You Didn’t Sign the Paperwork”
Industry executive Steve Stoute pushed back on Minaj’s claims during a recent episode of The Pivot podcast. He argued that Minaj lost out on millions because she failed to finalize the necessary documents.
“That man [Jay-Z] didn’t do nothing to you,” Stoute said. “You didn’t sign the f**king paperwork and that’s the reason you left millions of dollars on the table.”
Stoute criticized Minaj for airing her grievances publicly, calling it “crabs in a barrel” behavior and urging her to handle matters privately.
Interesting… Nicki Minaj says she was not paid a penny from Tidal unlike the other artists who made millions from it. Come to find out she never signed the paperwork after JAY-Z gave her equity ‼️🤯
If you peep, NONE of the other 13 artists Jay GIFTED equity to agree with her😂 pic.twitter.com/6W1fL7aFSl
Minaj clapped back, alleging that she was given a 24-hour ultimatum to sign an agreement or lose her equity payout, which she interpreted as an attempt to silence her.
“I was scammed & offered a million dollars to be silenced. I declined,” she posted. “The grace of God is sufficient. I didn’t need their hush money.”
She also accused Stoute and others of using her name as a distraction from the growing list of legal troubles facing hip-hop mogul Diddy, a longtime associate of Jay-Z.
Attacks on Roc Nation, Perez, and Megan Thee Stallion
Minaj’s online barrage didn’t stop with financial claims. She accused Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez of various misdeeds, including abuse allegations involving Perez’s daughter—claims that have not been verified—and mocked her 2021 pardon from former President Trump for past narcotics charges.
Minaj also suggested that Jay-Z’s business partnership with Perez reflects poorly on his support for Black communities and women in leadership.
We’ve calculated about 100-200MM so far. #JayZ call me to settle this karmic debt. It’s only collecting more interest. You still in my TOP 5 tho. Let’s get it nigga.
“You let Desirat do a lot of evil to Black ppl & you stayed silent. We used to believe you,” she wrote.
The feud extended to Megan Thee Stallion, who was recently told by a federal judge that a sexual harassment lawsuit against her filed by a former cameraman could proceed. Minaj referenced the suit and criticized Megan’s 2024 track “Hiss,” in which Megan appeared to take a veiled jab at Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty.
“What was the name of that law again????? Karma’s Law? Touch not my anointed law?” she posted. “We give God the glory & he’s only just begun.”
Political Jabs and Allegations of Industry Silence
In a political turn, Minaj accused Roc Nation and its affiliates of not supporting Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign with the same vigor shown to President Obama. She also revived her own past controversy involving COVID vaccine skepticism, claiming Democrats unfairly targeted her over a viral 2021 tweet.
In a string of more inflammatory posts, Minaj brought up unconfirmed rumors involving Jay-Z and Foxy Brown, as well as allegations of industry abuse concerning Aaliyah, Kim Porter, and Cassie. These claims remain unverified and are likely to fuel further debate online.
No Response Yet from Jay-Z or Roc Nation
As of press time, Jay-Z, Roc Nation, Megan Thee Stallion, and Steve Stoute have not publicly responded to Minaj’s latest statements. Roc Nation representatives declined comment when contacted by Rolling Stone earlier this week.
Despite the ongoing firestorm, Minaj ended her post spree by celebrating a milestone: becoming the sixth longest-charting rapper of all time on Billboard.
