Nicki Minaj appears to have taken delight in the big changes that have been happening across the music industry recently — namely at her rival Cardi B‘s record label.
As part of a large restructuring at Warner Music Group which will see Elliott Grainge take over as CEO, various longstanding executives are departing the conglomerate, most notably Atlantic Records head Julie Greenwald and 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles.
The Pink Friday 2 rapper — who is signed to Republic and Young Money, which both fall under the Universal Music Group umbrella — took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday (September 19) to gloat over the mass departures.
She wrote: “Dear fired executives & A&R’s: Don’t be mad, UPS is hiring. Also, feel free to submit your resumes for a job @ #HeavyOnIt,” referencing the imprint she launched last year.
Nicki added: “They’ve been wanting empty arenas so bad [laughing emoji]. Obsessed with me while all your friends r getting fired is nasty work.”
The Trinidadian MC followed up with a gif saying “loser” as she appeared to relish the largescale layoffs.
According to Billboard, between 150 and 175 employees are affected by the cuts across Warner Music Group’s many labels, including several senior executives at Atlantic.
A memo from WMG CEO Robert Kyncl said: “I want to acknowledge the hard work, passion, and creativity of everyone across Atlantic, 300 and Elektra. In particular, I want to thank the people who will be leaving us.
“You’ve made an indelible mark on this company and the careers of the extraordinary artists you’ve championed. Words never cut it in these situations but we’re forever grateful for all your contributions and achievements over the years.”
The company’s new managerial structure and its personnel are set to be unveiled next week under the leadership of Grainge, who is the son of Universal Music Group boss Sir Lucian Grainge.
In addition to the label being home to Cardi B, with whom she’s been enemies since 2018, Nicki Minaj’s issues with Atlantic may stem from claims made by British rapper Lady Leshurr that she was offered a large recording contract with the label if she dissed the Young Money star.
Appearing on the podcast Thanks a Million in 2021, Leshurr said: “The first offer, massive, incredible amounts of money. I’ve never seen money like that, £250,000. Offered a record label deal with Atlantic who just kept trying to persuade me to do a diss track to Nicki Minaj.
“I didn’t know Nicki Minaj then, like personally. We never spoke or anything like that. I knew of her come up, I’ve seen her journey, and I just thought she was amazing.”
She added: “I’ve never been the type of person to pull another female down that’s doing their thing, just randomly. That to me is just so cringy […] I felt it in my belly that time and I just knew this is not the right idea. Turned it down.”
