The Barbz vs. Bardi Gang strikes yet again. This time, it's because of a Whitney Houston meme Cardi B posted on Twitter — a tweet that has some convinced she's jacking Nicki Minaj's signature style of pop-culture humor. In response to the online accusations, Cardi, never one to back down, hit back with a sassy clapback: “You sure bout that??” The Bronx femcee didn’t stop there. She followed up with a screenshot of the Whitney Houston meme in question, showing she had posted it back in 2021. “Now go see if b***hes was posting this meme before that date," she added, making it clear she wasn’t here for the shade.
As it stands, a meme that sparks such back-and-forth between fanbases might seem trivial to some, but in today’s digital age, even the smallest online moves can be read as statements — especially between two rap queens with loyal armies. The meme in question features the late iconic singer Whitney Houston, which led fans of Nicki Minaj (aka the Barbz) to claim Cardi was mimicking Nicki’s well-known habit of using pop culture references, particularly memes, to add flair to her social media presence.
However, Cardi’s fiery rebuttal suggests she's more than ready to defend her originality, especially when it comes to social media content. The tweetstorm has fans and pop-culture enthusiasts debating whether such internet skirmishes are worth being considered rap beef material. Can we really call it a beef if it’s over the use of a meme? Or is it more a reflection of the heightened tensions between the fanbases of two of the most influential female rappers in the game right now?
While Cardi B’s response to the claims was quick and witty, it also shows the strange intersection between meme culture and the rap world. Do bragging rights for a viral meme matter as much as chart-topping hits in the ongoing competition between the two stars? In this digital landscape, where internet culture and music fandoms collide, every tweet, meme, or video could either be ammunition for the next "beef" or just a humorous aside.
Regardless, it’s clear that Cardi B isn’t afraid to step into the ring and shut down any whispers of her copying anyone’s style. Her confidence in the originality of her social media game is a reminder that in today’s hyper-connected world, even memes can carry serious weight.