Breaking up with a longtime love is never an easy task. While most industry A-listers attempt to keep their private lives away from the prying eyes of the public (unless you're a Kardashian variety, maybe), it's inevitable that an explosive romance involving the self-professed queen of hip-hop would make headlines. Unfortunately for Nicki Minaj, her 2014 split with Safaree Samuels is still setting the Twitterverse ablaze, four years later. Along with ruffling the press-on lashes of the #Barbz army, intent to drag anyone who sides with Samuels, celebs like professional Twitter troll Azealia Banks and rapper 50 Cent have even added their opinions to the ongoing post-breakup narrative.
Despite the fact that Minaj did the most to keep her love life out of the headlines during her decade-long romance with Samuels, not even Young Money's most skilled PR reps could stop the social media shit storm that occurred after their breakup. Airing most of their dirty laundry on Twitter to the delight of both the Barbz and Samuels' dick-pic-riding female fans, it seems that both Minaj and Scaff Beezy are still down for some drama.
From Samuels being unable to stomach the success of his former partner, to both rappers accusing each other of infidelity, theft and even domestic violence, it's clear that both parties aren't willing to forgive or forget past offenses. Check out all of the low blows, Twitter drag sessions, diss tracks and interview insults exchanged between the former Hood$tars members since their breakup in late 2014.
In the gloves-off, no-holds-barred ongoing battle between Samuels and Minaj, nothing is sacred-- not even (fake) hairlines.
July 2011: The First Sign Of Trouble
While Minaj and Safaree's highly-publicized scuffle at a hotel in Dallas, Texas definitely went down pre-breakup, it's important to note because it offered a rare glimpse into what exactly went on behind the scenes. Consistently portrayed in the press as Minaj's loyal hype man/lap dog, Samuels' image as Minaj's biggest supporter was shattered after police were called to the scene of an alleged incident of domestic violence. According to the official police report obtained by TMZ, Samuels shoved Minaj's suitcase into her chin and lower lip, causing "slight bleeding and swelling" to the affected area. Minaj refused to press charges at the scene and the incident was not elevated beyond the initial report.
Yeah she did to defend herself. In the police report it says Safaree busted her lip with a suitcase. Their 911 call also on YouTube pic.twitter.com/ybbtGXFyMX
October 2011: The Breakup
In October 2011, Samuels was spotted with his prominent tattoos dedicated to Minaj covered up, sparking a flurry of breakup rumors.
UI News: Nicki Minaj’s Boyfriend Safaree Samuels Covers Up 2/3 of his Nicki’ Tattoos pic.twitter.com/HuybdJHz6d
Shortly after, TMZ reported that Samuels split with Minaj because he was "sick of being in the background" and was "uncontrollably jealous" of her success.
December 2011: Samuels Experiences Suicidal Thoughts
According to insiders within Samuels' inner circle, the former Hood$tars member experienced suicidal thoughts shortly after splitting with Minaj. Troubled by Minaj's then-rumored relationship with rapper Meek Mill, Samuels even reportedly attended therapy to sort through his emotional baggage. As first reported by TMZ (you guessed it), Samuels "became a shut-in, spent days and nights smoking weed, and talked openly about suicide."
December 2014: Minaj's Power 105.1 Interview/The First Twitter War
Speaking to Angie Martinez during a Power 105.1 radio interview, Minaj opened up publicly about her former relationship with Samuels. "My relationship was based off of love, and there still is nothing but love there,” said the Queen hitmaker. “This is not some person I picked up off the street. This is somebody I grew up with. Like, I don’t even know how I’m gonna function without that person in my life. I’ve never lived my life as a famous person without him.”
"I don’t think people realize it’s not just a relationship or breakup. That was a humongous part of my life,” Minaj continued, highlighting the gravity of their split. “It is something that I am dealing with publicly and it’s not easy. I’m also not gonna joke about it or try to disrespect him and try to act like he didn’t mean the world to me and still doesn’t mean the world to me. I’m just figuring it out.”
Shortly after the interview, Minaj took to Twitter to drag Samuels and reveal exactly why the two ended their years-long romance.
"Even when I try to protect ppl, they still try to take advantage of me. Haven't u learned that God is in control? Stop while you're ahead," wrote Minaj in a series of now-deleted tweets. "Anything you don't appreciate will be taken. God sees your ungrateful evil soul. I gave and gave and gave. Threatening me? Blackmail? Jump," she continued. "30K watch the night my cousin was killed on the street like a dog. More than rappers. But it was never enough. Don't make me. Too much love."
