Did Nicki Minaj Actually Win The Grammy?
There was drama unfolding at the 2024 66th Grammy Awards before the official ceremony even began. Of course, Nicki Minaj was involved.
During the Premiere Ceremony (the one just before the main ceremony), Killer Mike won the Grammy for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Album. Sure, it’s an impressive feat to sweep three categories at any award show but what’s that got to do with Nicki? Well, Killer Mike’s ‘SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS’ was nominated for Best Rap Song against Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s ‘Barbie World’. In the live ceremony, Killer Mike was announced as the winner however the official Grammys X account posted that Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice had won the award. Yikes. I’m getting La La Land flashbacks.
The #GRAMMYs official account mistakenly announced ‘Barbie World’ as the Best Rap Song winner, instead of ‘Scientists & Engineers.’ pic.twitter.com/gFWtwT4QyH
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 4, 2024
Of course, Nicki’s legion of feared fans, the Barbz, immediately saw a conspiracy. You see, Nicki did in fact win the Grammy, but it was changed last minute because of her recent unhinged behaviour — bullying, harassing, and trying to tear Megan Thee Stallion down.
Like how does the Grammys mistakenly do this to nicki minaj, she know what she be talking about with these people be playing dirty games!
#grammys pic.twitter.com/dd6y28qmYN— NATE (@NATERERUN) February 4, 2024
“mistakenly” updated nicki’s grammy artist profile with a win.
“mistakenly” announced her as the winner via the official grammy page.
“mistakenly” updated google w/ barbie world being the winner… @RecordingAcad is fraudulent. pic.twitter.com/Qqa0bPv27u
— ?????. ✟ ? (@xomarajs) February 4, 2024
THIS IS LITERALLY ALL CALCULATED.. HOW DO YOU MISTAKENLY ANNOUNCE A GRAMMY WINNER ??? #GRAMMYS pic.twitter.com/wEWsyBMoBJ
— She’s Fishy ➐ (@ShesFishy) February 4, 2024
The debacle does raise the question of how the Grammys could have gotten this so wrong? Wouldn’t they have drafted all the winners posts and just set them live as they were announced? It’s a big blunder for sure, but conspiracy? Also, would an artist’s behaviour really be grounds for changing the winner at the last minute? I don’t know.
how the fuck do you mistakenly announce an award??? https://t.co/wSlsGvTzjt
— kira ? (@kirawontmiss) February 4, 2024
Mistake or not, people found the humour in the situation — mainly because Nicki’s been trying to discredit Megan’s achievements and standing in the industry. Not that it’s a measure of success, but Megan is a three-time Grammy winner and Nicki has now lost all of her 11 nominations. (I’m actually shocked that Doja Cat didn’t win for ‘Attention’ because that is a perfect song. But that’s not the conversation we’re having today.)
Nicki Minaj has lost her 11th straight Grammy nomination as "Barbie World" did not win for Best Song Written For Visual Media. pic.twitter.com/XIPbBjFAZg
— Mr. Pop (@MrPopOfficial) February 4, 2024
Yall really thought Barbie World was about to win best rap song pic.twitter.com/FkWCjjRrci
— Cacao ?? (@OhWho_OhLu) February 4, 2024
The Grammys said Nicki won and deleted the tweet because it was a mistake! pic.twitter.com/XlNucY7IjZ
— ? (@heyjaeee) February 4, 2024
the grammys intern after tweeting nicki won then deleting it: pic.twitter.com/PoPDa4y4OH https://t.co/e0FEY7al9V
— wiLL (@willfulchaos) February 4, 2024
the fact that in any preceding year this would’ve made nicki a grammy winner but they changed the rules. ? karma works crazy. https://t.co/Nhywnjb511
— kimberly. (@problemsthots) February 4, 2024
everybody tryna say "they switched it last minute" or "they were meant to win" is just dumb because if yall were ACTUALLY sitting on the live barbie world was never announced pic.twitter.com/RoFTNyyIeP
— ᴋᴀay❧ (@kaayimtired) February 4, 2024
Some Barbz were upset that people were making fun of the situation but others thought Nicki had it coming.
Nicki HUMILIATED herself this whole week in front of the entire world & industry. An industry that already shunned her for some time now but this just sealed the deal. She LOST a rap battle to Megan’s humbleness & resilience. Let it be a Lesson to ALL ‼️ pic.twitter.com/e8eHMH4d5g
— Nienie? (@beyhivesradio) February 4, 2024
And honestly I could care less if they posted it to be funny. She spent days being weird to Megan so now we laughing at you losing.
— adrian (@perezidentes) February 4, 2024
It’s really not been a good week for Nicki.
losing a rap beef and a Grammy within a week?????????? https://t.co/doFWF1eUv6 pic.twitter.com/1fOOESIFst
— ?? (@madblackvegan) February 4, 2024
If that mistake happened to one of her ops she’d be on here posting memes and laughing. pic.twitter.com/sX0ojyel9N
— ARjay/Ar·jāe/RJ ✨ (@arjaythefifth) February 4, 2024
Nicki Minaj mistakenly being tweeted as the winner of the Grammy even though she didn’t win is the funniest thing that could happen to her after the last week pic.twitter.com/TQ3nQvBm6U
— Harrison Brocklehurst (@harrisonjbrock) February 4, 2024
No award is crazy but talking about a dead mom isn’t?
— Jedi Knight ??♂️ (@Sirferrell1) February 4, 2024
In other, somewhat related news, Killer Mike was arrested and escorted out of the Grammys after winning his three awards.
Rapper Killer Mike has been arrested at the #GRAMMYs after winning three awards.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 5, 2024
I have no proof but I feel like somehow the Barbz were behind this.
Ky is a proud Kamilaroi and Dharug person and writer at Junkee. Follow them on Instagram or on X.
Image: Getty