Cardi B recently found herself at the center of controversy after sharing maternity shoot photos that some fans interpreted as a subtle jab at fellow rapper Nicki Minaj. The photos, which feature Cardi sitting on a motorbike in front of a store in New York City, include graffiti that reads “homesick pedophile.” This sparked speculation about whether Cardi was throwing shade at Minaj.
In response to the backlash, Cardi defended her choice of location on X, stating, “First of all we literally picked a random street because paparazzi was hounding us everywhere.” She explained that the shoot was rushed due to leaks about her pregnancy, and she did not have time to review every detail of the background. Cardi emphasized, “I’m ALWAYS with the s—s but I’m not using MY MATERNITY shoot to be funny. Are you dumb?” This statement was made in response to a fan who suggested that the graffiti was inappropriate for a maternity shoot.
Some fans speculated that the choice of words was intentional rather than a mere coincidence.
The graffiti reference also ties into a larger narrative surrounding Nicki Minaj’s family. Her brother, Jelani Maraj, was convicted of predatory sexual assault in 2017 and sentenced to 25 years to life in 2020. Additionally, her husband, Kenneth Petty, faced legal issues for failing to register as a sex offender, stemming from a 1995 attempted rape conviction.
These legal troubles have been a topic of discussion in the hip-hop community, especially after Megan Thee Stallion referenced Megan’s Law in her diss track “Hiss,” which calls for public disclosure of registered sex offenders.
As the drama unfolds, it highlights the complexities of celebrity culture and the scrutiny that comes with it. Cardi B’s maternity shoot, meant to celebrate her pregnancy, became a focal point for discussions about personal history and public perception.
