Nikki D Slams Ice Spice, Calls Current Female Rap the ‘Prostitution Era’
Veteran rapper Nikki D, the first woman signed to Def Jam Records, has expressed her discontent with the state of modern female rap, taking aim at Ice Spice following her performance at Power 105’s Powerhouse concert. Nikki’s criticisms highlight a growing divide between hip-hop’s old guard and its new wave.
Nikki D Critiques Ice Spice’s Performance
On Saturday, October 28, Ice Spice performed at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, during the Powerhouse concert. Dressed in a revealing Betty Boop-inspired Halloween costume, the Bronx rapper delivered her set, sparking strong reactions from Nikki D.
The rap pioneer shared her thoughts on Instagram the following day, calling today’s female hip-hop scene the “prostitution era.”
“You mean to tell me, this is true talent? The female genre of hip-hop today is the ‘prostitution era,’ fight me!” Nikki captioned a clip of Ice Spice’s performance.
She went on to criticize the rapper’s lack of stage production and performance depth, noting that crowd engagement seemed limited to her well-known “Munch” lyric and moments where she flaunted her figure.“She’s one of the top female rappers out at the ‘moment,’” Nikki wrote. “Where’s her show production, rehearsal, and for God’s sake, PLEASE STOP singing over those studio vocals—it’s not a live show at that point.”
Nikki concluded her post by urging Ice Spice’s management to reach out for guidance, warning that her “five minutes” in the spotlight could quickly end.
“Y’all gonna blow it!” she wrote.
Hip-Hop OGs Join the Debate
Nikki D’s criticism found support from legendary producer Pete Rock, who called out “sensitive cornballs” defending the current generation of artists.
“This is what I’ve been saying,” Pete commented. “When all this f* shit started and mofos wanna defend the youngins… Learn how to rap and make music, period. Simple as that.”**
Pete Rock lamented what he sees as a lack of focus on lyrical skill, saying:
“I come from an era of absolute real talent. Y’all love money, not music or lyrics. Y’all love money and drugs, smfh.”
Broader Criticisms of Modern Female Rap
Nikki D and Pete Rock aren’t alone in voicing concerns. In July, rapper Fabolous expressed frustration over the perceived lack of diversity in female rap.
“I think there’s only one style of female rap/hip-hop being promoted, programmed, and looked at as successful now,” Fab shared on Instagram, emphasizing the need for more varied stories and perspectives from women in hip-hop.
Despite Backlash, Female Rappers Dominate the Game
While some hip-hop veterans criticize the current trends, it’s undeniable that female rappers are enjoying unprecedented success. Artists like Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Coi Leray, Cardi B, and others are breaking barriers and achieving significant milestones.
Even Lil Baby acknowledged the movement, saying:
“Female rappers are running the game right now.”
The Divide Between Generations
Nikki D’s comments underscore a generational divide in hip-hop, with OGs yearning for a return to lyrical depth and performance artistry, while newer stars embrace bolder aesthetics and viral appeal. Whether this tension signifies an evolution or a loss in the genre is a debate that continues to polarize the hip-hop community.Ice Spice’s meteoric rise and the criticism surrounding her highlight the ongoing conversation about the state of female rap. While some see it as a decline in artistry, others celebrate it as a moment of empowerment and dominance for women in hip-hop. One thing is clear: the discussion around hip-hop’s past, present, and future is far from over.
