Nicki Minaj Claims Drake Originally Wanted Her On “Rich Baby Daddy,” Not SZA

Hip-hop’s love for collaboration is legendary, and few partnerships have fueled as much speculation as that of Nicki Minaj and Drake. The two Young Money alumni, who rose to fame together under Lil Wayne’s tutelage, are back in the headlines after Minaj claimed that Drake originally wanted her — not SZA — on his 2023 hit “Rich Baby Daddy.”

The surprising revelation, shared during a candid livestream, immediately sent fans buzzing across social media, sparking debates about what the song might have sounded like with Minaj’s fiery delivery instead of SZA’s sultry vocals.

A Song That Already Made Waves

“Rich Baby Daddy” appeared on Drake’s For All the Dogs album, released in October 2023, and quickly became one of the project’s standout tracks. The single featured SZA and Sexyy Red, blending playful verses with smooth melodies in a way that captured Drake’s knack for crafting viral-ready records.

The chemistry between Drake and SZA was notable, especially given their past romantic history, which SZA herself casually confirmed in interviews. Fans loved the unexpected reunion, interpreting the collaboration as a sign of artistic maturity and reconciliation between two of R&B and rap’s biggest stars.

But according to Minaj, that wasn’t the original plan.

Nicki Minaj’s Revelation

In her livestream, Minaj casually dropped the bombshell that Drake had initially wanted her to take the spot SZA ultimately filled. “Drake actually asked me first,” Minaj told viewers. “He sent me the record, but the timing wasn’t right for me. So, he went another direction — and it ended up being SZA.”

She clarified that there was no bad blood, emphasizing her respect for SZA and praising the final version of the track. Still, her statement instantly reignited the endless “what if” scenarios that dominate hip-hop fandom.

Fans Imagine the Alternate Version

Within minutes of Minaj’s comments, fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok with theories and mock remixes. Some spliced Nicki’s verses from other tracks onto “Rich Baby Daddy” to imagine what could have been. Others insisted the track would have leaned more into a high-energy, bar-heavy vibe had Minaj appeared instead of SZA.

“Nicki would’ve EATEN that beat,” one fan wrote, adding fire emojis. Another countered: “SZA’s vibe made the song special — it wouldn’t have worked the same way.”

The debate quickly trended, proving once again how deeply fans care about the creative choices behind hip-hop collaborations.

The Long History of Nicki & Drake

The speculation feels particularly charged given Nicki Minaj and Drake’s intertwined history. Since breaking through as part of Young Money in the late 2000s, the two have collaborated on numerous tracks, including “Moment 4 Life” and “Only.” Their chemistry has always fueled fan speculation about whether more — romantically or musically — was happening behind the scenes.

While their relationship has occasionally seen tension, they’ve consistently returned to each other as trusted collaborators. For many fans, the idea that Minaj could have been on “Rich Baby Daddy” feels like yet another tantalizing “what if” in their ongoing saga.

Why Timing Matters in the Industry

Minaj’s explanation that “the timing wasn’t right” highlights one of the lesser-known realities of the music business. Even for artists at the top of their game, schedules, personal projects, and strategic decisions often determine who ends up on a song.

Minaj herself was deep in the rollout for Pink Friday 2 around the time For All the Dogs was being finalized. Balancing recording schedules, promotional duties, and tour prep can make committing to guest features difficult — even for close friends like Drake.

That context helps explain why the collaboration never happened, though it doesn’t make the missed opportunity any less intriguing to fans.

Respect for SZA

Crucially, Minaj made it clear her revelation was not meant as a slight against SZA. In fact, she praised the singer’s contribution to the track, calling it “beautiful” and saying she was glad fans got to experience that version of the song.

This respectful framing helped stave off any sense of rivalry between the two women, who each command fiercely loyal fanbases. Still, some corners of the internet inevitably tried to spin Minaj’s words into controversy, fueling imagined feuds where none exist.

What It Means Going Forward

Minaj’s revelation has sparked excitement that she and Drake may still have new music together in the works. Fans have speculated that unreleased collaborations could surface during Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 tour or in Drake’s next project.

For now, though, “Rich Baby Daddy” stands as one of the defining tracks of Drake’s 2023 run — and an example of how a single decision in the studio can shape not only the sound of a record but the narrative around it.

The Bottom Line

Nicki Minaj’s claim that Drake initially wanted her — not SZA — on “Rich Baby Daddy” adds a fascinating wrinkle to an already beloved track. While Minaj ultimately sat the feature out, her revelation has ignited the imaginations of fans, who can’t help but wonder what the alternate version might have sounded like.

In the end, the story is less about rivalry and more about timing, friendship, and the unpredictable magic of collaboration in hip-hop.