Azealia Banks is back in the headlines for her unfiltered takes, and this time, Doja Cat is in her crosshairs. After the release of Doja’s latest album, Vie, Banks took to X to criticize what she sees as an over-reliance on Nicki Minaj’s style.
“Ok I love the girls and love Nicki but we can’t just be riding Nicki’s d**k like this,” Banks wrote.
“Like a teeeny bit of inspiration/borrowing is okay and respectful … but the full on Nicki cosplays have to stop because it’s almost like mocking her. Which is rude.”
From Praise to Critique
What makes the comments sting even more is that Banks had just praised Doja’s album days earlier.
“Wait I really like this doja record,” she shared, followed by:
“This is her best work. I’m obsessed with this. It’s so good.”
But her admiration quickly soured when she decided Doja had crossed the line from inspiration into imitation:
“Ugh, she almost had me,” Banks added, summarizing her change of heart.
Banks Has Long Critiqued Doja’s Direction
This isn’t the first time Banks has weighed in on Doja’s artistic choices. Last fall, she speculated about where the rapper might take her sound next, warning against slipping into what she described as a “tiered alt-emo eartheater/twigs rip off.”
Instead, Banks suggested a more mature direction, encouraging Doja to explore adult contemporary sounds reminiscent of Zero 7, Sonique, and Seal — a sharp contrast to the pop-rap hybrid style Doja is known for.
Doja Cat’s History With Nicki Comparisons
Doja has never hidden the fact that Nicki Minaj is one of her inspirations. The two famously collaborated on the 2020 remix of “Say So,” though Nicki later declined to appear on Doja’s “Get Into It (Yuh).”
In 2023, Doja addressed the comparisons directly on her track “Attention”:
“Why she think she Nicki M? She think she hot shit.”
The remarks highlight a recurring tension between drawing inspiration from icons and maintaining originality in today’s rap scene.
What Fans Are Saying
The commentary has sparked heated online debates. Some fans agree with Banks, claiming Doja’s style sometimes tips into imitation. Others defend the rapper, emphasizing that inspiration is a key part of artistic growth.
Whether fans side with Banks or Doja, the conversation underscores a larger question: How far can influence go before it becomes mimicry?
Do you think Doja Cat is crossing the line, or is Azealia Banks overreacting? Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned to The Pop Radar for the latest celeb music drama.