Stephen Smith Blasts Nicki Minaj’s Super Bowl Stance, She Reacts

Nicki Minaj pressed her pink boots into Stephen A. Smith‘s neck on Thursday (Sept. 12). The ‘Pink Friday’ rapper clapped back at Smith after he called her out for her stance on the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show headliner Kendrick Lamar. Earlier this week, Minaj popped off on X (formerly Twitter), citing reasons why Lil Wayne deserved the New Orleans-based gig and allegedly shaded Jay-Z.

Recap Of Nicki’s Comments On The Super Bowl Headliner

As previously reported, Minaj stood ten toes behind her ‘Young Money’ mentor when celebrities and fans began advocating for his involvement in February’s halftime show. She praised Wayne’s contributions to the rap game, calling him the greatest. Additionally, Minaj threw jabs at an unnamed person in the entertainment industry, implying that Wayne was deliberately passed over for the halftime gig.

“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!! Nola, what’s good,” Minaj wrote in one of several posts.

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Note that Nicki also clarified that love and respect can co-exist for Wayne and Kendrick. However, she maintained that “every real rapper” also loves Wayne, including K. Dot.

God forbid if Wayne was to leave this earth right now, the culture would be in mourning. That’s why so many ppl keep saying to give our legends their flowers while they are still around to smell them. Sitting around all day playing games with ppl life & legacy. God ain’t sleep.…

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 9, 2024

Stephen A. Smith Said THIS About Nicki Minaj’s Comments

During commentary on a recent episode of his self-titled show, Stephen A. Smith questioned “who else” Nicki plans to “beef with.” First, he admitted that he respects Nicki’s work and accomplishments. Then, to drive his point, he ran down a list of celebrities that Minaj has allegedly had beef with, including Lil’ Kim, Mariah Carey, Gucci Mane, Taylor Swift, and Demi Lovato.

“Every time we turn around, it’s something, Nicki. You disagree with the decision, you disagree with the decisions, you got to talk about the brother like that,” Smith questioned. “And why are we talking about Jay-Z like he some damn sellout or something? Need I remind y’all all the hip-hop artists, all the R&B that have been performing at the Super Bowl Halftime since he’s been involved, since 2019.”

Smith played up the speculations that Nicki’s insults were aimed at Jay-Z, who became the halftime show’s co-producer after inking a five-year deal in 2019. Note that she had yet to name-drop Jigga, but fans are taking posts with mentions like “brunch” as hints.

“You know how hard it is for a Black man to pull off what Jay-Z has pulled off? In terms of making sure that Black folks get that kind of center stage to promote their brand and build their profile? How unappreciative can you be?  It ain’t about you as an individual; it’s about us, all of us, as Black people,” Smith added.

He said his issue isn’t her stance but how she expressed it and the jabs she allegedly took at Jay-Z, including using the insult “house n***a.” Swipe below to see what Stephen A. Smith said.

‘Pink Friday’ Rapper Goes IN On Stephen

Minaj also didn’t hold back when responding to Smith’s blast. She name-dropped him and cracked on his physical appearance, including his hairline, with rated-X comments.

“Oh look yall another paid laughy taffy alien who only comes off his knees to turn around & back dat azz up. LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Stephen, we don’t care. Ima tell u right now. We don’t care. If I say more it’ll be your fault. Sit down ugly,” Minaj wrote on Thursday.

Additionally, the rapper, who is on the second leg of her U.S. tour right now, made a reference to Shannon Sharpe’s accidental IG Live featuring an intimate act with a woman.

Stephen wasn’t you just moanin & groanin on live in your bedroom ? LMFAOOOO. And since we here in women’s business…ladies; when should men just shave their full head? Should it take its normal course like SAS Sassy ass or should he look into lace fronts? #GagCityBuffalo TONIGHT

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 12, 2024

She kept the hairline trolling going, saying that all she needs is a pair of clippers for Stephen to hit the ground running. “Every week this n***a in the chair arguing with the barber. Talking bout no, not yet,” Minaj wrote in another X post.

Stephen has yet to respond to Nicki Minaj’s burns, but following the VMA wrap, Kendrick Lamar had plenty to say from the booth!

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