"Wanted fame. I gave u my blessing. I still love. I still love. I still love. I'll always love. So disappointed," continued Minaj, borrowing a line from her "Pills N Potions" single off of The Pinkprint, an album largely inspired by her toxic relationship with Samuels. "Told u It was the wrong move. I sheltered and protected u for years. Loyal for years. Come on. Selling vids? Cuz I'm happy now? Disgusting. Add up them chains watches bracelets rings cars bikes trex's babe. Stop spending money to floss on IG. that doesn't last. Love lasts."
Unsurprisingly, Samuels then fired back in kind. "im doing interviews about my shit and shit im promoting.. not 1 thing said im doing interviews about nicki. yall sound ridiculous and speaking to some1 about pub and splits isnt blackmail," he tweeted. "stop looking for pitty.. u handle your buisness why cant i? and its not Bout fame its about respect and youve had 0 for me the pass few years.the 0 respect u had for me at home had nothing 2do w/music."
"im dissapointed too.. ur doin something to me publicly that the public doesnt know your doing but your the victim cuz ur famous.. smh. its so ridiculous that instead of hitting my phone u come on here.. i dnt kno what your talking about at alll!!" he continued, blasting Minaj for airing their dirty laundry. "i would never do that!!! were not 2gthr nemore im fine with that.but im not goin back m forth w/u on here.i cant believe were doin dis. we use 2 laugh at ppl 4 this."
January 2015 Part 1: Minaj Calls Samuels Corny On Twitter
After comedian Lil Duval called Samuels' raps corny, Minaj took to Twitter to back up the sentiment.
Safaree and nicki rap just alike it just sounds corny coming from a grown ass man.
Duval aint Lyin. But when u love ppl u try to hide their weaknesses sometimes. Protect them from looking corny. Live & ya learn 🌚 poor thing
"Duval aint Lyin," tweeted Minaj. "But when u love ppl u try to hide their weaknesses sometimes. Protect them from looking corny. Live & ya learn poor thing."
January 2015 Part 2: Safaree Alleges That He Writes Minaj's Raps
Stopping by The Breakfast Club for a radio interview, Samuels opened up about his breakup with Minaj and claimed that he was the one who actually ended things. "I walked away from the situation. I'm not going to say I broke up, but I walked away," he said. I'm the one who packed my stuff, and I left." He continued, "It just got to the point where the respect was gone. Everyone around her works for her. So it got to the point where I was like, 'I'm your man. I'm the one you go to sleep with every night. I'm who you wake up with every morning.' It got to the point where I was being treated like an employee instead of her man."
"Don't say I have no talent because every time it came to writing raps and doing music, it was me her and the beat. She doesn't do it by herself," Samuels continued, alleging that he co-wrote all of Minaj's bars. "It's me and her. So it's like, don't discredit what I've done for you. That's weak. I would never do that to her.
January 2015 Part 3: Safaree Amends His Co-Writing Claims
Shortly after Samuels made the explosive claim that his pen is behind Minaj's best work, he hopped on social media to clear the air. "i wanna say 1 thing cuz ppl like to take bs and run with it.." wrote Samuels, referring to the Minaj drag session during his recent interview with The Breakfast Club. "if there was anything in my interview that came off the wrong way towards nicki i apologize and want ppl to kno that she was the best thing that ever happened to me and is a great person inside and out and the most talented person i kno.. and i never said i wrote her raps she is wayyy more than capable of writing a album on her own without me! shes not a dumb person, so its easy for smart ppl to come up with the witty and smart things that she says! i dont kno about other ppl but i kno when it comes to writing flow n delivery she is 1 of the best if not the best.she has her style i have mine. so stop saying i write her stuff! not true!!! she sits w/a pen&pad &does it herself!"
i wanna say 1 thing cuz ppl like to take bs and run with it..
if there was anything in my interview that came off the wrong way towards nicki i apologize and want ppl to kno that she was the best thing
"and to you ignorant fans i really wish yall would leave me alone," Samuels continued, after attempting to delete several of his tweets praising Minaj. "yall are so miserable..let me build me and stop tryin to tear me down."
Finally putting the issue to bed, Lou$tar, a former member of The Hood$tars alongside Minaj and Samuels spoke up to defend the "Chun-Li" rapper. According to Lou$tar, Minaj once wanted Samuels kicked out of the group due to his lack of talent.
A member of Nicki's old Hip Hop group 'Hoodstars' spoke up on SB ghostwriting for Nicki, Nicki can spit. End of. pic.twitter.com/tRS755SDRj
June 2015: Safaree Drops The Diss Track "Love The Most"
Five months after rolling back his co-writing claims, Samuels dropped a diss track aimed at Minaj titled "Love The Most."
"I ain't sayin' I'm the best, no one will love you like I did/12 years up in flames, thought you woulda had my kid/Year 3 got engaged, now we movin' out of rage/I ain't never think our book woulda ended on this page/Had to watch you kiss Nas and pretend it's all cool/Inside I was feelin' like a motherfuckin' fool/Life revolves around a bitch show me a man that won't cheat," putting Minaj's infidelity on blast.
