From prolonged back-and-forth beefs to one-sided rants and assaults towards Beyoncé, here is a complete record of the NYC rapper’s most publicized beefs.
Azealia Banks photographed on March 24, 2015 on the Metropolitan Constructing in Lengthy Island Metropolis, NY.
Ramona Rosales
Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea, T.I., Erykah Badu — these are only a handful of the high-profile artists Azealia Banks has scuffled with on-line lately.
Banks’ penchant for battle practically eclipses her bars within the years since her first mixtape dropped in 2012. Certainly, if there’s one factor Banks has change into greatest identified for, it’s maybe her limitless record of feuds on and off social media along with her fellow musicians.
Earlier this week, Banks hopped on Instagram to critique the quilt and title of Beyoncé’s upcoming album Cowboy Carter. Regardless of, Beyoncé herself explaining the that means behind the mission and why she determined to make a complete album in a style she’s solely beforehand dabbled in, Banks weighed in with a litany of assumptions and criticisms starting from an absence of creativity (“Wow we didn’t even attempt to put even a little bit effort right into a extra creative title?”) to outright ignorance (“reinforcing the false rhetoric that nation music is a put up civil conflict white artwork kind”). She even took a shot at Bey’s husband, saying, “JAY-Z is the one boring factor right here.”
This isn’t the primary time Banks has taken purpose at Bey. After her seminal sixth album Lemonade dropped, Banks accused the Houston native of making an attempt to reap the benefits of the social justice points that had been everywhere in the information again in 2016. “She’s purposefully strayed away from political discourse her whole profession to ensure she didn’t alienate white ppl,” she stated on the time. “And now that black ladies’s struggling is a nationwide dialog, she desires to hop on it and make our struggling ‘stylish.’”
And that’s not even the worst factor she’s stated a few fellow musician. From prolonged back-and-forth beefs to one-sided rants and assaults, right here’s a complete look again at Banks’ most publicized feuds.
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Lil’ Kim
Yr: 2012
Azealia Banks initially confirmed admiration for Lil’ Kim, however that shortly modified when a attainable collaboration between the 2 rappers didn’t come to fruition.
This resulted in Banks happening an inevitable Twitter rant, with feedback like, “Everybody is aware of Lil’ Kim doesn’t write her personal raps and I noticed this as a quicker extra environment friendly manner of getting the monitor accomplished.”
Lil’ Kim took the excessive highway and didn’t reply, and as a substitute launched a press release.
“My shopper and Azealia have NEVER spoke to 1 one other or met AT ALL,” publicist CJ Carter wrote on the time. “Kim was truly very flattered [by] Azealia’s public admiration for her, which is why it’s so arduous to grasp how somebody who claims to be a real Lil’ Kim fan might flip the script so simply on somebody who was supposedly their idol.”
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Dominique Younger Distinctive
Yr: 2012
The 2012 squabble between Banks and Dominique Younger Distinctive began over lyrics from Banks’ “F— Up the Enjoyable,” the place she spits, “I would dance on these n—-s, however the gun’s within the butt.”
Younger Distinctive argued that she got here up with the road first. Banks responded, tweeting, “No honey.. You’re reaching very very far. I like your music. However no im sorry. You’re not getting any credit score there.”
Younger Distinctive laughed it off, responding with an off-color comment.
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Kreayshawn
Yr: 2012
This beef began when Kreayshawn retweeted a tweet from grownup web site Pornhub, which included a hyperlink to Banks’ tune “212” and a reference to her lyrics.
Banks took this as an insult and attacked her on Twitter, writing, “You’re a dumb bi—. And you may’t rap. I’ll sit in your face. … Fall again slut.”
Kreayshawn responded with confusion, writing that she solely retweeted the hyperlink as a result of she favored Banks’ music. The misunderstanding ended seven months later when Banks issued an apology.
