Nicki Minaj has set the internet ablaze with explosive claims against Jay-Z, alleging he owes her up to $200 million from her equity in Tidal, the music streaming platform he sold to Square Inc. for $302 million in 2021. In a series of fiery posts on X on July 8, 2025, Minaj accused the rap mogul of shortchanging her and other artists, claiming her 3% stake in Tidal, gifted in 2015 when the company was valued at $56 million, should have yielded far more than the $1 million she was offered. “We’ve calculated about 100-200MM so far. #JayZ call me to settle this karmic debt. It’s only collecting more interest,” she wrote, adding that fans who still call him “Hov” will “answer to God for the blasphemy.” Minaj’s accusations, which also label Jay-Z a billionaire who exploits people, have reignited debates about artist equity, industry transparency, and her ongoing feuds with Roc Nation.

Tidal’s 2015 launch was a high-profile affair, with Jay-Z positioning it as an artist-owned platform to rival Spotify and Apple Music. Fifteen artists, including Minaj, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West, and J. Cole, were given 3% equity stakes in exchange for exclusive content and promotion. Minaj claims she was among the most active promoters, second only to Beyoncé, yet received no significant payout. When Square, owned by Jack Dorsey, acquired a majority stake in Tidal for $297-$302 million, reports suggested artist co-owners retained their shares, potentially worth $8.9 million each based on the sale price. However, Minaj alleges she was offered just $1 million, a sum she called a “scam” meant to silence her. She rejected the offer, claiming it grossly undervalued her contribution and the company’s worth.

Minaj’s public outburst is part of a broader narrative of frustration with Jay-Z and Roc Nation. She accused him of ruining hip-hop, football, basketball, touring, Instagram, and Twitter, though she noted these claims were “alleged & for entertainment purposes only.” Her posts also targeted Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, whom she accused of non-Black leadership and referenced unverified allegations of Perez abusing her daughter, Demoree. Minaj’s rhetoric escalated when she suggested Jay-Z’s focus on her distracts from questions about his ties to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was convicted on prostitution-related charges in July 2025. “We want to know if u were present during abuse of teenagers & children,” she tweeted, alluding to Diddy’s legal troubles, including allegations of sex trafficking and abuse of Cassie Ventura and Kim Porter.

The dispute has sparked polarized reactions. Minaj’s fans, the Barbz, rallied behind her, reposting her claims and praising her for demanding accountability. She pledged to use any recovered funds for her #StudentOfTheGame charity to cover fans’ tuition and loans, reinforcing her image as an artist who uplifts her community. Critics, however, argue she’s exaggerating the debt, with some X users noting that her failure to sign paperwork may have cost her millions, not Jay-Z’s actions. One post suggested her real grievance stems from Jay-Z signing Megan Thee Stallion, with whom Minaj has clashed, notably over Megan’s 2024 song “Hiss” referencing Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty. Others defend Jay-Z, pointing to conflicting reports that artists received significant payouts.

The Tidal sale’s fallout highlights broader issues in the music industry. Minaj’s claim that Jay-Z, worth over $2.6 billion, built his empire by exploiting others resonates with fans skeptical of industry power dynamics. Her reference to “karmic debt” frames the dispute as a moral failing, not just financial. However, a Delaware judge’s dismissal of a 2023 lawsuit against Square for breaching fiduciary duties in the Tidal acquisition suggests legal complexities in determining payouts. Minaj’s lack of a formal contract, as noted by some commentators, may weaken her case, though she insists an implied contract existed due to her promotional efforts.

As of July 10, 2025, Jay-Z, Perez, and Roc Nation have not responded publicly, leaving the dispute unresolved. Minaj’s allegations, amplified by her 28 million X followers, keep the pressure on. Her simultaneous feuds with Megan Thee Stallion and Roc Nation, coupled with her defense of Lil Wayne over the 2025 Super Bowl halftime snub, paint her as a relentless advocate for fairness. Whether her $200 million claim holds up legally or remains a publicity stunt, Minaj has once again proven her ability to dominate headlines and spark industry-wide conversations about equity and accountability.