Nicki Minaj Accuses Jay-Z of Owing $200M in Explosive Tidal Dispute

Nicki Minaj and Jay Z (image source)

Hollywood, July 8, 2025 — In a blistering online tirade, Nicki Minaj has accused rap mogul Jay-Z of financial misconduct, threatening a legal battle that could reshape the streaming industry. The superstar rapper alleges that Jay-Z owes her between $100 and $200 million from the 2021 sale of Tidal to Square, Jack Dorsey’s fintech company, and vows to use any recovered funds to support her fans.

Minaj’s public remarks—made via her official X (formerly Twitter) account—revived long-rumored tensions with Jay-Z and his company Roc Nation. At the heart of the controversy is her alleged 3% stake in Tidal, the artist-owned streaming service sold for $300 million. According to Minaj, she received only $1 million instead of the approximately $9 million she expected.

“We’ve calculated about 100–200MM so far. … You still in my TOP 5 tho,” Minaj posted, referring to Jay-Z. She described the missing amount as a “karmic debt” and pledged to use the money to fund her #StudentOfTheGame scholarship initiative.

The comments triggered a media frenzy, especially among Minaj’s fiercely loyal fanbase, the Barbz, who immediately backed her claims with trending hashtags and memes.

Streaming Shakeup & Kick’s Open Invite The row arrives as Minaj hints at leaving Twitch, teasing fans with the idea of joining rival platform Kick. Streamer Adin Ross publicly invited Minaj to the site, promising her both creative freedom and platform equity. Minaj engaged her followers with a poll on X, signaling serious consideration of the move and positioning herself as a vocal advocate for creator independence.

Escalating Tensions with Roc Nation In a move that deepened the drama, Minaj also launched scathing attacks on Roc Nation and its CEO, Desiree Perez. She accused the company of shady business practices and criticized Perez’s personal affairs, including political ties and legal disputes involving Perez’s child.

“You ruined hip-hop … football … basketball … touring … Instagram … Twitter,” Minaj claimed in one of her posts, widening the scope of her accusations beyond just financial mismanagement to cultural interference.

Industry Reactions & Broader Implications While Jay-Z has not responded publicly, industry analysts warn that legal proceedings could unearth confidential Tidal shareholder agreements and put a spotlight on equity distribution among minority artist investors.

Tidal was originally marketed as a platform by artists, for artists, including figures like Rihanna, Beyoncé, J. Cole, and Minaj herself. But over time, the platform has faced criticism for privileging a few major artists while offering limited benefits to others.

Minaj’s explosive claims may reignite scrutiny around fairness in music streaming equity and the ethics of tech-driven music ownership. It’s also a reminder of the ongoing struggle between artists and corporate entities in controlling creative revenue.

With lawsuits possibly looming and public sentiment divided, this feud is poised to dominate the music industry headlines for weeks to come—and could have lasting effects on how artists negotiate ownership and influence in the digital era.