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Nicki Minaj
Yr: 2012
In 2012, Banks was provided the chance to accompany Nicki Minaj on tour in Europe — an invite Banks declined, as a result of she was ending her debut album. Minaj later tweeted “#ManTheseBi—esDelirious,” allegedly in response to Banks’ choice.
Banks responded as if Minaj had truly uttered her identify, with a string of tweets laced with strategies comparable to, “Use good grammar when insulting others” and “I don’t consider ‘Rap sport’ hierarchy……….Sorry.”
Thankfully, 5 years later, the 2 squashed their beef after Banks despatched Minaj a DM saying, “I actually do take pleasure in your artistry and suppose you’re so clever and intelligent. You could have a extremely sensible artwork thoughts and sometimes instances remind me numerous myself.”
Surprisingly, Minaj responded, calling Banks “very proficient & very sensible” and advising her to “concentrate on what actually issues any further.”
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Jim Jones
Yr: 2012
In 2012, Banks took to Twitter to outline the that means of the phrase vamp: “A really sexually/financially highly effective girl who’s often characterised by a penchant for darkish issues; nighttime, witchcraft, .. And so on.,” she wrote.
Jim Jones then responded to a fan tweet, noting that he had give you the idea along with his 2013 tune “Vamp Life.” This led to Jones and Banks arguing over who ought to get credit score.
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A$AP Rocky
Yr: 2013
In April 2013, rapper A$AP Rocky gave an interview to Couveter wherein he prompt dark-skinned ladies shouldn’t put on purple lipstick. Although not aimed immediately at Banks, she took it personally and responded.
“Lol @ asap rockys lipstick recommendation,” she tweeted then. “Some folks ought to simply come out of the closet.”
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Pharrell
Yr: 2013
Banks took purpose at Pharrell after — in accordance with her — he failed to advertise a tune they labored on collectively known as “ATM Jam” that Skateboard P produced and sang the hook on.
“The rationale ATM jam did poorly is as a result of pharell modified his thoughts about desirous to be related to me after he had his lite pores and skin comeback,” she tweeted in November 2013.
She then tweeted one other charged message directed at Pharrell: “Lite pores and skin n—as are humorous. However f— it what’s new? Azealia Banks having to scrape claw and battle for what she desires. That is regular for me now. Giving a f—, f—s sh– up for me.”
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Angel Haze
Yr: 2013
Banks and Angel Haze opened the brand new yr by releasing diss tracks geared toward one another and engaged in a nasty back-and-forth on Twitter. Issues received out of hand when Banks used a homophobic slur in response to blogger Perez Hilton after he expressed his dislike of Banks and her beef with Haze.
Haze later eliminated her finish of the Twitter trade and centered her tweets on different topics, together with her tour dates.
She additionally issued an apology. “I actually do apologize for the entire stuff that has occurred lately,” Haze wrote. “I don’t like the truth that I used to be a bully in a sure manner and I don’t like the way in which that I got here off,” the MC stated in a video message to followers, with out mentioning Banks by identify.
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Lily Allen
Yr: 2013
The meat between Banks and Allen started in 2013 when Banks known as the singer’s then-husband, Sam Cooper, ugly. As if that weren’t sufficient, Banks went even additional and insulted the seems to be of Allen’s youngsters. Allen responded, tweeting, “I’ve had 2 youngsters since 212 dropped and that i wager my my album nonetheless comes out 1st. bi— is terrified of the ball. OUT.”
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Rita Ora
Yr: 2013
In March 2013, Rita Ora posted a photograph of herself sporting jelly sneakers. Banks was not having it. “@RitaOra I already did the jellies final yr lady,” she tweeted. “Attempt once more. I can’t with these ladies.”
The back-and-forth took a nasty flip away from footwear when Banks additionally tweeted, “She’s mad she’s Rihanna’s understudy. She’s been TRYING IT on this tour man…..Lol Rita Ora is so thirsty. She climbed over the wall of my dancers dressing room to snap images.”
