SA poet Ntsiki Mazwai accuses Nicki Minaj of copying her 2018 album cover

SOUTH AFRICA – Ntsiki Mazwai is back in her usual controversial lane on X (formerly Twitter), this time accusing US rap superstar Nicki Minaj of copying her 2018 album cover.

Mazwai, who is well-known for her fiery online rants, posted a side-by-side comparison of her album The Masterpiece and Minaj’s Queen, claiming the American rapper drew inspiration from her work.

According to Mazwai, The Masterpiece — which she insists was released in April 2018 — carried the same look and feel that Minaj used a few months later for Queen.

She says she remembers how the situation unfolded and still believes the industry tried to bury the moment.

I will never forget how she copied my album cover and then the system changed my release dates to try hide it and make it seem like I was inspired by her. Kanti luckily I had a launch that is on YouTube with the correct date https://t.co/AcvdsFRLFK pic.twitter.com/tKAUwp1VJr

— NtsikiMazwaiMedia (@ntsikimazwai) November 22, 2025

Mazwai alleges that her release dates were shifted to make it seem like she dropped her album after Minaj, creating the impression she was the one copying the “Super Bass” hitmaker.

She told her followers that the original launch date is still visible on her YouTube page, which she says is the only proof that protected her from being accused of stealing ideas.

“I will never forget how she copied my album cover, and then the system changed my release dates to try to hide it and make it seem like I was inspired by her. Kanti, luckily, I had a launch that is on YouTube with the correct date,” she wrote.