Nicki Minaj and Cardi B have been fighting for the throne of female rap for years now. Wherever you fall on that debate, you might think that the conversation is over already in either’s favor, but you can’t deny that it could all change quickly in the public eye.

However, the recent drops of Pink Friday 2 a few months ago and the brand new “Like What” freestyle (and “Bongos” with Megan Thee Stallion a couple of months before the Barbz’s 2023 fav) have respectively reopened a conversation around how they tend to drop around the same time. Moreover, The Joe Budden Podcast recently weighed in on this, and its titular host thinks that this has been a long-running phenomenon.

“Whenever Cardi was trying to drop, Nicki was trying to drop,” Joe Budden told his co-hosts. “And that’s why Nicki kept changing dates. Don’t quote me on nothing [sorry, Joe].

But Nicki changed that date, like, five times trying to match up with whenever Cardi was dropping. And that was supposed to be the big… I mean, just as consumers looking at it, that was supposed to be the 50 [and] Kanye.

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And that, I feel like, would have helped Cardi. Nicki, I think, was gonna sell whatever she was gonna sell regardless. But Cardi, I think, would’ve gotten a big boost and just catapult from that marketing.

Joe Budden Speaks On Nicki Minaj & Cardi B Dropping Around The Same Time

“It didn’t happen, and then Nicki dropped,” Joe Budden continued. “I ain’t spoke to nobody up there in Atlantic, but I think Cardi backed out of that. I think she ran from that. And now we about to be in March, spring, summer, year six! It’s year six. I think a lot of these girl rappers are going through City Girls drama and keeping it low. I just mean, where the branding is louder than everything else.”

Nicki Minaj showcases her curves in skimpy silver bodysuit at opening night of Pink Friday 2 World Tour in Oakland

Nicki Minaj wowed her audience at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California, on Friday night.

The Barbie World singer, 41, performed the first show of her massive Pink Friday 2 World Tour to a sold-out crowd who absolutely loved her set.

Nicki — who is in the midst of a heated beef with Megan Thee Stallion — stunned in a revealing silver bodysuit, while showing off multiple other striking costumes.

The Anaconda rapper’s fans — collectively known as the Barbz — couldn’t be happier with the tour opener and took to social media to let the world know.

One of Nicki’s sizzling looks featured a cleavage-highlighting patterned silver bodysuit with intricate cutouts over her trim midriff.

It was decorated with epaulets and tassels, and she paired it with matching silver boots.

Elsewhere, she changed things up with a casual costumed featuring a set of ripped relaxed-fit jeans, along with a pink sequined bra top and a matching pink durag.

The hitmaker also had a pink fur coat with leopard-print lining for a touch of glamour.

Another black bodysuit was decorated with white floral designs, and she covered it with a black-and-red satin robe.

The Super Bass performer changed up the color scheme for another outfit built around a yellow-and-black tunic-style dress, which she complemented with a varsity-style jacket and black combat boots.

One of her big fans enthusiastically took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the Trinidad-born singer.

‘Oakland stand tf up!! The #PinkFriday2Tour kicked off and Nicki Minaj looked STUNNING. The production is next level, the VIP passes were worth it, and there wasn’t an empty seat in the STADIUM. The UNDISPUTED Queen of Rap has once again shown why she’s on “a whole ‘nother level.”‘

Nicki’s costume changes and vibrant, colorful looks rivaled those from Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

The singer Monica was her support act and the Super Freaky Girl rapper took the stage at 9:40 p.m. to perform 36 songs in six acts.

She debuted the live versions of Beep Beep, Press Play, I’m the Best, Pink Birthday, Favorite, Cowgirl, Bahm Bahm, Barbie World, RNB, Fallin 4 U, Let Me Calm Down, Nicki Hendrix and Pink Friday Girls.

Nicki also dug out some deep cuts that haven’t been played in years including: Win Again, which was last performed live in 2016 as well as Right Thru Me and Save Me, which haven’t been seen live since 2019 and finally Here I Am, which was played for the first time since 2010.

The Boss A** B**** singer did a cover of Kanye West’s Monster, possibly alluding to no bad blood between the superstars after she prohibited their collaboration New Body from appearing on his Vultures album.

Nicki and Ye recorded the track with Ty Dolla $ign in 2018 for the rapper’s album Yandhi which was later scrapped.

Nicki closed out her epic concert with an encore of her song Everybody after playing some of her biggest hits, including Super Freaky Girl and Anaconda.

After the show, the Super Bass singer shared a few photos from the night on Instagram.

She captioned the post: ‘ #Oakland you were a dream come true. Thank you. #GAGCITY #PinkFriday2WORLDTour.’

A passionate fan posted her appreciation for Nicki after the show, writing: ‘Iconic is an understatement and this is just the first night, it just goes to show why she’s the Queen of Rap. You can hate on Nicki all you want but there’s no stopping her, she’s always gonna be on top. #WeLoveYouNicki #CongratulationsNicki,’ adding a unicorn emoji.