Allegedly, Ora texted Banks saying, “On the finish of the day I don’t know who the f— you suppose you might be secondly you don’t know me I’ve accomplished nothin’ however strive b good to u 3rdly ur dancers had been talkn to me additional extra I’ll see ur ass on the motherf—in live performance.”
All of this has since been deleted from public file, however nonetheless exists right here.
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Motion Bronson
Yr: 2014
Throughout one in all Banks and Iggy Azalea’s Twitter spats, Motion Bronson chastised his followers for mentioning his identify in the identical breath as the 2 feminine rappers. Banks didn’t waste any time replying, calling him a “bootleg ghost face” and stated that she might rap higher “on a monitor any given Sunday.” Their trade solely escalated, with Bronson saying that the Satan lives between Banks’ legs.
Banks then known as Bronson a “coward” for making an attempt to apologize to her by means of pals. “Motion Bronson is making an attempt to apologize to me by texting a mutual buddy of ours and saying he’s sorry and shouldn’t have stated something to me,” she tweeted on the time.
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T.I. and Tiny
Yr: 2014
In 2014, Banks stated that Tameka “Tiny” Cottle had “meth face.” Tiny’s husband, T.I., responded by way of Instagram saying, “U musty-mouthed-thot-bot-bad-body-syphilis-lipped-rectum-vomit-unimportant-ugggggly-monstrosity-of-a-maggot-a** BIIII******HHHH!!!!!! If u communicate sick of my household once more….. I WILL END YOU!!!!!! #OnPHIL #OnDOE #NoBuuulllsh– folks fall down stairs every day…. U higher watch yo step,u ungly-ass Gremlin-baby #nerveofdisCretin #f—outtahea.”
To learn Banks’ intensive response to that, together with a quaint “Not less than I can learn! LOL,” go right here.
However this wasn’t the primary time the 2 exchanged phrases. Again in 2012, when Banks bashed Iggy Azalea’s placement on the XXL Freshman cowl, T.I. got here to his artist’s protection (Azalea was signed to T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint), telling Banks that she ought to hope to get shelved in order that she might have an opportunity of constructing the following yr’s Freshman cowl.
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Eminem
Yr: 2015
Following a Sway within the Morning freestyle wherein the Detroit rapper talked about Rita Ora, Caitlyn Jenner, and Banks, she took to Twitter and stated, “Eminem, you would be my little wrinkly confronted lover within the wee hours…You cute…BUT!!!!!: …….. You continue to selected to make a joke of one thing that wasn’t humorous. Making enjoyable of a girl who was knocked out chilly bc she was unable to defend herself. I’ve been a sufferer of home violence and it’s simply not humorous. PLUS: you go after unsuspecting ladies and use them as jokes in ur raps however I wager you’d NEVER press JAY-Z in that manner.”
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Kendrick Lamar
Yr: 2015
In January 2015, Banks took exception to one thing Kendrick stated in his Billboard cowl story. “I want anyone would look in our neighborhood understanding that it’s already a scenario, mentally, the place it’s f—ed up,” Lamar advised Billboard. “What occurred to [Michael Brown] ought to’ve by no means occurred. By no means. However after we don’t have respect for ourselves, how will we anticipate them to respect us? It begins from inside. Don’t begin with only a rally, don’t begin from looting — it begins from inside.”
Banks tweeted not directly in response, with a barrage of associated messages: “‘After we don’t respect ourselves how can we anticipate them to respect us’ dumbest shit I’ve ever heard a black man say… Lol have you learnt concerning the generational results of poverty, racism and discrimination?.. There are issues in society that profit a choose few of us. tremendous…. However don’t put down the remaining by saying they don’t respect themselves… HOW DARE YOU open ur face to a white publication and inform them that we don’t respect ourselves…. Converse on your f—ing self.”
For the total rant, learn right here.
