7 Shocking Facts About The Nicki Minaj Vs. Remy Ma Diss War And Its Final Status In 2025

The rap beef between Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma stands as one of the most explosive and consequential rivalries in modern hip-hop history. While the peak of their exchange—the legendary back-and-forth involving the diss tracks "shETHER" and "No Frauds"—occurred in 2017, its impact continues to shape the competitive landscape for female artists today. This article, updated for December 12, 2025, dives deep into the origins, the brutal lyrical exchanges, and the surprising current status of the two Queens of New York rap.

The feud was not a simple misunderstanding; it was a high-stakes battle for the title of "Queen of Rap," a title that, for years, only one female artist was seemingly allowed to hold at a time. The tracks released during this period are studied in battle rap circles, and the entire saga redefined how quickly a decade-long rivalry could escalate and then, just as quickly, cool down into a state of professional respect.

The Queens of Hip-Hop: Nicki Minaj & Remy Ma Biographies

To fully appreciate the gravity of the diss war, one must understand the formidable backgrounds of the two artists involved. Both women represent different eras and styles of New York hip-hop, each with a claim to the throne.

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Nicki Minaj (Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty)

• Born: December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago.
• Hometown: Queens, New York, after moving at age five.
• Career Highlights: Known for her versatile flow, distinctive alter egos (like Roman Zolanski), and groundbreaking commercial success in the late 2000s and 2010s, earning her the title "Queen of Rap" by many.
• Key Entities: Young Money Entertainment, Lil Wayne, Drake, The Pinkprint, "Anaconda," "Starships," Roman Zolanski.
• Recent Activity (2024-2025): Continued chart dominance and highly publicized releases, maintaining her status as a global superstar and a cultural force.

Remy Ma (Reminisce Kioni Mackie)

• Born: May 30, 1980, in The Bronx, New York.
• Career Highlights: Discovered by the late rap legend Big Pun, she rose to prominence as a member of the Terror Squad collective. She is widely respected as a "rapper's rapper" with an aggressive, technical battle rap style.
• Key Entities: Terror Squad, Big Pun, Papoose (her husband and fellow rapper), "Lean Back," prison sentence (2007–2014), BET Awards.
• Recent Activity (2024-2025): Focused on television, media appearances, and business ventures, while remaining a respected voice in the hip-hop community.

The Definitive Timeline of the "shETHER" vs. "No Frauds" War

The beef that culminated in 2017 was not sudden; it had been brewing for over a decade, rooted in subtle lyrical jabs and perceived disrespect that traces back to the mid-2000s.

The Early Shots (2007–2016)

The initial tension is often traced back to Nicki Minaj’s 2007 mixtape Playtime Is Over, where a line on the track "Dirty Money" was interpreted by many, including Remy Ma, as a slight. Remy Ma was incarcerated from 2007 to 2014, which put a pause on any direct confrontation. Upon her release, the rivalry remained mostly dormant, characterized by vague interviews and subtle social media shade, but the underlying competition for the top spot persisted.

The Ignition: "Make Love" (February 2017)

The feud officially reignited with the release of Gucci Mane’s track "Make Love" in February 2017, which featured a verse from Nicki Minaj. Though not explicitly naming Remy Ma, Nicki’s lyrics were widely seen as a direct shot at her rival, mocking her lack of commercial success and suggesting she was irrelevant. This served as the catalyst for the all-out lyrical warfare that followed.

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The Nuclear Option: "shETHER" (February 2017)

Just days after "Make Love" dropped, Remy Ma delivered what many consider to be one of the most brutal diss tracks in history: "shETHER." The song was a seven-minute barrage of personal attacks, career critiques, and industry rumors, delivered over the beat of Nas' legendary diss track "Ether." The track went viral instantly, dominating the conversation and putting immense pressure on Nicki Minaj to respond. Its raw, unedited aggression and specific claims—including allegations of ghostwriting and personal scandals—made it a moment of pure battle rap spectacle.

Nicki's Counter-Attack: "No Frauds" (March 2017)

After a period of silence that some critics saw as a sign of defeat, Nicki Minaj responded with "No Frauds," featuring her Young Money labelmates Drake and Lil Wayne. The track was a commercial success, but its lyrical content was debated. Nicki clapped back at the ghostwriting claims and Remy Ma's prison time, and most notably, issued a direct challenge: if Remy Ma could drop a hit song within 72 hours, she would give her $500,000. This challenge shifted the battlefield from pure lyrical skill to commercial viability, a domain where Nicki held the clear advantage.

The Enduring Legacy and Current Status of the Feud

While the lyrical war ended in 2017, the beef's impact on the female rap landscape is still discussed, particularly in the context of the "one female rapper" narrative.

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The Impact on Female Hip-Hop

The Nicki-Remy feud highlighted the industry's tendency to pit successful female rappers against each other, creating a perception that only one woman could hold the top spot. However, the intensity and quality of the diss tracks also proved that women could engage in high-level, high-stakes battle rap, a tradition long dominated by men. The beef is credited with paving the way for the current era, where multiple female rappers—like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Latto—can coexist and thrive commercially.

The Ghostwriting Claims and Papoose Entity

A major subplot of the feud involved Nicki Minaj's claim that Remy Ma's husband, Papoose, was ghostwriting her rhymes. Remy Ma vehemently denied these claims, stating that the feud was never about lyricism but about respect and the behind-the-scenes drama that transpired.

The Current Status in 2025: Professional Peace

As of late 2024 and into 2025, the rivalry between Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma appears to be largely over and settled. Remy Ma has publicly stated on multiple occasions that she has no ill will toward Nicki Minaj. In one interview, she confirmed that she has "no problem" with Nicki Minaj or anyone else, suggesting a mature, professional distance from the drama. Furthermore, Remy Ma even defended Nicki Minaj in a separate instance on a hip-hop talk show, showing a surprising level of solidarity and respect, indicating that the battle for the throne has concluded, at least for now, in a state of mutual, albeit distant, professionalism. This resolution proves that even the most venomous rap beefs can eventually transition into a shared legacy.