Nicki, Cardi, & the Angry Black Woman Stereotype

Nicki, Cardi, & the Angry Black Woman Stereotype

There has been an ongoing feud between Nicki Minaj, Young Money Entertainment Rapper, often credited for being an important role “in the culture” and bringing female rap to the forefront of mainstream business and media; and Cardi B, once star of VHI’s Love and Hip Hop: New York with a net worth of $400,000 in 2015 who climbed the ranks and became a multi-platinum artist with an estimated Net Worh of $8 million in 2018.

While both Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are two of the most successful rappers and entertainment artists to date, their feud has been the focus of attention on all forms of social media, rather than Cardi B’s new single “Money” or Nicki Minaj’s song “Dip” with Tyga.

Nicki Minaj criticized Cardi B on her radio show, Queen Radio, while Cardi B’s IG videos towards Minaj went viral. Both players were cursing and using vulgar language, while videos have been circulating across social media platforms showing violent content. 

For months, Minaj and Cardi fans have called their feud a publicity stunt, while others have asked them to put their differences aside. One IG user @chocolatejewel_ commented: “They have such an impact on their fans, Imagine how epic it would be, if they would put their differences aside and come together to empower women..it would be a something special...they are both beautiful, talented, and poppin...the culture needs unity.. we see hate, violence, and pain everyday...we need peace and love...but don't mind me I am just a fan of them both❤️”

Whether a publicity stunt or not, both Nicki and Cardi are gaining followers and attention because they are playing upon an African American stereotype and controlling image that guarantees spotlight and revenue. It seems they are both playing into the Sapphire stereotype that portrays black women as sassy, ill-mannered, and ill-tempered.

Is perpetuating the angry black woman archetype worth the cost is has on society?