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Erykah Badu
Yr: 2015
In 2015, Erykah Badu responded to a fan who questioned if she’s ever given Banks’ music a strive. “Tried,” Badu merely wrote. Banks responded, prompt Badu was jealous, tweeting, “When artists develop outdated and start to acknowledge their very own mortality they throw shade at youthful spirits.”
The next yr, Banks responded to a touch upon Twitter suggesting she and Badu ought to change into greatest pals, calling them the “misunderstood queens” — as they’re usually discovering themselves in controversy due to their statements. She stated that is precisely why they don’t get alongside.
Badu responded later, praising Banks for her advocacy and apologized for what she stated. From there, the love fest was full pressure, with Banks accepting the apology after which explaining her personal private relationship with Badu’s music and why she was so affected by the singer’s assertion.
A uncommon joyful ending on Twitter.
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Skai Jackson
Yr: 2016
Following Banks’ crude feedback to Zayn, Disney star Skai Jackson (then solely 14 years outdated) tweeted “Azealia Banks must simmer down a little bit.”
And in case you had been questioning whether or not anyone was off limits to Banks, the reply proved to be no when she responded to Jackson by tweeting, “and you could develop some hips and begin ur menses. keep in a toddler’s place.” Jackson clapped again with, “When a no hip having 14 yr outdated has extra class than you. Fear about your profession. Get one.”
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Iggy Azalea
Yr: 2016
Tons of rigidity and subtweets pepper the troubled connection between Azealia and Azalea. They started beefing when Banks took challenge with Azalea being the lone feminine rapper on the 2012 XXL Freshman cowl. However none of it in comparison with the time Banks responded to an interview wherein Iggy Azalea revealed that the criticism she had obtained since breaking into music made her ponder self hurt. Banks commented on one in all Azalea’s Instagram posts encouraging her to commit suicide.
Regardless of that distasteful and offensive remark, Azalea labored to make up with Banks. She took to Snapchat and posted a protracted heartfelt message directed on the rapper that stated, partly, “I simply need to say FYI, re: A. Banks. Name me loopy however lady, I don’t hate you. I don’t know you to hate you. I don’t agree with lots of your opinions however actually, at instances I empathize with you as a artistic Gemini girl. I want you had spoken to me earlier than deciding I used to be out to get you after we first got here on the scene, however that’s additionally typical Gemini response sh– (I get it). As a 27 yr outdated grownup girl simply know: I want you effectively from one human to a different and joke collaboration or not as adults we should always transfer previous trivial beef with strangers.”
After that, the 2 seemingly mended their animosity as Azalea introduced a collaboration with Banks that sadly by no means occurred.
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Rihanna
Yr: 2017
In early 2017, Banks went on Instagram to voice her opinion about President Trump’s government order to ban residents of seven Muslim-majority international locations from coming into the U.S. Throughout her rant, Banks set her sights on Rihanna, calling into query the singer’s immigration standing and criticizing her tweets slamming Trump over the manager order.
“So far as Rihanna (who isn’t a citizen, and might’t vote) and all the remainder of the celebrities who’re utilizing their affect to stir the general public, you lot actually REALLY must shut up and sit down,” Banks wrote.
Rihanna subtly replied to Banks’ assault with a kissy face selfie on Instagram. “The face you make if you a immigrant,” she wrote within the caption. The singer additionally referenced Banks’ alleged sacrificing of dwell chickens utilizing the hashtags #stayawayfromthechickens, #iheartnuggets and #saveourhens.
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Remy Ma
Yr: 2017
In December 2017, Banks and Remy Ma went forwards and backwards on Instagram, with Banks calling the rapper “a confused Nicki Minaj Stan at greatest as of late.” “You don’t depend in the actual feminine rap dialog anymore,” she continued, an out-of-nowhere diss that Remy Ma was (understandably) livid about. The spat escalated on social media, with Remy posting screenshots of texts Banks despatched her detailing a depressive spiral and monetary woes.
