For the first time in her career, Nicki Minaj took home the Top Female Rap Artist trophy at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday (November 19). Moreover, the organization created this category in 2018, and she previously took home the general Top Rap Artist accolade back in 2013. As such, it’s quite nice to see the Trinidadian MC receive this specific honor five years after the award’s inception. Another big winner from this ceremony was her Young Money partner Drake, who won five awards and swept many of the rap categories. In her video accepting the award, she thanked the ever-loyal and ever-present Barbz for their constant support and championing of her.
“Thank you to the Billboard Music Awards for presenting me with the best female rap award of 2023,” Nicki Minaj stated in a video. “Barbz, you are amazing. I appreciate you so much. And I can’t wait to share Pink Friday 2 with you on my birthday, December 8,” she concluded, blowing a kiss to the camera. The new album is closer than ever, and the die-hards couldn’t be more excited for this next long-awaited step in one of the most influential and impactful careers in all of hip-hop.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 12: Nicki Minaj attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images for MTV)
However, that’s not the only thing that the 40-year-old is incredibly excited about when it comes to new releases. She recently gave a shoutout to Sexyy Red, expressing her anticipation for her deluxe version of her breakout project, Hood Hottest Princess. In fact, previous interactions hinted at the St. Louis MC even picking up one of Nicki Minaj’s scrapped tracks for herself. With Pink Friday 2 right around the corner, fans are also hoping that we’ll get some great features, and hearing a “Skee yee!” on a PF2 beat would be electrifying.
Meanwhile, she also revealed new cover art for her highly anticipated studio offering, adding on to various others. This rollout has been very packed with content, extra material for context, and a whole lot of Internet discussion. Finally, with this award in mind, we can finally start getting ready to see its fulfillment. For more news and the latest updates on Nicki Minaj, check back in with HNHH.
The queen of rap, Nicki Minaj, is known for her sensational surprises and magnetic personality. She recently sent the Barbz into a frenzy with a series of tweets that suggest a big announcement is on the horizon. Moreover, the rapper took to Twitter, posting, “I have something to tell you guys. It’s one of the biggest announcements I’ve ever made. If you’d like me to continue, I need you to first trend #TellUSNicki. GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
However, with this cryptic message, Nicki Minaj left her fans hanging in suspense, eagerly waiting for more details. Furthermore, the excitement was intense as her loyal supporters flooded social media with the trending hashtag #TellUSNicki. The anticipation built with each passing moment as they speculated about what Nicki might reveal. Nicki Minaj didn’t keep her fans waiting for long. In a follow-up tweet, she declared, “Ok guys. tmrw morning @ 8am EST, you’ll see it. So no need to announce it. In advance tho, I’d like to tell you guys that you’re the f$&cking BEST!!!!! You’re going to one of the most important stops in GAG CITY tmrw @ 8AM EST SHARP!!!!! On the DOT like COM!!!!!”
I have something to tell you guys. It’s one of the biggest announcements I’ve ever made. If you’d like me to continue, I need you to first trend #TellUSNicki
Ok guys. tmrw morning @ 8am EST, you’ll see it. So no need to announce it. In advance tho, I’d like to tell you guys that you’re the f$&cking BEST!!!!! You’re going to one of the most important stops in GAG CITY tmrw @ 8AM EST SHARP!!!!! On the DOT like COM!!!!!#TellUsNicki
Moreover, the countdown officially began, with fans setting their alarms and marking their calendars for the big reveal. Nicki’s promise of an 8 am announcement sent social media abuzz, with speculation running wild about what this “important stop in GAG CITY” might entail. However, it likely has something to do with Pink Friday 2 and the new music. Nicki has been teasing several things in the past few days, including a possibly Remy Ma collab that has sparked speculation. Whatever it is, the Barbz are eagerly awaiting the groundbreaking news she’s prepared to share.
