Nicki Minaj Is Loving the Lana Del Rey vs. Ethel Cain Feud: “I Love This Shit”

Fans were left baffled when Lana Del Rey seemingly instigated a clash with indie-pop newcomer Ethel Cain via a cryptic Instagram snippet on August 14, yet one superstar is undoubtedly reveling in the drama: rap phenom Nicki Minaj.
In a trio of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on August 15, Minaj admitted she can’t shake Del Rey’s melody. “I’ve been singing ‘Ethel Cain hated my instagram post’ all morning. Help!!!!!” she quipped, marveling at how the song’s instrumentation and production hook her despite its enigmatic lyrics.
Del Rey’s teaser appeared to reference two photos—one shared by each artist—featuring model Jack Donaghue, and nod to a New York Times headline dubbing Cain the “most famous girl at the Waffle House.” Cain later disclosed via Instagram Stories that Del Rey had even blocked her on the platform.
Minaj was swift to clarify that she wasn’t picking sides, adding, “I’m sure Ethel is a lovely person,” before harking back to Del Rey’s notorious, since-deleted 2020 Instagram commentary on modern pop culture.
In that original post, Del Rey criticized fellow chart-toppers—including Minaj, Beyoncé and Doja Cat—for glorifying themes of sexuality and infidelity. Minaj’s rejoinder: “Remember that time Lana dissed all the girlies… and none of us said a word? Lmfao, we let Lana walk in the lunchroom, run everybody’s pockets with no weapon and no gang.”
Concluding her viral thread, Minaj reflected on the magic of discovery: how a single captivating track can send listeners diving into an artist’s full catalogue and emerging as devoted fans. “Now I really get how new fans can go back, binge an entire discography and become die-hard supporters,” she wrote.
See Nicki Minaj’s posts below:
I’ve been singing “Ethel cain hated my instagram post” all morning. Help!!!!!
And something about the Waffle House & a picture w/some boy? But how can a melody & instruments & background vocals & the mixing be so good that I’m walking around all day talking about a person named… pic.twitter.com/a9PtvK9WfW
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 15, 2025
Remember that time Lana dissed all the girlies but we had no idea why but none of us said anything back? Lmaooooo not we let Lana walk in the lunchroom & run EVERYBODY pockets wit no weapon & no gang & said not one thing about it. Lmfaooooo. AYO🤣
I fkng love this shit yo. 😩😂— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 15, 2025
Like. 😩 Now I see how ppl can discover an artist years & years into their career then go back & listen to their entire discography & become a die hard fan. I always hear my label & new fans of all diff artists talking about that but now I RLLY get it. https://t.co/HMM4z4foO0
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 15, 2025
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