This year, rap beef is at an all-time high on the female side, with Nicki Minaj and Megan The Stallion sparring along with the newest feud between Latto and Ice Spice. While appearing on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ocho Cinco’s Nightcap podcast in Las Vegas on Thursday (Feb. 9), Saweetie spoke on the rise of beefs in hip-hop.
“When the men have their beef, it’s like, ‘Oh OK, it’s a sport.’ But when the women do it, it’s not seen as a sport. I feel like when there’s beef, it’s a sport,” she told Sharpe. “You’re seeing who’s the most witty and clever.”
Minaj took offense at Megan’s Hot 100 chart-topper “Hiss,” which many assumed were shots directed at her. “These h–s don’t be mad at Megan, these h–s mad at Megan’s Law/ I don’t really know what the problem is, but I guarantee y’all don’t want me to start/ B—h, you a p—y, never finna check me/ Every chance you get, bet your weak ass won’t address me,” Thee Stallion spewed, allegedly targeting Nicki and her husband, Kenneth Petty.
In response, the Queens MC penned a scathing rebuttal titled “Big Foot” and targeted the Houston rapper on social media. She referenced Meg’s late mother, her rapping skills and the 2020 Tory Lanez shooting.
“What you’re seeing right now is battle rap, just singles,” relayed Saweetie. “If they were battle rapping, then it wouldn’t be beef; they would be going on stage like this, but now that it’s singles, it’s bringing a bigger audience.”
When asked if she would respond to a record directed at her, Saweetie said it depended on “what was said” and “who sent it.”
Last year, confusion surrounded Saweetie and the sampling of Aqua’s 1997 hit “Barbie World” when she first teased her rendition “Icy Girl, Icy World” on Instagram Live. According to Problem — one of the writers on Saweetie’s version — he claimed they sent the record to Minaj’s camp to consider for the Barbie movie, which she declined. Later, Minaj would work with Ice Spice on “Barbie World,” using a similar sample, and the song became a hit, earning a Grammy nomination this year.
Saweetie addressed the issue and seemed unfazed during her interview with Power 106. “I love to inspire; that’s my purpose here, and they look bomb as f-ck in the video. So it’s just like, ‘OK, b—h, I see you!’ Mine still coming out, though. Stay tuned. I’m saving it for a very special moment.”
Watch Saweetie’s interview with Shannon and Ocho below.