Futhermore, this surprise announcement has only added to the intrigue surrounding her next move. Nicki Minaj has always been a trendsetter and a force to be reckoned with in the world of music and entertainment. With the entire world watching and the #TellUSNicki hashtag trending, it’s clear that whatever she has up her sleeve is going to be nothing short of epic. Moreover, mark your calendars and set your alarms because the rap icon is about to drop a bombshell that will undoubtedly leave her fans in awe. Whether it’s new music, a tour, or something entirely unexpected, one thing is for sure – Nicki Minaj knows how to keep her fans on the edge of their seats. Stay tuned for 8 am EST sharp, and let the excitement continue to build as we await Nicki Minaj’s big revelation.
Over the past few years, it would probably be fair to say that Stan Culture has been a little … well, toxic. From the BeyHive to the Swifties, fan wars on social media have gotten out of hand on more than one occasion, leading to people being threatened for doing little more than sitting too close to fans’ favorite pop stars.
And the worst perpetrators of all have been the Barbz. Lashing out at any provocation, they’ve terrorized critics of Nicki Minaj so badly that it honestly began to reflect poorly on the rapper herself. After all, most of her peers had made at least the semblance of reining their fans in at their worst; sometimes it seemed as though Nicki encouraged the bad behavior.
But today, finally, after around five or six years of out-of-pocket behavior, it seems Nicki is trying to call them in and calm them down. In a post on her Instagram Story, Nicki addressed their online bullying, writing, “Dear Barbz, Be sure to never threaten anyone on my behalf. Whether in jest or not, I don’t and never have condoned that. We have an amazing album right around the corner 12/08/23. It feels so surreal and euphoric. Wishing you blessings on blessings.”
If the timing seems convenient — coming as Nicki faces multiple legal actions over the Barbz’s near-constant boundary stepping — at least it’s something. As the saying goes, “Better late than never.”
Nicki Minaj gave the barbz something to celebrate to on Friday night (Oct. 13). The queen barb once again demonstrated her ability to drop a surprise hit, releasing the sizzling new track “Bahm Bahm” exclusively on her website. The single’s cover art, adorned with a pink-colored crown, is a fitting representation of the reigning queen of rap. Leading up to the surprise release, Minaj teased and engaged her fans in an exciting interactive experience that let them decide the next single. On Oct. 12, she created a poll on X (formerly known as Twitter) with the hashtag that read “Pink Friday 2.” From there, she offered her fans three options: Juice WRLD, Future, or “Bahm Bahm.” Fans eagerly participated, casting their votes as anticipation continued to build. As Friday progressed, Minaj dropped cryptic hints and teases, leaving the Barbz on the edge of their seats.
Minaj revealed that “Bahm Bahm” had won in the poll, which unlocked the highly-anticipated track for her dedicated fans. She celebrated the victory, tweeting, “There’s a winner [trophy emoji]. It was based on MANY deciding factors in addition to the 2 polls,” she wrote. “It’ll appear shortly on the music player on my website. More surprises coming. Huge. But let’s just enjoy a cute bop & meet up next #PinkFriday…same time, same place. Gag city.”
Happy with excitement, Minaj fans were expressing how much they loved the song. “WE WON!!!! Cute lil appetizer to munch on while we wait for the Album in a few weeks,” one fan said. “And we still got them vault tracks on Live AND a freestyle with our names on it ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu btch IM gagged.” “Thank you mother!! #BahmBahm” another tweeted. “When the throw aways HEAT??? I’m sorry give my girl her 10sssssssss!” said someone else.
The catchy track on her website opens with “There I go again, kickin’ some dumb flow,” setting the stage for a song that’s as bold and spontaneous as Nicki is herself. Meanwhile, the chorus of “Bahm Bahm” sees Minaj doubling down on her well-earned confidence. She raps, “They say my price ridiculous, I don’t like them b**ches, p**sy tight and vicious, hit them likes to lick this (bahm, bahm), screamin’, ‘f**k the opposition.’” Her lyrical prowess and fierce delivery in this track are a testament to why she remains at the forefront of the rap game. As fans await the release of Pink Friday 2, “Bahm Bahm” remains just enough to hold us over. Let us know if you’re excited for new music from Nicki Minaj?
