Cardi B Shuts Down Speculation Over Maternity Shoot Amid Ongoing Feud with Nicki Minaj
Cardi B has once again found herself at the center of online speculation, this time over her recent maternity shoot. The rapper, currently pregnant with her third child with her estranged husband, Offset, shared several photos on Instagram on September 1st. In these pictures, Cardi poses with her baby bump on display while sitting on a motorcycle in front of a closed storefront covered with graffiti. While the street-style artwork appeared to feature the word “homesick,” some fans noticed faint white paint above it that seemed to spell out the word “pedophile.” This detail sparked a flurry of rumors and accusations, suggesting that Cardi B was intentionally taking a dig at Nicki Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty.
Kenneth Petty, Nicki Minaj’s husband of five years, is a registered sex offender who was convicted of attempted rape in the first degree back in 1995. Given his criminal history, the alleged graffiti in the background of Cardi B’s maternity shoot was quickly interpreted by some as a targeted insult. Social media buzzed with comments and theories, with one Instagram user questioning, “Does it say clear as day in the back pedophile or am I tripping?” Another user on X (formerly known as Twitter) added, “Cardi B seems to be taunting Nicki Minaj’s family by taking photos in front of graffiti that reads pedophile.”
However, Cardi B wasted no time shutting down the rumors. She responded to the speculation on X, clarifying that there was no hidden agenda behind her photoshoot location. “First of all, we literally picked a random street because Paparazzi was hounding us everywhere,” she explained. “This was supposed to be my original first picture, and we had to edit the photos in minutes because the shoot got leaked. Didn’t even have time to go over every detail because people were busy trying to expose my pregnancy as an aha moment.” She further emphasized, “I’m not using my maternity shoot to be funny, are you dumb?”
Despite Cardi’s swift rebuttal, some fans remain skeptical due to her history of tension with Nicki Minaj. The two rap stars have been feuding since 2017 when rumors circulated that Migos had added Cardi’s verse to their song “Motorsport” without consulting Nicki, who was also featured on the track. The tension escalated in 2018 when a video surfaced of Cardi B yelling and throwing a shoe at Nicki Minaj during Harper’s Bazaar’s Icons party at New York Fashion Week.
The feud between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj has remained one of the most talked-about rivalries in the hip-hop world. Both artists are known for their fierce competitiveness, and their exchanges, both online and offline, have kept fans engaged for years. Despite attempts to downplay the feud at various points, tensions often resurface, as demonstrated by the recent controversy over Cardi’s maternity shoot.
In addition to her maternity photos, Cardi B also shared a sonogram image of her unborn baby, which she humorously responded to when a fan page suggested the baby’s name might be “Hurricane.” Cardi B reacted with a playful “who” followed by stunned and crying emojis, debunking the fan’s guess and making it clear that she is not planning to name her child after a natural disaster.
While Cardi B continues to make headlines for both her personal life and professional achievements, she remains unbothered by the ongoing drama. Her pregnancy announcement earlier this year has already made waves across social media, with fans eager to see more from the rapper as she navigates motherhood and a flourishing music career.
As Cardi B prepares for the arrival of her third child, the speculation around her maternity shoot is just another chapter in her colorful and eventful public life. The rapper is known for addressing rumors head-on, and her straightforward approach to this latest controversy shows she’s not one to let misunderstandings or feuds overshadow her personal milestones. While the drama with Nicki Minaj may continue to make headlines, Cardi B seems determined to focus on her family, her music, and the arrival of her new baby.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether the two rap queens will ever bury the hatchet or if their feud will continue to provide fodder for fans and the media alike. Regardless of the outcome, both artists have firmly established themselves as dominant forces in the music industry, and their rivalry has, in many ways, only amplified their respective careers.
For now, Cardi B is embracing her pregnancy journey and preparing for the new addition to her family. While her maternity shoot may have sparked controversy, it also highlighted her ability to handle rumors with grace and wit. As she continues to navigate her public and private life, Cardi B proves time and again that she is unapologetically herself—whether she’s on stage, in the studio, or handling internet drama.