July 2015: Safaree Drops "Lifeline"
Not finished with his first attack on wax, Samuels returned to drag both Meek Mill and Minaj with a second diss track, "Lifeline."
"This n---a bent outta shape wit a gorilla face/My bars on The PinkPrint, no one'll ever match/My dickprint, lil n---a you can never match/Wasn't a secret young bull I knew everything/Hope you go platinum my n---a she need a better ring," raps Samuels, slyly alluding to his status as Minaj's former co-writer while simultaneously attacking Meek's manhood.
July 2015: Minaj Slams Samuels On Stage
While performing on stage in Toronto, Minaj revealed that Samuels never possessed the baseline intelligence necessary to keep up with her pen game. "A bitch-ass n---a can’t write my raps,” said Minaj. “You know why? You don’t have the heart or the mind frame or the motherfucking intellect, bitch n---a. You don’t even know how to pronounce these motherfucking words in my motherfucking raps, bitch.”
Novemer 2015: Samuels Plans To Sue Minaj
By late 2015, SB was ready to collect on the checks he thought he deserved for helping Minaj build her career. According to TMZ, Samuels was gearing up to take a chunk from the profits off of Minaj's first three albums along with a portion of successful singles like "Only" and "Feeling Myself."
"Tweeted on the 5th that the 6th was my baby's bday. Celebrated on the 6th for his bday (publicly). Served w/a lawsuit on the 9th. lol," tweeted Minaj in response, laughing off Samuels' claims.
Tweeted on the 5th that the 6th was my baby's bday. Celebrated on the 6th for his bday (publicly). Served w/a lawsuit on the 9th. lol
"Two years later this poor excuse of a man is suing me & claiming to have been physically & emotionally abused. Lol. He's so miserable," she continued. "Look @ what "men" have become so that they don't have to work. Fathers pls stay in your sons' lives. You can't even celebrate your happiness anymore w/o being victimized. Miserable ppl refuse to move on w/their lives.
Two years later this poor excuse of a man is suing me & claiming to have been physically & emotionally abused. Lol. He's so miserable.
Look @ what "men" have become so that they don't have to work. Fathers pls stay in your sons' lives.
You can't even celebrate your happiness anymore w/o being victimized. Miserable ppl refuse to move on w/their lives.
"My man asked him to stop emailing me. I also asked him several times. This man can't move on. It's really sad. I have the emails to prove it," she continued. "U really want me showing these emails? I know u need a story line to be on reality Tv. God punishing u & u bout to get more!!!!! Calling my mother crying. I said I'd help. But as soon as meek asked him to stop emailing me it's a problem. LEAVE US ALONE!!!!!! PLEASE!!! I can't even make my man happy for his bday w/o this low life trying to make our lives hell. He miss those gifts."
My man asked him to stop emailing me. I also asked him several times. This man can't move on. It's really sad. I have the emails to prove it
U really want me showing these emails? I know u need a story line to be on reality Tv. God punishing u & u bout to get more!!!!!
Calling my mother crying. I said I'd help. But as soon as meek asked him to stop emailing me it's a problem. LEAVE US ALONE!!!!!! PLEASE!!!
I can't even make my man happy for his bday w/o this low life trying to make our lives hell. He miss those gifts.
Still incensed about Samuels' imminent lawsuit against her, Minaj continued with her verbal attack.
"Imagine how it feels to have someone who gained so much off of your name refuse to let go & let u be happy," she wrote. "You can fool these blogs but God KNOWS! And u will suffer until u stop lying on me. We have women out here HUSTLING... There's no reason a healthy man can't go out there & work & hustle just as hard! Whatever isn't rightfully yours will become a curse once u have it. The money u leaches win in lawsuits will never bless u. It will curse u. LIKE I CANT EVEN CELEBRATE MY MAN BDAY W/O THIS MISERABLE SON OF A BITCH TRYING TO EXTORT ME!!!!!"
Imagine how it feels to have someone who gained so much off of your name refuse to let go & let u be happy.
You can fool these blogs but God KNOWS! And u will suffer until u stop lying on me.
We have women out here HUSTLING... There's no reason a healthy man can't go out there & work & hustle just as hard!
Whatever isn't rightfully yours will become a curse once u have it. The money u leaches win in lawsuits will never bless u. It will curse u
LIKE I CANT EVEN CELEBRATE MY MAN BDAY W/O THIS MISERABLE SON OF A BITCH TRYING TO EXTORT ME!!!!!