Ice Spice’s devoted Munchkin fans run on her Dunkin’ specialty drink. For a while, Cardi B’s Bardi Gang and Saweetie’s Icy Girls were lovin’ their McDonald’s meals. But “Last Time I Saw You” rapper Nicki Minaj’s die-hard supporters, The Barbz, was one of the first hip-hop communities with a devoted chain restaurant celebration thanks to Chili’s Grill & Bar. So when is Chili’s next Barbz Day for 2023?
According to the announcement posted to the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) page, the date to remember is October 17.
What seemingly started as a stunt to spike the engagement on Chili’s social media page last year has become a fun night for Barbz and anyone near a chain. Last year, around this time, locations hosted Barbz Day with a specialty drink, the Barbarita (Cranberry Margarita), for $5.
Although it isn’t clear if the same drink special or discount price will remain the same, based on the online engagement, the Barbz are down to support their queen either way.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
DJ Akademiks has beefed with Nicki Minaj for many years now. However, that beef rarely reached more extreme heights than it did in 2019. VladTV recently reshared a clip from a 2022 interview with Akademiks in which the pair discussed threatening DMs Minaj had sent to Akademiks. Amid the myriad threats Minaj leveled at him, one message included the threat that Kenneth Petty would be coming to break Akademiks’ jaw. Minaj also appeared to threaten the DJ’s family. While Vlad called Minaj “cowardly”, Akademiks referred to Minaj as a “gangsta bully”.
However, these threats and the weaponization of Petty take on a whole new light four years after they were originally made. Petty is now a sex offender. Furthermore, he was recently sentenced to 120 days of house arrest after making threats against Offset. Furthermore, the recent behavior of Minaj and Petty appears to suggest that this is a core function of their marriage. They violently threaten people they don’t like, with Petty serving as their enforcer.
In the same interview, Akademiks also spoke on the fanatical nature of Minaj’s fanbase, colloquially known as the Barbz or the Barbz Army. “You know why Nicki’s good? I wanna say great…her audience, and she has the best audience in Hip Hop. Them Barbz, they will never believe anything—and Nicki does a good job of not making it apparent. You ‘heard’ it, you didn’t ‘see’ it. So, like, when you say it, her audience is gonna take it as, ‘Oh, you’re just hating on Nicki’,” Akademiks noted.
He continued. “[Minaj’s] fanbase is so solid…if she’s not the victim, no one believes it.” Vlad attempted to draw a comparison to the diehard fans of Michael Jackson, who refuse to believe claims about Jackson’s children or alleged crimes against children. However, Akademiks rejected the comparison, arguing that a bigger proportion of MJ fans were more willing to acknowledge his faults.
The Barbz are out for blood. Nicki Minaj’s dedicated fanbase took to social media this week to try and find the woman who allegedly swatted Minaj in late June. Police officers responded to reports of a shooting at Minaj’s home in what is the latest “swatting” attack on the rapper. While “swatting”, the act of calling in fake police emergencies to the homes of famous people, has been around for some time, Minaj has been a fairly consistent target as of late. Minaj recently called out her latest attacker, saying a “warrant is in the system” for their arrest.
That warrant has since made its way online, identifying the suspect as “Stephanie Bell”. This has led Minaj’s fans to scour social media for any and every account linked to Stephanie Bell that they can find. The only problem is it’s a pretty common name. This means a lot of completely innocent Stephanie Bells are now under siege from rabid Minaj fans.
