The Ultimate Showdown: 5 Times Nicki Minaj And Cardi B’s Met Gala Fashion Defined Their Decade-Long Rivalry

The Met Gala red carpet is fashion's biggest stage, but for two of hip-hop's most dominant figures, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, it has often served as a highly visible, high-stakes neutral ground in a rivalry that has defined a generation of rap music. Every year, fans and fashion critics alike await their arrivals, not just for the couture, but to gauge the temperature of their long-standing, often volatile, relationship. As of the most recent event in December 2025, their simultaneous attendance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art continues to be one of the most talked-about moments, proving that while their beef may have cooled, the competitive spirit remains fiercely alive. The history of their appearances is a compelling narrative of power, performance, and strategic silence, set against the backdrop of the year's most exclusive fashion event. From rumored backstage meetings to deliberate outfit comparisons, the Met Gala is where the "Queen of Rap" and the "Bardigang" leader let their clothes do the talking.

The Queens of Rap: Nicki Minaj and Cardi B Full Biographies

Before diving into the fashion face-offs, understanding the background of these two powerhouse artists provides crucial context for the intensity of their rivalry and their status on the red carpet.

Nicki Minaj (Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty)

• Full Name: Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (née Maraj)
• Born: December 8, 1982
• Origin: St. James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (raised in Queens, New York)
• Career Debut: Early 2000s, gaining major recognition with her 2010 debut album, Pink Friday.
• Career Highlights: Known for her technical skill, use of alter egos, and vibrant fashion. She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and has earned numerous accolades, including multiple American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and a record number of BET Awards for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist.
• Key Albums: Pink Friday, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, The Pinkprint, Queen, Pink Friday 2.

Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar)

• Full Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar (formerly Cephus)
• Born: October 11, 1992
• Origin: The Bronx, New York City, New York
• Career Debut: 2015, rising to fame on the VH1 reality television series Love & Hip Hop: New York.
• Career Highlights: Rose from reality TV star to global superstar. She became the first solo female rapper to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for her debut, Invasion of Privacy (2018). She is celebrated for her unfiltered persona and chart-topping hits.
• Key Albums: Invasion of Privacy.

The Infamous Feud and the Met Gala Truce of 2018

The backdrop to every Met Gala appearance by the two artists is the highly publicized rivalry that peaked in 2018. The tension, which reportedly stemmed from disagreements over the Migos track "MotorSport," boiled over into a physical altercation during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in September 2018, just months after their first major encounter at the Met Gala. The 2018 Met Gala, themed "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination," became a pivotal moment. Both rappers attended, and a photo of the two speaking to one another went viral, sparking rumors that they had successfully cleared the air and ended their beef. Cardi B later confirmed that they had a conversation, telling Howard Stern that they "cleared up their issues" at the event. However, this truce was short-lived, as the infamous NYFW shoe-throwing incident that followed proved the animosity was far from over. This history has permanently cemented the Met Gala as a site of potential drama for the two stars.

A Study in Contrast: The 2018 and 2019 Fashion Statements

The Met Gala is designed to be a theatrical display, and both artists used their fashion choices to project power and status.

Cardi B's Theatrical Power Play

• 2018 (Heavenly Bodies): Cardi B made a massive statement in a heavily embellished cream gown and headdress by Moschino's Jeremy Scott. The look transformed her into a literal Madonna figure, complete with a massive train and intricate beading, announcing her arrival as a major fashion force.
• 2019 (Camp: Notes on Fashion): She topped her previous look with a dramatic, custom oxblood padded gown by Thom Browne. The dress featured 30,000 feathers and a train that required multiple handlers, solidifying her reputation for jaw-dropping, over-the-top camp.

Nicki Minaj's Calculated Couture

• 2018 (Heavenly Bodies): Nicki opted for a custom Oscar de la Renta gown, a deep red and black ensemble that was regal and gothic. While stunning, her choice was slightly more subdued than Cardi's, leading to a narrative of the newcomer outshining the established queen.
• 2019 (Camp: Notes on Fashion): For the "Camp" theme, Nicki wore a blush-pink custom Prabal Gurung mini-dress featuring hand-embroidered chandelier crystals and a silk taffeta train. The look, while elegant, was criticized by some for not fully embracing the theatrical spirit of the "Camp" theme, especially when compared to Cardi's monumental ensemble.

The 2024 Met Gala: A Quiet Fashion Face-Off

The most recent event, the 2024 Met Gala, themed "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" with a dress code of "The Garden of Time," saw both artists attend without any reported backstage drama, yet their fashion choices created an immediate comparison online. This event marked a new chapter: a quiet, purely fashion-based competition where both women were at the peak of their respective career moments, demonstrating their evolution as style icons.

The Botanical Battle: 2024 Outfits

In a subtle but direct competition for the night's best interpretation of the "Garden of Time" dress code, the two rappers delivered dramatically different, yet equally striking, floral-themed looks.

Nicki Minaj’s Marni Masterpiece:

Nicki Minaj arrived in a vibrant, sculptural mini-dress by Marni. The piece was a botanical masterpiece, adorned with oversized, three-dimensional florals in full bloom. The look was playful, bright, and perfectly captured the "Sleeping Beauties" theme by reawakening the concept of a garden in miniature form. Her choice of a mini-dress was a bold departure from the typical floor-length gown, showcasing her legs and a more youthful, fun energy.

Cardi B’s Dramatic Black Flower:

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Cardi B, known for her commitment to the theme, wore a massive, all-black gown that commanded the entire staircase. The ensemble was a dramatic, voluminous creation that resembled a black rose or a dark, overgrown garden. This time, her choice leaned into the darker, more mysterious side of the "Garden of Time," contrasting sharply with Nicki’s colorful, vibrant look. The sheer scale and volume of Cardi’s dress instantly dominated the red carpet conversation, continuing her tradition of using fashion to create viral, unforgettable moments.

Topical Authority: The Met Gala as a Cultural Barometer

The consistent attention paid to Nicki Minaj and Cardi B at the Met Gala highlights the event's role as a cultural barometer for the hip-hop world and celebrity rivalries. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute Gala, presided over by Vogue's Anna Wintour, is designed to celebrate art and fashion. However, for artists like Nicki and Cardi, it is also a stage to showcase their personal brands, their current status in the industry, and their ability to command the attention of the world's most elite media. Their strategic use of top-tier designers—including Thom Browne, Prabal Gurung, Moschino, and Marni—underscores their transition from music stars to global fashion icons. Every year, the question is not just *what* they will wear, but *how* their choices will inevitably be compared, creating an unscripted, annual fashion showdown that is as compelling as any chart battle. The Met Gala is the one place where they are forced to share the same space, and their continued presence, especially at the most recent 2024 event, confirms that the rivalry has matured from physical altercations to a sophisticated, yet equally intense, competition for cultural and sartorial supremacy.