Tensions flared around the 2026 Grammy Awards after comments made during the ceremony by host Trevor Noah were followed by an extended online response from Nicki Minaj. In a series of posts, Minaj criticized Jay-Z and raised long-standing grievances related to the 2021 sale of Tidal.
At the center of her claims is an alleged equity dispute dating back to Tidal’s 2015 artist relaunch. Publicly available figures show Jay-Z sold a majority stake in the platform in 2021 for approximately $300 million, though the specific contractual arrangements of individual artists were never fully disclosed. No court filings reflecting a lawsuit from Minaj over ownership have been reported.
Minaj also referenced broader industry issues, including performance bookings and perceived professional setbacks. Meanwhile, Beyonce has not publicly addressed the matter.
The episode has fueled online debate among fans and commentators, reflecting ongoing tensions within segments of the music industry where business disputes, personal grievances, and social media amplification increasingly intersect.