“I’ve never been so angry at another Stephanie Bell. You’re fucking it up for the rest of us,” one Bell wrote on social media. “Why y’all still in my inbox. Stop dick sucking,” angrily proclaimed another. Meanwhile, the Barbz have declared all out war against Bell. “Stephanie Bell, your days are numbered,” warned one fan. “Stephanie Bell is finished. She better pray the cops get her before us,” added another. However, this has led to a lot of random and unnecessary harassment of innocent people.
At the time of writing, it does not appear that the correct Stephanie Bell has been tracked down. Unfortunately, that means that every other Stephanie Bell may want to close their DMs and take a little social media break for a couple of days. There are clearly account lists being distributed by fans, leading to waves of coordinated harassment. And that’s just not cool. At the end of the day, it’s fun to be in a fandom but a line is crossed when you start attacking completely random people online because of their name. We’ll keep you updated on Nicki’s swatting case as things progress.
“Endless Fashion” is one of Lil Uzi Vert’s Pink Tape‘s many highlights, and that’s obviously owed to Nicki Minaj’s great track presence. Whether it’s her melodic interludes, witty bars, or infectious energy, the Queen pleased longtime Barbz and naysayers alike. Moreover, she recently reacted to her fanbase and more showing her love for the track online, dividing it up into a few different areas. First, she addressed fans (particularly straight men) who typically dismiss her music, but thought that she did a great job on “Endless Fashion.” Then, the Trinidadian rapper thanked these people for supporting the song, calling them “undercover” fans.
“S/o all my undercover barbz playing #EndlessFashion all day reminiscing,” Nicki Minaj wrote on Twitter. “I know y’all gotta pretend not to be in love wit da 1 (not da 2). I still love y’all. I can feel the vibrations. Muva thanks u. Come let me give you a noogie in yall big a** head. *virtual hugs*.” In addition, she spoke more specifically on a few clips that went viral of guys reacting to her verse.
S/o all my undercover barbz playing #EndlessFashion all day reminiscing. I know y’all gotta pretend not to be in love wit da 1 (not da 2). I still love y’all. I can feel the vibrations. Muva thanks u. Come let me give you a noogie in yall big ass head. *virtual hugs*… pic.twitter.com/rYbd6Way2X
“Nah the way they just switched up like that is cr*zy,” one user on Twitter captioned a video compilation of the phenomenon. “These str***ots be trying it chi,” the 40-year-old replied in a quote-tweet. “Nah they cute or whatever & actually I rlly appreciate them being MEN comfortable in their own skin.” There are plenty of fans of every demographic online who turned around on Nicki Minaj after this verse, despite their own biases. Given the amazing year that she’s been having so far, we’re sure that even more people will be praising her by her next album in November.
The Queen Addresses Haters-Turned-Fans
These straggots be trying it chi. nah they cute or whatever & actually I rlly appreciate them being MEN comfortable in their own skin. https://t.co/kGkWB7IZiH
Music is more than metaphors & ppl r free to like who & what they like for their own personal reasons babe. For instance, those guys in the 2 videos clearly identify with Uzi & they have his temperament. That like-able quality. But shy. Very deliberate/conservative w/who & what… https://t.co/XiZQvKbBq2
Also, she spoke a bit more earnestly about why this fan reaction happens, and why people have those biases. “Music is more than metaphors & ppl r free to like who & what they like for their own personal reasons babe,” she responded to a fan who asked why men discount her talents. “For instance, those guys in the 2 videos clearly identify with Uzi & they have his temperament. That like-able quality. But shy. Very deliberate/conservative w/who & what they like. I think they’re dope.” For more news and the latest updates on Nicki Minaj, stay logged into HNHH.
The fanbase of a popular rapper or singer can either be a blessing or a curse to others. In the entertainment industry, especially with music, fanbases have been known to be incredibly loyal to their idols. While this proves positive sometimes, there are many controversial elements that the average “stan” possesses. Hip Hop and its neighboring genres aren’t left out of the conversation as well, boasting some of the most toxic fanbases around.
