SZA on the Nicki Minaj Feud That Wasn’t ‘I Don’t Even Know Her’

 

It looks like SZA is putting the rumors to rest — and doing it with grace.

In a recent interview with GQ, the Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated star finally spoke out about the short-lived and confusing social media dust-up with rap legend Nicki Minaj that had fans scratching their heads earlier this year.

“I don’t know her,” SZA admitted when asked about Minaj’s online jabs. “We have no connection to each other. There’s no backstory,” she added, making it clear there’s no lingering drama behind the scenes.

The unexpected feud sparked back in July when Minaj, 42, called out SZA on X (formerly Twitter), labeling her one of the industry’s “fake girl’s girls” and even taking a few personal shots. SZA, 35, quickly responded with receipts — sharing a screenshot that appeared to show Minaj previously reaching out to her for a collaboration.

Always wanna fake “dear black women”… girl STFUUU done beefed with every black woman in the industry like girl who tf beef with SZA??? And you be slick throwing shots at Beyonce the most unproblematic people ever while always bootlicking a white artist ass and posting their…

— Cardi B (@iamcardib) October 2, 2025

“You absolutely know my music and what I contribute because you’ve asked for features twice to no response,” SZA wrote at the time. “In addition to rapping my lyrics on Feeling Myself — ‘Cooking up the bass looking like a kilo’? Lol. You’re having a moment…I’m not sure why, but be blessed.”

In her GQ chat, SZA reflected on the moment with her usual calm and candor. “There was no through line narrative,” she explained. “It was just like, ‘Roc Nation’… I don’t know where it came from. That’s not even my place to correct a narrative that I don’t got anything to do with. It was a little strange. It was very like, ‘Why?’ But also, you know, ‘I guess.’”

The online back-and-forth also caught the attention of Cardi B, who publicly sided with SZA, tweeting, “Who tf beef with SZA???” — echoing what most fans were thinking. Cardi went on to defend SZA’s reputation as one of the industry’s most chill and unproblematic artists.

Both Minaj and SZA are powerhouses in their own right. Minaj continues to make history with her record-breaking album Pink Friday 2, while SZA’s soulful sound and chart-topping hits like “Kill Bill,” “Slime You Out” with Drake, and “Luther” with Kendrick Lamar have solidified her as one of the defining voices of her generation.

Despite the noise online, SZA seems unfazed — and focused on the music. As she put it best, “It was just… weird. But I’m good.”

Looks like SZA’s staying true to her brand: unbothered, authentic, and gracefully above the drama.