Surprisingly, Samuels did not respond to Minaj's Twitter drag session and instead, his representative released this official statement:
“Initially things were being handled privately behind the scenes but it was taken to social media and unfortunately its now being played out in the public eye which could easily be interpreted as a cry for attention. Safaree will not continue in any more social media feuds and at this time we are unable to comment or provide any details pertaining to the current legal proceedings that are taking place with Safaree Samuels and Nicki Minaj. We are confident that things will be both favorable and amicable for all parties.”
August 2018: Nicki Minaj Speaks To Funk Flex/Safaree Alleges That Minaj Almost Killed Him
Nicki Minaj was not playing games during her recent interview with Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97. "You don't know the fucked up shit he did to me," said Minaj, referring to her 12-year relationship with SB. "It don't give you a right to lie about someone's craft just because you know that they're a woman and people will believe you. So now years later you want to come back and say 'I lied' after you've tried to tarnish my image. I've gotten over it now because you can go and listen to Queen and hear it for your mothafucking self."
"I've always been adamant that I've always written my own raps and I want all women to write their own raps," she continued. "For one person to do something like this to me out of sheer weakness and passive aggression and just hatefulness and vindictiveness because you got caught shitting on a person who was taking care of you for years and years? Because you got caught shitting on a person who was taking care of you while you were paying for prostitutes and stealing their credit cards?"
Still looking to blow some steam, Minaj hopped on Twitter once more to expand on her claim that Samuels stole some serious cash from her while they were together.
"U stole my card & told me you thought it was an account with 'free money' that I didn’t know about," tweeted the Young Money femcee. "On God. God will strike you down & more for lying. Ha! Stop saying u packed & left ! On Jesus u came to my house CRYING BEGGING to go w|me to Europe to the EMA’s. I said NO DUMMY."
"Sherika & I had a bet that soon as you knew meek was bout to come home your crawl back & ya did!" she continued. "came to my house CRYING. JOYCE WAS THERE! My whole glam was there! Left who?!?! You gettin aired out on #QueenRadio too on Thursday! Apologize & STFU. I should’ve never paid for that gyatDamn hairline!!!! It fell back out cuz God don’t like ugly!!!! You used me but God had other plans!!!!! Tyga shit ain’t fall back out!!!! Y’all went to the same doctor!!! Yours fell out cuz GOD DONT LIKE UGLY!!!!!!"
U stole my card & told me you thought it was an account with “free money” that I didn’t know about. On God. God will strike you down & more for lying. Ha! Stop saying u packed & left ! On Jesus u came to my house CRYING BEGGING to go w|me to Europe to the EMA’s. I said NO DUMMY
Sherika & I had a bet that soon as you knew meek was bout to come home your crawl back & ya did! 🤣 came to my house CRYING. JOYCE WAS THERE! My whole glam was there! Left who?!?! You gettin aired out on #QueenRadio too on Thursday! Apologize & STFU
I should’ve never paid for that gyatDamn hairline!!!! It fell back out cuz God don’t like ugly!!!! You used me but God had other plans!!!!!
Tyga shit ain’t fall back out!!!! Y’all went to the same doctor!!! Yours fell out cuz GOD DONT LIKE UGLY!!!!!!
In response, Samuels claimed that Minaj once nearly stabbed him to death and that he never pressed charges in an attempt to protect her then-burgeoning career after initially denying that he ever used her card for prostitutes.
"We know each other inside out. Everything there was for us," said SB. "I didn't use your card for prostitutes. We both didn't trust each other. You did shit I did shit. You said you were messing with meek a few years b4 y'all got together and I'm not mad at that. Remember the night you cut me and i almost died the police and ambulance had to take me out the crib on a stretcher and I had to lie and tell them I was trying to kill myself so they wouldn't take you to jail. When things like that start happening more Than once it's time to dip."
We know each other inside out. Everything there was for us. I didn't use your card for prostitutes. We both didn't trust each other. You did shit I did shit. You said you were messing with meek a few years b4 y'all got together and I'm not mad at that.
Remember the night you cut me and i almost died the police and ambulance had to take me out the crib on a stretcher and I had to lie and tell them I was trying to kill myself so they wouldn't take you to jail. When things like that start happening more Than once it's time to dip.
After attacking Minaj's refusal to spit bars during her Funk Flex appearance, Samuels then turned his attention to her attack on his hairline.
"1st off Me and tyga didn’t go to the same dr. We did it the same day. Diff doctors . Listen I don’t know if this has to do with 1st week sales but you need to finish your zen. And don’t talk about vh1 checks cuz the way you’re acting it’s like your auditioning to be on LHH. And let's keep the mention of mothers and siblings to a minimal of zero please. Sincerely yours 12k Hairline," finished Samuels, referencing Minaj calling out his family for dubbing her a "lazy bitch" during their relationship.
Always down for a social media troll session, 50 cent chimed in to drag Samuels' fading hairline.