The latest clash about originality is rising between TDE star Doechii and the Barbz, Nicki Minaj’s fiercely loyal fanbase. Social media has erupted with claims that the Florida-born rapper is “stealing” Nicki’s signature style, from her flow to her bold aesthetics. But is this a case of blatant imitation or simply the evolution of influence in a genre built on homage?
Nicki’s supporters flooded X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok with side-by-side comparisons, pointing to parallels in Doechii’s cadence, punchline-heavy lyrics, and even her avant-garde fashion choices.
Online chatter suggests that Doechii’s aesthetics, lyrical flow, and hip-hop persona mirror Nicki’s, sparking debates about artistic originality versus homage. Critics allege that the “DENIAL IS A RIVER” femcee might be biting Nicki’s style rather than carving her own lane.
Interestingly, these claims lump together female rappers who exhibit any pop flair or blend singing with rap, something that’s been historically overgeneralized. Nicki’s influence is undeniable, but suggesting every new female rap artist is a Minaj clone might oversimplify the situation.
For her part, Doechii has never hidden her admiration for Nicki. In a 2022 interview with NME, she revealed that Minaj’s Pink Friday era changed her life. “I wrote my first song when I was in the 6th grade. I knew this girl, and she put me on Nicki Minaj. I was immediately hooked and wanted to start a group. I wanted to rap, so I wrote my first song.”
This transparency complicates the “copycat” narrative, as Doechii frames Minaj as a north star, not a template.
Musically, the two artists diverge in tone and trajectory. Doechii’s swampy, Southern Gothic aesthetic, evident in tracks like “Persuasive” and “What It Is,” leans into raw, experimental storytelling, while Nicki’s legacy is rooted in boundary-pushing versatility, from pop crossovers to hardcore bars.
This debate taps into a longstanding issue in hip-hop: Female artists often face harsher scrutiny over “originality” than their male peers. While male rappers are celebrated for reviving regional sounds or paying homage, women are frequently pitted against one another or accused of replication.
They put Doechii’s new song on Nicki Minaj’s monster beat and this is actually scary………. pic.twitter.com/vfcR06dZFH
— Banjee Barbie(@BoujeeNBanjee) February 3, 2025
Nicki herself has yet to address the Doechii comparisons, though she’s historically defended her legacy. In 2011, she clapped back at claims she “copied” Lil’ Kim.
Doechii’s camp has stayed silent amid the noise, but her recent “ExtraL” success, a genre-blending track with K-pop’s JENNIE, proves she’s carving a lane all her own. As the debate rages, it’s clear that artistic inspiration is inevitable in hip-hop, a genre built on reinvention.