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Lana Del Rey
Yr: 2018
This loopy feud started when Lana Del Rey went after Kanye for posting a photograph to his Instagram account of himself sporting a “Make America Nice Once more” hat. Lana responded by commenting, “Trump turning into our president was a loss for the nation however your help of him is a loss for the tradition. I can solely assume you relate to his character on some degree. Delusions of Grandeur, excessive problems with narcissism – none of which might be a speaking level if we weren’t talking concerning the man main our nation. In the event you suppose it’s alright to help somebody who believes it’s OK to seize a girl by the p**** simply because he’s famous-then you want an intervention as a lot as he does – one thing so many narcissists won’t ever get as a result of there simply isn’t sufficient assist for the difficulty.”
Somebody on Twitter screenshotted the IG put up and Lana’s feedback and requested Banks, “lady what do you consider this?” Banks was fast to answer, attacking Lana Del Rey for not being “constant along with her outrage” attributable to her collaboration with A$AP Rocky, who was accused of slapping a feminine fan in 2013.
Banks then went on a protracted Twitter rant directed at Lana that touched on racism, prompting Lana to problem the rapper by tweeting “u know the addy. Pull up anytime. Say it to my face. But when I had been you—I wouldn’t.” The Twitter battle then escalated into assaults about Lana’s private look and in the end ended up in Banks threatening to sue.
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Cardi B
Yr: 2018
This messy feud started when Banks known as Cardi a “poor man’s Nicki Minaj” and accused the rapper of utilizing a ghostwriter for her Billboard Sizzling 100 No. 1 hit “Bodak Yellow.” Cardi responded by posting a video of Banks dancing to the monitor in a membership.
The meat reignited on Might 11 when Banks advised The Breakfast Membership that Cardi is an “illiterate, untalented rat” and known as her a “caricature of a black girl.” Cardi responded to the offensive feedback on Instagram, then deleted her whole IG account shortly thereafter.
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Beyoncé
Yr: 2016, 2022, & 2024
Banks clearly has a problem with Beyoncé. Following the discharge of Beyoncé’s visible album Lemonade in April 2016, Banks sounded off with the unpopular opinion that she didn’t prefer it. Extra than simply saying that, although, Banks went on a rant tweeting, “She’s purposefully strayed away from political discourse her whole profession to ensure she didn’t alienate white ppl. And now that black ladies’s struggling is a nationwide dialog, she desires to hop on it and make our struggling ‘stylish’…she wants to remain beneath Jay-Z’s foot the place she belongs, and keep out of the artistic girl’s manner.”
Then, 4 years later she despatched a number of stray pictures Bey’s manner after posting on Instagram about Kim Kardashian’s vegan weight-reduction plan.
“It’s important to give Kim her props for making to 40 nonetheless trying higher than all of her contemporaries and about 88% of younger ladies. I by no means in 1,000,000 years thought Kim Ok would look more healthy, extra alert, extra sober and total happier and in command of her shit than Beyoncé,” she wrote. “Hate evaluating however Bey actually dropped the ball on aspirational items. She seems to be sooooo clearly unhappy with Jay-Z. And watching that power drain her yr after yr simply turns me off from how highly effective she appeared to me as a child.”
And, most lately, Banks as soon as once more determined to publicly criticize Beyonce by taking purpose on the cowl and title of her upcoming album, Cowboy Carter. “Wow we didn’t even attempt to put even a little bit effort right into a extra creative title?” she wrote on Instagram. “How u swap from baobab timber and black parade to this literal decide me stuff.” She went on to accuse her of being in “white girl cosplay” and “reinforcing the false rhetoric that nation music is a put up civil conflict white artwork kind. And subsequently reinforcing the concept that there isn’t any racism, segregation, slavery, violence, theft, massacres, plagues, manifest future craziness that kind the bedrock of epithets like ‘proud to be an American,’ or ‘god bless the usa.’”