We could be witnessing the most dramatic fall offs in recent Hip-Hop history. Young Money Records — with front runners Nicki Minaj, Drake and Lil Wayne — was once the pinnacle of rap music. But within only years, the once musical trio have fallen from grace, and it’s time we talk about it.
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Lil Wayne the sore loser
It all began with Lil Wayne and Birdman, who birthed Young Money Records and began a massive rap movement. For the first time in years, a female rapper, Nicki, also doubled as a pop icon, and Drake undoubtedly ran the music charts for over a decade. But by 2026, Black folks have collectively taken a break from the rap dynasty.
On Feb. 2, Lil Wayne took to X after he wasn’t nominated for a Grammy Award. “Congrats to the nominees and winners. Wasnt included. As usual. I gotta work harder. As usual,” he said. While some folks sympathize with the rap icon, Black folks collectively told him to get over it, we previously told you.
“I can no longer come to your defense. You know damn well you didn’t deserve a nomination off the back of them elephant sounds alone,” @3xBoogeyman tweeted.
“Desperate asf. gosh. young money as a collective could’ve only been as great as its leader & mentor lead it to be & look at the material, dry begging. shit sad lmfao,” @1lex___ said. “‘I gotta work harder’” as if you haven’t already worked hard enough, as if you aren’t already a legend. pew!”
This, of course came after Wayne expressed frustration over being ”snubbed” for the 2025 Super Bowl. And while folks were trolling Wayne for complaining about Kendrick Lamar being picked over him, the “Lollipop” rapper’s protege was still catching heat over his rap beef the year before.
Drake takes arguably the biggest ‘L’ in rap history
In 2024, the only thing on anyone’s mind was arguably Kendrick’s battle with Drake. The years-long tension had finally spilled over into an eight-diss track war. In the end, Kendrick won following “Not Like Us,” the song of that summer. But outside of simply knocking Drake down a few notches, Kendrick’s diss to the “God’s Plan” rapper took a personal turn and completely altered how rap fans view him.
From accusing Drake of pedophilia to being a culture vulture, Kendrick’s attacks definitely left a mark… and “Not Like Us” winning five Grammys probably also didn’t help. While Drake might never admit he lost the rap battle to Kendrick, it certainly is engrained in his legacy.
MAGA Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj has had her fair share of rap beefs over the years, which has left a sour taste in many hip-hop fans’ mouths. Exchanges with Cardi B, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion and even Jay-Z and Roc Nation have many listeners tuning out.
But it’s her most recent allegiance to MAGA and President Donald Trump that was enough to solidify her downfall. We previously told you Nicki teamed up with Trump to address the alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
After bashing the transgender community and spewing slurs against notable musicians and leaders, Nicki doubled down on her support for Trump, a man who most Black Americans voted against in 2024.
“Nicki losing all of her lap dogs and Drake getting annihilated by Kendrick cuz he got people in his camp exposing him,” @HotBoyMatt92 said on X. “We are witnessing the downfall of Young Money. Oh crackheads….. don’t make that face!”
“As a Young Money baby, this fall from grace has been tough to witness,” @GinaViews wrote. For a generation raised on Young Money hits like “Bedrock” and “Senile” and “The Moment,” 2026 represents the official end of an are.
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