Many popular artists boast millions of followers around the globe. Some of these loyal devotees have gained a notorious reputation for their questionable behavior over the years. While fanbases of other rappers and singers are usually primary targets, fellow celebrities are also affected by scary fans. These controversial fanbases have gone to great lengths to protect or defend their favorite stars, and oftentimes, this proves problematic.
Kanye West
(Files) in this file photo rapper Kanye West speaks during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 11, 2018. – Kanye West, the entertainment mogul who urges listeners in one song to “reach for the stars, so if you fall, you land on a cloud,” announced SJuly 4, 2020, he is challenging Donald Trump for the US presidency in 2020. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Kanye West’s fans don’t really have an agreed-upon name for their fandom, but they’ve often followed in their idol’s footsteps in stirring up controversy. West has made many problematic statements in the last couple of years that have garnered much attention. The rapper publicly supported Donald Trump, and made questionable comments about slavery and women’s rights. However, his fans relentlessly defend him, claiming West to be a “woke genius” who can do no wrong. His fans have also severely targeted and harassed Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and other women West has had public rifts with.
Beyonce fanbase Beyhive is considered one of the most infamous fanbases in pop culture. ” class=”wp-image-689306″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-946416208.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-946416208-300×191.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-946416208-768×488.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />INDIO, CA – APRIL 14: Beyonce Knowles performs onstage during 2018 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Field on April 14, 2018 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
As much as Beyoncé’s Beyhive dedicate their time to praising their Queen Bey, they’ve also, on numerous occasions, used the same drive to cuss out anyone who speaks out against her. The Beyhive is fiercely protective of Beyoncé and have launched multiple attack campaigns on other celebrities. Most notable of these are Kelis, Keri Hilson, and Rachel Roy, who have experienced firsthand, the devastating sting of the Hive. Beyoncé has, in fact, encouraged her fans to stop the bullying, but they’ve insisted she mind her business. So if Beyoncé herself isn’t free from a cheeky blow or two, nobody’s really safe from their antics.
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 17: Rapper Nicki Minaj performs onstage at Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash: Pop Up Edition at Philips Arena on June 17, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/WireImage)
It’s impossible to list the most controversial fanbases in the world and leave out the iconic Barbz. Nicki Minaj’s fans can be as sweet as her 2011 cotton candy hairdo, and as vicious as a Black Mamba. The rapper herself isn’t free of controversy, but her fanbase would never let a negative word slip through about their icon. They’ve blown up people’s phones who have spoken out against her, even going as far as sending death threats. The Barbz have gotten people fired from their jobs, and located people’s home addresses. Heck, they even tried to get Remy Ma arrested, and still enjoy a recurring sparring match with Cardi B’s fans, Bardi Gang.
Eminem, Vorst Nationaal, Brussels, Belgium, 05/02/2001. (Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)
Eminem’s career is widely revered, and rightfully so. He is one of the most prolific and talented rappers of all time. Nevertheless, he’s the reason the word “stan” exists in the first place. His career has been mired in controversy, from homophobia to run-ins with the law. However, he has also made several misogynistic statements since he first started out, spurring feuds with many women. From claiming he would punch Lana Del Rey, to countless claims that he had a relationship with Mariah Carey, Eminem’s targeting of women is highly questionable. Regardless, the rapper’s fanbase could care less. All they care about is his legacy, and completely overlook his growth as a person.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 22: Chris Brown performs at 2018 BET Experience Staples Center Concert, sponsored by COCA-COLA, at L.A. Live on June 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)
Chris Brown’s career has unfortunately been tainted by numerous assault accusations by women and other celebrities. This also includes a restraining order against him by his ex Karrueche Tran. Despite these facts, his fans, known as Team Breezy, harass anyone who brings up his problematic behaviors online. They also maintain that Brown’s attempted “cancellation” by the media is a result of racial profiling. Not only is that untrue, but it serves to take away from real issues surrounding profiling.
