Lil Wayne has fiercely defended Nicki Minaj after Kendrick Perkins threw some serious shade during a sports talk show. Perkins, the former NBA champ, compared Nicki unfavorably to pop icons Beyoncé and Taylor Swift while discussing a big NBA trade.
Perkins’ comment came up on ESPN while discussing Jimmy Butler’s trade to the Golden State Warriors. He said: ‘I’m thinking that the Warriors are gonna go out there and get a Beyoncé or a Taylor Swift. They end up getting a Nicki Minaj.’ This was quite the snipe, provoking shock from his co-hosts who were quick to caution him about Nicki’s devoted fanbase, the Barbz.
Wayne, who’s been in Nicki’s corner since signing her to Young Money over 15 years ago, wasn’t amused. He quickly clapped back at Perkins on social media, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter), ‘The Warriors thought they was getting a Taylor Swift or a Beyoncé and ended up getting a #kendrickperkins Stop playin bish.’
Perkins realized he’d stirred up a storm and soon faced the wrath of the Barbz. Apologizing on X, he admitted, ‘Wish I would’ve known about the Barbz before my Nicki Minaj take… don’t charge it to my heart.’ He was surely feeling the heat, adding: ‘I don’t want no smoke!’
With the Barbz online fury palpable, Perkins made another apology on NBA Today. ‘I apologize to Nicki Minaj and the Barbz,’ he stated. He acknowledged their loyalty to Nicki, saying, ‘They’ve been on my ass like pockets,’ and stressed that he was a fan and meant no disrespect.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first apology Nicki has been on the receiving end of. Last December, Erica Mena publicly said sorry to Nicki over comments tied to their mutual ex, Safaree Samuels. Mena had been influenced by Safaree’s narrative and felt it was time to set the record straight, giving Nicki the apology she felt was deserved.
Perkins’ comments might have sparked some drama, but apologies have somewhat cooled things down. Meanwhile, Lil Wayne stands by Nicki Minaj, emphasizing the strength of their long-standing friendship.
