Cardi B Responds to Speculation About Shading Nicki Minaj in Maternity Photoshoot: “Are You Dumb?”

Cardi B is setting the record straight after fans speculated that her latest maternity photoshoot was throwing shade at fellow rapper Nicki Minaj.

On September 1st, Cardi took to Instagram to share a series of striking photos that showcased her growing baby bump. In the images, she posed on a motorcycle parked in front of a graffiti-covered storefront.

However, it wasn’t the powerful visual of Cardi’s maternity shoot that sparked controversy, but rather what some fans claimed was a hidden message in the graffiti behind her.

In the background, fans noticed the word “homesick” spray-painted on the wall, but what caught even more attention was what appeared to be faint white paint spelling out the word “pedophile” above it.

This detail set off a wave of speculation that Cardi might have been sending a subliminal message about Nicki Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty.

Petty, who has been married to Minaj since 2019, is a registered sex offender, having been convicted in 1995 for attempted rape in the first degree.

Fans quickly took to social media, with one Instagram user commenting on Cardi’s post, “Does it say clear as day in the back ‘pedophile,’ or am I tripping?” Meanwhile, another person shared their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Cardi B seems to be taunting Nicki Minaj’s family by taking photos in front of graffiti that reads ‘pedophile.'”

As the rumors began to spread, Cardi wasted no time in addressing the situation and putting the speculation to rest.

In a post on X, Cardi directly responded to the allegations, explaining that the location for her shoot was chosen randomly due to the constant presence of paparazzi.

“First of all, we literally picked a random street because Paparazzi was hounding us everywhere,” she clarified. “This was supposed to be my original first picture and we had to edit the photos in minutes because the shoot got leaked. Didn’t even have time to go over every detail.”

Cardi continued to refute the idea that her maternity photoshoot was meant to throw shade at Nicki or her family. “I’m not using my maternity shoot to be funny, are you dumb?” she added, making it clear that the rumors were entirely baseless.

Despite Cardi’s firm denial, this isn’t the first time the two rappers have been embroiled in public controversy.

Their ongoing feud dates back to 2017, when reports emerged that Cardi’s verse on the Migos track *Motorsport* had been added without Nicki Minaj’s approval.

The situation escalated into a public spat, with both artists making veiled comments about one another. The tension culminated in 2018, during an infamous altercation at Harper’s Bazaar’s Icons party during New York Fashion Week.

Video footage captured Cardi B throwing her shoe at Minaj, following a heated exchange between the two stars.

Although the two have continued to make headlines for their feud over the years, Cardi’s recent comments suggest she has no interest in reigniting old tensions, particularly during such a personal moment in her life as her pregnancy.

In addition to the maternity photoshoot, Cardi, who already shares two children, daughter Kulture and son Wave, with her estranged husband Offset, also shared an ultrasound image of her third child.

Fans were quick to speculate about the baby’s potential name, with one fan page posting the sonogram and captioning it with “Cardi shares ultrasound pic of baby Hurricane.”

Cardi, known for her sense of humor, quickly responded, shooting down the fan’s guess with a comment that included stunned and crying emojis, making it clear that the baby wouldn’t be named “Hurricane.”

For Cardi, the maternity shoot was meant to celebrate her pregnancy rather than stir up any drama. She has been vocal about her challenges with paparazzi and leaks, which she referenced when explaining the rushed nature of the photo editing process.

“We had to edit the photos in minutes because the shoot got leaked,” Cardi revealed. “Didn’t even have time to go over every detail because people were busy trying to expose my pregnancy as an ‘aha’ moment.”

Cardi’s frustrations highlight the ongoing challenges celebrities face in maintaining their privacy, especially during sensitive times like pregnancy.

The pressure to control their own narratives, while navigating the scrutiny of fans and the media, is a constant balancing act for public figures.

While Cardi’s maternity photoshoot became a topic of controversy for a brief moment, the rapper has made it clear that her focus is on her growing family, not on reigniting old feuds.

Cardi’s quick response to the speculation not only shut down the rumors, but also served as a reminder that not everything is as it seems on the surface.

In the end, Cardi is determined to celebrate her pregnancy on her own terms and continues to handle rumors and drama with her signature no-nonsense attitude.

Whether through humor or direct responses, she remains unbothered by the noise and focused on what matters most—her family and her journey into motherhood once again.