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 23: Recording artist Drake performs onstage at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 23, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Drake’s fanbase might be tamer in comparison to other rappers’ fans, but they can still be pretty exhausting. Insisting your favorite rapper is the best thing since sliced bread is no issue, but Drake fans take it up a notch to bash other musical artists. The rapper’s fanbase has held grudges with many celebrities over the years. Their cult-like behavior is attributed to wishing, to some extent, that they could be Drake himself. Notwithstanding, like many other fandoms, Drake is also caught in the crossfires, as many of his fans want him to go back to “the old Drake.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Robyn Rihanna Fenty and Linda Fargo celebrate the launch of FENTY at Bergdorf Goodman at Bergdorf Goodman on February 07, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Bergdorf Goodman)
Rihanna’s fans, aptly called the Navy, are some of the fiercest online warriors of the Internet age. Their excesses seem to have been curbed now that Rihanna’s pumped the brakes on her music. However, you can still catch them going toe to toe with other fandoms about the supremacy of their leader. Rihanna’s fanbase has dealt blows online to several singers and rappers over the years. These days, when they’re not loving on the singer, they’re beefing with her for not releasing new music.
Here we go again. Cardi B has spoken before about how much she dislikes being pitted against “every new female rapper” but that won’t stop fans from looking for signs of friction every chance they get. The latest opportunity came with Cardi’s set at Hot 97 Summer Jam this weekend, where one of Cardi’s background graphics caught fans’ attention and has them thinking that Cardi’s latest target is “Boy’s A Liar” rapper Ice Spice.
During Cardi’s set, she set up her performance of “Tomorrow 2” with a clip from Annie while an illustrated caricature of the red-headed orphan appeared on the screen behind her. Fans seeing this image online decided that this was somehow a reference to Ice Spice because the rapper’s look — which usually consists of bright orange curls styled into an afro — has become so iconic in such a short amount of time. This led to an avalanche of tweets accusing Cardi of spoofing Ice Spice’s look — although, inarguably, Annie did it first.
cardi b putting a caricature of ice spice on her set in the same outfit she wore on a ig story when she was rapping tomorrow 2 and singing annie before transitioning into tomorrow 2… shading a girl that showed nothing but love to you. pic.twitter.com/gG6QwxQkOU
cardi b shading ice spice for absolutely no reason smfh…. She knows ice spice is about to take her spot. the insecurities jumped out. pic.twitter.com/p4eBejstPJ
Of course, it should be noted that the fans driving this particular narrative seemingly all come from a specific fan base (rhymes with “carbs”), while others — including, apparently, the person who created the graphic in the first place, called it out as ridiculous. A video of Cardi defending Ice Spice recently also surfaced as evidence she wouldn’t feel the need to shade the new rap it-girl, even though she recently collaborated with Cardi’s ostensible rival.
Not me waking up to y’all saying my visuals for Cardi B’s Tomorrow was shade to Ice Spice, I knew the uncultured would think the blue eyed Annie was Ice Spice but the sheer reach you have to do should have y’all at the chiropractor’s soon… pic.twitter.com/n9rlzYbcMO
Ice spice was getting called and industry plant left and right just recently due to how fast her success came about.. soon after Cardi B went live defending that insinuation.
Incidentally, Cardi’s verse on “Tomorrow 2” contains a nod to Ice Spice’s breakout hit “Munch,” which Cardi also considered remixing, although she decided later not to put the song out. But Cardi herself went on Instagram Live shortly after her performance to lay the speculation to rest. “Cut the bullsh*t, please,” she said. “Get the mop. Y’all being too messy and y’all being annoying.”
Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
has been a little … well, toxic. From the BeyHive to the Swifties, fan wars on social media have gotten out of hand on more than one occasion, leading to people being threatened for doing little more than 
Beyonce fanbase Beyhive is considered one of the most infamous fanbases in pop culture. ” class=”wp-image-689306″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-946416208.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-946416208-300×191.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-946416208-768×488.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />
(@callmechunli__)